Category: Media releases
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Chadstone expansion off-track without rail, trams, more buses
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has warned that expansion of the Chadstone Shopping Centre will lead to greater mayhem on roads and buses around the centre if high quality public transport is not provided. PTUA President Daniel Bowen said that the expansion should not take place unless it was accompanied by an overhaul of…
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Minister’s spin doesn’t wash
The Public Transport Users Association has described as “pure spin” Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder’s excuse for regional trains not stopping at North Melbourne station under the Regional Rail Link (RRL) “The minister is trying to dress up a downgrade as an improvement,” PTUA regional spokesperson Paul Westcott said. Mr Mulder has said that continuing…
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Knox Transit double shuffle
A recent substitution of route 75 trams with buses[1], has highlighted the need for a tram extension to Knox according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA). During the replacement period, passengers travelling between Burwood and Knox had make two transfers by taking one tram and two buses.
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Peninsula buses take holiday leave
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…
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Melbourne’s Sunday trains arrive late – timetable needs shake-up
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has found in a comparison study that — measured by first train time — Melbourne has some of the worst Sunday morning train services in Australia. “Our trains start too late, and are too infrequent on Sundays”, said PTUA President Daniel Bowen. The PTUA compared train timetables from across…
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Tram passengers fenced-in
Boroondara is fencing in tram passengers, delaying trams and resulting in greater road congestion according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA). Pedestrian fencing exists at a number of tram stops in the City of Boroondara, including the intersection of Glenferrie and Riversdale roads, Hawthorn and is making it difficult for passengers to board and…
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Melbourne to get Google Transit eventually, but data to remain secret?
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has learnt that moves are underway to include Melbourne’s public transport timetables in Google Transit, but it seems there are no plans to release timetable data publicly. PTUA President Daniel Bowen said that Google Transit had timetable data for over four hundred cities around the world[1], including all services…
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Myki must work for users; must provide single-use option
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed an end to the uncertainty over Myki, but criticised the dumping of single-use tickets for new and occasional public transport users. “Finally, there is an answer – Myki will be staying”, said PTUA President Daniel Bowen. “But the apparent move to run the system only with reusable…
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Cars, public transport must have equal treatment under carbon price
The Public Transport Users Association has called on the Gillard Labor Government to ensure public transport users are not penalised relative to motorists under a future carbon price. Prime Minister Julia Gillard stated on Sunday that motorists’ fuel purchases would be excluded from a carbon price in perpetuity. However, the government has not made any…
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Bus users call for new paper tickets to replace short-term Myki
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has called on the Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder to clarify the position regarding Myki short-term tickets. PTUA Regional Spokesman Paul Westcott said yesterday’s announcement about Myki had created uncertainty for regional bus users in areas using Myki, including Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo. “Over sixty percent of bus travellers…
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Tram 8 to Kooyong short-sighted
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has criticised as short-sighted plans by the Department of Transport to terminate route 8 trams at Kooyong. “The objective should be to extend the number 8 tram east to Hartwell where it would connect with several other tram, train and bus routes,” said PTUA eastern spokesman Jeremy Lunn. “Kooyong…
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Oakleigh bus hub a hazard
Public safety is being put at risk at the Oakleigh bus interchange according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA). The PTUA has called for a redesign of the bus interchange in Oakleigh to improve passenger and pedestrian safety. “The current bus interchange is an accident waiting to happen,” said the PTUA’s outer east convenor…