Monday, December 5, 2016

Melbourne structuring #publictransit fares to promote sprawl

Myki fare hikes favour some users, punish others and increasingly encourage driving: "Policies that discourage public transport use and encourage more driving are not good for a growing city. The cost and scarcity of parking in the CBD may mean public transport wins there, but in most parts of Melbourne, cars dominate, despite endless traffic jams."

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Perth report shows that fares reduce #publictransit use

The West Australian: "The report said the daily cost of public transport was also a “demotivator for mode shift”, especially from car commuters who had free parking at work.

In releasing the report, Committee for Perth chief executive Marion Fulker said a business-as-usual approach to transport and urban planning would be disastrous.

“If we do, we’ll continue to make the same mistakes by increasing the number of people living further away from their place of work and end up with a congested and unproductive region,” Ms Fulker said."

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Sex Party MP Fiona Patten calls on government to make public transport free for kids

the age : "Young people should travel free on public transport so they can more easily reach school or work and avoid run-ins with ticket inspectors, Sex Party MP Fiona Patten says."

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

A free bus buzz is back for Christmas

Noosa News : "NOOSA'S congestion-busting buses are set to hit the streets for the Christmas rush with councillors being asked next week approve a $40,614 budget for the December 26 to January 4 service.

The funds if approved will come out of the public transport levy which has a balance of $546,000 for the 2016/17 financial year.

"The primary aim of the service is to reduce traffic congestion during peak Easter and Christmas holiday periods, as well as encourage greater use of public transport,” the report before council said.

The proposed Easter free bus should be April 8 to 17."

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Car-culture cultists admit that cars not the best way to get to their sacred ceremony

Supercars: "Motorsport fans are being encouraged to use the G:link to travel to the Castrol Gold Coast 600 next weekend, with free public transport providing the perfect way to get to and from the race safely."

Sunday, August 28, 2016

#freepublictransport in Australia would have many benefits

Green Left Weekly: " ordinary people will never win by simply fighting for a better deal in a car-centred transport system. The solution is a massive expansion of public transport.

There is no reason why every major city in Australia cannot have a comprehensive network of trains, trams and buses, with services running every couple of minutes down major arterial routes.

There is no reason why such a public transport system cannot be free to use.

Such an alternative would reduce pollution and create the possibility for more green spaces in cities. It would increase transport accessibility for young and old, and people with disabilities.

It would eliminate the wastage of social resources that currently goes into having millions of vehicles sitting idle for more than 20 hours a day."

Monday, August 22, 2016

Sydney families spend $22,000 a year on transport: report

smh : "The average family from western Sydney is paying around $22,000 a year in transport costs, representing as much as 17 per cent of total household income, a new report from a national motoring group finds."

Friday, August 5, 2016

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Car-free housing is held up as answer to congestion on roads in Adelaide’s inner suburbs

Messenger: "In the report, which was presented to a council committee last week, InfraPlan senior planner Gayle Buckby predicted peak hour traffic movements on Unley Rd would increase to about 15,700 by 2031, up from 13,100 in 2013.

Mrs Buckby suggested rather than focus on “car dependent” solutions to decrease congestion, such as road widening, the council should encourage “efficient forms of people movement”, including promoting walking, cycling and public transport.

She recommended the council relax car parking space requirements for new developments, and, in some cases, abolish them entirely to encourage developers to build “car-free housing” that appeal to young cyclists and public transport users."

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Canberra seniors to ride buses free in off-peak hours

(Australian Broadcasting Corporation): "Mr Barr also announced a one-year trial that will see seniors ride for free on Canberra's buses.

He said seniors and concession card-holders would ride for free between 10:00am and 4:00pm on weekdays under a promised trial in a bid to make public transport more accessible."

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Government has had tax ruling, which could lower bus travel costs, for six years

brisbanetimes : "Six years after first being granted permission, south-east Queensland bus commuters will be the first in the nation to enjoy tax-free travel to and from work, potentially saving eligible travellers hundreds of dollars in transport costs each year."

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Why it just got a lot cheaper to catch public transport

Sunshine Coast Daily: "PUBLIC transport is about to become a lot cheaper with saving up to more than $1000 annually for journeys to and from Brisbane.

Public transport across the region will also be made cheaper with the State Government decision to reduce the number of fare zones from 23 to eight.

