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Category: Melbourne and suburbs

  • The missing tram-link

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has called on the Baillieu Government to commit to a four-kilometre extension of the number 8 tram along Toorak Road from Glenferrie Road to Summerhill Road, Hartwell. The extension would link four tramlines and fill in a severe public transport black hole for residents in Toorak, Hawthorn East, Glen…

  • Knox Transit Link: 163 buses gone missing

    A study completed by the The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has revealed gaping holes and long waits exist on the Knox Transit Link. Only 16 percent of tram services are met by a connecting bus service timed within two minutes, while 163 tram services per a week have no connecting bus at all. “Outer…

  • Regional Rail Link must be reviewed, users say

    The Public Transport Users Association has criticised the state government for giving the go-ahead to the Regional Rail Link (RRL), without an independent review to fix the project’s problems and explore alternative plans. PTUA secretary Tony Morton said the government’s approval made a mockery of its commitment to set up an independent Public Transport Development…

  • Monash Uni fails bus test

    Photos released today by the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) have revealed large hordes of students at Monash University bus interchange and very few actual buses in sight. “Once again Monash students are being left behind by the Department of Transport,” said PTUA outer east convenor Jeremy Lunn. “These photos clearly show consistently high demand…

  • Bus lane removal short-sighted

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has condemned the removal of bus lanes on Stud Road. It says a combined solution incorporating buses and rail is needed for Rowville. “Removing bus lanes will only create temporary relief for motorists,” said PTUA outer east convenor Jeremy Lunn. “In the absence of effective public transport congestion will…

  • Regional Rail Link: Many better ways to spend $5bn

    JASON Dowling’s defence of the Regional Rail Link (Comment, 22/2) essentially asserts that a project costing about $5 billion must be a good thing. What began as a line on a map in the Eddington report has evolved secretly and fitfully. We still have no idea how train services will be organised, but we do…

  • Monthly tickets too expensive, says PTUA

    Melbourne’s monthly tickets are markedly more expensive than those in other cities, a survey by the PTUA (Public Transport Users Association) has found. The study, comparing periodical public transport tickets around the world, found that Melbourne’s monthly tickets were not priced to encourage frequent public transport usage. “A monthly ticket in Melbourne costs around the…

  • Billion dollar rail blowout a blessing in disguise

    The billion dollar blowout in the construction costs of the Regional Rail Link, reported in the Australian Financial Review today (3 February 2011), could provide the opportunity to revise the project and fix its worst problems, the Public Transport Users Association has said. Secretary Tony Morton said that well-chosen experts for the proposed new Public…

  • Rail planning more broken than ever: fix it, say users

    The new Metro train timetable shows why urgent reform is needed in public transport planning, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) said today. While Metro’s new timetable, to take effect from May, brings some extra services, it comes at a cost. Some stations have their peak services reduced, and run at confusing 22 minute frequencies.…

  • Eastern transport derails Brumby

    Public transport in Melbourne’s east has been a major factor contributing towards the swing to the Liberal Party, according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA). The PTUA has welcomed policies such as the Rowville and Doncaster railway lines, along with the independent Public Transport Development Authority, which helped deliver victory to the Coalition. “Commuters…

  • The Smartbus Crawl

    How slow is the “Smart”bus from Holmesglen to Chadstone? On this recent Saturday afternoon, 8.5 km/h. The PTUA wants better priority for buses in the Chadstone area, and more services on Smartbus routes, including 903. Join our Facebook groups: Better Public Transport to Chadstone, and We want Public Transport That Works!, and send a message…

  • Labor transport policy: Good upgrades, but big gaps remain

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed the launch of Labor’s transport policy, and said that it contained a number of worthwhile initiatives that would make life easier for passengers, but warned that it was not a comprehensive vision for fixing Victoria’s public transport woes. PTUA President Daniel Bowen said it was pleasing to…