Time for another in my monthly series of photos from ten years ago… something of a bumper crop this time. Let’s start with a view over the city from Quarry Park in Footscray. Apparently the Melbourne Star observation wheel had been under construction since 2006, but I can’t see in anywhere here. I can’t actually ... [More]
It turns out some are floating the idea of the Swanston/Flinders Street intersection being converted to a pedestrian scramble crossing (aka a Barnes Dance/Barnes Walk). THE CBD’s busiest intersection, at Flinders and Swanston streets, could get a pedestrian-friendly makeover under changes forced by the Metro Rail tunnel project. Lord Mayor Robert Doyle has revealed one ... [More]
As you grow older, you find yourself doing things you genuinely had no idea you’d be doing. At least I do. Perhaps other people have all their plans worked out way further in advance. When I was growing up, we had little money, and I couldn’t dream of owning my own home. At age 30 ... [More]
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New phone: Motorola G5 Plus
A reminder that despite how it may sometimes seem, not all my blog posts are about transport. If you want to view only the transport posts, try here. For convenience, this link is also on the menu at the top, under Transport. Over the years I’ve had many mobile phones. Here’s an update to that ... [More]
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New trains – 2000 people?!
The Age broke the story last week that the new High Capacity Metro Trains (HCMTs) are being designed to cope with up to 2000 people, at a density of up to 6 people per square metre, and seats for 30-40% of the total load. Cue the outrage (from some quarters) — but it’s important to ... [More]
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Some thoughts on the Westgate Tunnel
We all remember the East West Link. Specifically denied by the Coalition during the 2010 election, after a policy turnaround, they ignored the unfavourable economics of the project, and rammed through the contracts without a mandate, ahead of the 2014 election. The design ran a motorway through the middle of Royal Park, and required demolition ... [More]
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Doing the bustitution zig zag
Those of you who follow me on Twitter might recall I spent a lot of July last year posting about the 5 weeks of bus replacements on the Frankston line. One of the things they got right was to run the buses along the main roads, rather than diverting them into the railway stations, three ... [More]
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Save money! With privatisation!
Infrastructure Australia released a study today claiming that privatising public transport can save billions of dollars: Media release: Franchising public transport services could deliver $15.5 billion in funding for new transport services (Full study here) I had a quick read of the study and I have to say, I found it utterly unconvincing. The executive ... [More]
Very busy the last few weeks, which is why the blog has been so quiet. Long-time readers would know that I like to write about my interstate and overseas holidays in almost excruciating detail. Well brace yourself for another one – I’ve got a European holiday in planning for later this year. It’s looking like ... [More]
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The week in transport
This is an occasional series, when a few things happen during the week and I want to put a word in… ABC: Ticket inspectors taking tram user’s phone to seek proof of identity unacceptable, PTV says This is a concern, but context is important. It’s a matter of degrees. I think whether it’s acceptable or ... [More]
Another in my series of ten year old photos. If you drive out of the car park at Southland, down the ramp from the 2nd level, near the railway line, you may have noticed that there’s a sign there saying to “Give way to pedestrains“. Evidently it’s been that way for at least ten years. ... [More]
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Which way to the Airport?
(Apologies in advance for the length of this post. It got away from me a bit, but hopefully it’s interesting.) The debate around a Melbourne Airport rail link has progressed in the past few months, with all sides broadly agreeing it has to happen – the only question is when. The Coalition and many others ... [More]