News & Discussion: Public Transport Contracts, Service & Policy

[bits]

The Android Buy and Go app is not available yet.
Certainly sounds like a massive improvement for casual users.
As has been said adding a metro card to your Apple/Google/Samsung/whatever digital wallet should also be made possible.

[MT269]

This makes me wonder if the actual physical card is still essential nowadays. The revenue officers/whoever don't give a rats whether or not you actually have a ticket. They only care about their pockets being replenished with $.

There should be an option to travel without a card.

Personally, I don't even understand the point of validating. The tracking chip installed in all humans by the US government should be able to be detected by the machine anyhow. With the appropriate amount deducted.

[ChillyPhilly]

This makes me wonder if the actual physical card is still essential nowadays. The revenue officers/whoever don't give a rats whether or not you actually have a ticket. They only care about their pockets being replenished with $.

There should be an option to travel without a card.

Personally, I don't even understand the point of validating. The tracking chip installed in all humans by the US government should be able to be detected by the machine anyhow. With the appropriate amount deducted.

I agree, the cost of compliance is probably greater than the expiation notices collected.

But the part in bold, what?

[MT269]

Unfortunately, it takes an emotional toll when running afoul of the 'law', with some.

Re the chip, use your imagination. Or you could ask them directly. They're installed by a laser at birth, whilst the mother is looking away. Only takes a few seconds.

[ChillyPhilly]

Unfortunately, it takes an emotional toll when running afoul of the 'law', with some.

Re the chip, use your imagination. Or you could ask them directly. They're installed by a laser at birth, whilst the mother is looking away. Only takes a few seconds.

I'm concerned. There are no microchips.

[EBG]

One city that relentlessly pursues fare evaders is Melbourne. Transport police inspectors in packs of up to 4 rove the tram, train and bus networks. An example was on a short bus trip from Footscray to the CBD 4 inspectors bailed a young woman from Perth, who had only been in Melbourne for less than a week, and hounded her for the entire trip and then, in spite of her protestations, they fined her more than $100.

[SBD]

One city that relentlessly pursues fare evaders is Melbourne. Transport police inspectors in packs of up to 4 rove the tram, train and bus networks. An example was on a short bus trip from Footscray to the CBD 4 inspectors bailed a young woman from Perth, who had only been in Melbourne for less than a week, and hounded her for the entire trip and then, in spite of her protestations, they fined her more than $100.

"Welcome to Melbourne"

She'll take up walking or cycling, or move on to somewhere else!

[PeFe]

I too have had dealings with Melbourne transport inspectors.....I found them nothing more than courteous, just people doing a job.

On several occasions they have even warned people "to tap on now" saving the inspectors from paperwork and the passenger from a fine. But no you have passengers who are determined never to pay and they cop the consequences.

Public transport costs a lot of money, it is reasonable that passengers pay some proportion of that. Nothing in this world is for "free,"

[1NEEDS2POST]

- Build a third track between Ovingham or Dudley Park and Grand Junction Road to allow express trains to pass.

If the Adelaide Hills rail bypass is built, that will free up one track between Dry Creek and the city. There's actually enough space to have two extra tracks, so there could be express tracks in both directions between Dry Creek and the city. Another one of ARTC's plans is to move the goods track from Dry Creek to Port Adelaide to over the salt pans. If that is built, then there would also be a spare track to Salisbury.

Express trains from Mawson Lakes to the city at 160 km/h would cut 13 minutes from the current travel time.

[SBD]

- Build a third track between Ovingham or Dudley Park and Grand Junction Road to allow express trains to pass.

If the Adelaide Hills rail bypass is built, that will free up one track between Dry Creek and the city. There's actually enough space to have two extra tracks, so there could be express tracks in both directions between Dry Creek and the city. Another one of ARTC's plans is to move the goods track from Dry Creek to Port Adelaide to over the salt pans. If that is built, then there would also be a spare track to Salisbury.

Express trains from Mawson Lakes to the city at 160 km/h would cut 13 minutes from the current travel time.

How many level crossings remain in that section that would need to be removed to support high speed? That would have to include there being no at-grade pedestrian crossings too.

I get:

• Pedestrian south of North Adelaide station
• Hawker Street, Bowden
• Pedestrian at Avenue Road, Ovingham
• Belford Avenue
• Pedestrian crossings both ends of Dudley Park station
• Pym Street (rad and pedestrian)
• Islington Station north end
• Kilburn
• Cormack Road
• Dr Creek station

Did I miss or invent any?

[PD2/20]

.

How many level crossings remain in that section that would need to be removed to support high speed? That would have to include there being no at-grade pedestrian crossings too.

I get:

• Pedestrian south of North Adelaide station
• Hawker Street, Bowden
• Pedestrian at Avenue Road, Ovingham
• Belford Avenue
• Pedestrian crossings both ends of Dudley Park station
• Pym Street (rad and pedestrian)
• Islington Station north end
• Kilburn
• Cormack Road
• Dr Creek station

Did I miss or invent any?

Two more:

• Pedestrian at Torrens Jn
• Pedestrian crossing Ovingham south end

[1NEEDS2POST]

Pedestrian crossings are dirt cheap to make grade separated. They could probably all be grade separated for the cost of one level crossing removal. The other advantage of building grade separated pedestrian crossings is it opens more entrances to some stations or makes connectivity with buses easier. For example, Islington could have pedestrian ramps up to Regency Road, avoiding pedestrians crossing the ARTC line and allowing pedestrians to get to Regency Road bus stops.

[rubberman]

Here's a questionnaire about future transport in SA by the DTI.

For those with an interest in transport, here's your chance.

https://engage.dit.sa.gov.au/transport-strategy-survey

[whatstheirnamesmom]

Some inklings of hope in that survey that we could end up with a bold (for SA) vision for public and active transport. But very important that those with good ideas on this forum have their say.

Hadn't seen this mentioned elsewhere yet, but trains will return to public hands on Feb 2 2025, and trams will follow on July 27 2025: https://www.indailysa.com.au/news/just- ... d-hangover

[EBG]

Melbourne has plans to remove at least 110 level crossings within the Melbourne metro area in the next couple of years. So far (as of August 2024), 84 crossings have been removed and 48 train stations have been built or rebuilt as part of the project. Within the last 12 months completed projects in Glen Huntley tram / rail crossing on the line to Frankston, a new elevated station at Deer park on the line to Melton, an elevated station at Murumbeena on line line to Parkenham, Camms Rd at Cranbourne and Parkenham to East Parkenham elevated secton.

‎ For example plans have been finallised to build an elevated station at Melton and increase Melton station from 2 to 4 plantforms.
The Geelong to Waurm Ponds line is also been duplicated. with several crossing removed.

The Glen Huntley tram / rail crossing involved digging an 1800m trench to allow 3 rail tracks and a new lower level sation 3 platforms and reinstate 2 trams tracks and 2 lane road way at original street level. All with asscociated singaling. yet the passenger rail was only closed for 2 months ( not 2 years if this was been done in Adelaide).