New style coloured rail network map released

PTV has released a new coloured train network map. Instead of having all the lines of the one colour dependent on fare zones, the new map gives each line a different colour. This enables you to follow it to its destination easier. This is important especially for through-city lines which now operate. The colours will also match up with other passenger information on the network. The new map also includes regional and metropolitan lines on the one map - something not done for many years. 

More: 

https://web.archive.org/web/20170301030411/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/new-train-network-map-for-victoria/

Note: This item has been added retrospectively for posterity

Proposed Metro Timetable (Age article)

Article on Andrews government record on Metro service upgrades. Says it scrapped a major timetable upgrade planned under previous government but foreshadows some improvements coming in 2017. 

These upgrades would restore off-peak one seat rides from Altona to the City and add a small number of peak services. However it would leave unused most of the capacity released by the Regional Rail Link. 

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/most-melbourne-rail-lines-left-out-of-loop-in-proposed-new-metro-timetable-20161220-gtf0go.html

This timetable ended up starting in August 2017. 

Note: This item is written retrospectively for posterity.

New Cranbourne bus network starts today

A radically simplified bus network for Cranbourne and surrounds starts today. It removes many indirect routes and variations (especially at night) that existed on the old network. Some routes will operate every 20 minutes all week. 

https://web.archive.org/web/20170711103613/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/network-changes/cranbourne-bus/

BCSV write-up here: https://bcsv.org.au/vm/2016-11-13-cranbourne-bus-network-overhaul/

Note: This item was retrospectively added for posterity. 

First morning of the new Bentleigh and Ormond Stations: 29 August 2016

First day of the new Bentleigh station on Melbourne's Frankston line. 29 August 2016. Choir: Sing Australia.

Opening day of the rebuilt Ormond railway station on the Frankston line following grade separation of railway and North Rd. 29 August 2016. Band: Kilvington College.

Night Network trial extended

Today the state government announced it would extend its Night Network trial that started on 1 January 2016. Night Network, then branded as Home Safe, was an election promise in the 2014 state election. Night Network eventually became a permanent part of the public transport network, replacing the bus-only Night Rider service.  

https://web.archive.org/web/20170315001318/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/night-network-services-extended/

Note: Item added retrospectively for posterity. 

First morning of the new McKinnon Station: 1 August 2016

August 1, 2016 was the first morning of usage for the rebuilt McKinnon Station. McKinnon Station had to be rebuilt as part of the project to remove road/rail level crossings at North, McKinnon and Centre Rd on the Frankston line. McKinnon Station was the first to open - Ormond and Bentleigh will follow later this month.

All change at Moorabbin: Rail replacement buses to Caulfield

The road/rail grade separation works and rebuilding of stations meant that Frankston line train passengers had to board replacement buses during June/July 2016. This video shows the temporary bus interchanges and passenger movements at Moorabbin and Caulfield.

Major Plenty Valley bus network revamp

The Mill Park - Doreen area got a major bus network revamp on this day. Routes were generally simplified. Most of the new routes were scheduled to run every 20 min peak, 40 min off-peak with some two route corridors scheduled to provide double combined frequency. There was also a major upgrade for Route 570 running east-west across the area. 

A write-up on this network is here: https://bcsv.org.au/vm/2016-07-24-new-plenty-valley-network/

The bus network was conceived to prepare for the under construction Mernda rail extension, with relatively changes needed afterwards once the new stations were open. These opened (with complementary bus network changes) in August 2018. 

Note: Item written retrospectively for posterity. 

No immediate train timetable boost (Age article)

Article on lack of upgraded train timetables since the July 2014 upgrades despite the capacity freed up by Regional Rail Link opening in June 2015 and new trains being available. Talks about train crowding. Next service upgrades to be end of year at earliest.  

Without future service upgrades peak trains from Williamstown and Altona will continue to run every 22 min in the peak while Altona passengers travelling weekday interpeak will need to change trains at Newport - something which had been criticised as inconvenient and unreliable at public meetings. 

Age article: https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/melbourne-to-go-more-than-two-years-without-a-peakhour-train-timetable-boost-20160712-gq46d3.html

PTUA response: https://www.ptua.org.au/2016/07/12/where-is-the-new-timetable/

Note: This article was posted retrospectively to aid historical research.

Melbourne's Frankston Line road-rail grade separations: Part 6

Reconstruction of railway and stations at Bentleigh, McKinnon and Ormond following the grade separation of Centre, McKinnon and North roads. July 10, 2016.

Melbourne's Frankston line road-rail grade separations: Part 5

Progress on the work to grade separate road from rail at Centre Rd (Bentleigh), McKinnon Rd (McKinnon) and North Rd (Ormond). As viewed from train on 10 June 2016.

2016 State budget public transport projects

 A list of projects funded in the 2016-17 Victorian state budget. 

