Category: Melbourne and suburbs
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Zip line plan for Fishermans Bend
With the State Government failing to commit to major public transport upgrades into the growing Fishermans Bend precinct, such as the Metro 2 tunnel or even tram extensions, a plan has emerged to run zip lines into the area. Stage one would see a zip line from a major CBD building to Fishermans Bend. Candidates…
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Free PT in April
Free public transport from 31st March to the end of April will make a big difference to the people who already use the network or can easily move their trips from driving onto public transport. There’s obviously less benefit for people for whom public transport is not a viable journey choice, due to lack of…
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PTUA welcomes Metro Tunnel timetable boost; more needed
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed to extra train services delivered with the full opening of the Metro Tunnel on 1st February. The Metro Tunnel shifts the busy Sunbury and Cranbourne/Pakenham lines out of the City Loop, freeing up track space for more trains. The initial timetable will include trains every few minutes…
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Melbourne’s tram network still fails accessibility test
The Victorian Auditor-General’s Office has again exposed Melbourne’s lack of progress on tram accessibility[1]. In 2023–24, only 18% of tram services were fully accessible, up just by 3% from 15% in 2018–19. “True accessibility needs both low-floor trams and level-access stops”, said Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) spokesperson Daniel Bowen. “Without both, many passengers can’t…
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Letter to The Age: Government must be accountable
The ongoing contractual payments to Metro Trains to cover lost revenue due to higher work-from-home rates show how misleading it is to argue governments can shift “revenue risk” to the private sector by privatising public services. It is ultimately governments who remain accountable for the standard of public goods and services, whether the ultimate provider…
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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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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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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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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…
