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Community fears betray poor standard of metro train service, says PTUA

Calls by sections of the Sunbury community to retain the existing V/Line service in preference to more frequent suburban train services are “an indictment of Connex’s poor standard of service”, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) said today, while restating its support for the project.

“Connex’s poor reputation for slow, dirty, overcrowded, understaffed and unreliable trains has tainted the perception of our suburban trains to the point where people don’t want them, even where they can provide a much more frequent service,” said PTUA President Daniel Bowen. “This outcry from Sunbury is a clarion call to Connex and the Brumby government to clean up their act.”
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Following intense lobbying from community groups such as the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) and Templestowe Road Reference Panel, recent State Government bus service reviews have finally provided two-directional public transport services along Templestowe Road. However, without any bus stops on the northern side of the road, the new service is useless if it cannot serve passengers along the route, and both groups demand their immediate installation.
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The Public Transport Users Association has flagged the first week of operation of Myki on Geelong’s buses as a failure, following feedback from Geelong commuters.

PTUA President Daniel Bowen said the association’s Geelong Branch had closely watched the introduction of the multi-million dollar Myki ticket system, and passengers had given it a big thumbs down.

“Despite earlier trials on a limited number of buses, the rollout onto all Geelong buses has gone ahead, bringing with it a myriad of problems”, said Mr Bowen.

PTUA members highlighted a number of issues, including:
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Please join the PTUA to receive regular newsletters.

March 2009 edition articles:

• Summer: Trains breakdown, tracks buckle, industrial disputes — what next?
• Is 20/2020 to be dumped?
• Decisive action on emissions critical
• Myki: We told them so
• Connecting to the future: An alternative plan
• Smartbus an improvement, could be smarter
• Big spending plan falls short on public transport
• Geelong Branch: Bus route reform and Myki

Members can read this edition online.

When: Tuesday, 31 March 2009, 6.45pm
Where: Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

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