Melbourne system is the longest in the world in route km but, partly
because of that, it is the quietest large system in the world in passengers
carried per route km. It has a huge lot more potential capacity if it had
the services to run along it.

I wonder what you think then Roderick of the Perth FTZ? I recall I think
that it was introduced by a Labor government. Yes, part of it's purpose is
to stop people cluttering up the centre with cars and, if they really have
to drive, to leave them at perimeter car parks. If you can't get people to
leave their cars at home, then there are various strategies employed to
"head them off at the pass", as they use to say in the westerns. This might
be at park and rides out in the suburbs and what you can't scoop up there,
the final incentive is to scoop them up at the perimeters of the CBDs.
WHatever it takes, it's still cheaper than the investment necessary to
provide traffic capacity and carparking in centres.

There seems to be a mindset among some in Melbourne that it's best not to
encourage people to use PT, but I'm afraid, as in Sydney, population growth
will overwhelm such resistance like a biblical flood. The best thing is to
invest like hell in more public transport capacity - like starting now!

Tony P