"They need to understand if you're going to build more houses, more people are going to move in and you're going to need more transport, more frequently,"
I'm about to try to board a Ghost Train...
Google Transit thinks the next train to Wendouree goes straight from Southern Cross to Deer Park without picking up at Footscray (or Sunshine). The V/Line app agrees...but the PDF timetable on their website (and logic) says that it does stop at Footscray.
I'm at Footscray and can't get to Southern Cross in time, so wish me luck.
Are you looking for a role organising for climate action?
I've just been tipped off about this role going at Friends of the Earth in Melbourne, and I'm told they're especially keen for folks from the Ballarat area to apply.
FoE is a great org and this looks like a fantastic foot in the door of professional climate activism.
only about a third of nations have included public transport in their NDCs
those that do include public transport often don't have clear commitments to funding it (either no budget attached, or one that's contingent on external assistance)
many of those that mention public transport are focused on greening the vehicles (ie swapping diesel buses for electric buses, rather than increasing buses' mode share)
the broad trend is that wealthier nations are much more focused on greening the vehicles, while low- and middle-income nations are more focused on infrastructure and service improvements that would encourage mode shift
Great overview of not just the transit planning, but also the organisational & public change management process, that went into a big bus network redesign
QT @humantransit Miami! The Better Bus Network, the result of our collaboration with Transit Alliance Miami and Miami-Dade County, is finally here! The new service starts Monday, 11/13. Read all about it: https://humantransit.org/2023/11/miami-the-better-bus-network-is-here.html#miami#publictransit
@Simbera part of the challenge is that these trains are trying to be both regional stopping and long-distance intercity services. I don't see that changing for as long as they continue to be operated by individual state governments
The Ballarat train that just arrived at Southern Cross was absolutely packed - standing room only, and people really struggled to board at Ardeer - but it was only 3 carriages. There's still big travel demand at shoulder peak times - ideally VLine should extend peak frequencies, but at the very least they should run these trains with 6 carriages
@decryption they're extending the platforms to allow 9 car trains, but this is exactly why that's a half-measure - even if they can run 9 car trains, they probably won't outside of peak times. They need to hurry up and electrify to Melton so the suburbs can have a proper suburban service rather than piling onto regional trains
I don't suppose any of my followers has access to NearMap and could show me the extent of housing developments along Cuthberts Rd, Ballarat-Carngham Rd, Greenhalghs Rd and the Glenelg Hwy in Ballarat's west? Google's satellite imagery is pretty old...
It's Saturday night in Melbourne. The train to Ballarat is only 3 carriages long, because the other 3 broke down, and it's so full people are struggling to squeeze on (don't even dream of getting a seat). The next train isn't for an hour, and there aren't even any extra Melton services in between. This kind of neglect cannot continue - we need more services, and we need them to run reliably!
@Simbera@ThermiteBeGiants I do not miss commuting to and from the city on these. Half a train for a full passenger load? It’s more likely than you think.
At least half the passengers will probably get off at Melton, so you’ll get a seat in 45 mins or so