We’d been warned about scams and pickpockets in Paris. This seems to be backed up by any number of online videos showing examples of the problems. Apparently it’s phones rather than wallets that are the most commonly stolen items. Phone theft is also a problem in London. Seems like the thieves have worked out that ... [More]
(Backdated post. I’m falling a bit behind on these, but expect more soon) Time to change countries! We packed up our luggage and walked to Edgware Road tube, which we caught to St Pancras. (Looking at this picture, I just realised I’ve misspelt Edgware in an earlier post. It only has two Es. Now fixed.) ... [More]
One last full day in London before we headed elsewhere. After breakfast we hopped on the Circle Line and headed to Blackfriars -the train was packed, and it’s an indirect route but potentially the fastest by avoiding changes. From there we walked along the river to the Tate Modern. It’s in an old power station ... [More]
Sunday! After breakfast in the hotel, we had a morning walk around the neighbourhood, ending up back at Hyde Park. The Royal Parks Half Marathon was underway, with organisers cordoning off paths, getting ready for the energetic people to come through. Though busy, the park was still enjoyable, and while overcast, it was looking like ... [More]
Surviving jet-lag
(backdated post) Friday morning: time to head for Europe! Thankfully not an early morning flight – they are not my favourite. I finished packing then caught a train to Footscray to collect my travelling companion, then (for reasons of speed and convenience) we caught an Uber to the airport. They recommend arriving 2-3 hours early ... [More]
Inspired by Alon Levy’s quick-fire Bluesky threads full of transport ideas, here’s some quick-fire points from me: These are some priorities for fixing on Victoria’s public transport network. I’m excluding anything already underway (such as bank card fare payment and Melbourne Airport Rail), and for the most part I’ve focused on system-wide issues rather than ... [More]
(backdated post) How fast can you get a passport renewal? Pretty fast if you’re prepared to pay. With about a week until the holiday, the travel agent pointed out that I had just five months left on my passport. I was already aware of this. I’d checked, and five was enough for the countries we’d ... [More]
So busy at the moment, but here’s another post in my regular series of photos from ten years ago: September and October 2015. The “New” Spirit of Tasmania at the old dock at Port Melbourne. It’s since moved down to Geelong, in a spot pretty much inaccessible by any means other than car.(What’s the person ... [More]
It’s not your imagination. Trains have got slower.
A 2013 document envisaged more frequent trains every day on most of Melbourne’s rail network
Comparing annual patronage: Amtrak vs NSW Trainlink vs V/Line
I’m way behind on posting my regular photos from ten years ago, so here’s July and August 2015. Ten years ago they were actively replacing the old Myki readers at stations… a process that is now repeating. A rarity: advertising for improved public transport services, in this case the ten minute frequency on the Frankston ... [More]
You can claim now for Metro, Yarra Trams, and V/Line poor performance
It’s Rail Safety Week. It’s a good reminder of what we can all do to stay safe around trains and trams. I was wondering if Victoria’s massive Level Crossing Removal Program has improved safety. (Warning, some of the content below is a bit grim) The TrackSafe foundation has data on fatalities in Victoria, and breaks ... [More]
There is another big Metro tunnel test next weekend, August 16-17. Like last time, trains will run between Sunbury and Cranbourne/Pakenham, but passengers will be offloaded between Footscray and Caulfield onto other trains. Leaving aside the faux peaks, similar to last time, the timetables show these daytime (interpeak) and evening frequencies: One key difference this ... [More]