SMH Transport articles

[ozbob]

--> http://www.smh.com.au/national/transport

[Stillwater]

Wow, there are profound messages for Brisbane and SEQ in these articles.

The fact that Sydney needs a second rail crossing of the harbour by 2020 means that our own state government cannot delay a decision on CRR and hope to receive federal government financial support for it.  A delay means that CRR comes up against a major new rail project for Sydney in the competition for federal infrastructure funding.  Brisbane must not let the opportunity go by.

Another article highlights the major benefit of doing a series of minor upgrades for maximum benefit.  This argument is not unfamiliar to those who monitor this forum.  If anything the SMH article reinforces the need for a dedicated 'small projects fund' similar to the station upgrade program that QR has implemented.  Let's hope that gets some examination in this or subsequent budgets.

Finally, Ron Christie, a transport manager whose opinion is to respected, has pointed the finger at politically motivated decisions about funding infrastructure that also serves political objectives.  His model for an independent advisory body to the state minister (similar to Infrastructure Australia federally) again is food for thought in a Queensland context.

[johnnigh]

I was watching these articles a year ago when the Herald was on its campaign. Is there any evidence that the then opposition, now government, is taking any notice? They seem obsessed with the NW and later the SW rail links, and opposition to the P'matta-Epping link that the Feds are part-financing.

Politics still seems to dominate transport policy in NSW and also in Q'land.

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> State Transit keeps its buses, with conditions

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> All change as RailCorp is disbanded

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> All change as RailCorp is disbanded

Twitter

Jarrett Walker ‏@humantransit 48m

Moral of RailCorp's demise: Telling a public agency to act like a private corporation gives you the worst of both. http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/all-change-as-railcorp-is-disbanded-20130630-2p5b6.html ...

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Airconditioned trains finally head for the mountains

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Spain's economic woes give rise to new trams for inner west

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Old trains will stay in service for long after choose-by date

[STB]

I actually quite like the silver sets (K, R and S sets), so am pleased that they are staying for the time being.  They bring back memories of my early childhood growing up in Sydney (my birthplace), just a shame that the old Red Rattlers aren't still around, I remember travelling on those too back in the late 80s, with the door wide open!

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Smaller stations are biggest losers in new rail timetable

[SurfRail]

I actually quite like the silver sets (K, R and S sets), so am pleased that they are staying for the time being.  They bring back memories of my early childhood growing up in Sydney (my birthplace), just a shame that the old Red Rattlers aren't still around, I remember travelling on those too back in the late 80s, with the door wide open!

The earliest memory I have of railways is of being at Liverpool station with a red rattler on one platform and a Tangara on the other.

[joninbrisbane]

Similar to me.  I remember hurtling into Circular Quay station with the doors wide open and the smell of brake dust filling the carriage.

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Weekends left at standstill despite plan

... who say the only way to prompt public transport use on weekends is to make services frequent and attractive ...

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/weekends-left-at-standstill-despite-plan-20130726-2qpth.html#ixzz2aBlphGnL

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Commuters cry foul as ferry fares rise while reliability falls

The first year of privatised ferries has resulted in cancellations, collisions and soaring prices, despite an O'Farrell government promise that ferry services would improve ...

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/commuters-cry-foul-as-ferry-fares-rise-while-reliability-falls-20130727-2qr89.html#ixzz2aHibKS00

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> High rises derail hopes of train link to northern beaches: mayor

The prospect of a future train service to the northern beaches is all but sunk because high-rise development over Chatswood railway station failed to leave room for extra rail lines, Willoughby Council says, sending a warning to the state government as it opens Sydney's main rail corridor to developers ...

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/high-rises-derail-hopes-of-train-link-to-northern-beaches-mayor-20130728-2qssg.html#ixzz2aMfL3bRX

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Evaders winning fare game on trains

Fare evaders are having a field day on Sydney's trains, with the number of free-riders being caught out plummeting by more than half since the O'Farrell government started to get rid of transit officers.

In the first six months of the year, about 22,000 fare evasion tickets were issued to rail passengers in Sydney. This compares to about 63,700 fines issued in the first half of 2011, according to the Office of State Revenue ....

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Weekend track closures in the city for years to come

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Epic bike lane failures

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Redfern ready to roll as minister promises a lift

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Heral --> Airport link to deliver $40m to state coffers

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Sydney cycle lanes completed in new access plan

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> City businesses back new thinking on bike lane network

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Gen Y makes a sharp turn away from driving

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> The data that proves Tony Abbott should change his mind on public transport

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Sydney commuters to get 1000 more train services

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Secret report casts doubt on train plan

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Liberal MP Sidoti rocks the boat over ferry wharf closure

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> No independent investigation of tram derailment

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> HSC students warned of travel shake-up

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> It won't be glitch free, commuters warned

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Still no return to full light rail service and no explanations

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Light rail extension to Dulwich Hill to hit commuters in pocket

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Trackwork to disrupt Sculpture by the Sea

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Tram: Moore Park tunnel to connect Randwick, Kingsford to city by light rail

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Transport for NSW ignores own survey for north-west rail link plans

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Badgerys Creek airport key to expansion in Western Sydney

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> City tram line a better buy than north-west rail link

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Train driver asleep before near miss with track cleaners

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Sydney transport lost property: new database