I make videos about Melbourne's Public Transport systems, including their history, how they work now and what might happen in the future. I also explain public transport projects and occasionally post other content and trainspotting. I hope you enjoy!
We don't get cuts from the profits made from exporting our resources like Arabia for example, we just get infrastructure, if you don't use public transport, you get fuck all. See we've all been getting ripped off for 100 years by shady deals done between govt reps and multinational corps, billions of $$ that should by ours, has gone o/s. systems corrupt.
Great presentation with diligence. Two Airline policy was great stable . If you can't afford to fly then go by bus or train or drive your car. Ansett Airlines of Australia AN and Trans-Australia Airlines TN were great same schedules at the same time parallel scheduling and fares but is was unique with great service. I was a prominent AN customer. TN was great as well as back up. Both carriers had First Business and Economy on DC9 and B727 jets. Wow! They were the days great service and freedom simpler times and super service. Deregulation 1990 in Australia AN gone and TN gone. Ansett 727.
Great video. I remember hearing some years back that Rowville was going to be an extension of the Glen Waverley line, though this certainly never happened.
Interesting video. They originally had a tram line from Box Hill to Doncaster and closed it. Maybe they should have kept it open, which could have connected with the City to Box Hill tram line. However, it would be great to see trains to Doncaster. Maybe it will eventually happen with the planned SRL.
I grew up and lived in Upfield from 1977-88, l remember the outrage of the proposed changes to the train line. There was very limited PTO in the area and the Upfield train line became a lifeline...
2x N class locos with a 6 car N set doing 115km/h. Assuming the line is mandatorily upgraded to this speed, crossings et all. Oh..... FYI......... its NOT OOOyen either
Great video! I honestly don't see any useful public transport being built in this state, certainly not any I will ever get to see. It is too expensive to use, to build, and _all_ governments focus on cars. Even the supposed rail "upgrades" are just car infrastructure in disguise, how does level crossing removal help trains? It is about time we started getting rid of freeways (like most of the world) rather than building more, that would leave plenty of space for alternative, more efficient means of transport. Then let induced demand do its thing.
You're right and wrong. The new LXRP stations have greatly improved both the rail infrastructure (much of which was falling apart 15 years ago) and passenger experience, not to mention the numerous other rail projects ongoing- metro tunnel, SRL, regional rail revival etc. But yes, I don't expect the Doncaster Line to ever be built.
Its so sad that we used to have so many of these rail coridors reserved but various Goverments after a quick buck that benifited them for there 4 year term only, sold the land to developers. My father was the President of the Railway Union/Secretary/Organiser for over 20 years and said constantly they were fighting for expantions of the network, whilst the goverments were trying to reduce costs ie unmaned stations, no guards less staff. I worked for the railways on off from 1986 to 2023 and my happiest time was when all stations were manned before privitisation eventually in the 90's(after my fathers retirement no lees that created the current operate as cheap as we can to get the government bonus's apply. Funny thing is now Jeff Kenant actually says he doesnt belive privitisation actually benifited Australians ie banks, railways, elec water gas etc as the profits go overseas or to investors and only a governent owned service will be non profit or low profit. Its not like the banks and supermarkets with there combined 10 billion dollars+ (on books) profit per year would every say lets donate 10% to a hospital or other..
I would suggest that in about 60-80 years as Melbourne grows out from Lilydale into the plains of Coldstream, Yarra Glenn, Healsville, they will be a need for a new line, because the Lilydale line will be at capacity. This area could easily encompass I population of 200,000. I would suggest then a business case for this line from Doncaster, through Warrandyte to Yering into this new city would be justified.
A good lesson from the USA is to NEVER put train lines (and train stations) inside a freeway. The focus is no TOD (transport orientated development). I do not see the City to Doncaster line ever being built for this reason. Nevertheless, once Doncaster is connected to the SRL there is opportunity for more services along surrounding lines.
Doncaster is not due for SRL until 2053. And with a shortfall in funding and a change in Federal Government I cannot see the first stage being built either. And what do you think WA has done with its North and South Suburbs Railway?
You mention (on screen at 1:04) that land was never reserved for any of these routes. The video also doesn't mention that the Cain Labor government formally scrapped the proposed Huntingdale to Fern Tree Gully line, saying that they would build it as light rail instead. And, from my memory, sold off the land reserved for it (as they did with the Doncaster line, with the same excuse), as they wanted the money for other projects.
docasyter should get a new trans city line going thoufh a new downton east wets tunnel to atlest doncaster to williamstown and/or sunsine both serving that exsiting train station and a new terminal under and connected to sunshine hospital.
