Think you know who runs public transport? The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has compiled an online quiz to test your knowledge, and it’s harder than you might think.
Continue reading Online campaign to sort out public transport mess
Category Archives: Election 2010
Doncaster rail announcement welcome
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed the Liberal Party’s announcement on the Doncaster railway line, while slamming the government for refusing to make a better offer. The PTUA believes that the line, which has been promised for over 40 years would be a fraction of the cost of a North-East link and offer far more benefits.
“The announcement on the Doncaster railway is exactly the kind of foresight that we need to see from our politicians in this election year,” said PTUA’s outer east convenor Jeremy Lunn. “It’s certainly a step ahead of the Brumby Government, which took over a decade to install four paltry bus routes.”
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Busway only second-best according to PTUA
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has rejected the proposed busway to Mernda as a second-best solution, saying the rail line should be extended instead.
“When it comes to major infrastructure, you should do it right, do it once,” said PTUA president Daniel Bowen. “The existing rail reservation is still there, and should be used for rail.
“With a growing community, there are real concerns that the busway won’t have the required capacity, and that it will have to be eventually upgraded to rail. That will be a major inconvenience to the community, as well as a complete waste of money.
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What a mess – a hundred different organisations running public transport in Victoria
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has highlighted the fragmented nature of public transport management in Victoria, issuing a flowchart illustrating how difficult it is for the average person to work out who to contact with questions and problems. The flowchart will be sent to PTUA members, and available on the PTUA web site.
“We were staggered to find over a hundred different organisations involved”, said PTUA President Daniel Bowen. “We considered putting the diagram on a postcard to hand out to people to help them navigate the bureaucracy, but it wouldn’t all fit.
Continue reading What a mess – a hundred different organisations running public transport in Victoria
Eastern train service off track
Services on the Belgrave, Lilydale, Alamein and Glen Waverley lines are still operating below acceptable standards outside peak hours according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA), which has called for all political candidates to commit to upgrading services.
“Trains should operate every 10 minutes from 6am to midnight seven days-a-week, bringing train services up to a true ‘Metro’ standard, which is needed in order to meet 21st century travel demands,” said PTUA outer east convenor Jeremy Lunn.
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Users welcome Greens support for a Geelong public transport authority
Public transport users have welcomed the Greens’ support for a dedicated public transport authority for Geelong, which promises to give the region a greater say over its public transport services.
Convenor of the Geelong Branch of the Public Transport Users Association, Paul Westcott, congratulated the Greens for being the first major party to pick up the idea for a Geelong public transport authority, and called on the other major parties to follow suit.
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Bus Reviews ignored, second-rate services prevail
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has criticised the State Government for failing to take up recommendations from the Metropolitan Bus Reviews. In most areas of Melbourne, less than 30 percent of the recommendations have been implemented by the government. — See full list at [1], below.
“The bus network is struggling to meet the needs of people in the 21st century,” said PTUA president Daniel Bowen. “It is now clear that the government isn’t prepared to carry out all the recommendations that are needed to fix it.”
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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 bus wait at every single red light”, said the PTUA’s outer east convenor Jeremy Lunn. “Nothing is being done to upgrade bus priority.”
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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 is desperately needed,” said the PTUA’s outer east convenor Jeremy Lunn. “Not only has the government had 11 years to complete a study, the railway line could already have been built by now.
Continue reading Eleven years and still waiting
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 election in November.
PTUA President Daniel Bowen said that in the next four years, significant steps could be taken towards providing all of Melbourne with frequent services, running at least every ten minutes, seven days-a-week.
Continue reading Users present public transport vision