Internal travel on the Sunshine Coast has been reduced to four fare zones from 10 eliminating an inequity which made it more expensive to track north south than to travel the same distance westward across the region."

Saturday, June 11, 2016

Kids travel free, Queensland public transport, public transport review, Brisbane public transport rules

The Courier-Mail: "CHILDREN under 14 will be given free weekend fares in southeast Queensland under the Palaszczuk Government’s long-awaited review of public transport.

The Sunday Mail can also reveal travel incentives for pensioners and seniors will be retained, despite a controversial recommendation by a review taskforce to dump them.

The number of zones across the public transport network will be reduced from 23 to eight, benefiting commuters who travel shorter distances.

Ahead of Tuesday’s state Budget, it can also be confirmed that regional Queensland fares will not rise."

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

New free 'city loop' bus service every 15 minutes in Canberra

Canberratimes : "The ACT government is introducing a free "city loop" bus service, starting July 4, and connecting the city with New Acton, the Australian National University and Braddon."

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

What Hobart needs is a transport revolution

The Mercury: "HOBART, we have a problem and it’s driven all of us on to a road to nowhere.

Our city’s public transport network is lagging firmly in the last century, pushing traffic congestion to an infuriating impasse.

The daily frustration of motorists and commuters is unparalleled in our history and, together with a lack of modern, efficient and workable public transport services, the situation is costing the economy.

Getting to work, school or anywhere about Hobart has turned into a maddening, exasperating experience more characteristic of the country’s larger capitals. We have not before experienced such colossal obstruction.

My former 35-minute commute from New Norfolk to the city has blown out to an hour and 15 minutes on a bad day. Pity the poor motorist trying to reach the city across the Tasman Bridge.

But where is the action? Where is the plan? Why is the State Government offering no true solution?"

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Free tourist shuttle could help local business

The Courier-Mail: "State Labor MP for Redcliffe Yvette D’Ath said it was definitely needed, particularly with Moreton Bay Rail Link services starting soon.

Ms D’Ath, Moreton Bay Regional Council and local business representatives would meet in coming weeks to refine the details.

She said the idea was to provide a shuttle bus every 30 minutes, ideally for free. It would help move people from Kippa-Ring railway station to major tourist spots on the Peninsula.

Ms D’Ath said it would work like Brisbane City Council’s free City Loop and Spring Hill Loop high-frequency bus services. The shuttle bus would supplement current bus services."

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Politicians love capital-heavy projects like rail to look like they are for public transit

The Guardian: "The need to address the productivity, sustainability and liveability of our nation’s cities is urgent. Late last year Infrastructure Australia warned that unless we act now, traffic congestion will cost the nation $53bn in lost productivity a year by 2031. Lower productivity means our economy will produce fewer jobs. It’s that simple."
This editorial starts with a teaser about fixing congestion. Then it basically advocates capital-intensive projects. Don't fall for this. These projects create division and political gridlock. Worse than that they are pro-growth projects that will end up being pro-debt projects.



Instead campaign to make buses fare-free. Break the critical-mass of the private auto.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Go to any hospital to see how the car system is a miserable failure

Doctors and nurses may resign over car park woes at RPA hospital: "Royal Prince Alfred Hospital doctors and nurses are threatening to resign over a lack of parking following the expiry of the staff car park lease and its takeover by a private operator."
Over the years, more sprawl meant more cars, which meant more roads. Problem left unaddressed: where to park all these cars that fill up the roads. This problem is solved by prioritizing parking. At a hospital, though, who is more important? Hence the problem with no solution... Oh wait, there is a solution--make buses fare-free.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Julian Burnside backs push to make public transport free for students in Melbourne

3aw.com : "A high-profile barrister is behind a push to make public transport free for students in Melbourne.

Julian Burnside QC told Neil Mitchell too much money and energy was being wasted on pursuing outstanding fines.

It's been reported 7000 warrants were issued for young people who hadn't paid their fines in the period between 2014-15.

"If you go to a free public school and have to use public transport to get there, it will cost you $7500 over your 12 years of school just to get to and from school," Mr Burnside explained.

"And for a lot of students, especially in the western suburbs, paying for the Myki competes with paying for their food, drink or books."

Mr Burnside it was a "mistake" to focus on revenue when it came to public transport.

"Public transport shouldn't be just about revenue," he said.

