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Author: PTUA

  • Billion dollar rail blowout a blessing in disguise

    The billion dollar blowout in the construction costs of the Regional Rail Link, reported in the Australian Financial Review today (3 February 2011), could provide the opportunity to revise the project and fix its worst problems, the Public Transport Users Association has said. Secretary Tony Morton said that well-chosen experts for the proposed new Public…

  • Rail planning more broken than ever: fix it, say users

    The new Metro train timetable shows why urgent reform is needed in public transport planning, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) said today. While Metro’s new timetable, to take effect from May, brings some extra services, it comes at a cost. Some stations have their peak services reduced, and run at confusing 22 minute frequencies.…

  • Shaping a new Public Transport Authority

    The most significant policy commitment of the incoming Baillieu Government is the creation of a Public Transport Development Authority for Victoria. Getting this one right will make all the difference between Victoria having some of the best public transport in the world, and a continuation of the current mediocre, politically poisonous setup. The good news…

  • Public transport carries Coalition to victory

    Policies to set up an independent Public Transport Development Authority, new trains and rail lines to Rowville and East Doncaster appear to have delivered the Coalition victory in the Victorian state election, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) said today. “Victorians clearly recognised that public transport had been turning into a shambles,” said PTUA President…

  • Eastern transport derails Brumby

    Public transport in Melbourne’s east has been a major factor contributing towards the swing to the Liberal Party, according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA). The PTUA has welcomed policies such as the Rowville and Doncaster railway lines, along with the independent Public Transport Development Authority, which helped deliver victory to the Coalition. “Commuters…

  • The Smartbus Crawl

    How slow is the “Smart”bus from Holmesglen to Chadstone? On this recent Saturday afternoon, 8.5 km/h. The PTUA wants better priority for buses in the Chadstone area, and more services on Smartbus routes, including 903. Join our Facebook groups: Better Public Transport to Chadstone, and We want Public Transport That Works!, and send a message…

  • PTUA gives verdict on election policies

    With public transport the big issue for many voters, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has given its verdict on the transport policies of the parties going into the State Election, with the Greens coming out on top, followed by the Coalition. PTUA President Daniel Bowen said that packed trains, slow trams, and infrequent buses…

  • PTUA welcomes Coalition pledge of Authority to run public transport

    The PTUA has applauded the Liberal/National Coalition’s transport policy, noting that their commitment to establish a new Public Transport Development Authority is likely to make the huge difference to Melbourne’s ailing transport system. “For too long Melbourne’s public transport has drowned in a sea of red tape, with scores of agencies, but nobody taking responsibility…

  • Melbourne’s public transport is in crisis

    Melbourne’s public transport is in crisis — and your vote can make a difference. Cancellations Poor connections Crowding Trams stuck in traffic Read the full brochure (PDF 338 Kb) The current privatisation arrangements need to end. There could be a role for private operators — as subcontractors providing the services specified by a public authority…

  • Labor transport policy: Good upgrades, but big gaps remain

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed the launch of Labor’s transport policy, and said that it contained a number of worthwhile initiatives that would make life easier for passengers, but warned that it was not a comprehensive vision for fixing Victoria’s public transport woes. PTUA President Daniel Bowen said it was pleasing to…

  • Users welcome more frequent Geelong trains – but what about network planning?

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed Labor’s policy, announced today, to run more frequent Geelong trains during the day on weekdays. But they have also called for better planning to help passengers get to stations, saying many new buses will only meet every third train. The Labor Party policy promises trains every twenty…

  • North-east freeway will dump cars on Boroondara

    A north-east freeway link would create mayhem on Boroondara roads according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA). “A freeway ending right on Boroondara’s doorstep will dump many more cars on our roads,” said PTUA spokesman Jeremy Lunn. “Roads such as Burke Road, Bulleen Road, Doncaster Road, High Street and Balwyn Road would become traffic…