Author: PTUA

  • Bus as slow as bicycle – Rowville train needed

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has renewed calls for the immediate construction of the Rowville Railway line, describing the route 900 Wellington Road SmartBus as inadequate. “Bus services just cannot be compared with trains,” said Jeremy Lunn, the PTUA’s Outer-East Convenor. “The bus crawls along at bicycle pace resulting in travel times of over…

  • Box Hill Commuters ‘hold on’ for Toilets

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has called for the immediate installation of toilet facilities to be installed at Box Hill railway station, the only Premium Station in Melbourne without any toilet facilities. “Commuters have to go out of their way on a stroll through the shopping centre to find a toilet,” said Jeremy Lunn,…

  • More cities follow the path to public control of transport

    From our December 2007 newsletter. Please join the PTUA to receive regular newsletters. A key campaign for the PTUA this year has been working for the restoration of strong public control of public transport in Melbourne and Victoria. Our favoured model for public control is the ‘Transport Community’ model used in cities like Zurich, Vancouver,…

  • Petition to end bus drought

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has launched a petition demanding an end to inadequate bus services along Canterbury Road and calling for a new ‘SmartBus’ service operating between Box Hill and Ringwood serving commuters, business and the community. “The bureaucrats and the Brumby Government are just not paying attention to the needs of the…

  • Federal road funding blows Geelong’s greenhouse budget

    Geelong’s transport greenhouse gas emissions will rise even faster under proposals from both major parties to upgrade major roads instead of improving public transport, the Public Transport Users Association has warned. Geelong Branch Convener Paul Westcott said both parties also risked making the region more vulnerable to high petrol prices by increasing dependence on cars,…

  • How to vote for public transport this Saturday

    While Climate Change is now a mainstream issue, the major parties continue to ignore the impact of transport — which accounts for up to half of household emissions. Better public transport would also relieve pain from petrol prices, traffic congestion, impact on obesity, access to education and work opportunities, and spread property demand better around…

  • Cut our oil addiction, parties told

    Public transport groups today urged the federal government and opposition to develop land transport plans that reduce reliance on costly and polluting oil. “The PM has highlighted the negative impacts of our oil addiction on two consecutive days now,” said Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) President Daniel Bowen. “First he said high oil prices are…

  • PTUA Annual General Meeting results

    The 31st Annual General Meeting of the PTUA took place on Thursday night, 25 October, at Ross House. The meeting was well attended, with 65 members present. Members present were keen to acknowledge the ongoing work of the PTUA, and the ordinary business of the organisation proceeded without dissent. The membership passed two resolutions at…

  • South Morang extension funding welcomed, but buck passing not

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed the Federal Coalition’s commitment of funds to the Mernda rail extension in Melbourne’s north. “This rail extension will help to cut greenhouse emissions and fuel expenses in the heart of the mortgage belt where transport costs put major pressure on household finances,” said PTUA President Daniel Bowen.…

  • Federal election forum: Yarra, this Wednesday

    Trams Trains and Tunnels — Meet Your Candidates for the 2007 Federal Election – Policies for the Future of Transport Time: 6:30 pm for 7 pm start. Date: Wednesday 24 October 2007 Venue: Collingwood Town Hall, 140 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford. Melway reference: 44 D5. Closest station: Collingwood.

  • Election campaign starts, but public transport users still waiting

    With a federal election date now set, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has called on the parties to commit to improving public transport infrastructure to reduce greenhouse emissions and provide relief from high petrol prices and congestion. “Each day the science on climate change is becoming more certain, more alarming and clearer in the…

  • Passengers welcome extra trains

    The Public Transport Users Association has welcomed the announcement that eight additional trains will be purchased for Melbourne’s suburban network. PTUA President Daniel Bowen said that the eight new trains, added to the ten that have already been ordered, would help boost services and ease crowding. “Obviously we’re very pleased that the government has responded…