The Victorian government is undertaking a study to provide a train service between Doncaster and the Melbourne CBD. The PTUA strongly supports a rail service to Doncaster as a vital link in Melbourne’s public transport network.

We encourage you to attend one of the community workshops organised by the Doncaster Rail Study Team. The purpose of these workshops is to explain how the options are being developed and assessed, and to gain community input on key
issues and opportunities emerging from the initial assessment.

The workshops are in Richmond (26th March), North Balwyn (28th March) and Doncaster (29th March). For full details click here.

Check the three “corridor options” (possible routes) released by the Doncaster Rail study.

You can also read more about the Doncaster rail line in the PTUA’s brochure (PDF, 673Kb)

THE idea that the Rowville line can’t be built without a $5 billion metro tunnel is nonsense (”Monash Uni train line plan derailed”, The Age, 9/3). The line was included in the 1969 transport plan, which gave us the City Loop, but did not say an extra tunnel from South Yarra was required: only some lesser upgrades at a fraction of the cost. It also suggested the Dandenong line would have 24 peak-hour services in 1985. Today it has 16, including two V/Line trains.
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The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has called on the Baillieu Government to ensure greater transparency in transport planning for the proposed Chadstone shopping centre expansion.

PTUA outer east convenor Jeremy Lunn said public participation must be a key component of the planning process, but the government and the developer seem to be operating behind closed doors.

“Without sufficient public participation and debate, Chadstone’s expansion plans should not be approved,” said Mr Lunn. “Chadstone is a major activity centre and the public must be given a genuine say on transport issues before any proposals become official.”
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The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has warned that a modified bus interchange will not be enough to cater for expansion of the Chadstone shopping centre, as it would be only a partial solution. It says bus services themselves need significant upgrades, along with the extension of train and tram services into the centre.

“It’s going to take a lot more than a change to the bus interchange to attract people out of their cars and onto public transport. If that is
the only improvement to public transport, permanent traffic jams can be expected around Chadstone,” PTUA outer east convenor Jeremy Lunn said.

“To really make a difference, bus services need a major upgrade. In fact, these upgrades are needed now to cope with current traffic volumes around Chadstone.”
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The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has warned that expansion of the Chadstone Shopping Centre will lead to greater mayhem on roads and buses around the centre if high quality public transport is not provided.

PTUA President Daniel Bowen said that the expansion should not take place unless it was accompanied by an overhaul of public transport in the area: a railway connection, an extension of the number 3 tram route and major upgrades to bus services.

“The car parks at Chadstone are already unable to cope with the volumes of visitors, and nearby roads are regularly gridlocked”, said Mr Bowen. “If public transport services remain as they are today, it would be a disaster to upgrade the shopping centre.
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A recent substitution of route 75 trams with buses[1], has highlighted the need for a tram extension to Knox according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA). During the replacement period, passengers travelling between Burwood and Knox had make two transfers by taking one tram and two buses.
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Boroondara is fencing in tram passengers, delaying trams and resulting in greater road congestion according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA). Pedestrian fencing exists at a number of tram stops in the City of Boroondara, including the intersection of Glenferrie and Riversdale roads, Hawthorn and is making it difficult for passengers to board and alight from trams.

“These ugly fences do nothing to enhance safety, instead putting pedestrians, cyclists and tram passengers in greater danger,” said PTUA eastern spokesman Jeremy Lunn. “They are an inconvenience to pedestrians and tram passengers, while often delaying trams and cars as passengers queue up single file to squeeze through the narrow gaps.”
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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.”
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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.
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The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has endorsed the new route 601 express bus service operating between Huntingdale railway station and Monash University Clayton campus, but said it should be seen as an interim measure only. The PTUA warned that the service will not entirely solve Monash University’s transport woes and proves that the Rowville railway line is urgently needed.

“While the shuttle bus is welcome, it does not have the potential to attract the same patronage or to move the same volumes as the train line,” said PTUA’s outer east convenor Jeremy Lunn. “This bus does not offer the economic benefits or the 15,000 or more new jobs that the Rowville railway would generate in the Cities of Monash and Knox.
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