----- Forwarded message ----- To: Tdu Transportdownunder transportdownunder@...>
Sent: Thursday, 20 June 2019, 2:19:14 pm AESTSubject: Sat.8.6.19 daily digest
4/7 got to v-n last night; only 15/30 to tdu today.
Six photos with this post.
Roderick

190608Sa Melbourne 'Age' - 'Metro' tunnel.
190608Sa Melbourne 'Herald Sun':- letters (free transport, roads).
- Melbourne Central added development.
- Metro & YT unpunctuality.
- holding train doors.

190608Sa-15Sa - YT Queens Pde works.

Sat.8.6.19 Metro TwitterBelgrave/Lilydale/Alamein lines: Buses replace trains Parliament - Camberwell until last train of Mon 10 Jun (maintenance works).  Buses replace trains Richmond - Camberwell during Night Network hours.Glen Waverley line: Buses replace trains Richmond/Caulfield - Glen Waverley until the last train of Mon 10 Jun (maintenance works). Express buses to/from Caulfield do not operate during Night Network hours.Buses replace Sandringham trains until 7.00m Sun 9 Jun (tunnel work).0.09 Delays now clearing after police near Camberwell.From 1.00 today until 4.30 Saturday 15 June, buses replace route 86 trams between stop 10 Parliament Station and stop 42 Dundas St (work in Queens Parade). Buses divert around the work zone; stop changes apply.Frankston line: All trains will terminate/originate at Caulfield between 9.30 and 19.15 (works). There are extra trains to Flemington Racecourse, plus normal route 57 trams, for horse racing today.
Route 86 bustitutionBecause of track renewal works in Queens Pe and High St Northcote, route 86 trams run as route 86a, with buses replacing trams between stop 10 Parliament station and stop 42 Dundas St from 1.00 Saturday 8 June to 4.30 Saturday 15 June.Stops not served by replacement buses:* Stop 11 Melbourne Museum (towards Bundoora RMIT). Connect with replacement buses at a temporary stop near Stop 13 Brunswick St (up to 350m / 4 min walk along Gertrude Street).* Stop 23 Wellington St (towards Bundoora RMIT). Connect with replacement buses at a temporary stop near Raines Reserve in Heidelberg Road (up to 450m / 7 min walk).* Stop 25 Clifton Hill Interchange (in both directions).  Connect with replacement buses towards the city at Stop 24 Michael St (up to 400m / 5 min walk). Connect with replacement buses towards Bundoora RMIT at a temporary stop near Raines Reserve in Heildelberg Road (up to 400m / 5 min walk).* Stop 26 Walker St (in both directions).  Connect with replacement buses at the 250/251 bus stop in Westgarth Street, around the corner from Stop 27 Westgarth St.Replacement buses are low-floor depending on availability. If you need assistance, please speak to our customer service team or alert your driver.If possible, avoid the area and consider alternative travel options for the duration of the works.* Mernda line trains between the City and Thornbury Station to connect between sections. However, buses replace trains between Parliament and Clifton Hill from 20.20 until the last train each night, Sunday 9 June to Wednesday 12 June.  [The useless PTV/TfV is supposed to stop this sort of double jeopardy]. * Route 11 trams via St Georges Road and Brunswick Street.During works, trams and replacement buses run to the normal frequency; however, some delays may occur because of traffic congestion.https://yarratrams.com.au/service-changes/route-86-queens-parade
Staff block entrances, issue fines as Metro targets rail commuters trying to force open doorsHerald Sun June 8, 2019Train commuters face a major crackdown, with Metro staff to block entrances and issue $400 fines to stop passengers trying to force open train doors.A passenger keeps one foot in the doorway as commuters squeeze on to a peak-hour train in Melbourne. Picture: Tim CarrafaRail staff are blocking train doors to stop tardy passengers delaying services and risking their own safety.And warning stickers are being plastered on the doors of 72 Siemens trains to deter commuters from forcing them open as culprits face a $400 fine.Metro says positioning rail staff at train doors to prevent late boarders trying to force them open is being credited with a reduction in the number of incidents in recent months.Chief operating officer Catherine Baxter told the Sunday Herald Sun: “People who force open train doors aren’t just putting themselves at risk of serious injury or worse — they’re also delaying other passengers.“Our message is simple — never try to force open the doors of a departing train. There will always be another one.