Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Where are the privatization success stories? There aren't any.

ACCC’s Sims spreads rot on power prices: "It seems to me that consumers do not receive any value from the sale of public assets – just look at transport in Victoria. The sale of assets is a short-term gain by politicians for longer-term pain to be suffered by the public."

'via Blog this'

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Free buses ease congestion, boost tourism. Why not have them all year?

Don’t say no, say Free Holiday Bus | Sunshine Coast Queensland | News Article: "“And it’s not just passengers who’ll benefit. We’re encouraging tourism and accommodation operators to remind guests before they arrive about the Free Holiday Buses. It could be the added incentive to make visitors choose the Sunshine Coast over other destinations.
“The Free Holiday Buses aim to ease congestion at the busiest time of year on our roads and in our car parks, plus, our surveys show that they should increase public transport usage throughout the year with 59% of respondents saying they would use public transport more as a result of the Free Holiday Buses program.”"

'via Blog this'

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

How much extra does it cost to commute by car?

The Urbanist: "A new study concludes Australian workers who live in the suburbs and drive to work in the CBD could save a fortune if they used public transport instead. But it’s a choice most workers don’t have"

'via Blog this'

Monday, December 16, 2013

East-West Link advisers quit: "road transport solutions.... not smart"

The Urbanist: "Metropolitan road transport solutions used in the 1960s and 70s do not make a great 21st century city. The east-west concept and design is adopting old technology – it is not smart, innovative or progressive thinking."

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Free or discounted Adelaide public transport about to start

Yahoo!7: "Seniors will be able to travel free off-peak (before 7am and after 7pm) across the week.

Sunday and public holiday fares will be cheaper for all bus, train and tram users."

'via Blog this'

Monday, December 9, 2013

Reality bites as climate change adds fuels to bushfires

theage.com : "Hot, dry conditions create conditions favourable for bushfires. Australia has just experienced its hottest 12 months ever recorded, and September 2013 was the hottest September on record."

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Free transport urged for fire recovery

News.com.au: "THE NSW government should provide free bus and train rides to and from the Blue Mountains these holidays to help businesses recover from the October bushfires, the state opposition says."

'via Blog this'

Friday, November 29, 2013

Fare-free buses increase ridership and save lives

Free Nightrider aims to win patrons: "Territory and Municipal Services Minister Shane Rattenbury said the decision to trial a free Nightrider bus service was an attempt to increase patronage.

Besides removing the temptation to drink and drive, the service has been linked to reductions in arrests in the centre of the city during the ''drinking season'', greater public safety and as a way of introducing people who would not normally use public transport to what is available."

'via Blog this'

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Senior groups call for free public transport for elderly

Yahoo!7: "A string of crashes involving elderly drivers has prompted a call for public transport to be made free for older Victorians.

John Finnigan, 78, catches buses and trains every week, but he says he would do it more if it were free."

Friday, November 1, 2013

Climate change is 'absolutely' linked to wildfires, says UN chief

The Verge: ""We are really already paying the price of carbon," Figueres said. "We are paying the price with wildfires, we are paying the price with droughts.""

'via Blog this'