A short movie showing rail replacement bus operations between Blackburn and Mitcham due to the road-rail grade seperation project at Nunawading. This state and federal government funded project will sink the railway line, remove the level crossing at Springvale Road and replace the railway station at Nunawading, in Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Some views of the new station are also shown.
In less than an hour Melbourne residents will be able to order a free registered Myki online. Delivery is promised within seven days. Availability is advised on the Myki website, as below:
Effective today, Myki is valid for train travel within both Melbourne zones. Official public use on trams and buses will follow once the Minister is satisfied with its reliability.
Today's announcement represents a 'soft start' for Myki and a response to the government promise to have it operational by the end of 2009. For now, the average Melbourne passenger is probably better off with Metcard due to its acceptance on all modes. Nevertheless, the free Myki offer will appeal to curious train-riding 'early adopters'.
This larger body of users should also mean more rigorous 'real passenger' testing and better maintenance of Myki machines and readers at stations. Up to now much of the system had been live but with only 'first users' testing it, hardware maintenance had not always been given due urgency.
Today's announcement is a significant milestone for a project that has more than usual 'behind the scenes' work. However in many people's minds it won't have fully started until availability is widened and cards are accepted on all modes. The roll-out to bring this about over the next six months or so promises to be very interesting indeed.
Myki videos
A selection of videos shot during Myki's test phase in Melbourne. Note that some features may have changed or improved since these were made.
Myki ticketing coming to Melbourne
Myki under test in Melbourne
Myki card history machine
Public transport operators around the world conveyed the Christmas message through decorated trains and buses or writing their own carols.
Below are some of the best.
Chicago:
Sydney:
West Midlands (UK):
Vienna:
Brisbane:
Sweden:
Local operators such as Ventura got into the spirit, with a decorated bus operating Route 903 around Melbourne suburbs. No holidays for the drivers though; thanks to recent bus service improvements, there will be free Christmas Day service operating on over 200 of the city's 350 train, tram and bus routes.
In almost all cases a standard Sunday timetable will operate, with special reduced Christmas-only timetables having being made extinct. With few exceptions in metropolitan Melbourne, routes that run on Sundays will almost always be running on Christmas Day.
Merry Christmas to all readers, commenters and their families, and best wishes for a safe and happy 2010.
