Tag: trains
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2007/08 State Budget interview with ABC 774
This morning I was discussing the State Budget with Red Symons on ABC 774. From a public transport perspective the state budget was an improvement over previous budgets. The purchase of ten additional six carriage trains was a measure the PTUA was calling for and it is pleasing that this will proceed. The additional trains,…
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The Age: Labor's train plan 'on the wrong track'
One of the key tenets of Meeting Our Transport Challenges (MOTC), the State Government’s plan for Melbourne’s public transport system, was the construction of a third track between Caulfield and Dandenong. This project alone is expected to cost up to one billion dollars and will take a decade to complete delaying many other public transport…
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MX: Kosky defends buyback
According the MX, the State Government has been forced to repurchase the old Hitachi trains due to dire shortage of train rollingstock. Buying back second-hand “sweatbox” carriages at more than seven times their sale price was good value for Victorian taxpayers, Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said today. Defending the State Government’s purchase of two Hitachi…
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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 2007 Sustainable Living Festival
The Sustainable Living Festival, an annual event held at Federation Square, aims to showcase organisations that inspire and promote sustainable communities. Given that transport, due to car dependence, is the highest household contributor of greenhouse emissions, it was fitting for the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) to hold a stall over the three day festival.…
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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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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…