Category: Public Transport Users Association (PTUA)
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Rail Infrastructure Conference 2007
As the Vice-President of the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA), I have been invited to speak at the 2007 Rail Infrastructure Conference to provide a users perspective of the success factors required for rail based public transport. After decades of neglect, states around Australia are reinvesting heavily in rail and public transport due to economic,…
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Meeting the new Minister for Public Transport
Today, as part of delegation through the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA), I met the new Minister for Public Transport, Lynne Kosky. While the meeting was largely introductory in nature it was encouraging to see the Minister take on board a number of concerns shared by the PTUA. Unlike her predecessor, Minister Kosky has a…
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The Age: New year's warning for night riders
Melbourne’s public transport arrangements have once again come under the spotlight as New Year celebrations approach. The Age has reported on the arrangements for New Years Eve: While the State Government is taking the proactive step of providing all-night train services and free public transport after 3pm, it has failed to provide services for the…
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Maroondah Journal: Transport portfolio split a 'backward step'
The Maroondah Journal has reported on the Government’s retrograde step to split the Transport Portfolio into separate Public Transport and Roads components: While Peter Batchelor was unable to handle the Transport Portfolio, as evidenced by delivering little more than broken promises and empty rhetoric, the separation of the portfolio could further hamper the Government’s ability…
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Maroondah Journal: Bus use to rise as zones merge
The Maroondah Journal has reported on the State Government’s reaffirming its election promise to abolish zone three in March. The existence of zone three is one the ongoing inequities of Melbourne’s public transport system, where residents of Ringwood, Lilydale and Dandenong pay for more public transport despite living closer to the CBD than suburbs such…
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Herald-Sun: Tram, train, bus tangle
The Herald-Sun has reported on the confusion that will ensue due to service cutbacks on public transport over most of January: The annual Christmas present from public transport operators will include slashed train, tram and bus services for at least six weeks until mid-January. Unfortunately the persistence of the summer timetable has demonstrated the continued…
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Final PTUA committee meeting for 2006
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has achieved a number of successes in 2006 such as ensuring that public transport was seen as a key state election issue. The final committee meeting for the year provided the opportunity to reflect on these accomplishments while ensuring that a sold foundation is established for 2007. In particular…
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Maroondah Journal: Are we stuck in first gear?
As part of its State Election coverage, Fairfax Community News (which owns the Maroondah Journal) has reported on a series of election issues. The Maroondah Journal, along with the other Fairfax Community Newspapers, has reported on the issue of public transport. Better public transport would result in a lower level of car dependence, thus mitigating…
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Maroondah Leader: Commuters the winners in two zones
The Maroondah Leader has reported on the policy announcements delivered by the Victorian Liberal Party and the ALP to abolish zone three: TRANSPORT costs will be slashed for outer-suburban commuters, including many Maroondah residents, whoever wins the November election. Both the Bracks Government and Liberal Opposition last week pledged to scrap Zone 3 and switch…
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Maroondah Journal: Zone cut boost for outer suburbs
The Maroondah Journal has reported on the recent announcements to abolish zone three, released firstly by the Victorian Liberal Party and mimicked four hours later by the Bracks Government. Public Transport users in the outer east will pay less next year after both major political parties pledged to scarp zone three – but the fight…