We the people of Doncaster don't want a railway as it will bring graffiti and homelessness and beggers to our neighbourhood..we don't need it.. happy with we have.. leave it alone..
I just got sent it on twitter ages ago - x.com/ma261065/status/1723117322335097246 - I don't know the original source, you might need to reply to the poster.
The Hitachi trains were fitted with a number of destinations that never got electric trains - "Baxter", "East Doncaster", "Mulgrave", "Deer Park West" etc.
Many people here have short memories of skipping stations, being kicked off mid journey, and frequent bypassing Altona Loop. Great way to manipulate performance data and it certainly not done under Connex.
Interesting thought re skyrail on the Altona Loop. Based on the construction of the other skyrail lines, which continued running at ground level during the construction, couldn't they build a single track above the existing? That could solve the constraint problems. It wouldn't remove level crossings, but at least they'd only be affected by the rail traffic (albeit increased) in one direction.
Politically because the areas been the safest liberal seats in the state theres been no incentive to really swing voters for either party by spending money in the area as its unlikely to take any difference in electorate results. Hope the busway does enough, a rail is basically too expensive to be a viable project nowadays Also funding feasibility studys seems to be a long tradition for governments to waste money :)
Feasibility studies are a great to find out whether an idea, is viable or if more back end work needs to be done before it's possible, like each line Capacity.
Public transport particularly train and tram have been political footballs for far too long. There is no shortage of good ideas about improving the reach and coverage of rail based public transport. But, to no avail as there appears to be no way through chaotic mess of transport project development, funding and approvals.
@@jlu In Perth the buses are actually rally good and heavily relied upon. The train stations on the Joondalup and Mandurah lines are 3km to 6km apart, so heavily reliant on buses and public parking at the station. It can work really well if there is a commitment to bus service.
BDub, 1 reason they don't is because have to pay for parking, if not in the PTV /Station parking station before 7am. At least before 7am & likely by 6:30 am some days. It is quicker by freeway buses (90* routes ones) tho. It's weird and maybe due to the layout of roads, even before the Eastern Fwy, not many people would drive to Box Hill & get the train. Before the freeway, used to be a lot of cars parked all day near Doncaster Rd/Balwyn Rd (#48 tram terminus), & the 2 car parking areas behind North Balwyn shops was always choccas, as people from Doncaster (western side around High St) would drive to there.
It is hard to see any rail link being built at this point, the opportunity to deliver a service on cost looks to have passed. In the meantime, thank goodness for the 906 bus route, one of the best I have ever experienced in Australia
Once the loop is built through Doncaster they can take a train north or south & then interchange into the city. This would make a direct line less likely.
Just build a high speed light rail down the freeway (on the original train route) and terminate at the park and ride area at the freeway interchange. Don’t bother taking it up the hill. Thats the best option for cost effective and getting it done. We simple do not have the money for heavy rail anymore. I honestly which people would grow up and see the financial mess this state is now in and realise money isn’t coming for heavy rail solutions. We Can barely maintain infrastructure that exists at the moment as the SRL has the potential to dig us in a hole.
Agree SRL cannot be built it will drag us into a financial black hole where we can’t survive. Already our credit rating is shot hospital and ambulance services are a joke .
So instead we'll have to rely on building costly and maintenance heavy highway extensions that continue to worsen traffic congestion and move residential spaces further and further out, further increasing costs? I find it hard to imagine that that's a better solution, when we see what such dependency on car infrastructure has done to cities in North America and elsewhere... It's a sunk cost fallacy that we will either need to break out of or pay for more heavily in the future. At least some sort of rail link will be needed in many of these communities and whilst the SRL may not be the most necessary or best way to do it, at least it's 'hopefully' something. Maybe if governments paid less into the pockets of consultancy buddies and raised corporate taxes we could actually afford these necessary public services? What else should a government be for?
@@transcendkira The SRL is pork barrelling at its best. An expensive loop for shopping strip centres is ridiculous whilst our growth suburbs in the West have to make do with V/Line. The Andrews/Allan Government touted itself as the PT Government and yet $35 Billion has been spent on two massive road projects.
