Free public transport for students and seniors in the Northern Territory

From 01 January 2009 seniors, pensioners and carers have been able to travel for free on all scheduled bus services on the Territory’s public transport network. This initiative is part of the Northern Territory Government’s plan to extend the bus network and increase public transport use. The Northern Territory Government has also announced that the [...]

Reading: Fuel for thought

While digging around the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) web site I discovered Fuel for thought, a publication by the Future Fuels Forum 2007. This June 2008 publication informs us how the Future Fuels Forum thinks transport fuels will pan out in our future with modelling from now to 2050.  It is an [...]

Bicycle cages available at Victorian rail stations for commuters

Commuters using a combination of bicycle and train travel can now park their bicycles securely at 23 train stations across metropolitan Melbourne and in five regional centres. Metropolitan Melbourne stations with bicycle cages: Bayswater, Bentleigh, Brighton Beach, Broadmeadows, Caulfield, Cheltenham, Croydon, Eltham, Frankston, Glenroy, Hallam, Hoppers Crossing, Newport, Roxburgh Park, Sandringham, Surrey Hills, Watergardens and [...]

Google Transit available for Perth and Adelaide

Way back in March 2008 we got wind of the fact that Google Transit was going to be rolled out in Perth. Well, this week Google announced that the Google Transit Layer is available for Perth and some public transport information is available for Adelaide. Google Transit Layer enables users of Google Maps to source [...]

Queensland Rail introduce e-mail and SMS update service

Queensland Rail (QR) is introducing a service called eRail Updates. The service provides SMS and email updates for all train services that have been delayed or disrupted by more than 15 minutes or cancelled completely. Once subscribed you receive the updates via SMS to your mobile phone or via e-mail to your nominated email address. [...]

City Living versus The Great Australian Dream

For a few years now I’ve harboured a dream to be able to live life without a car. I have this imaginary lifestyle in my mind where I live in the centre of a city. Everything I need is within walking or cycling distance. On the rare occasion that I need to do a long [...]

Has the time come for high speed trains in Australia?

Having had a very positive experience using the Inter City Express (ICE) trains to travel around Germany I am a supporter of the service high speed trains provide for the public. It is fast, convenient, safe and cost effective. When powered by renewable electricity high speed trains also have a very low environmental impact. All [...]

Seniors get reciprocal public transport concessions across Australia

From today Seniors Card holders who are using public transport services outside their home State or Territory will receive the same concessions as the local Seniors Card holders. The new concessions are funded by the Australian Government which has offered almost $50 million over four years to State and Territory Governments to provide the reciprocal [...]

Victorian Transport Plan released

The Victorian Department of Transport released the Victorian Transport Plan (VTP) earlier this month. Not having a great understanding of Melbourne and Victoria make it hard to assess the VTP but at least Victoria has a plan. The proof will be in the execution. Highlights include: Up to 70 new trains and 100km of new [...]

Missed opportunity for better public transport

Tomorrow the Australian Government begins handing out cash to families in an effort to stimulate the economy. Does it strike anyone as odd that the Government is giving our taxes back to us just before Christmas and is urging us to spend “to help make ends meet”? If ever there was a short term solution [...]