Tag: radio

ABC 774: Discussing Melbourne rail woes

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This evening I was invited to discuss the discuss the ongoing dramas and inconvenience suffered by Melbourne’s rail passengers on ABC’s Radio 774.

The interview, which included a number of talkback callers, focused on the endless excuses used by Connex to defend its ever diminishing performance in operating Mekbourne’s rail network. While it is correct that the Kennett Government initially privatised Melbourne’s rail system, the Bracks Government chose to re-privatise the system in 2004 and in doing so removed a number of checks and balances that existed within the initial contracts.

In fact, when M>Train abandoned Melbourne’s rail network in 2004, the former Minister for Transport Peter Batchelor, stated publicly that the government was not going to consider inviting new tenders, or return Melbourne’s rail network back to government control. As a result Connex succeeded in diminishing reporting and accountability requirements and the State Government is now in a situation where the subsidy for Connex increases every year without any corresponding service improvements.

The State Government knew there was both a looming train and driver shortage when it entered into the new contracts in 2004. Connex was offered lower reporting standards so that the State Government could avoid taking responsibility for a problem it created. Despite annual subsidiary to Connex the State Government is now taking on responsibilities that were previously the domain of the private operators. In 2004 the State Government refused a request by M>Train to fund additional driver training programs, citing that it was the responsibility of the operator to fund its own driver programs. Despite this, the State Government through its Meeting Our Transport Challenges document, is now funding additional driver training programs and purchasing additional trains, which will be delivered almost a decade after the government knew about impending train shortages.

The issue of the fare boycott was also discussed and while Melbourne’s public transport users should voice their disgust over the latest rail debacles, this must be directed towards the State Government which holds ultimate responsibility for the rail network. Public transport users would achieve better results contacting their local MP, the Premier and the Public Transport Minister rather than attempting a fare boycott.

It is clear that the State Government must take responsibility for its poor handling of Melbourne’s rail network rather than simply trying to hide Connex as it lurches from one blunder through to another.

The Age: City of lost, delayed trains

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The Sunday Age has exposed the extent of the State Government’s neglect of Melbourne’s rail network, over the failure to replace the aging Metrol communication system with a system that can ensure safe and efficient movement of Melbourne’s trains.

MELBOURNE’S rail operator Connex can pinpoint the location of trains on as little as 10 per cent of its network, The Sunday Age has found.

The 25 year old Metrol system, provides visibility for little more than Melbourne’s city loop, meaning that the rest of Melbourne’s rail network is dependent on even older and less-efficient signalling and radio technologies.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) called for an overhaul of the suburban rail system after a passenger train crashed into a stationary V/Line train at the then Spencer Street Station in February 2003.

The former Minister for Transport Peter Batchelor scrapped an promised upgrade of Metrol in 2003, only to relaunch the promise of an upgrade last year.

Commuter groups say an upgrade could double the number of suburban trains using city stations in peak hours. The failure to do so slows trains on a network that averages 87 delays a day, they say.

A comprehensive and holistic signalling and communications upgrade through the replacement of Metrol with a metropolitan wide system would provide an instant capacity boost along Melbourne’s rail network, without the need for costly infrastructure such as the proposed third track to Dandenong.

Public Transport Users Association spokesman Alex Makin said the current “archaic” system “can’t track where most of the trains go”. Now, suburban trains needed two to three minutes “headway”. With a fully computerised and integrated system, Mr Makin said, “you would be able to operate with a 60-second headway like what generally happens in Perth and Sydney. This would effectively allow twice as many trains during peak hour”.

While the Victorian State Government would rather mismanage public transport projects, ALP Government’s in both Western Australia and New South Wales have dramatically upgraded their metropolitan rail signalling systems.

The fact that Melbourne is still reliant of a 25 year old communications system is further evidence that the former Minister for Transport did little other than neglect the public transport portfolio. The State Government is running of out of excuses to rectify these mistakes.

Discussing Maroondah's Mobility Expo on Eastern FM

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Eastern FM, available at frequency 98.1, is a community radio station that covers Melbourne’s outer east. On the first Friday of each month Eastern FM has a radio segment with Maroondah City Council to publicise upcoming events or issues.

Eastern FM’s studio is based at Wyreena Community in Hull Road, Croydon.

This morning I, along with Maroondah’s MetroAccess worker Katie Goodrope, was invited by Eastern FM to discuss the upcoming Maroondah Mobility Expo. At this stage we have already received 150 pre-registrations for the expo and an overwhelming response from suppliers meaning that eastern Melbourne’s first ever mobility expo should provide a wealth of information for all involved. Information session on topics such as using public transport safely, road safety and scooter etiquette will be covered throughout the day.

Also discussed was the booklet, ‘Maintaining Your Mobility in Maroondah’. This booklet, which will be launched at the Expo, contains advice on using scooters, wheelchairs and other mobility aids within Maroondah and includes a section on etiquette to ensure that everyone is able to travel in Maroondah safely and confidently.

