Categories
Melbourne Photos transport

Foggy station

Oh. Just found this rather similar picture from 1997 to compare to:

Categories
transport

Car hassles 2

So I was on my way home last night, after a lovely day and doing the grocery shopping. A closed road and a detour on the way, but I manage to find my way around that. I decide since it’s quiet at the local petrol station, I’ll fill up. Is Sunday night the cheapest time  ... [More]

Categories
Melbourne transport

Carrum?

The new Siemens train rolls through the burbs, resplendent in the latest train company colours. A middle-aged man chats into his mobile phone about planning permission for a four story storey monolith in a residential area of one storey homes, with the voice of experience and reason, rather than that of the outraged NIMBY. He’s  ... [More]

Categories
Film Politics and activism PTUA transport

The End Of Suburbia

Review: The End of Suburbia. I saw this at a PTUA screening to about 60 people a week or two ago. A fascinating film about the consequences of the forthcoming shortages of oil and natural gas. The film is North American-centric (as you can tell from the subtitle “Oil Depletion and the Collapse of the  ... [More]

Categories
transport

Recognition

After yesterday’s little circus, it had to happen… I get off the train at Flinders Street and go through the gate. “Hello!” says the barrier attendant. “Uhh, hi.” “Are you the transport minister?” Oh, well done fella. Hint: the minister has a beard. “No…” and I tell him who I am. I am, if anything,  ... [More]

Categories
Melbourne PTUA transport

Today’s funeral

If you didn’t see it on the news, here are some images from today’s funeral of a tram stop.

Categories
PTUA transport

Funeral for a tram stop

Following the decision to close tram stops in Collins St, Flinders St and Victoria Pde, and expectations that more will follow, there will be a funeral for tram stop 7 at Russell and Collins Streets on Monday: R.I.P. Tram Stop 7, Route 109 1886-2005 Public Funeral 12.30pm, Monday 23rd May 2005 Cnr Collins St &  ... [More]

Categories
transport

Thirteen

Coming into Flinders Street… “Train arriving platform 13, this train is not taking passengers.” The guy standing in the doorway pipes up. “I hate platform 13.” “Why, ‘cos it’s deep underground in the middle of nowhere?” “No” he shuddered, “I just don’t like the number 13.”

Categories
Film transport

The truth about Connex

This picture taken inside Flinders Street Station yesterday reveals what we train users should have guessed all along… That Connex is aligned with the Dark Side.

Categories
Politics and activism PTUA transport

Environmentally unfriendly state budget

If you were listening to the radio on Tuesday afternoon after the state budget was announced, you may have noticed that it wasn’t me doing the media for PTUA… I’ve bowed out as my real work is getting too busy to be able to do media effectively. Chris did the budget comment, and did a  ... [More]

Categories
Melbourne Photos transport

Impressive

It may be costing $700 million, and it may be causing untold confusion and inconvenience while it’s being built, and the new name might be silly… but damn, that rolly roof is impressive. Click here to see it bigger (and unencumbered by the blog navigation) (Yeah, there’s a slight glitch in the picture where a  ... [More]

Categories
transport

Speeding fines

I treat speeding fines as a purely optional tax. I know some people seem to see them us unavoidable (notably one guy I knew who worked in car insurance), but really, nobody has to speed. Nothing’s compelling you to press down harder on that accelerator. Those people zooming past me or tailgating might remember that  ... [More]