Tag: public transport
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Eastern Transport Coalition – first meeting for 2007
The first meeting for 2007 of the Eastern Transport Coalition was held tonight to begin implementing the groups’ objectives. This includes achieving federal funding for public transport and to participate in the Melbourne 2030 audit to ensure that the State Government invests in much needed public transport infrastructure and further service improvements. The Eastern Transport…
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MAV Transport and Infrastructure Group (Federal Funding) – first meeting for 2007
The MAV’s Transport and Infrastructure Advisory Group (TIAG) consists of councillors and council officers who are preparing a response to the infrastructure needs of Victoria within the context of this year’s Federal Election. To enable this process the group is focusing on three specific areas, of which federal funding for sustainable transport is one of…
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PTUA Southeast Branch sets the agenda for 2007
The first Tuesday of February marked the first meeting of the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) South East for 2007. The South East Branch is now a recognised branch of the PTUA with June Whitton appointed as a convenor. Being recognised as a formal branch the PTUA South East will be able to forge its…
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Channel 7: Report on worsening traffic conditions
This evening I was on Channel Seven news commenting on the need for public transport improvements to mitigate Melbourne’s worsening traffic congestion. [flv]http://www.alexmakin.com.au/videos/20070226-ch7-traffic.flv[/flv] Melbourne will continue to experience worsening traffic congestion until the State Government finally provides real transport choice in the form of frequent, readily available, reliable and safe public transport. Rail lines to…
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The Age: A Dad's Army of shunted carriages called up in crisis
In an example of the lack of foresight typical of the former Minister for Transport, Peter Batchelor, The Age has revealed that the State Government has been forced to hire back the non air-conditioned Hitachi trains due to a shortage of rollingstock. The rollingstock shortage has been further compounded due to the withdrawal of 31…
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The Age: Dangerous tracks slow rail speeds on busy lines
The Age has exposed the decrepit state of Melbourne’s rail tracks, amid ongoing negligence by both Connex and the State Government in maintaining Melbourne’s physical rail infrastructure: DANGEROUS tracks and poor maintenance on some of Melbourne’s busiest suburban rail lines are forcing trains to run at speeds as slow as 30 km/h, increasing journey times…
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3AW with Derryn Hinch: Discussing Melbourne's public transport neglect
This evening I was invited to speak on the 3AW Drive program with Derryn Hinch to discuss the ongoing issues facing Melbourne’s rail system. While the Premier had announced a freeze on fare prices for months, this is nothing more than a cold comfort for Melbourne’s public transport users that have had to put up…
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The Age: Fare freeze gets cold reception
The State Government has announced a freeze on Melbourne’s public transport fares to deflect rising criticism over the latest spate of cancellations on Melbourne’s rail network. Premier Steve Bracks this morning announced the decision by the State Government to freeze the price increases, which were due on March 4. The freeze in public transport fares…
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ABC 774: Discussing Melbourne rail woes
This evening I was invited to discuss the discuss the ongoing dramas and inconvenience suffered by Melbourne’s rail passengers on ABC’s Radio 774. The interview, which included a number of talkback callers, focused on the endless excuses used by Connex to defend its ever diminishing performance in operating Mekbourne’s rail network. While it is correct…
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The Age: Commuters plan fare boycott
News of a fare boycott have reached The Age, amid ongoing reports of the latest train debacle: Frustrated commuters are planning a day of protest on March 1 in a display of anger over the number of train cancellations. Melbourne’s rail passengers are understandably upset over the latest of an ongoing saga of issues plaguing…