The notorious Summer Metro timetables of 2013-4

This was an item on a particularly set of bad temporary timetables that underestimated travel demand over  the summer of 2013-14. They were still in effect in late January by which time many people had already returned to work. They had some big gaps between trips and offered insufficient capacity. 

This was the last (or one of the last) occurrences of reduced service summer timetables. In later years the regular timetables ran right through summer (except for public holidays). Although there are often construction works scheduled so trains on some lines may be replaced by buses. 

https://web.archive.org/web/20131228034729/http://www.metrotrains.com.au/travelling-with-metro-over-summer

Note: Item added retrospectively for posterity.

First FlexiRide routes start today

The first FlexiRide-branded flexible route bus services start in Yarrawonga and Mulwala today. Services were booked by phone with the local taxi company. Details here: 

https://web.archive.org/web/20150906201519/http://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/yarrawonga-and-mulwala-first-to-get-new-ptv-flexiride-transport-service-from-monday-25-november-2013/

FlexiRide was later expanded in other regional areas and in Melbourne suburbs. However, especially for the latter, its limitations have become apparent and the pendulum is now swinging against it (after being a transport executive fad for a while). 

Note: Item added retrospectively for posterity. 

Consultation for reformed Brimbank bus network

PTV website item on consultation for the reformed Brimbank bus network then under development. 

https://web.archive.org/web/20150906233023/http://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/new-bus-network-proposed-for-brimbank/

This (and many other bus network reforms) ended up starting on 27 July 2014. 

Note: This item added retrospectively for posterity.

Transdev's first day running buses

Today is the day that Transdev takes over operation of Melbourne's busiest bus routes under the Melbourne Metropolitan Bus Franchise. Transdev replaces National Bus and Melbourne Bus Link who previously ran the routes. There were a lot of hopes for the new contract as you can see below: 

https://web.archive.org/web/20150906195055/http://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/transdev-begins-operating-the-melbourne-metropolitan-bus-franchise/

These proved largely false. Transdev's bid was cheap and, as it turned out, nasty. Transdev skimped on cleaning and maintenance, leading to the dramatic intervention of Transport Safety Victoria in 2017 ordering a large percentage of its fleet off the road. A partly reformed 2014 timetable did proceed but the contractually required 2015 full greenfields timetable did not due to poor public consultation, some ill-conceived service cuts and a new risk-averse minister and government. Transdev lost the contract to Kinetic but was back again within a few years running our trams.    

Note: Item added retrospectively for posterity.

Regional Rail Link construction works at Footscray

Regional Rail Link construction at Footscray. 2 July 2013. Early morning.

Construction of the Regional Rail Link at Footscray. 2 July 2013. Day.

PTV releases train station usage data

Spreadsheet has data for the last four financial years:

https://web.archive.org/web/20150906203913/http://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/ptv-releases-research-showing-how-we-use-our-train-network/

Note: Item added retrospectively for posterity. 

PTV bus stops moved to near T1 at Melbourne Airport

In 2025 if you want to catch a regular route bus (eg 478, 479, 500, 901 etc) to Melbourne Airport you must alight in a large covered interchange near Terminal 4. It's a fair hike to other terminals like T1. However this didn't used to be the case. Even regular route buses were nearer most terminals. 

This item is about the stop for Melbourne route buses moving from near T4 to near T1. 

https://web.archive.org/web/20150906201126/http://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/catching-the-bus-to-melbourne-airport-is-now-more-convenient-effective-monday-17-june-2013/

It should be noted that this item was before the 478/479/500 network reforms in 2014. Before they happened these routes ran at very irregular times with multi-hour gaps. However the 901 SmartBus was running, having commenced in 2010. 

Note: This item added retrospectively for posterity. 

New Williams Landing station opens / new bus network commences today

Williams Landing station on the Werribee line opened today. The nearest station to the large Point Cook neighbourhood to the south it and the new feeder bus network developed for it proved very popular. 

Metro Trains advice on the new station:

https://web.archive.org/web/20130515105228/http://metrotrains.com.au/news/2013/apr/26/welcome-williams-landing

About the old and new Williams Landing bus networks: 

https://melbourneontransit.blogspot.com/2021/09/building-melbournes-useful-network-part_01768542478.html

Article on new bus network: https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/bus-services-to-williams-landing-station-fall-short-20130325-2gpc9.html

Note: Item added retrospectively for posterity. 

Network Development Plan (Metropolitan Rail) released today

A very detailed ground-breaking plan that would give Melbourne a world-class rail network. 

It would start by boosting all day frequency and simplifying timetables to make the best use of available infrastructure. This was based on a network that ran every 10 min on main lines and 20 min on branch sections all week. That is massively difference from the present where the network has a mix of 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 min frequencies as well as many stopping pattern variations. 

There was also a program of sectorisation, infrastructure additions and network extensions. That included the Metro Tunnel (which had been proposed by the previous Labor government acting on the advice of the Eddington Report). 

More about it in my ten year retrospective here:  

https://melbourneontransit.blogspot.com/2023/03/ndp-metropolitan-rail-10-years-since.html

Note: This item has been added retrospectively for historical purposes. 

Doncaster and Airport rail studies released

A common criticism of the Baillieu government was that it did a lot of studies but didn't start many major projects, especially regarding rail. Studies for rail lines to Doncaster and Melbourne Airport were released within a few days of one another in March 2013. More below: 

https://web.archive.org/web/20150906194833/http://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/have-your-say-about-the-doncaster-rail-study-phase-one-draft-recommendations-report/

https://web.archive.org/web/20150906192752/http://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/findings-of-the-melbourne-airport-rail-link-study-report-now-available/

Note: Item added retrospectively for posterity.