Author: PTUA
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Port Rail Shuttle resuscitation welcomed
Vital context for unsolicited West Gate Tunnel Proposal, says PTUA The Public Transport Users Association welcomes the Andrews Government’s resolution on Sunday to progress work on the Port Rail Shuttle to “level the playing field” between road and rail freight for the Port of Melbourne. PTUA President Dr Tony Morton said the Port Rail Shuttle…
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Ballarat bus passengers still waiting
A new bus timetable for Ballarat will come into effect on 27 August to align with new train times, but the Public Transport Users Association note that most problems with the timetables still remain. Since January 2017, Ballarat bus timetables have been excessively padded out, with overly-generous estimates for how long parts of a journey…
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Remember Doncaster
Northeast has the worst traffic? It should remind planners that the idea for trains to Doncaster Hill springs from a genuine need long recognised by the community.
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Advice not so neutral
Infrastructure Australia began life as a disinterested adviser. Its board comprised independent experts, economists and planners alongside industry representatives and public-sector managers. But it has subtly morphed into a forum for big business interests to lobby governments from “inside the tent”. Lobbyists and privatisation advocates now dominate the board. Its latest report tries to breathe…
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Lacklustre debut for route 58, while other tram routes suffer
On 1 May Yarra Trams commenced running a new tram route 58, a reorganisation of existing routes to West Coburg and Toorak. This change had been a long time in planning, and was aimed at providing a higher daytime frequency on the increasingly popular William Street route, and providing a direct east-west connection complementing the…
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V/Line: Jack of all trades…?
V/Line has been very much a victim of its own success over the last decade, with each new investment, from Regional Fast Rail to the Regional Rail Link, resulting in a boom in passenger numbers. This shows that when governments invest in a decent public transport option, people will flock to it – but unfortunately…
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Problem of the Week
Seen a Public Transport problem that you want to call out? Something that bugs you – big or small – that could and should be fixed? Let us know via Email problems@ptua.org.au, Tweet @PTUA or Facebook. Include #PTUA #POTW hashtags. Send pics. We will investigate the most popular problems, look into the history, find the…
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State, Federal governments must make a deal to fix transport
Tuesday’s Victorian State Budget embodies a “good news for everyone” approach to transport spending, the Public Transport Users Association has said. Giving the Andrews Government a qualified thumbs-up, the PTUA also demanded the Federal Government make good on Malcolm Turnbull’s promise not to let ideology cloud investment decisions in transport. The Budget’s headline initiative for…
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PTUA welcomes funding of bus interchange at Ballarat station
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) today welcomed the announcement of $5 million funding for the construction of a new bus interchange at Ballarat railway station, to be completed in 2018. The bus interchange had been included in draft plans during public consultation, but notably was not funded in Ballarat Station Precinct works announced in…
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PTUA welcomes new Track-free Airport Trains to Tullamarine
PTUA president Dr Tony Morton today welcomed news of the Skybus Citylink Airport Maxi service – an innovative partnership between the state government, Skybus, Transurban and Melbourne Airport. “We have seen a massive increase in demand for transport to the airport, and something had to be done. This new service makes great sense, it’s immediate…
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PTUA calls for Night Network to stay – but must be made more efficient
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has proclaimed the Night Network trial a success, and that it needs to be a permanent feature of Melbourne’s public transport network[1] – but said it must be reformed to improve the service and make it financially sustainable and more useful for passengers. PTUA spokesman Daniel Bowen said that…
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PTUA joins call to put the public interest into public transport
The Public Transport Users Association is lending its support to a campaign by the Rail Tram Bus Union to strengthen the government’s role in operating public transport, to put the public interest first and foremost. The RTBU together with Trades Hall, academics and community groups today launched a campaign calling on the government to consider…
