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Category: Melbourne and suburbs

  • 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”,…

  • 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.

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • The truth behind South Morang

    Originally posted at Transport Textbook.com and (in abridged form) in the PTUA Newsletter. Ever since the Victorian Transport Plan last December flagged that the South Morang rail extension would finally be built, there has been speculation as to why the cost was so high. At $650 million for a 3.5 kilometre extension, many pondered if…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Brumby to blame for poor Federal transport priorities

    Public transport infrastructure announced for Melbourne in this year’s “nation building” Federal Budget may not deliver any real benefit to passengers – and the Brumby State Government is entirely to blame, says the PTUA. “All indications are that when it comes to Victorian public transport, Wayne Swan will be ploughing all the available money into…