This is part two of my ten year old photos from September 2009. At the time, Myki had been launched in regional cities, and was about to start in Melbourne. Ahead of the wider rollout, I got to look around the Myki test centre, which was fascinating. Around the place were lots of test cards and computers and other hardware https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielbowen/48836573347/in/phot
Oops, I managed to miss posting ten year old photos in September. Better late than never, here they are - at least here is part one - I've got a special part two coming up soon. Centre Place, always lovely. I notice the sign about when it's closed to vehicles - it'd be a brave person who tried to drive along it at any time, I reckon. https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielbowen/48835846778
My car has a spot in the central console area thingy that looks like it has been designed to store your mobile phone so you can kind of see the screen while driving, for navigational purposes. At least, the manual doesn't seem to document its purpose, and I can't figure out what else it could be for. A few months ago I had to drive to Balwyn to pick up a batch of stuff to bring home. My naviga
It's well known that the Free Tram Zone worsened CBD tram crowding, but the package of fare reforms implemented in 2015 (planned by the Napthine government, matched by Labor) also capped zone 1+2 fares at zone 1 prices. This removed a long-time bugbear in the fare system: the huge jump from going over the zone boundary. New statistics show the effects. Herald Sun today: Fare change driving
It's a miracle! Back in 2011, the train information on this Smartbus sign at Bentleigh station was switched off. In 2016 during the level crossing removal project, the bus stop and sign were removed, then put back. For a while the sign wasn't working, but then the bus times were switched on. But not the train times. On Monday, for the first time in over 8 years, the train times re-app
I was in Brighton Cemetery on Saturday (long story) and noticed this statue from a distance, so thought I'd have a look. Someone famous? Not really. https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielbowen/48730554563/in/dateposted/ A young man, tragically drowned off Mornington. The statue was made by his workmates. Thanks to Trove, I found quite a detailed report of the accident. FISHING BOAT
This blew my tiny mind. https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielbowen/48716029936/in/dateposted/ Speaking of Metro tunnel station names, the project publicity is increasingly talking about (new) North Melbourne station. It's a shame the old one wasn't renamed to West Melbourne (as per the plan) last year when all the maps were reprinted for the opening of the Mernda extension. Hopefully
Yes, sometimes my blog isn't about transport. If you'd prefer to see only transport posts, you can use this link. Here's a post where I ramble on about recent upgrades around my house. Wall insulation I had wall insulation installed earlier in the year. The winter gas bill came in recently. It's down 37.7% from the previous year. We were away for a bit of time, but nowhere near tha
Trouble afoot for the Melbourne Airport rail link? Age: The new proposal would see airport trains use existing rail lines between Southern Cross and Sunshine, and add a new line between Sunshine and the airport, sources close to the project have said. Herald Sun: ...while most prefer an express route with only one stop, the state governmentโs plan to include the airport rail project in its
It's nearly the end of the month, so here's another in my series of photos from ten years ago. Yarraville one afternoon. This hasn't changed much at all. https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielbowen/48638802257/in/dateposted/ In Swanston Street, a quirky display of old public benches. https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielbowen/48638663306/in/photostream/ Every few years, the tram/t
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