At one point the trains in Adelaide still said “Please mind the gap when alighting from the train”. Not sure if they still do.
Ours do say “Change here for trains to X.”
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Some Melbourne trams have “Passengers Alighting” in text on the back when the doors are open. I suppose you can figure it out from context, but it always feels like someone uses it to avoid people snickering about “getting off”.
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The push for simpler language is infectious across all areas of government, seemingly as a way to better communicate with our customers.
Personally, I don’t see the issue with the old language. Surely the word “terminate” is understood well enough, especially in a transport context? I feel the simpler language loses some of the nuance of communication.
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I think the word “terminate” is fine in transport speak also. I travel on the Glen Waverley line, and when the train is on its way from Syndal to Glen Waverley, the announcement says “this train terminates at Glen Waverley”.
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But seriously though, who uses the word “alighting” in normal speech anymore?
It’s like how every few years people will start talking about how in the national anthem we are “girt by sea”… the majority of people would have no clue what it means without having to look it up or ask.
True, but it’s a specific term to that particular type of transport. ‘Alight’ is perhaps a little quaint, but I’d certainly argue that ‘terminate’ is very well understood and used.
I guess I’m just one of those people that believes it’s not necessarily a bad thing having more words used in wider conversation than fewer, but I acknowledge I’m part of an ever-shrinking minority in feeling that way.
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A three-year delay in building a sky rail through the heart of Brunswick has been hailed as an opportunity to transform the nearby Sydney Road shopping strip, with calls for the installation of accessible tram stops, wider footpaths and bike lanes before the Upfield line is ripped up.
But the proposal faces pushback from local traders concerned about losing on-street parking, while the Allan government refuses to commit to any changes along the bustling state-controlled thoroughfare.
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Last time I was in Canberra I used the light rail,I bought a daily ticket from the light rail station,at Dickson,(near my accommodation)and was able to use that ticket on the buses too
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Yarra Trams will install new tram tracks at the intersection of Elizabeth and Victoria Streets, outside Queen Victoria Market, later this year, so that trams from North Melbourne can travel to south eastern suburbs, and vice versa.
There was a notice posted on Yarra Trams website a month ago, under Projects.
https://yarratrams.com.au/projects/swanston-and-victoria-streets-precinct-upgrade
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Miles plan to bust congestion: Public transport (almost) free - Ministerial Media Statements.
From 5 August, the cost of all Translink public transport services will be slashed to 50 cents, no matter where you live or how far you travel.
The initiative will be in place for six months.
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Could other states follow suit and do something similar.
The ACT will have free travel on their public transport network in October and November while they upgrade the ticketing system
Cheap / Free PT does nothing more than stretch an already-stretched service. Politically it looks great, but PT users end up losing out in the long run.
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During an election period maybe…
Free makes more sense than 50 cents - especially enforcing paying for the near-free tickets, as no doubt they can’t stand down ticket inspectors for 6 months will make this actively cost more money than it can generate.
I think free buses but paid trains makes the most sense - buses are easy to expand capacity on, and deliver the most congestion benefit - as you are far closer to directly substituting a number of cars for the single bus. Very few people are in a situation where the train is a decision based on the fare cost, while a bus usually has close costs and a worse quality of service.
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Yes there must be an election coming up soon
26 October.
I prefer trains to buses as buses get caught in peak hours traffic.(routes that don’t travel exclusively along the busways)Morningside train station is still closed for upgrading works so I have to catch a bus and train to the RSPCA.(on the days I don’t drive there)
It’s easier to change between trains and Morningside Station is only a 15 minute walk from home,the closest bus stop is just around the corner
The Victorian Government announced on Friday that it had extended its contract with Metro Trains Melbourne to run the city’s train network for another 18 months. The contract, which was due to expire in June 2026, will now finish at the end of 2027.
I fully agree and this is something I reckon should be rolled out in both metro and regional areas- I see so many buses around here (Albury) run around empty I’ve often thought that making them free would make them a more attractive proposition. Buses simply don’t have the same appeal as a train or even a tram and it can be hard to encourage people to use them (especially if they don’t run frequently enough).
In the case of around here- I would also combine it with big changes to the network which is pretty poor (although slightly better than it used to be)- running more direct routes (i.e. not meandering down so many side streets) and higher frequencies (ideally 15-20 minutes daytime frequencies, but 30 minutes to start with would be OK).
Given the cost of living crisis too, providing a free alternative to owning and running a car is also something that makes sense. Not to mention reducing the pressure on the road network and being better for the environment too.
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The (Victorian) deputy premier has offered a solution to end the long-running stoush over airport rail. Ben Carroll says if Melbourne Airport wants to put its seven billion dollar offer back on the table, they’ll consider building the line underground.
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