Category: Melbourne and suburbs

  • North-east freeway could kill Doncaster rail

    A north-east freeway link would create mayhem on Manningham roads and would put the much needed Doncaster railway at risk according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA). “The Brumby government is so intent on denying Doncaster residents with rail, that they’re already looking at ways to dig a grave for Doncaster rail,” said PTUA…

  • Doncaster rail announcement welcome

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed the Liberal Party’s announcement on the Doncaster railway line, while slamming the government for refusing to make a better offer. The PTUA believes that the line, which has been promised for over 40 years would be a fraction of the cost of a North-East link and offer…

  • Busway only second-best according to PTUA

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has rejected the proposed busway to Mernda as a second-best solution, saying the rail line should be extended instead. “When it comes to major infrastructure, you should do it right, do it once,” said PTUA president Daniel Bowen. “The existing rail reservation is still there, and should be used…

  • What a mess – a hundred different organisations running public transport in Victoria

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has highlighted the fragmented nature of public transport management in Victoria, issuing a flowchart illustrating how difficult it is for the average person to work out who to contact with questions and problems. The flowchart will be sent to PTUA members, and available on the PTUA web site. “We…

  • Eastern train service off track

    Services on the Belgrave, Lilydale, Alamein and Glen Waverley lines are still operating below acceptable standards outside peak hours according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA), which has called for all political candidates to commit to upgrading services. “Trains should operate every 10 minutes from 6am to midnight seven days-a-week, bringing train services up…

  • Bus Reviews ignored, second-rate services prevail

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has criticised the State Government for failing to take up recommendations from the Metropolitan Bus Reviews. In most areas of Melbourne, less than 30 percent of the recommendations have been implemented by the government. — See full list at [1], below. “The bus network is struggling to meet the…

  • Chadstone buses: 50% time saving achievable

    The 903 bus journey between Holmesglen and Oakleigh via Chadstone should take only ten minutes, according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA). A study by the PTUA found that crowded buses are wasting a significant amount of time, especially at red traffic lights. “While passengers hang from the wrist straps, Vicroads is making their…

  • Eleven years and still waiting

    The Rowville railway line should have been built by now, according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA). It’s been eleven years since Labor made the feasibility study promise which helped the Bracks/Brumby Government win power in 1999. “It’s absurd that the Brumby Government hasn’t even done a study when we know the railway line…

  • Users present public transport vision

    Trains, trams and Smartbuses every ten minutes, all suburban stations staffed, V/Line trains every half-hour on main commuter routes, “Tram-cams” to catch careless motorists, and a Public Transport Authority to better plan and manage public transport all feature in the Public Transport Users Association’s call to the political parties in the run-up to the state…

  • Call for more V/Line services to cut waiting times

    As the state election approaches, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has called for upgrades to V/Line short distance services[1] to run at least every 30 minutes, seven days-a-week. PTUA regional spokesman Paul Westcott said that with strong patronage growth, V/Line train services are increasingly overcrowded not just in peak times, but also at off-peak…

  • RACV in the right lane on buses, says PTUA

    The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has congratulated the RACV for supporting the PTUA’s call for more buses and recognising the importance of bus lanes on Stud Road. “The State Government now needs to do its part of the deal by upgrading the 901 Smartbus to operate at least every 10 minutes, from 6am to…

  • Alamein Line upgrade call

    The Alamein line which is used for over 1.8 million journeys a year is falling behind, according to the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA). Recent timetable upgrades for the metropolitan train network launched earlier in the month ignored Alamein line commuters. “Alamein passengers are tired of being left behind by the government and Metro”, said…