Article: Fix trains, then roads: commuters

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Fix trains, then roads: commuters

Fix trains, then roads: commuters
Deborah Gough
April 10, 2011

MELBURNIANS want the lion's share of transport funding to be spent on improving the public transport network rather than on building more roads.

A survey of attitudes to transport found that 94 per cent of respondents believed more money should be spent on public transport, while just 68 per cent said the government did not spend enough on roads.

This trend was reflected nationally, with an average of 88 per cent of those surveyed calling for more public transport funding, and 73 per cent wanting more spending on road infrastructure.

The survey, commissioned by Metlink - the marketing agency owned by Metro Trains and Yarra Trams - asked 1000 Melburnians about their use of and attitudes towards transport in 2010.

The survey found:

■ Public transport usage rose by 6 per cent overall (18 per cent of respondents said they used more public transport last year, but 12 per cent said they used it less).

■ The number of people walking more often rose by 15 per cent.

■ The number of cyclists fell overall by 4 per cent.

■ Car usage remained static (19 per cent said they used their car less often; 19 per cent said they drove more frequently).

Public Transport Users' Association secretary Tony Morton said the survey reflected the view that road spending in Melbourne was too high and that road use had remained stagnant for the past five years.

''There is a feeling in Melbourne that there is more money spent on roads than is rationally necessary,'' Mr Morton said. ''The transport growth has been in the public transport side.''

RMIT senior transport lecturer Paul Mees said Victoria was the only state that wanted less private sector involvement in public transport. The Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, at Sydney University, found in its March quarterly survey, that 41 per cent of Victorians wanted less private sector involvement in public transport, the highest rate nationally.

Metlink chief executive officer Dale Larkin said governments had spent a lot on the system recently, but more was needed.

A quarter of respondents to the Metlink survey who said they travelled less frequently on public transport said they did so because it was unreliable, crowded, ''not safe'' or it did not go to their destination.

Dr Mees said he was sceptical about the dramatic jump in the number of people who claimed to be walking more, because if the 15 per cent rise were true, it would be unprecedented.

''I do feel that many people must be responding with the answer that they think the person asking the question wants to hear - it makes them feel good to answer that they are walking more,'' Dr Mees said.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Greetings,

Another important message for all ...

=====================

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Fix trains, then roads: commuters

Fix trains, then roads: commuters
Deborah Gough
April 10, 2011

MELBURNIANS want the lion's share of transport funding to be spent on improving the public transport network rather than on building more roads.

A survey of attitudes to transport found that 94 per cent of respondents believed more money should be spent on public transport, while just 68 per cent said the government did not spend enough on roads.

This trend was reflected nationally, with an average of 88 per cent of those surveyed calling for more public transport funding, and 73 per cent wanting more spending on road infrastructure.

The survey, commissioned by Metlink - the marketing agency owned by Metro Trains and Yarra Trams - asked 1000 Melburnians about their use of and attitudes towards transport in 2010.

The survey found:

■ Public transport usage rose by 6 per cent overall (18 per cent of respondents said they used more public transport last year, but 12 per cent said they used it less).

■ The number of people walking more often rose by 15 per cent.

■ The number of cyclists fell overall by 4 per cent.

■ Car usage remained static (19 per cent said they used their car less often; 19 per cent said they drove more frequently).

Public Transport Users' Association secretary Tony Morton said the survey reflected the view that road spending in Melbourne was too high and that road use had remained stagnant for the past five years.

''There is a feeling in Melbourne that there is more money spent on roads than is rationally necessary,'' Mr Morton said. ''The transport growth has been in the public transport side.''

RMIT senior transport lecturer Paul Mees said Victoria was the only state that wanted less private sector involvement in public transport. The Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, at Sydney University, found in its March quarterly survey, that 41 per cent of Victorians wanted less private sector involvement in public transport, the highest rate nationally.

Metlink chief executive officer Dale Larkin said governments had spent a lot on the system recently, but more was needed.

A quarter of respondents to the Metlink survey who said they travelled less frequently on public transport said they did so because it was unreliable, crowded, ''not safe'' or it did not go to their destination.

Dr Mees said he was sceptical about the dramatic jump in the number of people who claimed to be walking more, because if the 15 per cent rise were true, it would be unprecedented.

''I do feel that many people must be responding with the answer that they think the person asking the question wants to hear - it makes them feel good to answer that they are walking more,'' Dr Mees said.

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Best wishes
Robert

[#Metro]

To be honest, I don't know why Paul Mees keeps banging on about how bad the private operators are. Yes the subsidy went up, but so did the passenger numbers. The trams look spiffy and so do the trains. So long as there is an overarching co-ordinating Authority which allows cross-subsidy and does payments irrespective of patronage (which is coming) the situation should be coming under control.

METRO Melbourne has been the biggest advocate for improved services. Even in Queensland the name Andrew Lezala is known. 10 minute services on all lines! It is a huge challenge but they are working towards it. I struggle to remember the last time I heard anyone at QR advocate for more services or increased frequency or later services.

[Gazza]

10 minute services on all lines!

Not really.