What's new in public transport

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• Changes to the rail timetable: In November 2008, the Government will deliver at least 95 new services on the metropolitan rail network.
• Two companies have been invited to bid for the tender to operate Melbourne's tram network.

• A community information session for the Laverton Rail Upgrade Project will be held on Wednesday 20 August 2008.

• A further 28 VLocity carriages will be added to the regional rail fleet to improve capacity on the regional network. Read the Premier's media release.
• Tram Route 86 has been extended from Habour Esplanade into Docklands Drive and Waterfront City to provide a direct link from Southern Cross Station into the heart of the Docklands precinct. Read the Minister's media release.
• The Track Record monthly update of train, tram and ticketing performance for June 2008 is now available.

• A report detailing the recommendations of the Hobsons Bay / Maribyrnong / Moonee Valley Bus Service Review has been released.
• The State Government has announced the signing of 29 new metropolitan bus contracts that will deliver extensive improvements to Melbourne communities. Read the Minister's media release.
• Track Record 34 reporting on the performance of public transport operators between January and March 2008 is now available.
• The Transport Ticketing Authority's pilot of the new public transport ticketing system has yielded positive results with a success rate of more than 90% for all scenarios tested.
• The first of five new French trams is now in service in Melbourne, boosting capacity on the busy Route 96. Read the Minister's media release or view photos of the new Bumble Bee tram.
• Catching public transport is a great way for people to contribute to a cleaner environment. Read about the sustainable public transport initiatives contributing to a cleaner, greener Victoria.

• A two-year audit of every road level crossing in Victoria has been released. The completed list of level crossings assessments (PDF, 115 KB, 12 pp.), based on nationally agreed safety criteria, is a working document for road and rail safety experts to plan for future upgrades. Read the Minister's media release.
• The State Government has announced a $794.1 million injection to boost capacity and improve public transport as part of the 2008-09 State Budget.
• The Minister for Public Transport has announced transport improvements for South Gippsland, following a detailed investigation into the reintroduction of passenger rail services. Read the media release and final report (PDF, 853 KB, 59 pp.).
• The Track Record monthly update of train, tram and ticketing performance for March 2008 was released.
• The North-East Rail Revitalisation Project will remove the rail line from the centre of Wodonga and convert 200-kilometres of broad gauge track to standard gauge, delivering a first-class passenger and rail freight link between Australia’s economic hubs.
• A record million plus passengers travelled on V/Line services in April more than 73,000 higher than the previous record set in March. Read the Minister's media release for more details.
• The Minister for Public Transport has announced transport improvements for South Gippsland, following a detailed investigation into the reintroduction of passenger rail services. Read the media release and final report (PDF, 853 KB, 59 pp.).

• The Premier has announced that clearway times on busy Melbourne roads will be extended and more strictly enforced through tow-away zones, under the Victorian Government’s new $112.7 million congestion plan, Keeping Melbourne Moving.
• The Parliamentary Secretary for Public Transport has launched the Improving Options and Reducing Barriers – Addressing Transport Disadvantage report which outlines current initiatives to address transport disadvantage. Read the media release.
• Public submissions are sought on proposed new Transport (Conduct) (Amendment) Regulations 2008.
• Metropolitan trains passengers will benefit from more than 200 new weekly services this year in the biggest overhaul of Melbourne’s rail timetable since the City Loop was completed. Visit Metlink for details of the new services on the system’s busiest and most crowded lines.
• A report detailing the recommendations of the Hume / Moreland Bus Service Review has been released.
• The Victorian Government wants you to have your say on the East-West transport options recommended in Sir Rod Eddington's East West Link Needs Assessment final report.

• Services on a further 58 bus routes in Melbourne will be upgraded as part of Meeting our Transport Challenges. More details are available from the Minister's media release.
• Melbourne's newest SmartBus route, linking Frankston and Ringwood via Dandenong, started on 24 March 2008. Read the Minister's media release for more details.
• A new direct bus route linking North Melbourne Railway Station with Melbourne University and the Parkville hospitals started on Monday 3 March. Read the Government's media release for more details or visit Metlink for timetable information.

