One optional solution - ? wrote:
BAILLIEU TO STOP CRIME IN ITS TRACKS WITH NEW TRANSPORT SECURITY FORCE



But no new services?

How many different threads do you have to put your press release on, Bernie?

WE're still waiting for some Labor stooge to tell us what they're doing about crime on the public transport system.

15 rapes for god's sake.

Hello,

My name is Alesha Capone and I am a reporter at Star Newspapers.

Excuse me posting on your forum, but in light of the media release sent by the state opposition, I was hoping to speak to some local residents who take public transport and are concerned about security at local stations, stops and on the various lines in and around Sunshine.

I am on 9933 4811 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

I did call the Public Transport Users Association but they have no mebers from this part of town who like talking to the media.

If anyone can help me out, I would be very grateful.
I will call the contact number on the site but I thought I would post this just in case anyone had something they wanted to contribute.

I can do telephone interviews any day this week but I was also hoping to organise a photo too.

Thank you,
Alesha Capone.

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/baillieu-finally-builds-head-of-steam-with-rail-safety-policy-20091111-i9y2.html

the big advance for Baillieu is his train safety plan. This is a thing of political beauty: it is simple for voters to understand, it gives every Liberal MP and candidate across the state something tangible and attractive to "sell" from now to election day, it won't break the budget, and it strikes at the Government on the pressure point of community safety.

Baillieu says this is just one instalment in a suite of policies designed to reclaim Victoria's public spaces. He paints a picture of a Victoria, after 10 years of Labor rule, in the grip of a culture of crime and violence.

He accuses Premier John Brumby of struggling to know what to do in the face of this rising threat to our social cohesion, and worse, of passing the buck and refusing to accept responsibility for "making Victoria safe again".

The promise - a pair of uniformed and armed officers on every station every night - struck a chord.

So this is what it's been about all along, folks. Now you know why it cost $1.6 billion. Welcome to 1984, though somewhat late...

http://www.theage.com.au/national/myki-tracking-device-warning-20091118-imlj.html

VICTORIA'S new myki smartcard will function as an unofficial tracking device, a civil liberties group has warned.

Liberty Victoria's vice-president, barrister Georgia King-Siem, said the reality would be concession card holders having to register their identity.

"From a privacy perspective, the myki card is an unofficial tracking device.

In Victoria, police and intelligence agencies such as ASIO and the Australian Secret Intelligence Service will be able to force the Government's ticketing authority to hand over details on how travellers have used their myki pass.

Yes, a valid concern about tracking on the Myki system, but, don't we already have a far more effective tracking system - bankaccess cards, credit cards, mobile phones? All are open to abuse.

After the Channel 7 news helicopter hovered deafeningly over my house, I had to check their news and lo and behold, pictures of people stranded at Sunshine Station and huddling in a large crowd beneath the overpass at the transit hub.

It seems that, once again, Victorian train systems have proven their lack of resilience to excess heat, a relatively small deluge of water, cold weather, copper wire thieves and now a lightning strike. And yes, there was a pretty big one here a few hours ago. Given the prediction that extreme weather will increase, can we ever expect that our public transport system can deliver?

BTW, can any commuter confirm whether the subway flooded? Mr Harrison's 'superior' drains of the subway are known to flood and make it impossible for commuters to get out dryfooted.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/crunch-time-as-patrons-blow-gasket-20091128-jy0w.html

FRUSTRATION among Melbourne's long-suffering rail users has hit record levels this year with cancellations, overcrowding and a lack of security among their chief concerns.

The latest ratings, which are significantly lower than those in 2003, have been fuelled by record lows on parts of the Sydenham and Pakenham lines.

Most Sydenham passengers on average rated overall satisfaction an abysmal four out of 10, while Pakenham line passengers gave their route a 4.6.

The Sunday Age revealed in September that overcrowding on these lines was worse than ever, with Connex admitting that more trains could not fit on the existing infrastructure.

RMIT transport advocate Paul Mees said the problems would remain until a public transport authority independent from the Transport Minister was created in Victoria.

The Brumby government is causing the biggest drop in living standards this city has seen in 100 years.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/metro-plans-to-stand-and-deliver-20091130-k18k.html?autostart=1

THOUSANDS of seats will be removed from Melbourne's existing trains over the next two years by new operator Metro to squeeze in more passengers.

While Melbourne Mayor calls for all night public transport services that great political wit, Lynne Kosky says there is no need. Nightrider services have been extremely successful. Now, does not the patronage of the Night Rider service CONFIRM DEMAND for all night services? How can a minister reject a suggestion without doing any research on demand?

