Author: admin
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Letter to The Age: Tax misuse
While it’s appropriate governments incentivise the shift from petrol and diesel cars to cleaner transport, FBT exemptions for personal use of motor vehicles are the very worst way of doing so. FBT tax breaks mean taxpayers meet up to a third of all purchase and operating costs, and all GST, for personal vehicles, with the…
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Pivot to services makes a start – PTUA welcomes bus upgrades, rail service boost
The Allan Government’s public transport agenda is responding to community needs and pivoting from big infrastructure to service upgrades and targeted improvements. But it must resolve to do more, the Public Transport Users Association said today. “There’s lots of overdue good news for families in the northern and western suburbs in particular,” said PTUA President…
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Train service upgrades applauded
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has praised a State Government commitment to increased train services across the network. Waiting times for trains are set to be slashed on the Sandringham, Craigieburn, Upfield and Gippsland lines, with more peak services on the Werribee and Seymour lines, and more capacity on the Bendigo line – on…
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Short-term thinking – Geelong Advertiser
Funding further duplication of the Barwon Heads Road is a sad example of short-term thinking regarding transport planning in Greater Geelong. Politicians are keen to finance road expansion, rather than investing in an effective solution to our growing congestion problem; public transport. Additional road space provides only temporary relief before it fills up again, increasing…
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Letter to The Age: Hostility to rail projects
Back in 2008, we were optimistic. It looked like Infrastructure Australia might break the long-standing hostility to rail projects on the part of state and federal bureaucracies, and their obsession with motorways, despite none ever fulfilling their congestion-busting promises. Unfortunately, it has reverted to form. We can agree the Suburban Rail Link business case lacks…
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Calls for Immediate Action on Station Parkiteer Cages
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) and Bike Geelong are calling on the state government to address ongoing issues with Parkiteer bike cages at upgraded train stations in Victoria. Parkiteer bike cages provide secure bike storage and are an essential service for cyclists commuting via public transport. However, the cage at Marshall station remains closed,…
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Geelong NYE services welcomed but promotion needed
The Public Transport Users Association Geelong Branch welcomes the additional bus services that were provided for New Year’s Eve 2024–25. These services, which included three extra trips on Route 30, four on Route 31, and three each on Routes 42, 53, 55, and 60, represent a positive step toward making public transport a viable option…
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PTUA reviews buses to activity centres – timetables found lacking
With the State Government seeking to develop more housing in established suburbs, high quality public transport will be key to ensuring that new residents get around without having to drive. While some destinations are served by the rail network, many trips must be taken by bus, to nearby suburbs or other areas not served by…
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Scrapped projects undermine Metro Tunnel benefits
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) expresses profound disappointment over the Victorian Government’s decision to cancel several modest yet impactful improvements to the state’s train and tram networks[1]. These projects, while relatively inexpensive, held the potential to significantly enhance passenger journeys and strengthen the functionality of Victoria’s public transport system. Among the scrapped initiatives is…
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Dandenong bus service needs recognised in award ceremony
The need for better seven-day buses in Greater Dandenong was recognised at the Public Transport Users Association Annual General Meeting, held in Melbourne on Thursday November 14. The association’s annual Paul Mees Award for public transport advocacy went to Peter Parker and the FixDandyBuses campaign. This campaign succeeded in gaining government funding for an upgraded…
