Author: PTUA

  • 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…

    The wires that bind, and the cars that choke
  • 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…

    Bus proposals welcomed
  • 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,…

    Mulgrave is closed on weekends unless you have a car — PTUA calls for 7-day bus services
  • 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…

    Fare rise unexpected
  • Big Build burnout?

    While we all want a better transport system, disruption fatigue is becoming a real factor for passengers, particularly on the train network. On some lines, there have now been major disruptions every year since 2016. Not all of these are in the name of better rail services. This winter a two week shutdown of lines…

    Big Build burnout?
  • State Budget: Upgrades welcome, but no step change

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed measures in the 2023 Victorian Budget funding incremental public transport improvements, particularly in outer suburban communities. “Bus upgrades for growth areas such as Melton, Maddingley, Wyndham and Casey will provide vital connections for those communities, enabling better access to education, employment and other opportunities”, said PTUA spokesperson…

    State Budget: Upgrades welcome, but no step change
  • Dandenong line frequency cuts cause turmoil

    The PTUA is alarmed about cuts in the frequency of trains on Melbourne’s busiest rail lines, only days after the completion of works which were supposed to improve services. Having endured the closure of the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines for almost a month to allow the installation of new rail equipment, passengers have had their…

    Dandenong line frequency cuts cause turmoil
  • V/Line: coming fare cuts set to worsen crowding

    Service upgrades, including full length trains, are needed to cope with crowding.

    V/Line: coming fare cuts set to worsen crowding
  • PTUA’s scorecard for the 2022 Victorian election

    Where are the services? With billions spent on transport infrastructure recently, the time has come for investment in additional public transport services to make the most of it. Our election scorecard reviews differing policies. Some initiatives are already funded, and/or assumed to be locked-in no matter who wins the election – including many infrastructure projects…

    PTUA’s scorecard for the 2022 Victorian election
  • Victorians want investment in public transport

    Polling released today by the Climate Council shows that Victorians want all levels of government to invest more in public and active transport. The PTUA is supporting the Climate Council’s call for governments to allocate at least 50% of their transport budgets to public transport, and 20% to safe walking and biking infrastructure. 80% of…

    Victorians want investment in public transport
  • Incremental improvements welcome, still waiting for big investment in service, says PTUA

    The Public Transport Users Association has welcomed the Victorian Government’s ongoing commitment to improving the state’s public transport networks, but says Victorians are still waiting for a ‘step change’ investment in service delivery to match the government’s record in building infrastructure. “We’re pleased to see improved metro and regional train services roll out with the…

    Incremental improvements welcome, still waiting for big investment in service, says PTUA
  • Limos to fix station car park pain

    The PTUA has welcomed a new government plan to provide access to public transport by hiring limousines to collect passengers from home to get them to their local station. With some car parks costing more than $100,000 per space, taking train users to the station by limousine has been found to be cost-competitive with the…

    Limos to fix station car park pain