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Category: Election 2010

  • Chadstone buses: 50% time saving achievable

    The 903 bus journey between Holmesglen and Oakleigh via Chadstone should take only ten minutes, according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA). A study by the PTUA found that crowded buses are wasting a significant amount of time, especially at red traffic lights. “While passengers hang from the wrist straps, Vicroads is making their…

  • Eleven years and still waiting

    The Rowville railway line should have been built by now, according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA). It’s been eleven years since Labor made the feasibility study promise which helped the Bracks/Brumby Government win power in 1999. “It’s absurd that the Brumby Government hasn’t even done a study when we know the railway line…

  • Users present public transport vision

    Trains, trams and Smartbuses every ten minutes, all suburban stations staffed, V/Line trains every half-hour on main commuter routes, “Tram-cams” to catch careless motorists, and a Public Transport Authority to better plan and manage public transport all feature in the Public Transport Users Association’s call to the political parties in the run-up to the state…

  • Co-ordination key – letter to the editor

    MELISSA Fyfe (”It’s time to help commuters make their connection”, 3/10) points out the basic weakness afflicting Melbourne public transport: the lack of an independent, publicly accountable authority to co-ordinate trains, trams and buses. Groups as diverse as the Greens, privatisation experts and former train and tram operators support a lean, expert body to plan…

  • Call for more V/Line services to cut waiting times

    As the state election approaches, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has called for upgrades to V/Line short distance services[1] to run at least every 30 minutes, seven days-a-week. PTUA regional spokesman Paul Westcott said that with strong patronage growth, V/Line train services are increasingly overcrowded not just in peak times, but also at off-peak…

  • Alamein Line upgrade call

    The Alamein line which is used for over 1.8 million journeys a year is falling behind, according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA). Recent timetable upgrades for the metropolitan train network launched earlier in the month ignored Alamein line commuters. “Alamein passengers are tired of being left behind by the government and Metro”, said…

  • 21st century upgrade call – Belgrave and Lilydale lines

    Passengers on the Lilydale and Belgrave lines beyond Ringwood are receiving train services that are below urban standards according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA). In the off-peak, services beyond Ringwood operate half-hourly, compared with every 15 minutes between the city and Ringwood. Peak hour services also finish very early at just after 8am…

  • Crime stats highlight station hotspots

    Analysis of 2009 crime statistics by the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has shown that 45% of assaults on railway stations occur at just ten locations. The figures also showed about half the assaults occurred in the daytime. PTUA President Daniel Bowen said that the figures reinforced the association’s call for all stations to be…

  • Freeways so 1950s

    CRAIG Langdon has kept his promise to voters to resign if a freeway through Heidelberg became Victorian Labor policy (”Freeway dissenter urges referendum”, The Age, 26/8). But how awkward that he’s left it until three months before the election rather than standing down in 2008 when plans were announced.

  • State election public transport forums in your area

    The Metropolitan Transport Forum (MTF), of which the PTUA is an associate member, is holding public transport forums in various areas around Melbourne in the lead-up to November’s state election. The forums will feature speakers from all the major parties and questions from the community. Six forums are planned so far:

  • Call to staff all stations

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has called on all political parties to commit to fulltime staffing of all metropolitan railway stations, and a joint Victoria Police/Metro review to determine which stations should have a permanent police presence. “We should not have a train network of ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’”, said PTUA president Daniel Bowen. “Everyone’s…

  • Call for railway station at Southland

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has called on the state government and opposition to commit to building a railway station at Southland Shopping Centre. PTUA president Daniel Bowen said it was ludicrous that a major traffic generator adjacent to a railway line had no station. Southland’s western entrance is only a short distance from…