Categories
transport

Train map: frequency

There’s a good map doing the rounds showing the sections of the Sydney Trains network that run every 10 minutes on weekdays off-peak. Bambul has expanded this into a blog post, which also includes another map of 15 minute frequencies. A couple of people asked if there was a Melbourne version of the 10 minute  ... [More]

Categories
transport

Melbourne’s most confusing train timetable

Between Richmond and Ringwood there are a staggering 13 stopping patterns within a 6 hour period each weekday.

Categories
transport

PT patronage in our biggest cities

Obviously, travel demand in cities is in turmoil just at the moment, but leaving the 2020-2022 blip aside for a minute, and looking again at pre-COVID travel in cities… As a follow-up to comparing Melbourne’s public transport patronage to Sydney’s, I thought I’d look at all the big capital cities. The five biggest are also  ... [More]

Categories
transport

Fares 1992-2022

A fare rise took effect from 1st January. It’s usually more-or-less in line with the annual CPI to September the previous year – this time 2.3% against CPI of 2.9%. CPI was so low in 2020 that they waived the increase in January 2021, but most other years they’ve done it. I thought it might  ... [More]

Categories
transport

Buses: Small vs big

Happy new year! We’re all used to the standard size buses (pictured above). Bigger buses either go to double deck, requiring higher bridge clearances, or longer articulated buses, needing longer bus bays and larger turning circles. Spotted recently on the Western Freeway near Melton: a smaller FlexiRide bus. The aspect ratio on this pic is  ... [More]

Categories
transport

Station car park management

While the debate about new and expanded station car parks continues to rage, I wonder if authorities are properly managing the ones they have? The whole reason for politicians wanting to expand station car parks is that in normal times, they are full. But are they full of train users? How can one tell? This  ... [More]

Categories
transport

Things the Suburban Rail Loop needs to succeed

SRL is a huge project. Here are a few thoughts on what it needs to really be a success.

Categories
transport

Trackless Trams – pros and cons

Federal Labor is getting behind a “Trackless Tram” idea for a route from Caulfield via Chadstone and Monash Uni to Rowville, pledging $6 million for a business case if they win power next year. The proposal is to run from Caulfield via Dandenong Road past Chadstone, then Ferntree Gully Road, Blackburn Road past Monash University,  ... [More]

Categories
transport

Beg buttons for motorists

This is real priority for pedestrians

Categories
transport

PT fare revenue has plummeted

The pandemic has resulted in millions of people staying home, with overall travel demand dropping significantly. This is clearly shown in the annual public transport patronage figures from the State Budget Papers released in May. Now we have a new piece of info: annual fare revenue – from the Department of Transport annual reports, the  ... [More]

Categories
transport

Comeng trains starting to be scrapped

Decommissioned Comeng trains at Tottenham are a sorry sight.

Categories
transport

Slowing down roads to improve safety

City of Glen Eira is proposing to reduce the speed limit on more roads. They’ve already dropped it from 60 to 50 on several main roads, including Brewer, Tucker, Mackie, Koornang, Inkerman, Kangaroo, Alma and Gardenvale Roads. Now they’re proposing to add Orrong, Kooyong, Bambra, Kambrook, Booran, Neerim and Poath Roads. The key point is  ... [More]