Author: PTUA
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PT Problem of the Day: Escalators going in the wrong direction for peak hour
It’s not hard to see what the problem is here. Presumably on this day, the private management of Southern Cross Station were blissfully unaware that in the evening peak hour, more people want to go into the station than come out of it. Thus only one of the three escalators was running in the right…
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Meandering bus routes driving Melbourne around the bend, says new study
Slow, meandering bus routes are costing Melburnians time and money, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) said today. A new study released by the PTUA has found that Melbourne buses follow very indirect routes compared to well-designed networks, and the bus system is falling well short of its potential to relieve congested roads and car…
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PT Problem of the Day: Two services together every 20 minutes, instead of one every 10 minutes
Wouldn’t it be nice if they timed services on different routes to complement, rather than duplicate each other? For instance, trains on different lines that serve some of the same stations could be evenly spread to cut waiting times for some passengers — particularly at night when there are less services running. Every weeknight from…
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PT Problem of the Day: South Kensington – Melbourne’s ugliest station?
If there were a prize for ugliest station, South Kensington in Melbourne’s growing inner-west would have to be the favourite. No staff, waiting room, no toilets. No public phone, no bike racks or cages, little amenity, just a few small shelters and benches. It’s hard to imagine a more unwelcoming place to wait for a…
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Single track bottlenecks must be fixed
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has called for duplication of critical single track bottlenecks on the Metro network, to help improve on-time running and boost train frequencies. PTUA President Daniel Bowen said that that single line sections of track played havoc with punctuality, and severely limited the number of trains that could run. “It…
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PT Problem of the Day: Bus/train interchanges – why are the bus stops so far from the trains?
Good connecting services are vital for making more trips viable by public transport. In the case of feeder buses to stations, frequent services with good interchange facilities can help relieve station car parks, and make it easier for those travelling across the day — not just the lucky few who can drive to a station…
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PT Problem of the Day: Single track bottlenecks cause delays and long waiting times #MetroTrains
Sections of single track on the Metro network are a direct cause of low frequencies, and cause delays to quickly cascade. In this example at Westona on the Altona Loop section of the Werribee line, a citybound train has to wait for an outbound train to arrive before it can continue on. Similar bottlenecks are…
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PT Problem of the Day: #Myki forms say fee for refunds is $9.80 (4 months after fee was abolished)
The $9.80 fee for refunds of Myki credit was removed on the 1st of January this year. But it is still mentioned repeatedly on the online forms, causing many to believe it still applies. In small print on the Myki web site does it say “Please note that the administration fee mentioned on some of…
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Vic budget: V/Line trains and level crossing eliminations good news, but what about trams and buses?
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed state budget funding for more V/Line carriages and for three level crossing eliminations, but noted there was little new funding for bus and tram services, nor any funding to complete Southland station, as promised before the 2010 election. “V/Line patronage is booming, and the extra carriages are…
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PT Problem of the Day: Metro trains skipping many stops when late; punctuality more important than passengers
We already knew Metro was getting into the habit of having trains skip stops when running late, but now they’re taking it to new heights: a busy service to Frankston on Friday night was altered to bypass the majority of its scheduled stops. For many passengers waiting on the platform, this was effectively a cancelled…
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PT Problem of the Day: New stations welcome, but no staff and no toilets provided
New stations at South Morang, Cardinia Road and Lynbrook opened yesterday, which is great news. At Lynbrook a community event drew a big crowd, and just for the event, toilets were provided. Alas, they were taken away on the back of a truck afterwards. South Morang is a Premium station, but the others aren’t. With…
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Hidden rail plan uncovered: Some lines to miss out on frequent all-day services
A future rail service plan hidden away in a Rowville Rail study technical document has been uncovered by the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA). The plan is contained in Travel Demand Modelling Draft Report for the Rowville Rail Study[1], and although it emphasises that the plan does “not necessarily represent the actual planned services”, PTUA…