(Updated Sunday, and Monday)

The Age has launched a major series of articles about the public transport system. Well worth reading. I (and the PTUA) don’t necessarily totally agree with the myriad of points of view expressed, but it’s good to see this debate getting the attention it deserves, which will hopefully convince the government to do something.

While a third of Melbourne has usable (but crowded and slow) public transport, two-thirds do not, so it’s no wonder they’re not using it. The government claim to have already spent up big on improving the system, but market share isn’t moving markedly, so it’s obviously been mis-spent.

• The Age, Saturday:
  • Front cover
  • Melbourne grinding to a halt
  • Network extensions needed
  • Why the system is failing
  • The public transport challenge — Age reporters try to use the system for some typical trips
  • An expert says the state favours freeways over rail/trams
• ABC Radio Saturday: Government defends public transport system
• The Age, Sunday
  • Committee for Melbourne’s $2bn plan
  • Floods of calls from angry passengers
• The Age, Monday
  • Government acts on crisis in transport — now they claim to have a plan after all
  • Call for ‘tube’ line underneath Melbourne
  • Labor plan falls short of demands — the PTUA’s plan. The full plan has now been released.
  • Government bites the bullet on transport blueprint — Analysis
• The Age breaking news, Monday
  • Congestion ’strangling’ Melbourne’s trams
  • Bank eyes transport system
• ABC Radio, Monday: Minister backs push for Melbourne public transport boost
• The Age, Tuesday
  • Massive (road) tunnel plan backed by business leaders
  • Grim outlook for Melbourne’s trams
  • Feature: Car wars: a tale of two cities
• Herald-Sun, Tuesday: (Passing) Loop use off-track, expert says
• The Age, Wednesday
  • Editorial: Public transport is needed now
  • (Road) Tunnel plan ’should not see light of day’
  • Bid to unite transport, planning

The story has also had TV (channels 2, 7 and 9 on Saturday; channel 10 on Monday) and radio coverage.

I know there’s plenty of people out there who want to see an improvement. Now is the time to make some noise. Approach your local MP; write a letter to the local or metro papers. Get in there now while it’s topical.