Third track to Dandenong rail proposal

Promised by government as part of 2006 MOTC plan. 

27/4/2007 Age article cites opposition to it. 

In an ATRF paper Dr Paul Mees says it's not needed and better scheduling and punctuality was sufficient. He presented an alternative timetable.

Then rail operator Connex refutes Mees' paper, publishing a response on its website. It says Mees understated usage numbers and the proposed timetable was inefficient and was not possible to implement.  

Some parts of the project were done but the third track did not proceed as envisaged. Wikipedia article.

The government introduced 'Early Bird' free before 7am metropolitan rail travel to try to spread the morning peak. 

Note: This item added subsequently for posterity

 

Better bus stops

Your typical outer suburban bus stop, located in Heaths Road, Werribee.

What are five things that could be done to improve it? Thinking about the general environment a little beyond the stop is allowed.

Bus stop in Werribee

Bus stop in Werribee - closer shot

Public transport: making a difference

In various discussions about public transport, it's easy to lose sight of what it's there for - ie moving people. Society would be much poorer if everyone sat at home all day and didn't go places to work, learn, shop, socialise etc.

As mentioned before, regional Victorians have been the main beneficiaries of improvements to public transport in this state. Examples include reopened and more frequent regional rail services, better local buses and fare reform.

An example of the difference public transport can make to people's lives was brought home today through a most unlikely source; an internet forum on property investing.

As you'll read, the family concerned (on a fairly low income) was able to sell their second car because of a new bus service that started near their Bendigo home. They can then invest the savings, strengthening their financial future and lessening their dependence on future age pension payments.

Read Somersoft Forum post

There would easily be thousands of similar stories that underlie the community benefits that well-planned and operated public transport provides.