Tag: rail network
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Maroondah Leader: Battle for survival in train revival
The Maroondah Leader has reported on the worsening overcrowding experienced on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines caused due to the State Government failing to improve service levels to cater to the large influx of patronage on Melbourne’s rail network. Mr Makin, who lobbied the State Government to scrap Zone 3, said the move had placed…
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The Age: Tolls urged to cut traffic
The Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission report into traffic congestion was releases today, along with the State Government’s response to its recommendations. The report, which was covered in The Age, has painted a dire picture for Melbourne’s worsening traffic congestion and its recommendations, which included much needed rail extensions and better bus services, rightfully called…
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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 video news bulletin: Ride trains at your own risk
Melbourne’s rail network is in disarray amid the removal of 31 Siemens trains from service due to ongoing braking issues. Furthermore a senior transport official has told The Age that all of the 72 Siemens trains should be removed from service due to safety reasons. As Melbourne’s rail passengers face worsening cancellations due to a…
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Herald-Sun: Delays are off the rails
During January, as people return to work and international events such as the Australian Open are hosted in Melbourne, rail passengers have had to endure some of the worst levels of rail services across the metropolitan rail network, with one in 25 services being cancelled and a number of severe delays. The Sunday Herald-Sun has…
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The Age: City of lost, delayed trains
The Sunday Age has exposed the extent of the State Government’s neglect of Melbourne’s rail network, over the failure to replace the aging Metrol communication system with a system that can ensure safe and efficient movement of Melbourne’s trains. MELBOURNE’S rail operator Connex can pinpoint the location of trains on as little as 10 per…