Author: PTUA
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Short-term thinking – Geelong Advertiser
Funding further duplication of the Barwon Heads Road is a sad example of short-term thinking regarding transport planning in Greater Geelong. Politicians are keen to finance road expansion, rather than investing in an effective solution to our growing congestion problem; public transport. Additional road space provides only temporary relief before it fills up again, increasing…
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Letter to The Age: Hostility to rail projects
Back in 2008, we were optimistic. It looked like Infrastructure Australia might break the long-standing hostility to rail projects on the part of state and federal bureaucracies, and their obsession with motorways, despite none ever fulfilling their congestion-busting promises. Unfortunately, it has reverted to form. We can agree the Suburban Rail Link business case lacks…
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PTUA reviews buses to activity centres – timetables found lacking
With the State Government seeking to develop more housing in established suburbs, high quality public transport will be key to ensuring that new residents get around without having to drive. While some destinations are served by the rail network, many trips must be taken by bus, to nearby suburbs or other areas not served by…
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Dandenong bus service needs recognised in award ceremony
The need for better seven-day buses in Greater Dandenong was recognised at the Public Transport Users Association Annual General Meeting, held in Melbourne on Thursday November 14. The association’s annual Paul Mees Award for public transport advocacy went to Peter Parker and the FixDandyBuses campaign. This campaign succeeded in gaining government funding for an upgraded…
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If govt is serious about optimising the Upfield line, they must duplicate
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has called for the State Government to duplicate the Upfield line during the forthcoming Brunswick level crossing removal project. PTUA spokesperson Daniel Bowen said that while crossing removal and new modern DDA-compliant stations would be welcome, duplication would bring the biggest benefits for train users. “Given the close proximity…
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North East Link is Victoria’s real budget bin fire
The Federal Government pledging an additional $3.5 billion to the $26 billion North East Link tollway should focus the public’s attention on the massively costly but poorly-appreciated ‘dumpster fire’ spoiling the Allan Government’s Big Build, the Public Transport Users Association has said. “The North East Link is the most expensive road in Victoria’s history and…
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Public transport: Vic budget in a holding pattern ahead of Metro tunnel opening
The Victorian State Budget presented no earth-shattering surprises, but did include some welcome if modest investment in public transport services, the Public Transport Users Association said today. “There are some worthwhile upgrades for buses and V/Line which perhaps are not revolutionary, but will offer more travel options for people in regional Victoria and outer Melbourne”,…
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Call for heritage listing for Melbourne’s public transport timetables
PTUA calls for heritage listing for Melbourne’s public transport timetables
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The wires that bind, and the cars that choke
Saul Griffith’s recent Quarterly Essay “The Wires That Bind” outlined an ambitious programme for renewable electrification to stem dangerous climate change, driven by local community action and without reliance on unproven technologies. It also makes clear how massive is the challenge posed by the energy transition, with millions of individual machines having to ultimately be…
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Bus proposals welcomed
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed Infrastructure Victoria’s paper on fixing Melbourne’s bus network. PTUA spokesperson Daniel Bowen said that IV’s recommendations to the government were to be applauded. “For many Melburnians, their only local public transport is buses. But the bus network is poorly funded, poorly planned, and poorly implemented. With indirect…
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Mulgrave is closed on weekends unless you have a car — PTUA calls for 7-day bus services
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) is calling on all Mulgrave by-election candidates to champion 7-day bus services on crucial routes within the electorate. Key Mulgrave bus routes 800, 802, 804, 814 and 885 do not operate on Sundays despite providing residents in the electorate a connection to destinations such as Chadstone, Monash University, Dandenong,…
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Fare rise unexpected
The rise to $5 for a single trip and $10 per day for a standard Myki fare is unexpected, given these usually occur in January. The PTUA along with the rest of Victoria has only had a week’s notice of the increase, which is a big jump for most fares. Passengers won’t be welcoming the rise, which…
