It’s the end of May, so it’s time for a batch of photos from ten years ago. I quite liked this ad for iiNet in Flinders Street Station: I was snapping photos for Tony’s web site “Our Fading Past” (currently offline, but the Google Map is up), highlighting old signs around Melbourne. This classic is ... [More]
Month: May 2019
Good news: New bus route 627 starts in June, running from Moorabbin to Chadstone via East Bentleigh and Murrumbeena. Excuse the micro-transport-blogging about this specific route in my local area, but (as usual) there are considerations that are relevant across the network. This new route fills some gaps in the local network, including East Boundary ... [More]
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PT service kilometres vs population
In the world of public transport, services are what counts. Infrastructure is important, but ultimately, infrastructure is only built to enable services. If the train only runs every 40 minutes, it’s a long wait whether the station is 100 years old, or shiny brand new. Today is State Budget day, and it’s a good chance ... [More]
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Temporary track to minimise disruptions
I think this is quite clever. When trains or trams are partially closed for planned works, generally the less of the route is disrupted, the better. But this is always limited by the placement of turnaround facilities. Witness the current Sandringham line closure: the major works are at South Yarra, but because (despite what was ... [More]
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Illogical obsession
Saturday’s Federal Election result might have been unexpected by many, but it underscores the Coalition’s illogical obsession with East West Link. Well, illogical from a transport planning perspective that is. Remember, it’s got a business case that says it will lose money – unless you include Wider Economic Benefits with which the Victorian Auditor General ... [More]
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Climate, money and politics
I don’t often write about climate change, but here are a few thoughts as we go into the Federal election on Saturday. But first I need to get these points out of the way: Climate change is real. If you think climate change is a hoax because you think you know more than the 97% ... [More]
Improving my house’s heating and cooling and energy efficiency is an ongoing project. 2008 Solar hot water 2012 Ceiling fans and roof insulation 2015 External blinds 2017 Air-conditioning (a backwards step for energy efficiency, but a giant leap for comfort on very hot days) This week it was wall insulation. Obviously this is best fitted ... [More]
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Weekend traffic
A short rant. It’s Saturday, and I’m driving in heavy traffic. I’m making a trip that’s impractical using any other mode, alongside thousands of others, many also making trips impractical using any other mode. It’s not about options along that particular stretch of road. It’s about the whole transport network, supporting people’s trips end to ... [More]
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More information = good
Wednesday morning’s commute for me was one of those made easier via good quality real-time information. My usual train was cancelled. I knew this before I left the house thanks to checking the PTV app. The app also told me that other trains were delayed. It was going to be a messy commute. Bleugh. Sometimes ... [More]