“Metro continues to trial new initiatives to improve train performance, and discourage people from rushing for train doors.”Between January and May there were 23 passenger boarding incidents involving doors or the gap between rail station platforms and trains.There were 33 incidents over the same period last year.Mitchell Callaghan, 18, died when he fell between a moving train and a platform at Heyington in 2014. A court heard his friends were holding open the train doors.Commuters stopping doors from closing are also causing significant delays.Rail authorities say the lost seconds accumulate into minutes down the line as the behaviour is repeated.Metro has introduced additional platform and station announcements to prevent latecomers trying to force open train doors.It has also introduced markings on platforms to show passengers where to stand while waiting to get on services and is trialing a “Burn Line” on information displays at City Loop stations that count down to when a train is boarding or about to depart.RELATED:  TRAIN PAIN NEW ‘NORMAL’ FOR COMMUTERSDRONES TO HELP IMPROVE RAIL SAFETYMETRO’S NEW PLAN TO TACKLE LATE BOARDERS<www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/staff-block-entrances-issue-fines-as-metro-targets-rail-commuters-trying-to-force-open-doors/news-story/db5a175df25fbe08edf8c250c23f6c6b>* Is it a coincidence that the warnings are only stuck on Siemens trains where these trains run through suburbs with certain ethnicities? No mention of them being put on other trains on other lines.. But yes I see many idiots trying to force doors open even though the doors have closed. You people are holding everyone up.* If the misnamed 'Metro' ran real metro services, people wouldn't feel the need to hold doorways. Sparse offpeak trains with 30, 40 or  60 min gaps will always tempt people to force doors.  Sparse peak trains with 12, 15 or 20 min gaps will always tempt people to force doors.  Instead of waving the big stick, improve the services.  The existing infrastructure can support 10 min headways over most of the system, but that is not what PTV provides: all if can offer is bleating excuses about 'saturation' while doing nothing to solve that.  The new tunnel does nothing for anywhere but Sunbury and Dandenong.* This is why I drive * Is there undeclared war on customers in every area of our lives? Whether it is department stores, restaurants, supermarkets, telcos, essential services, banks or transport.    Everyone of the above seem to have a problem with their 'customers'. If there was GENUINE service from all of the above, maybe there would be much less tension between customer and service industry,(It is not ok to harrass, assault or scream at anyone in ant service industry.)Trains run late.  Often.  People feel ignored and stressed and take stupid and sometimes dangerous actions.* How about run trains on time.* They can't run on time when stupid ppl keep forcing the doors open. Simple as that.* I’d support an extension of the fine to include anyone wearing a backpack when on the train.  They take up space where more people could easily fit and should be made to be placed between the feet when on board. * Singapore, KL, Bangkok, Tokyo, London. Big cities, big population. Yet commuters are all disciplined. Hardly anyone rushes for the train as they know if they miss one, the next is only 5 minutes away. PTV should increase their services. * No one rushes in London or Tokyo? They are disciplined commuters? When were you last there, in either city? * I frequently visit all the stated cities and live in bkk, I’ve never had issues of rushing on their trains. How often are you in these cities?* Commuters are so wrapped up in their own phones that they forget the world around them* Individuals walk around with the ubiquitous phone attached to their hand.  One can see the blank stares they come over the faces.  No awareness of surroundings or people or inconvenience caused to others.Some stupid young mother pushing a stroller, walked out in front of my car.  She was looking at her phone.   But that was ok because if I had hit her (or the baby/toddler) I was about to park my car.   I work at a hospital,* Staff to stop commuters! LOL. Great strategy for the few stations that still have staff but for the majority of stations it will be business as usual. * This is a joke. The reason people force doors open is that there is no guarantee another train is on its way. Stop blaming passengers and take responsibility for the rubbish unreliable service you provide Metro..