Melbourne visit Sept 2013

[ozbob]

Melbourne does a lot of things right.  Bus network still needs some improvement.  They need to beef up signalling and maintenance of the rail network.  Late start on Sundays is bit backward.  But it is very impressive how the tram network works so well.  Particularly with the light rail extensions too.  Metro is slowly improving, although I reckon the trains looked a little bit more knocked around (graffiti etc.) than last time I was in Melbourne, I suspect they are continue to run units to maintain timetables and fix when they can.

The level crossings generally need more grade separation works.  Some in the pipeline but not enough.

Sometimes I think the best solution for the Dandenong line is a tunnel Caulfield to the other side of Springvale.  No stations needed for tunnel.  All the express stuff can run underneath and just put all stoppers on top.  I watched a long wait at Clayton on the Thursday afternoon around 3.30pm or so.  Gates were down for around 16 minutes ...  people were queued up like waiting for a footy game, so the traffic.  A number of people were ducking under the barriers and sprinting across between the train procession.

Carnegie, Murrumbeena, Hughesdale, Clayton, LXs are all major choke points.  Track amplification is only going to worsen the crossing delays and there will be some NIMBY issues and property issues.  There is a lot of residential development going on, particularly Dandenong - Pakenham.  There will be a lot of train frequency pressure building ..

[somebody]

96 tram route 40K pax a day ... lol

I reckon that implies about 12m p.a. or 6-7% of total tram patronage.  Shows the benefit of the Class A ROW for part of the route.

[ozbob]

Yo!  Very impressive how the former ROW has been worked into the tram network both for Port Melbourne and St Kilda. 

Port Melbourne branch has an interesting history.  One of the first significant railways in Oz --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Melbourne_railway_line