Login

Category: Media releases

  • South Morang extension funding welcomed, but buck passing not

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed the Federal Coalition’s commitment of funds to the Mernda rail extension in Melbourne’s north. “This rail extension will help to cut greenhouse emissions and fuel expenses in the heart of the mortgage belt where transport costs put major pressure on household finances,” said PTUA President Daniel Bowen.…

  • Election campaign starts, but public transport users still waiting

    With a federal election date now set, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has called on the parties to commit to improving public transport infrastructure to reduce greenhouse emissions and provide relief from high petrol prices and congestion. “Each day the science on climate change is becoming more certain, more alarming and clearer in the…

  • Call for decisive action on train network

    In the face of growing delays and overcrowding, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has urged the government to take decisive action to overhaul train services, to cut waiting times, improve reliability, and to handle and encourage further patronage growth. In releasing the PTUA’s “Getting Melbourne’s Rail System Back on Track” document, Mr Bowen said…

  • Roads Minister keeps passengers stuck in traffic

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) today expressed frustration with Roads Minister Tim Pallas’ failure to speed up road-based public transport, especially buses, due to lack of action on priority measures. “Roads Minister Tim Pallas needs to stop dragging his feet and start listening to the community, transport experts and his own advisors who all…

  • ‘Dead Time’ tolls trams

    Traffic lights “designed to make trams slow”, study finds Melbourne’s trams are spending up to a third of their travel time needlessly stationary, at a cost of millions of dollars a year, according to research to be presented at a major transport conference today. “We call it ‘dead time’,” said Tony Morton, who carried out…

  • New timetables welcomed — Now more trains needed

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed the announcement of extra train services onto Melbourne’s overcrowded rail network, but warned that this should only be the first step to addressing the problems plaguing the system. “Premier Brumby knows he has to work to solve our transport crisis, and this is a good first step”,…

  • Bring Back the Buses – Users Call for Buses to Return to the City Centre

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has called for bus stops to return to the city centre, in a submission to a state government review of Geelong’s central bus services.

  • Australian public transport users unite in call for federal funds

    Joint media release from: Action for Public Transport (NSW), Public Transport Users Association (Vic), People for Public Transport (SA), Sustainable Transport Coalition (WA), Community Action for Sustainable Transport (Qld), ACT Transit Group and Environment Tasmania. Public transport users from around Australia have united to urge federal government funding for public transport, citing major economic, health…

  • We want the bus

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) and Templestowe Road Reference Panel have joined forces to demand a much-needed, new bus service along Templestowe Road linking Heidelberg Station with The Pines. This important Manningham arterial road, the ‘missing link’ in Manningham’s transport network, is one of the few without an adequate public transport service and links…

  • Cut our oil dependency – invest in public transport, government urged

    The federal government should invest in public transport to cut Australia’s growing dependence on Middle East oil, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) said today. “Oil production in Australia is in terminal decline, along with production in most other oil producing countries,” said PTUA President Daniel Bowen. “As a result we’re going to see higher…

  • Environment, social and transport groups call for a peak oil management plan

    Major transport and urban planning reforms are needed to prepare Victoria for significant increases in petrol prices, say the environment, social and transport groups organising today’s conference Peak Oil, Petrol Prices and Climate Change: Preparing Victoria for the Future. These plans must include massive investment in public transport in both Melbourne and rural and regional…

  • Report vindicates public transport campaign

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has called on the Government to present a new vision for Melbourne’s public transport network amid an independent report citing concern over urban sustainability.