The government has today announced a suite of significant investments in public transport as part of the 2016-17 Victorian Budget.

These projects provide funding for a number of initiatives in metropolitan and regional Victoria, and additional trains for the network.

Metropolitan projects and initiatives:

• Melbourne Metro Rail Project - $2.9 billion to progress construction of the two nine kilometre underground tunnels.
• Mernda Rail Project - $587.7 million to extend the South Morang line to Mernda.
• Hurstbridge Line - $140.2 million to duplicate a section of single track on the Hurstbridge line between Heidelberg and Rosanna.
• Melbourne Underground Rail Loop Project (Stage 2) - $134 million to enhance the safety of the City Loop including improvements to CCTV and intruder detection technology.
• Frankston Station – $50 million to deliver the Frankston Station Precinct Upgrade.

More regional capacity:

• Ballarat Line Upgrade - $518 million to duplicate the Ballarat line to Melton as well as increase service frequency to the Ballarat region and Melbourne’s outer west.
• 170 Additional Regional Services - 170 additional regional services to cater for growing patronage of the regional rail network.

More new trains:

• More High Capacity Metro Trains - $875 million for an additional 28 High Capacity Metro Trains on top of the previous order of 37.
• More VLocity Carriages - $280.4 million for 27 VLocity carriages and extra stabling in addition to the 21 VLocity carriages ordered in 2015/16.
• More X’Trapolis Trains - $ 105.2 million for five additional X’Trapolis for the metropolitan network.
• Next Generation Regional Train – Funding to investigate and plan for the next generation of regional rolling stock.

Investments of $1.9 billion in our metropolitan network and $1.3 billion for the regional network will enable Public Transport Victoria to transform the network into a world-class public transport system.

Source here: 
https://web.archive.org/web/20170301030223/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/public-transport-investments-in-2016-17-victorian-state-budget/

Note: This item was added retrospectively for posterity. 

Melbourne's Frankston line road-rail grade separations: Part 4

Progress on the grade separation works at North, McKinnon & Centre Roads on Melbourne's Frankston line.

Public transport arrives on Google Maps

PTV website news item here: 

https://web.archive.org/web/20170301030207/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/public-transport-has-arrived-on-google-maps/

Note: This item added retrospectively for posterity.

Melbourne Frankston line road-rail grade separations: Part 3

Video showing progress of grade separations works at Ormond, McKinnon and Bentleigh Station. This footage was taken on Thursday March 10, 2016 when the line is still operating. Later in the month the line will be closed to allow demolition of station buildings and further work.

Reformed Bendigo bus network starts today

 Archived details on PTV website as below: 

https://web.archive.org/web/20170301030139/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/bendigo-bus-network/

https://web.archive.org/web/20170404014122/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/projects/buses/a-new-bus-network-for-bendigo/

Note: This item was added retrospectively for posterity. 

'Bendigo Metro' train timetable delayed

V/Line was having a lot of problems running trains in late 2015-early 2016. It was to have an upgraded timetable for 'Bendigo Metro' on 31 January 2016. This news item advises the associated reformed bus network will proceed but the rail timetable will be deferred.   

Advice of this here: 

https://web.archive.org/web/20170301030133/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/ptv-statement-on-timetable-delay/

This was a last-minute deferral - two weeks prior it was said that both would proceed on 31 January.  Original announcement here: 
https://web.archive.org/web/20170301030112/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/bendigo-metro-rail-and-a-new-bus-network/

Bendigo Metro was a project to add services and/or reopen stations on Bendigo's outskirts. Then transport minister Jacinta Allan represents the seat of Bendigo East. 

An early January promise of the new V/Line timetable is here:

https://web.archive.org/web/20170301030107/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/adjusted-v-line-timetable-from-the-end-of-this-month/

Note: This item was added retrospectively for posterity. 

Night Network starts / Flagstaff station opens on weekends

Today 1 Jan 2016 saw the start of the new Night Network and Flagstaff station being open on weekends. 

The Night Network provides hourly overnight service on all Metro train lines and half-hourly service on six tram routes to provide a 24 hour weekend service. 21 special bus routes would provide 1-5am coverage of other areas. There were also some regional Night Network services. This network replaces the bus-only NightRider system.  

Details here:

https://web.archive.org/web/20170218235229/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/trial-of-all-night-public-transport-on-weekends/

https://web.archive.org/web/20170218233415/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/night-network/

It should be noted that all of the 21 bus routes were special Night Network only routes. This proved confusing to passengers. A later reform in 2021 replaced some of these special routes with 24 hour weekend service on selected regular routes.  

Advice of Flagstaff station's weekend opening: 
https://web.archive.org/web/20170301030019/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/flagstaff-station-to-open-on-weekends-in-under-a-month/

Note: This item was added retrospectively for posterity.