"It's deeply embedded in our social arrangement

"If you can't get around in society, well then you're not really part of it.""

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Report in Melbourne calls for free public transport for school students

Star Weekly: "Many can’t afford to pay for Myki, it said.

It revealed some students spent money normally reserved for school textbooks on fines, describing the application process for a secondary student concession card as a “complex process” and “long winded”.

The report called for free public transport for all students, for schools and institutions to hand out free Myki travel cards to students and for the cancellation of all outstanding Myki fines incurred by people under the age of 18."


Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Billions spent on auto-infrastructure, poor people just get fines

ABC News : "Professor Nelthorpe said in one case, a 14-year-old turned up to school two months late after he had several thousand dollars in public transport fines.

"His parents required him to go to work for a period of time to pay off fines," he said.

The report said another 16-year-old student, whose parents were not eligible for Centrelink benefits due to visa restrictions, missed school after he was issued fines up to $2,000.

This student worked as a labourer to pay off the penalties.

Professor Nelthorpe said the system was causing students stress.

"You've got a whole lot of students wandering around who are too scared to tell their parents their teachers and their support people that they've incurred these fines," he said.

"It must put incredible pressure on them.""

Friday, March 11, 2016

Eligible commuters to enjoy tax-free bus travel under new scheme

brisbanetimes : "In the Australian first, eligible users, including public servants, will be able to use their pre-taxed income on their TransLink smart card to travel to and from work.

RemServe estimates that those who earn $70,000 and take 10 trips a week across four zones could save just under $1500 a year under the plan, while inner-city workers travelling two zones earning $65,000 could save $1100."

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Writer calls for free buses in Hobart

The Mercury: "Free city bus transport will lure commuters out of cars. It could be more attractive with free parking at bus exchange stations outside the city."

Monday, February 15, 2016

Greens MLC Mark Parnell calls for public transport to be free for school students

AdelaideNow : "SOUTH Australian school children should be allowed to travel on public transport for free, the Greens say.

As most students return for the start of the school year on Monday, Greens MLC Mark Parnell says the move would encourage good environmental behaviour at an early age and save families money.

“Far too many kids these days are unnecessarily being driven to and from school instead of walking, riding or catching public transport,” Mr Parnell said."

Melbourne spends 9 billion a year on congestion. Make buses fare free!

Call for school students to get free public transport: "A recent audit by Infrastructure Australia warned the cost of delays on Melbourne's major roads as a result of congestion will triple to more than $9 billion a year by 2031.

"We know that many children, even secondary children, are being driven to and from school every day, when they could walk, ride or use public transport," Ms Pennicuik said."


Saturday, February 13, 2016

Tate promises free off-peak travel for seniors

brisbanetimes : "Gold Coast seniors would receive free travel on public transport outside peak hours for four years if Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate is re-elected on March 19."

Qld’s free Friday PT idea

busnews: ""I’m confident fare free Friday will encourage residents from right across Brisbane to leave the car at home, save money and help drive the public transport culture our city needs for the future.""

Monday, February 1, 2016

Greens MP calls for free public transport for Adelaide school kids

9news.com.au: "A great way to encourage more parents to allow their kids to take a bus, tram or train on school days is to make it free.

“Parents will welcome the savings, and they’ll also welcome their children becoming more active.”

Mr Parnell believes free travel would reduce traffic congestion, improve activeness and independence among children and lower the cost of living for participating families."

Friday, January 15, 2016

Greens promise free Brisbane bus travel for pensioners and seniors

brisbanetimes : "Seniors and pensioners would be able to travel free on off-peak Brisbane buses under a Greens election pledge announced on Friday."

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Free public transport for seniors taking tens of thousands of cars off the roads each week

publicworks : "“Most activities of daily living – such as shopping and paying the bills – are conducted in the local neighbourhood and involve other forms of transport. However, public transport is often used for other life-enriching activities, such as volunteering, or civic and social engagements, going to the movies, visiting friends, or travelling to the city for a day out,” Dr Feist says.

“On average, we found that Seniors Card holders are making more than 150,000 rides on public transport in the Adelaide metropolitan area every week. This represents an extraordinary number of civic, social and community engagement opportunities for older people.

“It means that our public transport system is being well utilised during off-peak periods. It also means that tens of thousands of cars are off the roads each week,” Dr Feist says."