Category: Media releases
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State budget: Bus users miss out
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed rail and tram spending in the State Budget, but expressed disappointment at the lack of upgrades to bus services. “The total amount being spent on public transport certainly sounds impressive, but most of that is a re-announcement of the $4.3 billion Regional Rail Link project, largely funded…
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Huntingdale chaos brings renewed call for Monash/Rowville rail
Chaos at Huntingdale station for students and staff waiting for buses to Monash University’s Clayton campus have led the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) to renew calls for the Rowville rail line.
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Melbourne Metro by name, but not by nature
A study into the developed world’s biggest cities has concluded that all but a handful have metro systems — but that handful without metros includes Melbourne and Sydney. The study by the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) showed that of biggest 30 cities in the developed world by population, all but seven have metros: the…
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Ongoing study confirms no Clearway benefits
Tram Travel Time Saving Narrows: 7 Seconds in Sydney Road An update to a PTUA travel time study has confirmed an earlier finding that extended clearway hours on Sydney Road in Brunswick have not noticeably improved tram travel speeds. Earlier results obtained in November last year, after 5 months of study, found that after clearway…
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Crucial interchange bypassed by Regional Rail Link
The Public Transport Users Association has expressed serious concerns over the revelation that no platforms will be provided at North Melbourne station for Geelong rail passengers travelling on the forthcoming Regional Rail Link. Although extra platforms will be provided at both Footscray and Southern Cross stations as part of the $4.2bn project, the Department of…
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Month-long Myki muddle — New system’s many problems
With the new Myki ticketing system having been in public use for one month, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has compiled a list of problems with it, and has called for the government to ensure the system is running more smoothly before switching more people from Metcard to Myki. “We are continuing to advise…
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New minister faces big challenge
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has wished departing Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky well, noting that her successor will have a big job ahead to reform Melbourne and Victoria’s public transport network. “Lynne Kosky has been much maligned, but she inherited a number of problems from former minister Peter Batchelor, including poor maintenance practices…
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It’s called Metro, let’s run it like a Metro
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed Metro Trains Melbourne on its first day of operation, and called for the government to boost services across the week. “Around the world, the name ‘Metro’ means a service with frequent trains, from early to late, seven-days-a-week. This is what the government must commit to for Melbourne”,…
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SmartBus stops short
Most of the Victorian government’s flagship SmartBus routes fail to meet the defined SmartBus service standard, which itself is well below the level of service provided by Melbourne’s trams, a study by the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has found.
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Myki: swings and roundabouts for passengers
The Public Transport Users Association said today that the introduction of the new multi-million-dollar Myki ticketing system to Melbourne, and later to V/Line services would bring benefits to passengers, but also some problems. “Myki does bring advantages”, said PTUA president Daniel Bowen. “It will provide much better access to the cheapest fares, such as $3…
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Full-time bus priority needed for Hoddle Street
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has today called for the immediate introduction of full-time bus lanes in Hoddle Street to improve traffic flow and reduce travel times for bus commuters travelling along one of Melbourne’s busiest corridors. PTUA President Daniel Bowen said that the current situation must be fixed. “More people can be moved…
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Half-hourly services way to go
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has refreshed calls for an increase of services running on the Geelong rail line, calling for half-hourly services all day to Victoria’s largest regional city to better meet the needs of thousands of commuters and ease congestion on roads.