Seems to me it's OK to have 24 hour alcohol but heaven forbid we have 24 hour transit services.

Seemed to be an incident this morning at the Sunshine train station. When I arrived at 7.20am there were ambulance officers tending to a man in a suit on the city bound platform. He was bleeding and by the looks of it had been in some form of altercation? Did anybody have any more information to shed on this? It seems quite a strange time for a brawl.

How much longer do we have to put up with a stupid, corrupt and obviously incompetent IDIOT for a transport minister?

http://www.theage.com.au/national/myki-to-be-rushed-in-ready-or-not-20091228-lhc8.html

THE State Government is preparing to rush in the trouble-plagued myki ticket system to fulfil a political promise to have it operating in Melbourne in 2009, despite it not being ready to work on trams or buses.

Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky is set to announce that the $1.35 billion system will be introduced by Thursday - but on trains only.

This means anyone who validates a myki card on a train and then tries to use it on a tram or bus will be potentially liable for a $172 fine for travelling without a valid ticket.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/bn-transport-smartcard-under-fire/story-e6frg6nf-1225816759437

THE executives who oversaw the establishment of Adelaide's electronic transport ticketing system say they have "watched with jaw- dropping incredulity" at the bungled introduction of Melbourne and Sydney's systems.

Mr Rowan, now a consultant, said the SA system cost just $10.5 million and he was amazed at the $1.3 billion bill for myki.

Acting Premier Rob Hulls continued to defend the embattled system, which is more than two years late and hundreds of millions over budget.

Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said myki had become a farce: "(It) has demonstrated . . . that it wasn't ready to be rolled out. Victorian commuters can't trust the myki system."

You have to ask, who is related to whom? Why have we propped up the fortunes of the various executives who have (not quite) given us Myki? What level of political donation is being made to Labor to keep this circus rolling? What individuals have profitted and what is their relation to sitting or past politicians?

To bungle the mailout of cards not once but TWICE seems to be demonstrated INCOMPETENCE OF THE HIGHEST ORDER on the most basic aspect of database management and fulfillment. Clearly these people could not organise the proverbial chook raffle and yet we, the taxpayers, fund their continued efforts AND will pay handsome executive bonuses if they should ever become functional.

The department of transport must be one of the worst public service jobs there is in Victoria. The Department screaming for funding, the Cabinet constantly funding 'sexier' projects. Well, neglect and waste have come home to roost in Labor's terms.

Pity the spin is working sooooooooo well.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/the-myki-mess-times-30000/story-e6frf7jo-1225817527742

MORE than 30,000 myki cards have been recalled in the latest blow to the embattled public transport smartcard.

In another low, it was revealed myki cards were being sent to dead people.

Anyone have any more news on Kosky's resignation? Is she bringing on a byelection or only resigning from the seat as of the next state election? News channels are really light on info and I'm sure out 'insiders' will have more insight. I am surprised by the resignation although I know she was definitely struggling with this portfolio and being SL it meant she had absolutely no clout in Cabinet in any of her positions.

And, how will things improve (or not)now that Tim Pallas inherited the poison chalice?

Kosky resignation wrote:
Anyone have any more news on Kosky's resignation?
And, how will things improve (or not)now that Tim Pallas inherited the poison chalice?

http://www.theage.com.au/national/public-transport-minister-lynne-kosky-quits-politics-20100118-mf66.html

An emotional Ms Kosky called a press conference in Melbourne at 11am to announce her intention to leave parliament immediately, forcing a by-election that will test the State Government's hold on power before November's election.

Go now wrote:
Kosky resignation wrote:
Anyone have any more news on Kosky's resignation?
And, how will things improve (or not)now that Tim Pallas inherited the poison chalice?

http://www.theage.com.au/national/public-transport-minister-lynne-kosky-quits-politics-20100118-mf66.html

An emotional Ms Kosky called a press conference in Melbourne at 11am to announce her intention to leave parliament immediately, forcing a by-election that will test the State Government's hold on power before November's election.

Can Altona send the message 'ALP on the nose'?

Here's hoping.

No, I believe it really is family issues. I know this is hard to believe given this excuse is used so readily by politicians and CEO's who have been tapped and told to piss off. Kosky has been a frequent visitor to the exclusive Albert Road Psychiatric Clinic of late, so I would speculate that a family member is an inpatient there. She inherited a total basket case with transport, I reckon I would run a mile as well.