Category: Media releases

  • PTUA calls for Action Following Tragic Fatality at North Shore Level Crossing

    Last month, a tragic collision occurred between a train and a truck at the North Shore Road level crossing in Geelong, resulting in the loss of a life. The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) extends its condolences to the family and friends of the victim. The PTUA urgently calls for the removal of this dangerous…

    PTUA calls for Action Following Tragic Fatality at North Shore Level Crossing
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 40 years on, time to scrap the 7-day Myki Pass

    Fare reform needed for a post-COVID world The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has called on the State Government to review public transport fares, and make adjustments to reflect expected changes to travel demand as Victoria comes out of COVID-19. PTUA spokesperson Daniel Bowen said October 2021 marked the 40th anniversary of Melbourne’s public transport…

    40 years on, time to scrap the 7-day Myki Pass
  • PTUA welcomes Auditor-General’s report into Transport Planning

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed the Victorian Auditor-General`s report into Integrated Transport Planning.[1] The Auditor-General found that while the Department Of Transport has more than 40 separate plans and strategies, this does not constitute an integrated transport plan, as required by the Transport Integration Act. PTUA spokesman Daniel Bowen said the PTUA…

    PTUA welcomes Auditor-General’s report into Transport Planning
  • Bus performance data welcomed – and highlights the need for improvements

    The PTUA has applauded the State government’s release of bus network performance data for the first time.[1] PTUA spokesperson Daniel Bowen said the organisation had been asking for years for the data to be published, to help transparency and accountability around the bus network. “Detailed train and tram performance data has been published for decades…

    Bus performance data welcomed – and highlights the need for improvements
  • A steady-as-she-goes transport budget for COVID recovery

    The Victorian Government’s 2021-22 budget reflects its cautious approach to post-COVID economic recovery but is building steadily on its previous commitments for public transport and rail freight, according to the Public Transport Users Association. New commitments in the budget are a healthy reassertion of the need to compensate for the three decades of disinvestment in…

    A steady-as-she-goes transport budget for COVID recovery