Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Frankston independent MP Geoff Shaw floats free public transport for pensioners Herald Sun

Herald Sun: "ELDERLY rights campaigner John Murray has joined forces with rogue MP Geoff Shaw to table a bill to help ease the burden on elderly commuters.

The Frankston MP yesterday announced he would submit a private members bill to give Victoria’s elderly population free travel on public transport if he was re-elected in November."

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Push for free public transport during G20

brisbanetimes : "Momentum is building for public transport to be free in Brisbane throughout the three days of the G20 world leaders summit next month.

Commuter advocacy group Rail Back on Track has called for free public transport in the city throughout the three days, reasoning that Brisbane residents should be afforded the same opportunity as the 7000 summit delegates, who will all be given Go Cards for travel through the period."


Monday, October 20, 2014

Best way to encourage use of public transport is to make it free

Newcastle Herald: "THE best way to encourage people to leave their cars at home is by building cycleways suitable for daily commuting and developing fast, free and safe public transport systems.

Such measures would result in fewer accidents, faster travel times and cleaner air."

Monday, October 6, 2014

Victorian election: this time, can we please talk about public transport?

The Guardian: "The evidence from around the world shows that cities that build their transport systems around public transport find that transport costs are less of a drain on the regional economy than those that put the car at the centre of their transport plans.

This is in part because of the huge public cost of building and maintaining roads, combined with the private costs of owning and running the family fleet of cars. It is also because of the high cost of the social isolation endured by the young, the old, and the increasing number of people who are cut off from jobs, hospitals, and social networks.

Public transport, along with cycling and walking, is part of the solution to transport’s contribution to the climate emergency, the reality of which we are experiencing with increasing frequency."