* Typical Metro solution to train problems - Blame the commuters. Why don’t they offer a proper service. This past week alone, I had two trains diverted to skip the city loop (Monday morning and Monday evening). And then on Friday evening I all the passengers got kicked off a train at Melbourne Central station without any reason or any information.  And the state government is in cahoots with Metro trains. After all, Metro wouldn’t be allowed to impose the fines unless there was legislation that allowed them to do so. But then again, the state government is chasing any revenue possible to make up the shortfall as a result of the drop in stamp duty receipts due to the downturn in property values.* To avoid people forcing doors station staff must make loud, clear announcements advising when the next train is due to arrive. I’ve seen it work many times. People move away from doors when they know what’s going on. It’s a live, changing system that station staff must proactively keep moving. * Backpackers are not good commuters on trams  trains. They usually behave badly on trams and trains. Their backpacks are smelly too.* Someone has finally said what we’re all thinking.* Anyone wearing a backpack on a busy train is annoying, regardless of the smell. * This is what happens with an annual population increase of around 400,000 a year, with about 40 percent of it from immigration, mostly to Melbourne and Sydney.. Politicians and developers don’t use public transport.* 'The seconds accumulate to minutes of delays down the line' Even if it were 10 seconds each at 12 stations (which would be an enormous number) - we're talking TWO minutes.  Metro & PTV count a train as on time if it less than a couple of minutes early or 5 minutes late. Who are they kidding here?If they ran a decent, regular service, people wouldn't mind waiting for the next train.* PTV, the service you provide is disgusting. I can't believe we have to pay for this rubbish. * The sooner we copy the Singapore rail system the better.* And Japan, China, Korea,Taiwan, all run to the second. Don't the pollies that do these study tours to other countries ever catch a train there and see how to operate a rail system ?* we all know there’s no studying going on on those junkets.* if they did, there would be no Myki system.* How about metro improves the service rather than throwing it on commuters’ shoulders. $400 fine!!! You gotta be kidding.* Horses, cows, chickens and sheep are transported in a more humane way than humans......everybody inhale! 

Regions unite on fast train strategy June 8, 2019.  98 comments.Trains reaching Geelong within 35 minutes and Ballarat within 45 minutes would be built under a landmark proposal seeking to cut through political wrangling and finally make fast country commutes a reality.A wide-ranging proposal backed by five regional councils, top planning experts and Deakin, La Trobe and Federation universities, seeks to put an end to the war of words between Canberra and Spring Street over who has the best rail plan for Victoria's regions.The proposal to overhaul the country rail network has been presented to Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan and federal Cities and Urban Infrastructure and Population Minister Alan Tudge.It is being pitched as an achievable expert-backed project that would get some of its funding from the $15 billion on offer for the airport rail link and $2 billion the Morrison government pledged for Geelong fast rail.There would be an option of raising further capital, such as increasing fare revenue.The Morrison government has called on the state to match its $2 billion commitment to Geelong fast rail, but the Andrews government is investing $150 million to plan a separate western rail plan to deliver fast trains to Geelong and Ballarat.At an estimated cost of $30 billion, the new proposal commissioned by Geelong Council would see 200km/h trains run on electric tracks to Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, the Latrobe region and the Tullamarine and Avalon airports by the 2030s.The ''Stronger, Together'' project would lead to a series of towns on the Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton and Traralgon lines coming within a 35 to 45-minute train ride from Melbourne.It would take 65 to 85 minutes to get to Bendigo and 85 to 100 minutes to Shepparton and Traralgon.The plan is designed to stop Melbourne sprawling ever outwards, by creating better links to satellite regional towns.Slowing breakneck population growth in the city and on the fringe would ease Melbourne’s population, traffic and housing price pressures.Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood said fast rail would make it easier for people to travel between the cities for work and create more access to affordable housing."Geelong has become very attractive for people to come down and live, and we have also had an increase in work opportunities as well ... we just need better connectivity to our capital city,” he said.The proposal states that track and fleet upgrades for Geelong and Ballarat must be built in tandem with the airport rail link, to avoid permanently "locking out" the regional upgrades.If the airport rail tunnel from the city to Sunshine were shared with regional trains, this would create massive capacity to run fast trains to Geelong and Ballarat, and even Bendigo and Shepparton, via the airport.Upgrades to Geelong and Ballarat would be prioritised and the other links progressively upgraded, under the plan.The project moves away from pricey "bullet" trains built on costly new rail corridors that require land acquisitions, and instead calls for upgrades along existing rail reservations.It states that the diesel VLocity fleet must be phased out and replaced by electric, possibly double-deck regional trains.The plan is backed by a consortium including international project financiers, state transport officials and infrastructure lawyers.The pitch is not an unsolicited proposal and the consortium is not seeking to build or raise the project's funds.John Ginivan, a former top planning bureaucrat who oversaw a major regional growth plan in Victoria, said governments could not afford to continue putting off the major regional rail upgrade.“This starts a conversation that is worth having now, so we ensure that the current investment the government is making in rail doesn’t cut off regional rail options," he said.The Geelong fast rail would require two new electric tracks to the city, with trains running every 7½ minutes.Of the four routes explored, the favoured regional rail option would see trains run through the proposed airport rail tunnel and surface at West Footscray.The tracks would continue to Sunshine, where they would dip for two kilometres beneath the station and continue above ground to Deer Park, Tarneit, Wyndham Vale and and on to Geelong.The project would involve minimal if any acquisitions, and cost $10.5 billion (including the airport rail tunnel’s price tag).Damian Ross from Mars Wrigley says he may have to relocate staff to Melbourne from Ballarat if rail services aren't improved.Credit:Jason SouthDamian Ross, operations director at Mars Wrigley Confectionery, said he may be forced to relocate some of his 600 staff from Ballarat to Melbourne.Workers commuting between offices in Ballarat and Melbourne often cancel meetings and arrive late at home, because they're held up by train delays, equipment faults and track congestion, he said.“They’re losing more than three hours a day on the train and that has a significant bearing on their quality of life," Mr Ross said.Minister Allan welcomed the council-led proposal and said it would be incorporated into its own planning.However, electrifying the tracks to each regional town and building a new fleet within the proposed costs and timeframe was not achievable, she said.“We always welcome ideas on how to make our public transport system better, and look forward to working with local governments and communities to make it happen."A spokesman for Minister Tudge said the federal Coalition was investigating fast rail in Victoria.“The first one will be $2 billion to deliver faster rail from Melbourne to Geelong that will slash commuting time from 62 minutes to approximately 32 minutes. We are also funding several business cases which will determine future priorities.”<www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/regions-unite-on-fast-train-strategy-20190608-p51vsd.html>* Of course the regions want it: classic cargo-cult mentality.  Believe in it when it is possible to reach Werribee, Sunbury, Craigieburn, Mernda, Hurstbridge, Lilydale, Belgrave, Pakenham, Cranbourne and Frankston in 35 min on trains running every 7.5 min.  This is the most expensive way of expanding urban sprawl to 150 km.  Fix the current system first, something which PTV/TfV and predecessors have refused to do for decades, and which current projects have failed to address.  The razzle-dazzle is simply put up to fool the masses and hide reality.

