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The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed the appointment of Lynne Kosky as the Minister for Public Transport. PTUA president Daniel Bowen said Ms Kosky had demonstrated her abilities to achieve innovation and reform in her previous position as Minister for Education and Training.

“We hope that Ms Kosky will renew the government’s focus and commitment to its public transport goals including the target of 20% modal share by 2020″, said Mr Bowen.
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The Liberals’ failure to win South Barwon highlights the party’s lack of a broad vision for public transport throughout the electorate, the Public Transport Users Association said today. Read the rest of this article »

In the MX newspaper yesterday (24/11/2006), PTUA Vice-president Alex Makin was paraphrased as saying that the Hitachi trains should be replaced immediately.

This appears to have been a misunderstanding with the reporter. The PTUA has a long-held view that the Hitachi trains should not be scrapped. Rather, they should be upgraded with intercoms and security cameras and kept in service to help relieve overcrowding by providing extra services. At this point in time, expanding the train fleet is more important than replacing old (but serviceable) trains.

15/11/2006 — ‘Must try harder on transport’, says policy report card

An assessment of transport policies for this weekend’s state election has shown most parties lack the vision to adequately address congestion, high fuel prices and greenhouse emissions, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) said today. Read the rest of this article »

Users release Geelong election policy scorecard

The two major political parties have scored poorly on election campaign commitments for Geelong’s public transport, in an analysis by the Public Transport Users Association’s Geelong Branch.

The election policy scorecard gives both Labor and Liberal a “D”, and indicates that only the Greens have tackled the issue of providing better public transport services throughout Geelong’s suburbs and neighbouring towns. Read the rest of this article »

Transport users have accused the State Government and private operators Connex and Yarra Trams of “gross mismanagement” over the purchase and disposal of rolling stock, and of “covering up” problems with the new trains and trams, that were common knowledge within the industry for up to four years. Read the rest of this article »

Joint media release from: Action for Public Transport (NSW), Queensland Conservation Council, People for Public Transport (SA), Public Transport Users Association (Vic), Sustainable Transport Coalition (WA).

The G20 group of finance ministers and central bankers meeting in Melbourne this week has been told to focus on cutting oil use rather than boosting production of the non-renewable fossil fuel.

“About 40% of global greenhouse emissions are from oil consumption,” said Victoria’s Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) President Daniel Bowen. “It would be grossly irresponsible to increase this pollution. The G20 members should instead improve public transport so that more motorists can leave their cars at home.” Read the rest of this article »

The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed the Labor Party’s policy shift to construct the much-needed station at Coolaroo but has questioned the four year lag and $36 million pricetag. Read the rest of this article »

Stop The Tunnel
Public Meeting and BBQ
12pm Saturday 11th November
Royal Park Wetlands, Manningham St, West Parkville (Melway 29 C12) Read the rest of this article »

The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed the Liberal Party’s Transport Policy, which reaffirms commitment for metropolitan rail and tram extensions and the potential for fundamental improvements for the bus network. Read the rest of this article »