The Napthine Government’s announcement of $2 billion of rail infrastructure upgrades and new trains for the Dandenong, Pakenham and Cranbourne corridors has won the strong backing of the Public Transport Users Association, who have labelled it “a template for fixing the rail network across Melbourne”.
But it is a shame the improvements are entirely confined to the South East of Melbourne, and a sign the government is handicapped by its single-minded devotion to the East West Link, the PTUA said today.
Visitors to the Portsea polo event at Point Nepean National Park last Saturday were cheated by the poor quality and over-priced public transport service offered, according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA).
PTUA spokesman Jeremy Lunn said people wanting to travel by bus to the polo event from Sorrento to Point Nepean National Park were not allowed to use the regular public transport service.
The PTUA received reports of passengers being denied access to the regular 788 bus by drivers and instead being forced to board “special” buses organised for the day which cost them $10. If they had been allowed to use the regular bus service, it would have cost them only $2.20 (or $1.10 concession). Continue reading Point Nepean visitors cheated with poor public transport→
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has slammed the State Government for failing to provide sufficient bus services over the summer holiday period on route 788 between Frankston and Portsea. It has further accused the government of poorly advertising service amendments, nor promoting the service as an alternative to driving, leading to increased road congestion on the Peninsula.
“With a 45 minute service frequency each day until 29 January, the 788 ranks amongst the very worst of all the 337 bus services in Melbourne over the holiday period,” said PTUA spokesman Jeremy Lunn.
Even with revised weekend and public holiday service frequencies between 26 December and 29 January running every 45 minutes from the usual 75 minutes, many travellers have been left confused because the timetable changes were announced very late and still remain virtually unadvertised. Continue reading Summer buses insufficient and poorly promoted on Southern Peninsula→
Route bus services along Point Nepean Road face collapse over the Christmas/New Year period as thousands of revellers descend upon bayside holiday spots.
“What is supposed to be a relaxing family time of the year is likely to be reduced to bedlam as visitors try to cram on to infrequent bus services, while the road network and car parks overflow,” said Public Transport Users Association spokesman Jeremy Lunn. Continue reading Peninsula buses take holiday leave→
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 the Frankston line, but train passengers must walk a kilometre from the closest station at Cheltenham, or catch buses, which are not timed to connect with trains, and depart from several different stops. Continue reading Call for railway station at Southland→
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.
Despite having no Federal funds for its `Peninsula Link’, the State Government has announced its intention to proceed regardless, driving a motorway through precious native wildlife habitat and historic homesteads, in order to further entrench car dependence in south-east Melbourne and for visitors to the Peninsula. Continue reading Peninsula Link entrenches car dependence→
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has attacked the State Government for propping up Eastlink with $700 million of taxpayer funds through its decision to build a Frankston Bypass. The Association says the money should be used to improve public transport instead.
“We warned the government that Eastlink would be the wrong solution to our transport difficulties and sadly that has proved correct,” said Jeremy Lunn, the PTUA’s Outer East convenor. “The biggest problem in Melbourne’s outer suburbs has always been the lack of usable public transport and Eastlink was certainly never going to solve that.” Continue reading Eastlink always was the wrong solution→
Volunteers needed to form the “Human Sign”: “HALT CLIMATE CHANGE NOW!”
Bring family and friends to this fun event organised by the Bayside Climate Change Action Group. Help raise global warming awareness and promote sustainability. An aerial photo will be taken, followed by Bayside City Council’s Sustainable Living Expo on the foreshore. The PTUA will have a stand at the Expo, so come along and say hello. Continue reading Halt climate change now!→
Sunday, 22nd April 2007, 10am