Tag: train
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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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ABC 774 with Red Symons – discussing the removal of zone three
This morning I was interviewed briefly by Red Symons on ABC 774 in regard to the removal of zone three fares. The abolition of zone three has definitely removed one of the major pricing inequities facing public transport in Melbourne’s east and southeast. This benefit however, in making public transport more affordable, will not be…
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Herald-Sun: Petrol price hike tipped
Amid a forecast of rising petrol prices the Public Transport Users Association released its pre-budget submission calling on the State Government to dramatically improve public transport. The Herald-Sun has reported on this pre-budget submission: The Public Transport Users Association said the latest price hike increased the need for a major boost to public transport in…
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ABC 774: Discussing Melbourne's rail delays
Amid further rail interruptions I was invited to speak with Derek Guille on the evening program on ABC 774. This morning during peak-hour there were a number of major delays, with signalling faults affecting Ringwood, Lilydale and Belgrave trains as well as point failures near Caulfield which affected Dandenong, Pakenham, Cranbourne and Frankston trains. This…
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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…