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Category: Media releases

  • Call to increase minimum bus levels

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has called for an increase to the Brumby Government “Minimum Service Standards” for bus services in Metropolitan Melbourne, and called for the same standard to be introduced into Victoria’s major regional cities. The program, introduced in 2006, set a minimum benchmark of an hourly bus service until 9pm, and…

  • Cross out Melbourne’s level crossings

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has renewed calls for Melbourne’s level crossing elimination program to be reintroduced, highlighting the safety benefits for the community, and listed ten crossings on Melbourne’s tram and orbital SmartBus networks as the first priority. (Jump to map) PTUA President Daniel Bowen said that “Sydney actively removed its level crossings…

  • PTUA welcomes pledge for more reliable trams, trains

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed new operators KDR (to trade as “Yarra Trams”) and MTM (“Metro”) to Melbourne, but warned that they with the government will have to work hard to improve public transport reliability. PTUA President Daniel Bowen said the companies had their work cut out for them. “It’s great to…

  • Senate inquiry backs transport planning reforms

    The Federal Government should insist that State transport bureaucracies reform their planning processes in order to receive public transport funding, a Senate committee has concluded.

  • Users ask the government how much slower the new rail link to Geelong will be

    In a submission to a Victorian parliamentary inquiry, the Geelong branch of the PTUA has called on the State Government to clarify how much time the Regional Rail Link will add to the journey for Geelong travellers. The Legislative Council Select Committee on Train Services is inquiring into the “failures in the provision of metropolitan…

  • PTUA greets new operators, but warns real reform needed

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has extended a marvellous Melbourne greeting to new train operator Metro Trains and new tram operator Keolis / Downer, but reminded the government that it still needs to do more to coordinate services and fix infrastructure problems on trams and trains. “We hope both the new operators will do…

  • Joint release: Alliance urges Govt to rebalance transport budget

    A new report by the Rapid Active & Affordable Transport Alliance (RAATA), Investing in sustainable transport: Our clean, green transport future, urges the Federal Government to catch up on years of neglect by investing two thirds of the transport budget in public and active transport measures. Speaking today at the report launch in Canberra, ACF…

  • Station design short-sighted

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has condemned Vicroads for the lack of public consultation before releasing their concept plan for the Springvale Road Rail Separation Project. As the plan does not meet the basic design principles for a proper transport interchange, the PTUA has called for a complete redesign of the project. “A railway…

  • Hole in the bus timetable – Please fix now

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has criticised the inadequate weekend timetable for the 903 bus, stating that its lopsided frequency is resulting in overcrowding and confusion. To rectify the problem it has called for buses every 15 minutes between Mordialloc and Heidelberg. “Here we have this bizarre arrangement where Saturday buses run at mixed…

  • Trains every 10 minutes welcomed

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed the announcement of a new train timetable to begin in July. PTUA President Daniel Bowen said that the introduction of trains every ten minutes on the Werribee line was a significant step forward. “This is the first step towards a ‘metro’-style rail service in Melbourne. The next…

  • Side-effects of car use costing Australia $100 billion per year

    The side effects of motor vehicle use are costing Australia at least $100 billion each year, according to a submission released by the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) today. The cost of impacts such as pollution and road trauma are more than three times the level of taxes and charges on road users, based on…

  • It’s a new era of Federal funding, but are these the right projects?

    The Federal Government are to be congratulated for finally putting money into urban public transport, which will cut congestion by getting cars off the road, cut emissions, and give people more sustainable transport choices. But brickbats are due to the Brumby State Government for advancing flawed projects, says the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA). Despite…