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Category: Media releases

  • Widened freeway slows buses to a crawl — Urgent action needed

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has expressed concern that increased traffic from the widening of Monash Freeway is already slowing down buses on Warrigal Road. The section of road is used by two of Melbourne’s major SmartBus routes and a number of other routes servicing Chadstone Shopping Centre. “Buses are scheduled to take 10-12…

  • Poor connections leave passengers waiting

    A study by the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has highlighted the poor co-ordination between train and bus timetables on many routes around Melbourne. It found that just 37.5% of train arrivals have bus connections at stations — 39.8% on weekdays, 32.3% on Saturdays, and just 25.3% on Sundays. Of those connections, 42.5% require passengers…

  • State budget: Bus users miss out

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed rail and tram spending in the State Budget, but expressed disappointment at the lack of upgrades to bus services. “The total amount being spent on public transport certainly sounds impressive, but most of that is a re-announcement of the $4.3 billion Regional Rail Link project, largely funded…

  • Huntingdale chaos brings renewed call for Monash/Rowville rail

    Chaos at Huntingdale station for students and staff waiting for buses to Monash University’s Clayton campus have led the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) to renew calls for the Rowville rail line.

  • Melbourne Metro by name, but not by nature

    A study into the developed world’s biggest cities has concluded that all but a handful have metro systems — but that handful without metros includes Melbourne and Sydney. The study by the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) showed that of biggest 30 cities in the developed world by population, all but seven have metros: the…

    Melbourne Metro by name, but not by nature

  • Ongoing study confirms no Clearway benefits

    Tram Travel Time Saving Narrows: 7 Seconds in Sydney Road An update to a PTUA travel time study has confirmed an earlier finding that extended clearway hours on Sydney Road in Brunswick have not noticeably improved tram travel speeds. Earlier results obtained in November last year, after 5 months of study, found that after clearway…

  • Crucial interchange bypassed by Regional Rail Link

    The Public Transport Users Association has expressed serious concerns over the revelation that no platforms will be provided at North Melbourne station for Geelong rail passengers travelling on the forthcoming Regional Rail Link. Although extra platforms will be provided at both Footscray and Southern Cross stations as part of the $4.2bn project, the Department of…

  • Month-long Myki muddle — New system’s many problems

    With the new Myki ticketing system having been in public use for one month, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has compiled a list of problems with it, and has called for the government to ensure the system is running more smoothly before switching more people from Metcard to Myki. “We are continuing to advise…

  • New minister faces big challenge

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has wished departing Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky well, noting that her successor will have a big job ahead to reform Melbourne and Victoria’s public transport network. “Lynne Kosky has been much maligned, but she inherited a number of problems from former minister Peter Batchelor, including poor maintenance practices…

  • It’s called Metro, let’s run it like a Metro

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed Metro Trains Melbourne on its first day of operation, and called for the government to boost services across the week. “Around the world, the name ‘Metro’ means a service with frequent trains, from early to late, seven-days-a-week. This is what the government must commit to for Melbourne”,…

    It’s called Metro, let’s run it like a Metro

  • SmartBus stops short

    Most of the Victorian government’s flagship SmartBus routes fail to meet the defined SmartBus service standard, which itself is well below the level of service provided by Melbourne’s trams, a study by the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has found.

  • Myki: swings and roundabouts for passengers

    The Public Transport Users Association said today that the introduction of the new multi-million-dollar Myki ticketing system to Melbourne, and later to V/Line services would bring benefits to passengers, but also some problems. “Myki does bring advantages”, said PTUA president Daniel Bowen. “It will provide much better access to the cheapest fares, such as $3…