Metro timetable 'bungle' (Age article)

Article on Metro timetable 'bungle'. The plan was to deliver a major Metro timetable upgrade in 2015 but it didn't happen. Sticking point was political opposition to removing Frankston peak services from City Loop (which eventually happened, though Frankston - City Loop operation will resume after the Metro Tunnel opens). Mentions that the capacity freed up by the Regional Rail Link was largely unused due to the unwillingness to reform Metro timetables.   

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/train-delays-as-government-bungles-biggest-metro-timetable-boost-in-years-20150721-gih8cb.html

Daniel Bowen commentary on this here: https://danielbowen.com/2015/07/22/the-2015-timetable/ 

Unlike what was hoped it did not happen soon as the government had lost interest in rail service planning (as opposed to building infrastructure, which was much accelerated).

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

First day of Regional Rail Link and new bus networks

PTV archived page on service changes occurring due to Regional Rail Link that opened on 21 June 2015.  

https://web.archive.org/web/20150624115923/https://ptv.vic.gov.au/june21timetablechanges/

This comprised a rerouted Geelong line with weekday interpeak service improved from every 60 to every 20 min (though weekends stayed at every 60 min) and new 'greenfield' bus network for Geelong and Wyndham.

There were also some service improvements on the Ballarat line and timetable adjustments on routes in Melbourne's west run by Sita (details at https://bcsv.org.au/vm/2015-06-21-sita-updates/ ) and Tullamarine Bus (details at https://bcsv.org.au/vm/2015-06-21-tullamarine-bus-lines-updates/ ). 

A major rationale of the Regional Rail Link was increased capacity on the Werribee line. There was to be a new 'greenfields' metropolitan train timetable change coinciding with RRL's opening but this did not proceed. Instead a token 2 peak trains per weekday were added to the Werribee timetable so the government could claim that services were added. Mention of those here: 

https://web.archive.org/web/20150624114951/https://ptv.vic.gov.au/june21timetablechanges/metropolitan-train-network/

Also see Metro Trains item: 
https://web.archive.org/web/20150624114951/https://ptv.vic.gov.au/june21timetablechanges/metropolitan-train-network/

PTUA item on this here https://www.ptua.org.au/2016/07/12/where-is-the-new-timetable/

There was also to be a new Transdev 'greenfield' bus network and timetable but this had too many problems and was too controversial so it did not proceed. 

Note: This item has been added retrospectively to aid historical research. 

Voices of the Railways: Part 2 - Flinders Street Station