Year: 2010
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June Metro train timetable changes
From June 6th, metropolitan trains will run to new timetables. While most lines will get tweaked, the Frankston and Dandenong/Cranbourne/Pakenham lines are getting a shake-up, with numerous changes, particularly in peak hours. These and some other lines will get extra services. The changes allow more trains to run, and Metro and the government say it…
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We were wrong: Concessions
In yesterday’s Herald Sun we said that low-income full-time post-graduate students are unable to get concession public transport fares. This is incorrect. Recent rule changes mean that anyone eligible for a Centrelink Healthcare Card (including Low Income Health Care Cards) can now get concession fares.
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Full link not viable
THE RACV wants us to believe that while WestLink may not be economically viable on its own, the full east-west freeway link would be (”Freeway not worth the cost: report”, The Age, 21/5). But it is not so: the Eddington study in 2008 found that the full East-West freeway had a benefit-cost ratio of just…
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Poor connections leave passengers waiting
A study by the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has highlighted the poor co-ordination between train and bus timetables on many routes around Melbourne. It found that just 37.5% of train arrivals have bus connections at stations — 39.8% on weekdays, 32.3% on Saturdays, and just 25.3% on Sundays. Of those connections, 42.5% require passengers…
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State budget: Bus users miss out
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed rail and tram spending in the State Budget, but expressed disappointment at the lack of upgrades to bus services. “The total amount being spent on public transport certainly sounds impressive, but most of that is a re-announcement of the $4.3 billion Regional Rail Link project, largely funded…
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Huntingdale chaos brings renewed call for Monash/Rowville rail
Chaos at Huntingdale station for students and staff waiting for buses to Monash University’s Clayton campus have led the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) to renew calls for the Rowville rail line.
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Melbourne Metro by name, but not by nature
A study into the developed world’s biggest cities has concluded that all but a handful have metro systems — but that handful without metros includes Melbourne and Sydney. The study by the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) showed that of biggest 30 cities in the developed world by population, all but seven have metros: the…
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Ongoing study confirms no Clearway benefits
Tram Travel Time Saving Narrows: 7 Seconds in Sydney Road An update to a PTUA travel time study has confirmed an earlier finding that extended clearway hours on Sydney Road in Brunswick have not noticeably improved tram travel speeds. Earlier results obtained in November last year, after 5 months of study, found that after clearway…
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Influencing travel habits
Our letter as published in today’s Age was edited, which has subtly changed the intent. Below is the original letter as submitted: Peter Fisher and Len Puglisi (Opinion, 18/3) are correct that density is not a panacea for car dependence. Los Angeles is a denser city than Melbourne but hardly rates on the sustainable transport…
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Limit to peak hour commuter numbers
Despite the understandable concerns of peak hour train commuters, Metro Trains should be commended for wanting to double train patronage by 2020. It shows there is more capacity to be squeezed out of the network, and smarter timetabling can get more trains on to the tracks. But there will be no doubling of peak hour…
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Crucial interchange bypassed by Regional Rail Link
The Public Transport Users Association has expressed serious concerns over the revelation that no platforms will be provided at North Melbourne station for Geelong rail passengers travelling on the forthcoming Regional Rail Link. Although extra platforms will be provided at both Footscray and Southern Cross stations as part of the $4.2bn project, the Department of…
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Swanston St: Solution is Simple
Mayor Robert Doyle’s ”Damascus” conversion on Swanston Street has led to a good plan. But on design and location of tram stops, it lets the city down badly.