Tim Fischer urges extending tram routes to Tullamarine to ease city congestion ahead of train link
Herald Sun June 8, 2019Former Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer says extending a Melbourne tram route to Tullamarine would ease city congestion. Picture: David GeraghtyRoad congestion to Melbourne Airport has long been a thorn in the flesh of the city’s travellers, with a simple solution suggested by a former high-ranking politician. But would you use it?Tim Fischer says extending a Melbourne tram route to ­Tullamarine would ease city congestion — and he desperately hopes to be alive to see it happen. The former deputy PM has included the extension of tram route 59 by 7.6km to Melbourne Airport, among a raft of suggestions for Melbourne.Mr Fischer, who is fighting acute leukaemia, says Melbourne must mirror Amsterdam to prevent gridlock.He nominated the tram extension as a “quick fix” ahead of building the train link to Tullamarine.Other tips include:DIRECT trains from Geelong via Sunshine to the airport — modelling the express route on successful cross-city connections in England between Bristol, Reading and Heathrow.ENSURING the Geelong-Melbourne high-speed rail link will use 25 kV system and standard gauge as adopted across rail networks in Europe.KEEPING Melbourne airport and its future extra runways curfew-free.CREATING a Webb dock with direct connections to Victoria’s rail network.INCORPORATING bike-friendly planning from the CBD to the outer suburbs.Traffic gridlock on the way to Melbourne Airport. Picture: Tim Carrafa“Some might say we can’t afford it,” Mr Fischer said. “But we cannot afford not to.”He stressed the tram option should be a priority, and could be a reality in two years.“It’s do-able,” he said.“It could benefit people who live in the northwest quartile of Melbourne, but primarily staff headed to Tullamarine.“For once the greater Essendon area would get a lift and it would provide immediate relief to the Tullamarine Freeway.”Tram route 59 would be extended 7.6km to an elevated station at Terminal 4 under the plan Mr Fischer has presented to Committee of Melbourne chief executive Martine Letts.Tram stops would be ­limited and speeds could be increased to bring the commute time to less than half an hour.Public Transport Users’ Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said the tram route was needed.“It makes a lot of sense to extend the tram to the airport,” Mr Bowen said.“Even once the train line has opened, the tram would still be very useful for residents across the northwest, including the thousands of airport workers.”Melbourne is expected to overtake Sydney as the nation’s biggest city in the next 20 years as the population rises to seven million.“We need to fill in the gaps,’ Mr Fischer said.“It’s not too late for Melbourne to mirror Amsterdam, which has tremendous rail connections to the massive airport at Schiphol.“It also has a mix of public transport including trams and a massive bevy of bicycle traffic, rather than London, which is a bit tied up with its legacy.“Amsterdam is a better blueprint.”Airport bosses predict they will process nearly as many passengers by 2038 as Heathrow does today.MORE:  MELBOURNE AIRPORT LINK READY FOR TAKEOFFCHEAP OPTION FOR AIRPORT-TO-CITY COMMUTERSQANTAS SELLS TERMINAL 1 INFRASTRUCTURE<www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/tim-fischer-urges-extending-tram-routes-to-tullamarine-to-ease-city-congestion-ahead-of-train-link/news-story/d3ef98f09755a92ac780e0fbfdbb0f4b>* A tram would be too slow. A railway was planned from the outset: from Broadmeadows under the noise-abatement flight path (on which nothing could be built). Short-term politicians abandoned that. A railway could be built from Sunshine, connecting with the underused 'RRL' for much less money than the current plan, and faster too. 25 min at all times of day, not just when the tollway isn't jammed.* Yes to trams to and from Melbourne airport.* Given how much it costs to build railway lines in this city wouldn't it be cheaper to just move the airport back to Essendon * With a trailer behind for all the luggage.* imagine the thefts!* Only problem with a tram line is it will have stops and imagine the people coming either way with suitcases etc. What is really needed is regional hubs with fast trains to the airport and to the city to relieve congestion in the burbs etc.* What a waste of money a tram would be. There's buses from Airport West and Broadmeadows already and they are mostly empty. * Ever travelled on the 59 Tram from the City to Airport West Tim? If you have i don't think you'd be suggesting this. * Of course it makes sense. Maybe we could get the company Big Dan wasted the $1 bn on for East West Link to build it? * infrastructure is a good thing Cam, better than the do nothing previous liberal government * and how long were the Liberals in for compared to Labor before that? Can’t expect a big turnaround in 3 years, then again ask Carlton and Bolton...* Dan already gave that company a nice cost plus overhead rail project to keep the EWL cost down to $1.4 billion.* Trams won’t work for travellers. Trains that only do a city to airport express is a better option like sky bus is now. The only good thing for a tram extension would be for airport workers * Need a train. Bris has one. Gee get on with a train* So do Sydney. Yet Melbourne doesn't because Dan wants us to drive to the airport (which means paying tolls that'll fund his transurban mates to continue their band-aid tunnel project)* Blame Jeff for the tolls.