Myki’s stalled rollout has resulted in confusion on V/Line. Both the V/Line and Myki web sites say that Myki is only valid on V/Line trains within Melbourne zones 1 and 2.

• “V/Line (myki is currently available for Zone 2 stations only)” — Myki web site
• “myki cannot currently be used on: V/Line train and coach services outside Zone 2″ — V/Line web site

This information is wrong.

Myki is valid for suburban V/Line trips within Victoria’s regional cities. The government’s Fares And Ticketing Manual Myki “bible” specifically says it is valid on train trips within Geelong (Lara to Marshall), Ballarat (Ballarat to Wendouree) and Bendigo (Kangaroo Flat to Eaglehawk).

No wonder people are confused about Myki. Even V/Line and Myki themselves are confused.

We have flagged this error with the Transport Ticketing Authority; as of last night it hadn’t been fixed.

One can only hope the government decides soon if it’s staying or going, so they can then get on with the job of making whatever system we’re going to have work.

Help our campaign for better public transport. Join the PTUA now. We rely entirely on member funding and enthusiastic volunteers to operate.

More about PT Problem Of The Day, including how you can contribute your photos.

The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has criticised as short-sighted plans by the Department of Transport to terminate route 8 trams at Kooyong.

“The objective should be to extend the number 8 tram east to Hartwell where it would connect with several other tram, train and bus routes,” said PTUA eastern spokesman Jeremy Lunn. “Kooyong is in the wrong direction as it should be going further east.”
Read the rest of this article »

Overcrowding on St Kilda Road trams has long been a problem, and doesn’t seem to be improving. Crowds like this now often spill out of the southbound superstop during the morning peak.

More and longer trams would help, but so would better tram priority along the route, to speed up trams and cut delays, and to ensure we get the most services possible out of the tram fleet we have.

Are you unhappy with public transport? Use our online tool to write to your local MP and demand action.

More about PT Problem Of The Day, including how you can contribute your photos.

(Picture: Lisa, on Twitter)

Fences like these are probably done in the name of safety — protecting tram passengers from car drivers who should know to stop for trams, but sometimes don’t.

The effect however can be delays to trams, as at busy stops the boarding and alighting passengers get funneled through the gaps in the fences. Surely there must be a better way — such as better enforcement of the rules?

Are you unhappy with public transport? Use our online tool to write to your local MP and demand action.

More about PT Problem Of The Day, including how you can contribute your photos.

One of the features of Smartbus routes is the connections to other trams, buses and trains — which are essential to provide a public transport network capable of anywhere-to-anywhere travel. At some stops, the automated signs are meant to show the times of those connecting services… but don’t.

These two are at Bentleigh and Bundoora respectively. In the case of the Bentleigh sign, it used to show train times, but this part was switched off some months ago.

(Note also that the last bus from Bentleigh is at 8:52pm; falling far short of the promised half-hourly services until midnight seen on other Smartbus routes.)

Are you unhappy with public transport? Use our online tool to write to your local MP and demand action.

More about PT Problem Of The Day, including how you can contribute your photos.

The Elizabeth Street and Southbank entrances to Flinders Street Station close at 10pm, even on busy Friday and Saturday nights. Some passengers are unaware until they find the closed gate — and some decide rather than walk around, to climb over it.

Passengers attempting to enter from Southbank and Elizabeth Street have to walk up to the entrance opposite Degraves Street. This extra distance could easily be the difference between just making your train, and having to wait half-an-hour for the next one.

Apparently it’s a cost-cutting measure, so Metro don’t have to pay staff for the gates. But this doesn’t make sense, as it’s common to find the remaining open gates at Degraves Street and Swanston Street unstaffed at these times.

Help our campaign for better public transport. Join the PTUA now. We rely entirely on member funding and enthusiastic volunteers to operate.

More about PT Problem Of The Day, including how you can contribute your photos.

Is it unreasonable to expect that that train network maps at Melbourne’s major CBD stations should be kept up to date? This one, snapped last week, isn’t.

Missing is Coolaroo station, on the Craigieburn line between Broadmeadows and Roxburgh Park. It opened just over a year ago, on 6th June 2010.

Other stations have up-to-date maps, but Southern Cross (managed by private company separate to the operators) is lagging.

Are you unhappy with public transport? Use our online tool to write to your local MP and demand action.

More about PT Problem Of The Day, including how you can contribute your photos.

It’s not just traffic that gets delayed by level crossings. Pedestrians, including train passengers, sometimes have to wait long periods for trains to pass. Often for those trying to enter stations, it can mean the difference between making the train and missing it… never a problem at stations where the level crossing has been grade-separated.

Help our campaign for better public transport. Join the PTUA now. We rely entirely on member funding and enthusiastic volunteers to operate.

More about PT Problem Of The Day, including how you can contribute your photos.

Public safety is being put at risk at the Oakleigh bus interchange according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA). The PTUA has called for a redesign of the bus interchange in Oakleigh to improve passenger and pedestrian safety.

“The current bus interchange is an accident waiting to happen,” said the PTUA’s outer east convenor Jeremy Lunn. “We are only a step away from someone being killed or seriously injured.
Read the rest of this article »