etc talks train failures

Earlier this week I attended the Select Committee on Train Services public hearing to give evidence on behalf of the Eastern Transport Coalition. The committee was set up to inquire into the factors leading to and causes of failures in the provision of metropolitan and V/Line train services.

Boarding data shows a clear commuter preference for express trains, with maximum loads on these trains and "stopping all stations" trains carrying significant lower loads. The failure of the system to provide adequate express services represents further failure in the system, whilst infrastructure, single, double or triple tracks are a major determinant of system capacity.

For the ETC there are two key factors that have caused a failure in the provision of train services
Failure to invest sufficient funds since 1960
Failure to plan for new extensions and increases in capacity of rail over the same time

The failure is evidenced by
Overcrowded services on existing lines
Total reliance on inefficient buses to undertake trunk operations in under serviced areas (Rowville / Doncaster / Yarra Ranges)
Inability of the system to cope with increases in patronage
High car ownership levels in the outer east

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This can be resolved by
Capacity increases on Belgrave, Lilydale, Cranbourne, Pakenham and Glen Waverley Lines
An extension of heavy rail from Huntingdale to Rowville
A fixed heavy rail line to Doncaster

For 50 minutes I spoke on a range of issues in relation to train services and their failures in the East, the discussion also turned to bus services, the bus service reviews and better integrated public transport services across the east of Melbourne.

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For Yarra Ranges key points included increasing the capacity of the Ringwood/Belgrave/Lilydale lines, track duplications and triplications and over used car parks along the rail lines. Also up for discussion was the lack of integration between buses and trains, particularly evening peak services.

connex is leaving...will anything change?

I had a great start to the week handing out “Connex is leaving…Will anything change?” flyers at Belgrave Railway Station. It was part of a blitz across Melbourne organised by the Greens.

The flyers have been produced by the Greens to highlight the start of the public hearings into the parliamentary inquiry into train failures.

Will a change in operator make a difference – I don’t think so.
We will still continue to hear excuses for train failures, cancelled trains, crowded trains, trains without brakes, signal failures. Without any real investment in aging rail infrastructure Melbourne’s public transport system will continue to decline and our communities will continue to lose faith in an already failing system.

The Belgrave and Lilydale line has some of the highest cancellation rates, an untenable situation given the distance most of our commuters are travelling.

I got a great response from commuters in Belgrave on Monday morning, these people are at the coal face of public transport and appreciate the efforts of the Greens to highlight the failures of the system and suggest improvements to move Melbourne to a truly efficient and well functioning public rail service.

Want to know more? Visit http://mps.vic.greens.org.au/TrainInquiry to have your say.

station blitz public transport action

coming to a railway station near you – Monday 13 July

Look out for me and other Greens at Belgrave, Upwey and Boronia stations.

We will be handing out flyers to encourage commuters to attend the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Train Failures hearings on 21 July and to sign up for updates about the Inquiry.

The Upper House inquiry into train failures was initiated by Greg Barber MLC earlier this year and the public hearings begin on 21 July 2009. If you’d like to jump on board and help out visit http://mps.vic.greens.org.au/TrainInquiry.

It's not too late to make a submission to the Inquiry yourself. The Inquiry's terms of reference are to inquire into the factors leading to and causes of failures in the provision of metropolitan and V/Line train services.

You might like to suggest some answers to questions like:
- In what way have rail services failed?
- Why have train services failed?
- What should be done to improve train services?

Feeling inspired, do you know the answers, then it’s time to write your submission! Visit http://mps.vic.greens.org.au/TrainInquiry for the link to forward your submission.

etc submits to train failure inquiry

Back in March the Legislative Council supported a Greens motion to set up an inquiry into the reasons for failures in the provision of metropolitan and VLine train services.

The Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) took the opportunity to submit to that inquiry and outline it’s position in relation to failures of the train services.

Key points from the ETC submission include:

Historical underinvestment in rail infrastructure and services has led to a relative decline in public transport usage when compared to annual vehicle kilometres travelled in private vehicles. Much of eastern metropolitan Melbourne is characterised by very high levels of car ownership due to insufficient public transport options, causing an over – reliance on private vehicle use and infrequent and less reliable bus services – where they exist. The health, social and environmental costs associated with inadequate public transport services are growing due to this imbalance.

Investment in rail infrastructure and service improvements will substantially reduce economic costs caused by congestion, improve access and equity for outer suburban residents and provide substantial environmental benefits.

With the burgeoning financial and social impacts of an ageing population, along with rapid economic contraction requiring both stimulus spending and reskilling of the labour force, coupled with the health impacts of air pollution and the upcoming process of pricing carbon into the economy, the time is right for governments to take a generational opportunity to invest in sustainable transport.

A more integrated public transport network, across all modes throughout the day would serve to ease demand for limited car parking spaces at rail stations – a problem experienced by many commuters, and in some cases a disincentive to utilise the rail network.

The ETC asserts that the Victorian public transport system could be substantially improved by investing in:
• Rail Network Expansion;
• Rail Capacity Expansion; and
• Rail Operational Improvements.

The ETC calls on all parties to embrace the concept that a well resourced, well integrated and competitive rail network should be at the forefront of public transportation in the 21st century.

train failure inquiry - submit before 1 june

On 11 March 2009, the Legislative Council supported a Greens motion to set up an inquiry into the reasons for failures in the provision of metropolitan and VLine train services.

A 7 Member all-party select committee made up of Bruce Atkinson (Liberal) – Chair, Shaun Leane (ALP) - Deputy Chair , Greg Barber (Greens), Damian Drum (Nationals), Ms Jennifer Huppert (ALP), Edward O'Donohue (Liberal) and Matt Viney (ALP) will present its final report to the Council no later than March 2010.

Last year I conducted a survey at the Belgrave station as the Yarra Ranges’ ETC representative (see blog). 51% of commuters at the Belgrave station want more services on the Belgrave/Lilydale line and only 26% of commuters at the Belgrave station believe the train service meets their needs. It’s not surprising, the cancellation rate on the Belgrave line is high and does nothing to instill confidence in the train system.

The Committee is inviting written submissions from any persons and organisations who wish to express views on any aspects of this Inquiry. Given the scope of the inquiry, it has the capacity to consider broad ranging views and inputs.

The Eastern Transport Coalition will be developing a submission for the inquiry. The failure of the train system locally has seen a loss of confidence in the public transport system. Without a guarantee of reliability it is very difficult to continue to have faith in a system that may get your where you're going, but fail to deliver you home in a timely and reliable fashion.

Guidelines for making a written submission can be accessed via the web with submissions due by Monday 1 June 2009.

Public hearings will be scheduled following the close of submissions.