Australians will regret building roads to solve congestion

The data that proves Tony Abbott should change his mind on public transport: "However, just because Labor did not fare well in public transport policy does not mean the incoming federal government should rule out public transport funding.

If it is ruled out, Abbott's "roads of the 21st century" will inevitably become clogged without better alternative transport, and those of us who have used exemplary public transport systems overseas will continue to return home thinking, demanding and lamenting: why can't we have that?"

Sydney's Cross City Tunnel enters voluntary administration, blames Government for financial woes

ABC News: "MP David Shoebridge says they attempted to force traffic into the tunnel by closing local roads and restricting public transport.

"This is a classic case of a failed public-private partnership which was based on an anti-public transport, an anti-alternative transport model which was never going to be sustainable," he said."

'via Blog this'

Architects win praise for #carfree housing

Living on air: " Located near shops, public transport and community services, their ideal location is particularly useful for low-income families less able to afford cars and who need to live within walking distance of services and infrastructure."

'via Blog this'

Tindo Solar Bus added to Adelaide free connector system

Tindo Solar Bus - Adelaide City Council: "The Adelaide City Council has raised the standard in international sustainability with the introduction of the world's first solar-powered electric bus that is recharged using 100% solar energy. The bus named Tindo, the Kaurna Aboriginal word for 'sun' is the newest addition to the Adelaide City Council's Adelaide Connector Bus service, a free service for the people of Adelaide. For the current Connector Bus timetable and route, click here."

Our sustainability crisis didn't start and doesn't stop at climate change

theconversation.com: "Suppose we, humanity, survive the current planetary sustainability crisis relatively unscathed and, in 100 years time, can say that we have stabilised global ecosystems. By this I mean: biodiversity has ceased its dive into mass extinction; CO2 is under control; global population is in a manageable decline; chemical and physical damage to ecosystems is being reversed and healed; and we are living within our planetary means.

To countenance such a deep and radical change requires us to rethink the entire way we organise humanity, politically, economically and socially."

Fares are for rationing, not revenue

Fed-up commuters swap go cards for car keys as price hikes continue | News.com.au: "But Robert Dow from commuter advocacy group Back on Track said he believed the falling patronage on trains was part of a deliberate strategy to ease pressure on the rail system.

"Falling patronage is artificial because it's induced by high-cost fares. I think that's been quite a deliberate strategy since 2010, to make it costly in order to control patronage," Mr Dow said."

Young people just not that into cars

The Australian: "In 1991, of NSW kids aged 20-24, 79 per cent had licences. By 2001 it had risen to 80 per cent. Yet by 2008 it had crashed to just 51 per cent and continues to decline. A new study in Victoria by Monash University shows the number of licence holders under 30 is dropping at more than 1 per cent a year."

Immigration battle is intentional distraction

Fund education instead of locking up refugees | Green Left Weekly: "We would have the resources to build public transport instead of more toll roads, or properly fund hospitals and the education system. A publicly owned and run economy would create the ability for Australia to put the needs of society ahead of a few billionaires."

Solving congestion with more roads has led to parking problems

 Parking can hit hip-pocket nerve | The Examiner: "LAUNCESTON has the most expensive off-street one-hour council-owned parking in the state, and the city council has no immediate plans to add more parking bays to the city."

'via Blog this'

Australia Socialist Alliance - Advocates for free public transport

Policy on Public Transport: "The Socialist Alliance advocates:

• Free public transport
• Free carriage of bicycles on public transport
• Ending all tax concessions for company and company-purchased cars
• The imposition of a public transport levy on all CBD employers with more than 10 staff, along the lines of the French versement de transport.
• Special levies on developers who gain access to commercially profitable sites close to railway stations and bus interchanges.
• The reclassification and redeployment of all public transport staff whose job has been the sale of tickets to passenger assistance/security functions, with no loss in pay or conditions.
• Rebuilding public transport staff numbers to ensure safe, comfortable and efficient services.

The Socialist Alliance supports free public transport and will set up and run a national free public transport campaign which seeks to resource and support actions at the local level."