The Maroondah Mobility Expo will be held on Tuesday the 5th of December at Maroondah Federation Estate, Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood.

For further information on Eastern FM, tune into radio frequency 98.1.

ABC 774 on public transport

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This afternoon Lindy Burns from ABC 774 interviewed me at an outside broadcast located at Southern Cross Station to discuss public transport issues in the lead up to the November state election.

Lindy stated that public transport and transport in general were major issues for the November State Election and highlighted the improvements that are required to ensure a frequent, reliable coordinated and readily available public transport system. As an example, in 1992 the frequency of trains were improved on the Sandringham line and overall coordination was increased. Due to these service improvements patronage increased by 38% demonstrating how crucial frequency improvements are to improving public transport modal share.

Unfortunately, over the last seven years the State Government has delivered nothing more than just tokenistic public transport improvements and nowhere is this more apparent than the bus network, which still fails to provide frequencies comparable to the train or tram network.

The $10.5 billion that was allocated over the next decade through the Transport and Liveability Statement (known as Meeting Our Transport Challenges) is more than enough to solve Melbourne’s transport woes but grossly misallocated. Rather than petty gestures priorities should have included rail network expansion in areas such as South Morang and Cranbourne East, both of which were promised rail extensions back in 1999. Instead the State Government is forcing the people of South Morang to now wait at least 10 to 15 years for their promised line and yet Whittlesea is fortunate compared to Cranbourne East, where the government has decided to neglect Melbourne’s fastest growing urban corridor by failing to plan or deliver the Cranbourne East rail extension.

While rail extensions are crucial for Melbourne’s growth areas, there is also a need to enhance the level of bus services to a standard comparable to the well-patronised tram network. Currently, most of Melbourne’s bus network is very confusing due to highly convoluted routes that are in a dire need of being overhauled.

The success of Perth, which has prioritised public transport projects, through doubling its rail network and providing frequent bus services, has allowed enhanced mobility and demonstrates just how far behind Melbourne is when it comes to international and national best practices.

With just over four weeks to the next State Election it is imperative that our political parties commit to securing the economic, social and environmental success of Melbourne by pledging to deliver real public transport improvements. After seven years of rhetoric Melbourne’s public transport system needs urgent action.

Army Cadets: East Ringwood (31ACU)

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Maroondah has a number of youth organisations and tonight I visited the 31st Army Cadet Unit based at the Army Depot in East Ringwood. Two army cadets from the 31st unit received awards at the 2006 Maroondah Youth Volunteer Recognition Evening and an invitation was extended so I could see the army cadets parade on Thursday evening.
With 40% of army recruits originating from the cadets, the army cadets, alongside the air force and naval cadets also provides the backbone for a career within the military.

The army cadets provides an opportunity for young people aged from 12 to 18 to become involved with an organisation that provides training in first aid and military skills, such as radio procedures, navigation and survival techniques within a framework that reinforces achievement, discipline and good citizenship. The cadets are managed by adult volunteers and are financially and operationally independent from the armed forces, meaning that fundraisers are often used to raise money required for equipment and activities.

The 31st Army Cadet Unit provides a significant community service to Maroondah including involvement within the Anzac Day Services and the Maroondah Festival and as such provides an invaluable service to the community.

RRR Radio Interview – Population Densities and Public Transport

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This morning I, as the Outer East Branch Convener of the Public Transport Users Association, along with Associate Professor Michael Buxton from RMIT (Associate Professor, Environment & Planning), was interviewed by Radio Station Triple R (RRR) to discuss the issues of urban density and public transport.

Melbourne is clearly at the crossroads between increasing urban densities and continued urban sprawl, yet the assumption that higher urban densities are required before improved public transport can be provided is a falsehood.

So what level of population density is required for bus services of a 10 minute frequency?

The 1965 Brisbane Transportation Strategy estimated 12.5 people per hectare while Paul Mees, in his book A Very Public Solution (2000), estimated that 14 people per hectare was required.

Even the upper limit of 14 people per hectare would mean that most of outer suburbia would be able to support a much higher level of bus services. Yet even though Ringwood has a population density of 18 people per hectare and Chirnside Park has a population density of 16 people per hectare, the people of Maroondah still lack Sunday and evening services along Maroondah Highway.

Higher population densities will mean nothing more than increased car usage if public transport improvements are not provided. Melbourne is experiencing rapid growth in the outer west and outer north yet improvements to public transport have not been provided. What alternatives do people have if they are not provided with bus services as soon as such estates are developed?

What alternatives to driving will people have in the Ringwood Transit City, if the much promised bus and rail improvements are not delivered?

Professor Michael Buxton and I were in agreement that unless improvements to public transport are provided immediately residents living in such areas will have little choice but to drive, causing congestion on outer and inner suburban roads alike.