“Less loop trains” isn’t true in peak. 7:01-9am Richmond to Parliament: was 73, now 77, because more trains on most lines #MetroTrains — Twitter Sorry, but Less vs Fewer gets me every time. I know the rule (“fewer” should be used when what you’re talking about can be counted)… I just never remember to invoke ... [More]
There’s intense interest in the new train timetable, which technically started today, but has its first actual changes tomorrow. The level of interest should be a reminder to politicians that public transport is still very much a live issue. It should (hopefully) bring some genuine benefits in helping to fix punctuality and overcrowding. There are ... [More]
Probably just as well for this onsert: …that this story landed on page 6, not on page 1: The full story text is here: Stations to lose peak services. And here’s a big version of the map. The document the article talks about is here: Passenger Impact Statement. To decode it, you’ll need to look ... [More]
One would hope that the budget following an election would fulfil the promises made during that election, although it would not be beyond the bounds of reasonableness to spread them out over the term of government. Somewhat surprisingly, at least to me, the Baillieu government has largely fulfilled all of its promises with its first ... [More]
The Slap I finished reading The Slap. Great book, provided you don’t mind a little fruity language and adult themes in your novels. Looking forward now to the TV adaption. Possums I was just thinking the other day that despite seeing a lot of possums around the neighbourhood, I never heard them in the roof. ... [More]
Kudos to Terry Mulder for noting today that we need trams, trains and buses to get us out of congestion. #SpringSt #
I often think spiders would have better luck with their webs in urban settings if they had a little sense of spots to avoid, such as where us lumbering humans come barrelling through without looking (or without being able to spot them). It seems like time and time again I’ll inadvertently demolish a web — ... [More]
I’ve never been a drinker. Oh sure, there were the social pressures in my uni days. But it’s a habit I just never picked up. My parents weren’t drinkers. My partner isn’t a drinker. It’s just not my thing. I’m not a teetotaller though. Occasionally (perhaps a few times a year) I’ll indulge in a ... [More]
I’ve turned into one of those boring people who looks out for specials in the supermarket. This deal is from this week’s Safeway/Woolworths catalogue. If you happen to occasionally buy frozen fish and frozen chips, it appears to be a pretty good deal, saving $3.55. (Sometimes I’ll use this type of thing; sometimes I’d prefer ... [More]
More level crossing eliminations would be good, but overpasses don't always stop cars getting on the tracks http://j.mp/fztgZi #
With thanks to my sister, who picked this up for me during a work trip to London last week. (I needed a new one.) If you’re in London you can get them from the excellent London Transport Museum shop. Otherwise, at the online shop. (It’s so big and my bathroom is so small that it’s ... [More]
I have a Zone 1 Yearly Commuter Club Myki, so I don’t normally need to touch-off, but I have been doing so, in order to gather data on train punctuality. Each trip is recorded, with its start and end station, and the time down to the exact second, and can be viewed via the Myki ... [More]
Right from the very beginning, the companions in Doctor Who were our (the viewers’) representatives on the voyage. For me growing up, the archetype for this character was Sarah Jane Smith, played by Elisabeth Sladen. She was there just as I got into the show. The innumerable repeats of 70s episodes in Australia during the ... [More]
I’m genuinely undecided as to which I should get. What do you think? Google Forms doesn’t stop you voting more than once. Please don’t. I’ll publish the results in a few days. See below. Disclaimer: Have your say via a vote or a comment, but I won’t necessarily go with the majority view. Update 6pm: ... [More]
With the usual media coverage of petrol price rises over Easter (yes, that’s how the market economy works… when demand goes up, so do prices…), I was pondering how much money I’ve been spending on petrol. The car barely goes anywhere on weekdays, and even on the weekends I’m doing perhaps around 50 kilometres. Given ... [More]