Archive for July, 2016

A tree grows in the train trench

There has been much consternation across Melbourne as the level crossing removal program has ramped up, with trees being one of the casualties and barren concrete canyons taking their place. But there is hope!

Tree growing out of the concrete cutting walls at Mitcham station

Airspace development secrecy at Ormond station

I’ve written before about lack of detail made available when planning transport projects in Victoria, but the latest revelation at Ormond station takes the cake – halfway through removing the level crossing, the government has announced plans to build a residential tower up to 13 storeys high above the Frankston railway line. So what the hell is going on?

Work well underway on the new low level track alignment at Gardiner station

Myki machine ‘upgrades’ – PTV sets a low bar

After years of being underwhelmed by myki, exceptions are low whenever Public Transport Victoria announces an ‘upgrade’ to the system – however this one takes the cake.

Buying an Opal card – why so difficult?

I recently spent a long weekend in Sydney and tried to buy an Opal card – their public transport smartcard – an exercise that was much harder than I expected.

Tangara set T60 arrives into Central in afternoon peak

Would a tramway bridge at Docklands work?

An ongoing issue with future development at Melbourne’s Fishermans Bend is public transport, and how to link the area to the Melbourne CBD. One of the proposals is a tram bridge over the Yarra River, with an opening span in the middle to allow boats to pass. But how practical would such as structure be?

A proposed bridge for trams over the Yarra. Photo: Port Phillip Council