There is room in the public transport field for Trains, Trams, and buses, plus of course, to a limited degree, ferries. What SHOULD be considered for Doncaster is either Trackless Tram or Guided Bus. Both of which have the capacity of a modern Light Rail, system, but at a far cheaper cost to build! Brisbane will introduce Double Articulated electric buses, next month. How ever a GUIDED version would allow, say, five section vehicles!
@MetroManMelbourne It is a desperation stance of a government that has got Public Transport policy so wrong. Sydney is building Metro and Mr Coyle wants Trackless trams. They are buses and what a joke. And by the way the Government is building BRT to Doncaster as part of their hideously expensive North East Link due for completion in 2028.
@@mjcats2011 Firstly, the so called METRO in Brisbane is a simple double articulated electric bus, and NOT the answer, LONG TERM, for Brisbane. That will be understood after a couple of years of operation. However, my point about the Trackless Trams or Guided Buses, is the COST compared to Heavy Rail. A guided bus can have, say, five sections, as can a Trackless Tram. A what is the total cost of building a Heavy Rail line to Doncaster? What is the cost of Light Rail and what is the cost of either Trackless Trams or Guided Buses? The GOLD COAST trams are kept away from road traffic by concrete curbing, just as Guided Buses or Trackless Trams SHOULD be, to make them fast enough, and there passenger capacity is equal to Light Rail.
You are joking right? Plus Kinetic are urgently in need of new buses. On some of the trips I am sure I would have had a more comfortable ride in a wheelbarrow!
@@smedleyfarnsworth263 Haven't you ever noticed they're traveling in a bus lane along some of Hoddle St, & along all of Victoria Pde to near Nicholson St. Issue is after the stop near Langridge St, they then have to get from left side to the (left lane) of the right turn lanes into Victoria Pde. Only other 2 issues is that parking is permitted along the bus lanes outside of peak hours; & the buses may have to move over 1 lane when there's a left turn lane, for some only left turn lanes; as doesn't at Johnston St and doesn't at Gipps St. During peak hours they are dedicated bus lanes, so it is fairly quick. Except when nitwit motorists stop in them, while they "nick in" somewhere, and a few even are parked there for some time, when signs /times say bus lane only. Even if does get stuck in a bit of traffic between Langridge St & Victoria Pde, still way faster than driving in a car, to get from Doncaster to CBD.
@@74_pelicans What bus number are you getting to Kew, & what bus number are you getting from CBD to Dandenong? Lonsdale St CBD to Dandenong is an hour by train, weekday peak hour And there's no bus service that runs from Lonsdale St to Dandy! To do that trip by bus takes 2 buses, & min travel time of 2 hours 14 mins. Your comparison is silly, as you're comparing a service that has complete separation from vehicles, has (no-stopping) priority at all roads it crosses, has 3 to 4 to 5 times the distance between stops; to a vehicle/bus that shares a roadway with other vehicles; but during peak hours it's a dedicated bus lane for nearly all of Victoria Pde after Nicholson St to Hoddle St, and along much of Hoddle St. & bus lane along several parts of the freeway. The comment was re 90* bus services; not a 201 or 207 service which does not take an hour from Lonsdale St to Kew Junction either; nor re a 3** service. Far Q, doesn't have buses that go along the Freeway that exit to Princess St or Earl St. Nor is a freeway bus that exits to Bourke Rd North, Kew East. The 906 from Lonsdale St to Pines Shopping Centre Doncaster East (north) takes 1 hour in weekday peak hour, and that time is only due to very frequent bus stops. (For the comparative distance between rail stations, there's 3-4 bus stops in middle-inner suburbs, even more for further out suburbs, and 906 takes less than 15 mins to go along the freeway. The 907 Bus which runs the length of Doncaster Rd from Doncaster Park & Ride to Springvale Rd takes 1 hour. To get to/alight at any of the "flyover" stops along the freeway (where the bus exits briefly, then goes back onto freeway is less than 30 minutes. I get those number buses often, as often go to Kew Junction shops area often, & go to East Doncaster & Donvale often to visit relatives. And rarely ever been on any for more than 1 hour unless traffic disruption such as accident or protest march on Swanston St. Rather get any of those 90* or 20* buses, even if took more than an hour (it doesn't) than go CBD to Dandenong, and when arrive by PT it's several mins walk to get to main shopping centres. Those buses put me right outside of any shopping centre along its route, plus don't need to look around to see if area is safe.
