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Author: PTUA

  • Connex’s demonstration train layout

    Here are some pictures of Connex’s demonstration train, which is a test of modifications to the layout. We asked Connex’s Lanie Harris to talk us through the changes. The PTUA’s view is that the current design of most carriages on the Melbourne train network is inefficient. Standing passengers naturally gravitate around the doorways where it’s…

  • PTUA calls for station “gateway” flags

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has called for the Australian flags on the Westgate bridge to be moved to Footscray station, in recognition that the station carries more people through it than the bridge at peak hour. (Artist’s impression) The Westgate Bridge was fitted with two flags in 2008, costing $350,000 (plus $17,000 per…

  • Opposition to Sunbury electrification an indictment of Connex

    Community fears betray poor standard of metro train service, says PTUA Calls by sections of the Sunbury community to retain the existing V/Line service in preference to more frequent suburban train services are “an indictment of Connex’s poor standard of service”, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) said today, while restating its support for the…

  • Service ‘useless’ without stops

    Following intense lobbying from community groups such as the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) and Templestowe Road Reference Panel, recent State Government bus service reviews have finally provided two-directional public transport services along Templestowe Road. However, without any bus stops on the northern side of the road, the new service is useless if it cannot…

  • Passengers give thumbs-down to failed Myki

    The Public Transport Users Association has flagged the first week of operation of Myki on Geelong’s buses as a failure, following feedback from Geelong commuters. PTUA President Daniel Bowen said the association’s Geelong Branch had closely watched the introduction of the multi-million dollar Myki ticket system, and passengers had given it a big thumbs down.…

  • March 2009 newsletter

    Please join the PTUA to receive regular newsletters. March 2009 edition articles: Summer: Trains breakdown, tracks buckle, industrial disputes — what next? Is 20/2020 to be dumped? Decisive action on emissions critical Myki: We told them so Connecting to the future: An alternative plan Smartbus an improvement, could be smarter Big spending plan falls short…

  • Passengers welcome Parliamentary Rail Inquiry

    The Public Transport Users Association has thrown its weight behind the announcement by the Greens MP, Greg Barber, that he will seek a parliamentary inquiry to investigate failures on Victoria’s rail system. PTUA President Daniel Bowen said the extraordinary number of train cancellations over January – well over a thousand – were “simply unacceptable” for…

  • Hold the state government to account: Rally at Parliament on Tuesday

    With the rail system in crisis (again), now is the time to remind the government that they must be accountable. Despite polls showing people would prefer more money be spent on public transport than roads, the government is planning massive expansion of the motorway system under the most recent transport plan. Meanwhile our rail system…

  • Let’s move on real solutions, not just freebies

    The government needs to scrap its re-privatisation of Melbourne trains and trams and get to work on real solutions to the transport crisis, the Public Transport Users Association said today. “Today’s free travel is a gimmick obscuring the real issue,” said PTUA President Daniel Bowen. “It does no good when you’re about to collapse from…

  • Public transport meltdown

    Why does Melbourne’s public transport lurch from one crisis to another? This week’s spate of train and tram cancellations in relentless 40 degree heat made the national news. But it’s hardly the first such crisis to embarrass those in charge. Continue reading this article from PTUA Secretary Tony Morton on the ABC Unleashed web site.

  • Council stalls on bus stops

    The City of Greater Geelong Council has stalled again on approving the location of Geelong’s central bus interchange, blocking $80 million of State Government funding for improvements to the whole bus system. At its meeting on Tuesday night, the Council deferred, for the second time, any decision to approve the recommendation of council officers to…

  • Government must act on trains

    With large numbers of cancellations causing chaos on the rail network, we’re now tracking the number of daily cancellations on our web site. Watch for the last weekday’s cancellations in the top right of page, and daily totals will be listed here. Trains in peak hour can easily carry over a thousand people. This means…