• The Track Record monthly update of train, tram and ticketing performance for January 2008 was released.
• The Office of the Chief Investigator has released its report into the Kerang level crossing collision last June. Chief Investigator Ian McCallum presented his final report to the Minister for Public Transport on Monday 11 February and that Minister has authorised the release of the report. The report is available to view on the Safety investigations page.
• The Minister for Public Transport has announced changes to improve public transport access for passengers with bikes. For details visit Metlink or read the Minister's media release.
• The Minister for Public Transport has announced the appointment of a new Public Transport Ombudsman for Victoria. For more details, read the Minister's media release.
• Five extra trams will be added to Melbourne's busiest tram route under a unique international lease arrangement with France. View the Minister's media release.
• The Track Record monthly update of train, tram and ticketing performance for December 2007 was published.
• The public is being invited to forward submissions as part of the Cardinia / Casey ; Manningham / Monash / Whitehorse ; and Hobsons Bay / Wyndham bus service reviews.

• Obey The Yellow is a Think Tram education campaign to increase motorists' awareness of tram lanes, and to remind them to obey the rules about the yellow lines beside tram tracks.
• Rumble strips will be installed at a further 180 level crossings by the middle of 2008. Read the Minister's media release or find out more about Level crossing initiatives.
• Work has begun on the Clifton Hill Rail Project which will remove a major bottleneck on Melbourne’s inner-suburban rail network.
• Details on the Wendouree Railway Station project and the upgrade of the existing Ballarat station are now available on a new Ballarat railway stations webpage.

• The Track Record monthly update of train, tram and ticketing performance for November 2007 was released.
• The Government is reminding all drivers and pedestrians to take care at Victoria's railway crossings with the updated Don't risk it! safety campaign.
• Newly constructed platform tram stops are now open at Queen Victoria Market. Read the Minister's media release.
• Bourke Street tram route 86 (Bundoora RMIT - Docklands) will be extended to the north-west of Docklands (Waterfront City) from mid 2008, creating a direct transport link between Southern Cross Station and Docklands Drive. More details are available in the Minister's media release.

• The Track Record monthly update of train, tram and ticketing performance for October 2007 was released.
• The State Government has announced the 2008 public transport fares including a new weekend ticket. More details are available from Metlink and the Minister's media release.
• Track Record 32 - reporting on train, tram and bus performance results from July to September 2007 - is now available.
• An $800,000 upgrade of Swan Hill Railway Station is complete, providing improved passenger and staff facilities. More details are available from the Regional railway station projects page.

• The Track Record monthly update of train, tram and ticketing performance for September 2007 was released.
• The Premier has announced a new bus route between North Melbourne Station and the University of Melbourne and Parkville hospital area will commence next year. He also announced a 29 October 2007 start date for the Early Bird ticket trial on the Sydenham and Frankston railway lines. View the media release.
• The effectiveness of bus services in the Manningham / Monash / Whitehorse areas will be assessed from early 2008 as part of the Government's Metropolitan Bus Service Reviews.
• An extra eight new carriages will be will be added to the V/Line fleet to boost capacity on Victoria’s regional rail system. More information: Premier's media release.
• An extra eight new trains will be ordered for the Melbourne rail network bringing the total number of new trains to 18. More information: Premier's media release.
• The Transport Legislation Review involves a comprehensive review of the current transport legislation in Victoria. A discussion paper seeking feedback from individuals is now available.
• The release of V/Line's annual report has shown that a record number of passenger journeys were made on V/Line trains last financial year. Read the Minister's media release.

• The Minister for Public Transport has announced the locations of 180 level crossings that will be upgraded with rumble strips. View the media release or find out more about level crossing initiatives.
• Metropolitan train services to Craigieburn will begin this Sunday. Find out more about the Craigieburn Rail Project or for timetables, visit Metlink.
• The Track Record monthly update of train, tram and ticketing performance for August 2007 was released.
• A new Early Bird Metcard will be trialled in Melbourne providing free travel for passengers arriving at their destination before 7am. Read the Premier's media release.
• A new timetable for metropolitan train services will come into effect from 30 September, adding 200 services each week and extending 35 current services. To view the new timetables visit Metlink.
• The first refurbished train in the V/Line fleet returned to the tracks. For more details, read the Minister's media release.

• The Minister for Public Transport has announced a new V/Line timetable will begin from 30 September and will introduce an extra 48 services a week across the network. Read the Minister's media release.
• The Premier has announced the Government will run a worldwide tender for the operation of Melbourne's train and tram networks as part of its plan to improve public transport across Victoria. Read the Premier's media release.
• The Track Record monthly update of train, tram and ticketing performance for July 2007 was released.