Archive for November, 2010

Online campaign to sort out public transport mess

November 8th, 2010 (Election 2010, Media releases)

Think you know who runs public transport? The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has compiled an online quiz to test your knowledge, and it’s harder than you might think.


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Doncaster rail announcement welcome

November 4th, 2010 (Election 2010, Media releases, Melbourne east, Outer East)

Train to East DoncasterThe Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed the Liberal Party’s announcement on the Doncaster railway line, while slamming the government for refusing to make a better offer. The PTUA believes that the line, which has been promised for over 40 years would be a fraction of the cost of a North-East link and offer far more benefits.

“The announcement on the Doncaster railway is exactly the kind of foresight that we need to see from our politicians in this election year,” said PTUA’s outer east convenor Jeremy Lunn. “It’s certainly a step ahead of the Brumby Government, which took over a decade to install four paltry bus routes.”
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Busway only second-best according to PTUA

November 3rd, 2010 (Election 2010, Media releases, Melbourne north)

The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has rejected the proposed busway to Mernda as a second-best solution, saying the rail line should be extended instead.

“When it comes to major infrastructure, you should do it right, do it once,” said PTUA president Daniel Bowen. “The existing rail reservation is still there, and should be used for rail.

“With a growing community, there are real concerns that the busway won’t have the required capacity, and that it will have to be eventually upgraded to rail. That will be a major inconvenience to the community, as well as a complete waste of money.
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What a mess – a hundred different organisations running public transport in Victoria

November 2nd, 2010 (Election 2010, Media releases, Melbourne metro, Regional)

Diagram of organisations running public transport in VictoriaThe Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has highlighted the fragmented nature of public transport management in Victoria, issuing a flowchart illustrating how difficult it is for the average person to work out who to contact with questions and problems. The flowchart will be sent to PTUA members, and available on the PTUA web site.

“We were staggered to find over a hundred different organisations involved”, said PTUA President Daniel Bowen. “We considered putting the diagram on a postcard to hand out to people to help them navigate the bureaucracy, but it wouldn’t all fit.
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Eastern train service off track

November 1st, 2010 (Election 2010, Every 10 Minutes to Everywhere, Media releases, Melbourne east)

Services on the Belgrave, Lilydale, Alamein and Glen Waverley lines are still operating below acceptable standards outside peak hours according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA), which has called for all political candidates to commit to upgrading services.

“Trains should operate every 10 minutes from 6am to midnight seven days-a-week, bringing train services up to a true ‘Metro’ standard, which is needed in order to meet 21st century travel demands,” said PTUA outer east convenor Jeremy Lunn.
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Users welcome Greens support for a Geelong public transport authority

November 1st, 2010 (Election 2010, Geelong, Media releases)

Public transport users have welcomed the Greens’ support for a dedicated public transport authority for Geelong, which promises to give the region a greater say over its public transport services.

Convenor of the Geelong Branch of the Public Transport Users Association, Paul Westcott, congratulated the Greens for being the first major party to pick up the idea for a Geelong public transport authority, and called on the other major parties to follow suit.
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