tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18909424.post7202302452580576847..comments2024-03-24T23:01:11.766+11:00Comments on Melbourne on Transit: Peter Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13413976934040474125noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18909424.post-22906557729602426462007-12-10T16:59:00.000+11:002007-12-10T16:59:00.000+11:00Yes, increasing the pedshed could increase patrona...Yes, increasing the pedshed could increase patronage by that much Peter especially if it connected with the TAFE at the western end by an overpass. <BR/><BR/>This would be competitive to car travel as it wouldn't be that much longer then walking to your car in the adjoining TAFE car park. <BR/><BR/>Along with Franskston as you stated, there would be quite a few other stations that have the potential especially to improve walking distance between the different modes of transport.<BR/><BR/>Another candidate could be Box Hill where the 109 terminates away from the station (due to possible extension down Whitehorse Rd) and isn't directly with Box Hill station. The walking distance maybe ok for teenagers and adults but for the elderly it would be difficult especially getting to the bus station. <BR/><BR/>I think some bus services should extend through to the tram terminus and the 700 will eventually do that so that kinda overcomes the problem.Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557068264465249256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18909424.post-53896413728448286982007-12-09T09:04:00.000+11:002007-12-09T09:04:00.000+11:00I agree Tyler. Even if it's only 200 metres involv...I agree Tyler. <BR/><BR/>Even if it's only 200 metres involved, a larger pedshed area could increase its patronage by 20%, with much of this being during off-peak times. <BR/><BR/>Improving the pedshed of a busy station like Frankston would bring similar patronage benfits to adding extra stations, but at a fraction of the cost and with no journey time penalties for through passengers.Peter Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13413976934040474125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18909424.post-45685807428148361462007-12-08T13:24:00.000+11:002007-12-08T13:24:00.000+11:00Interesting read Peter. Captilising on what statio...Interesting read Peter. <BR/><BR/>Captilising on what stations already exists and improving these is a good way of increasing patronage. <BR/><BR/>A good way as you stated is to improve street access as well as station pedsheds. There is too much emphasise on single entry points this making it less convenient for the passenger to access. <BR/><BR/>Smartrider in Perth has had an effect on pedsheds too. <BR/><BR/>With regards to bicylce shelters, the key word would be shelter. Even with new stations u-rails are placed close to the station however these are left out in the elements. <BR/><BR/>Imagine you rode to the station, it rained while you were away then when you come back the weather is clear but your bike is wet and it especially makes it hard if you have a padded seat cover. <BR/><BR/>Basically if u-rails are to be installed so should a shelter over them. <BR/><BR/>I agree with you Peter that better feeder buses and connections are by far the best solution. <BR/><BR/>Even with stations that have buses serving the adjacent street, the bus stops aren't correctly placed. <BR/><BR/>For example, Holmesglen station in Melbourne have the 700 running along the adjacent Warrigal Rd yet the bus stops are inconveniently placed up by the Batesford Rd intersection which is a bit of walk especially if you have to cross the busy road.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18909424.post-91626079552993459162007-12-05T20:41:00.000+11:002007-12-05T20:41:00.000+11:00I can't recall mentioning trams at all in that pos...I can't recall mentioning trams at all in that post, but I'll make a few points anyway. <BR/><BR/>* Public transport is hardly better in the outer suburbs of Brisbane (which scrapped trams) than the outer suburbs of Melbourne (which didn't). <BR/><BR/>* Melbourne Trams recover a greater percentage of their operating costs than do Melbourne buses. <BR/><BR/>* The average tram carries more passengers than the average bus. And both only have one driver. <BR/><BR/>* Imagine Swanston Street with four buses per one tram currently there!<BR/><BR/>* Freeway buses have their own problems and are not particularly cost-efficient or provide maximum service levels per route kilometre. <BR/><BR/>Trams are good for what they do. So are buses. There is a place for both.Peter Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13413976934040474125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18909424.post-87967741389500662952007-12-05T14:53:00.000+11:002007-12-05T14:53:00.000+11:00It may be deemed heretical by some but I believe t...It may be deemed heretical by some but I believe the dominance of that Melbourne institution the tram denies resources to other areas. <BR/><BR/>I'd prefer an exponentially increased fleet of buses with a mix of models operating across designated bus lanes both on and off the freeways. <BR/><BR/>Another benefit would be that our skyline in the inner city would be enhanced by the removal of the overhead infrastructure required by the tram.Alex Stephensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04027114702062717534noreply@blogger.com