Author: PTUA
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Side-effects of car use costing Australia $100 billion per year
The side effects of motor vehicle use are costing Australia at least $100 billion each year, according to a submission released by the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) today. The cost of impacts such as pollution and road trauma are more than three times the level of taxes and charges on road users, based on…
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It’s a new era of Federal funding, but are these the right projects?
The Federal Government are to be congratulated for finally putting money into urban public transport, which will cut congestion by getting cars off the road, cut emissions, and give people more sustainable transport choices. But brickbats are due to the Brumby State Government for advancing flawed projects, says the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA). Despite…
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Swanston Street should have less cars
The Public Transport Users Association has made a submission into the City of Melbourne’s public consultation on the possible redevelopment of Swanston Street. Of the options proposed for development, there is only one that is fully consistent with the prevailing uses of the street and with Council’s liveability objectives, and that is Option 6: Decreased…
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South Morang rail extension welcomed
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed the government’s commitment of funding to the South Morang rail extension. PTUA president Daniel Bowen said it was vital that outer-suburban areas were provided with fast, frequent, high-capacity public transport services, to relieve traffic congestion and take the pressure off household budgets. “Residents of South Morang will…
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Connex’s demonstration train layout
Here are some pictures of Connex’s demonstration train, which is a test of modifications to the layout. We asked Connex’s Lanie Harris to talk us through the changes. The PTUA’s view is that the current design of most carriages on the Melbourne train network is inefficient. Standing passengers naturally gravitate around the doorways where it’s…
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PTUA calls for station “gateway” flags
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has called for the Australian flags on the Westgate bridge to be moved to Footscray station, in recognition that the station carries more people through it than the bridge at peak hour. (Artist’s impression) The Westgate Bridge was fitted with two flags in 2008, costing $350,000 (plus $17,000 per…
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Opposition to Sunbury electrification an indictment of Connex
Community fears betray poor standard of metro train service, says PTUA Calls by sections of the Sunbury community to retain the existing V/Line service in preference to more frequent suburban train services are “an indictment of Connex’s poor standard of service”, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) said today, while restating its support for the…
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Service ‘useless’ without stops
Following intense lobbying from community groups such as the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) and Templestowe Road Reference Panel, recent State Government bus service reviews have finally provided two-directional public transport services along Templestowe Road. However, without any bus stops on the northern side of the road, the new service is useless if it cannot…
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Passengers give thumbs-down to failed Myki
The Public Transport Users Association has flagged the first week of operation of Myki on Geelong’s buses as a failure, following feedback from Geelong commuters. PTUA President Daniel Bowen said the association’s Geelong Branch had closely watched the introduction of the multi-million dollar Myki ticket system, and passengers had given it a big thumbs down.…
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March 2009 newsletter
Please join the PTUA to receive regular newsletters. March 2009 edition articles: Summer: Trains breakdown, tracks buckle, industrial disputes — what next? Is 20/2020 to be dumped? Decisive action on emissions critical Myki: We told them so Connecting to the future: An alternative plan Smartbus an improvement, could be smarter Big spending plan falls short…
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Passengers welcome Parliamentary Rail Inquiry
The Public Transport Users Association has thrown its weight behind the announcement by the Greens MP, Greg Barber, that he will seek a parliamentary inquiry to investigate failures on Victoria’s rail system. PTUA President Daniel Bowen said the extraordinary number of train cancellations over January – well over a thousand – were “simply unacceptable” for…