* bris train costs $30 to go the 3 stops to the airport. Sydney train costs $25 to go to the airport.* no way. we live in the outer east. it would take all week to get to the airport. we don't have trams out here.* Trams used to service Essendon Airport. Heavy rail better though for Tullamarine Airport. Hope the private owners of the airport put some of their rip off car park profits in to pay for it.* Melbournes parking fees are pretty good in comparison to other major airports. * And it would be a magical tram powered by unicorn tears and have zero emissions? I figure if they want a fantasy then they might as well make it utterly fantastic. Trying to get a family and their luggage on a tram is ridiculous. Shuffling up the tram as it makes all the stops to the airport.  And the extra 10+ stops. That's why they dont use trains and buses which are already in existence. If you are going to have public transport to the airport it needs to be a non-stop train from the city to Tulla. Your business traveller is happy with an Uber or worse case a taxi. They wont bother with public transport.I wonder if Tim will ever give up his tax payer funded transport to jump on the number 59 tram?* Melbourne’s becoming an ordinary overpopulated busy city * we are from the worlds most liveable city! A train and tram option should b a given * do you actually believe that marketing drivel?* You can barely squeeze on to a tram now. Imagine if everyone also had a suitcase with them.* A tram to the airport would be redundant once heavy rail came into play. It’s a waste of money.* If there could be a tram, then why not a monorail like in Singapore, and some European city’s. Straight up the tulla, super fast.* Transurban should have built this with the recent widening. They could still toll passengers on the monorail too!* I avoid catching trams around the city. Not a fan of them at all.* Yes, let’s spend 100’s of millions of dollars on an ineffective, short term solution. Oh dear!* which one are you talking about, there are a few.* Who wants to drag suitcases onto a tram?  How many families will they fit?Public transport will never be an option for Melbourne Airport because you'd be able to avoid the cash cow monopolies of Citylink and the airport car parks.What's the bet the secret provisions in the Citylink contract precluded a direct rail link to the airport.  The land is available, the money is sloshing around, the people want it, but successive governments seem to avoid it..* A slow boat to China. If they were express it would be a good idea, but it would take far too long to get there.* Yes I would catch a tram or train to the airport .* Yes if it didn't continually stop to pick up. It would have to be express from one of the main city stations.* Last time I did that tram trip it took almost an hour from stop 1 at Flinders St terminus to stop 59 at Airport West.* Trams are only a good idea when the tracks are separated from the road. If they have to share lanes with cars they cause more hassle than good. Look at Vancouver's system of electric buses. They can change lanes, pull to the side of the road, not block traffic to disembark passengers etc etc - all while connected via a pantograph to overhead wires.The infrastructure is already there. Makes sense.* More chance of getting that pesky transporter working than this happening. Beam me up Scotty.* Extending the tram line from Airport West as one of multiple option is a great idea, especially for airport workers, a lot of whom live in the Tullamarine and Airport West area. It’s well hidden, but there is actually a bus service from Westfield to the airport, great when travelling light for business but they keep it well hidden.* I'm sure opportunistic criminals and thieves know about it.* A rail line to the airport has been costed a number of times. Each time it has worked out that to recover the cost they would have to charge more than the cost of a taxi fare for each individual ticket to the city. $15 Billion plus is in the ball park if it is built efficiently. There is no way around that. It would require about an 85%+ government subsidy on every single ticket forever.Many trips from the airport are business people on short stays who don’t have time to waste. They take cabs to get directly to the office or hire a car. Trams would take three times as long as a train, be more crowded and uncomfortable.Tourist families take the link bus or a cab, both of which can go directly to their hotel. Or they hire a car. The short airport train link built for the Brisbane airport for $120 million only ended up with about 15% of the originally predicted number of passengers and runs on almost total subsidies.The Sydney airport line only works because it goes past the airport and services the outer suburbs. The couple of times I tried it, I ended up standing the whole way holding my bag because it was already crowded when it got to the airport. It's not possible to make a rail link to Tullamarine work financially without some very creative (that is, dodgy) assumptions about how much tourists spend. The only ones who are most likely to take a train are the backpackers who spend as little as possible while they are here.It will never stack up. * statistics show that backpackers spend less than$7000 in a whole year while they are here.* Which 'statistics' are those?* I live in the northern suburbs. Why would I want to catch a tram from Melbourne to the airport...?