Mr. Amish goes to Washington (Or at least sends annoying e-mails to Spring Street)
Posted by AmishThrasher at 1:58 pm
A couple of days ago, I posted a story about how Melbourne's public transport infrastructure has suffered as a result of a lack of long-term investment over the past few decades. So, just out of interest, I've decided to send an e-mail a series of questions, related to the key points I raised, to relevant minister (Peter Batchelor). While I'm not holding my breath for Mr. batchelor to ever read them, it will be interesting to see if what I get back is either a canned response, or a full reply from a PR flack or low level staffer. Here's a copy of the e-mail I'm sending:
For the sake of comparison, I've slightly re-written the e-mail and am sending copies both to the State Liberals, and the Victorian Greens. Here's a copy of the e-mail I sent to the Greens (the one I sent to the Liberals is almost identical):
As I said earlier, I'm not nieve enough to expect anything other than spin, if I get any reply at all. That being said, I'll post whatever replies I get - with my analysis - as it comes in.
From: amishroadkill502@hotmail.com
Subject: Transport Infrastructure Questions
Date: 9 July 2005 1:02:37 PM
To: peter.batchelor@parliament.vic.gov.au, rob.hulls@parliament.vic.gov.au, info@vic.alp.org.au
To whom it may concern,
I would like to make some inquiries in regard's to the State Government's current public transport policy. Here are some specific questions I have in regards to such policies in metropolitan Melbourne. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated:
1) In brief, what are the key priorities of the State Government's public transport policies, and where is information about it available?
2) What community consultation has the State Government undertaken in regards to this policy? Is there any ongoing community consultation, or is any planned in the immediate future?
INFRASTRUCTURE
3) What public transport infrastructure projects are currently either underway, or planned, around Metropolitan Melbourne?
4) What place does public transport hold in Melbourne 2030, and has the State Government issued any other long term plans for public transport in, and around, metropolitan Melbourne?
5) Do any of these plans discuss future tram or train lines, particularly in the outer suburbs of Melbourne? If not, has (or is) the government considering any new tram or train lines in the outer suburbs of Melbourne?
6) Do any of these plans discuss future non-radial (i.e. outer suburban 'loop') train lines around the outer suburbs of Melbourne? If not, has (or is) the government considering any such lines around the outer suburbs of Melbourne?
7) Do any of these plans discuss future 'branch' train lines connecting the Metropolitan rail network with major suburban centres (for example major shopping centres such as those at Knox City or Chadstone, or universities such as Monash in Clayton or La Trobe in Bundoora)?
8) Will the government undertake any grade separation at any of the frequently congested rail intersections along the Belgrave / Lilydale line (such as those at Middleborough Rd, or Springvale Rd)? If so, when will these projects be undertaken, and if not, would such projects be evaluated in the future?
TIMETABLES
9) Has the Government investigated improvements to the NightRider Bus Service, or running all-night train services on Friday or Saturday nights? Is the Government considering, or has it considered, any plans for improvements to all-night weekend services in the future?
10) How successful has, in the Government's opinion, the SmartBus service been, and if so, which lines will be upgraded to SmartBus in the near future?
11) How successful has, in the Government's opinion, the Doncaster Park and Ride been, and is the government currently considering creating any more Park and Ride styles hubs?
12) Will the government consider combining the 551 Heidelberg - Bundoora (La Trobe University) bus service with the 291 Heidelberg - Box Hill (via Doncaster) bus service, or implementing a better co-ordinated time-table between these two bus services?
Again, your time in answering these questions is greatly appreciated.
Sincerest Regards,
Concerned Commuter.
For the sake of comparison, I've slightly re-written the e-mail and am sending copies both to the State Liberals, and the Victorian Greens. Here's a copy of the e-mail I sent to the Greens (the one I sent to the Liberals is almost identical):
From: amishroadkill502@hotmail.com
Subject:
Date: 9 July 2005 1:25:55 PM
To: transport@vic.greens.org.au, office@vic.greens.org.au, planning@vic.greens.org.au
To whom it may concern,
I would like to make some inquiries in regard's to the Greens current public transport policy. Here are some specific questions I have in regards to such policies in metropolitan Melbourne. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated:
1) In brief, what are the key priorities of the Greens public transport policies, and where is more information about it available?
2) How do current Green policies in regards to public transport differ from those under the Bracks Government?
INFRASTRUCTURE
3) What criticisms do the Greens make about public transport infrastructure projects which are currently either underway, or planned, around Metropolitan Melbourne?
4) What criticisms do the Greens make about the Back's Government's Melbourne 2030 plan, in regards to public transport in, and around, metropolitan Melbourne?
5) Do the Greens currently have a long term strategy in regards to public transport in, and around, metropolitan Melbourne?
6) Do any of these plans discuss future tram or train lines, particularly in the outer suburbs of Melbourne? If not, has (or is) the Greens considering any new tram or train lines in the outer suburbs of Melbourne?
7) Do any of these plans discuss future non-radial (i.e. outer suburban 'loop') train lines around the outer suburbs of Melbourne? If not, would the Greens consider any such lines around the outer suburbs of Melbourne?
8) Do any of these plans discuss future 'branch' train lines connecting the Metropolitan rail network with major suburban centres (for example major shopping centres such as those at Knox City or Chadstone, or universities such as Monash in Clayton or La Trobe in Bundoora)?
9) Do the Greens support undertaking grade separation at any of the frequently congested rail intersections along the Belgrave / Lilydale line (such as those at Middleborough Rd, or Springvale Rd)?
TIMETABLES
10) Do the Greens policies cover improvements to the NightRider Bus Service, or running all-night train services on Friday or Saturday nights? Do the Greens have any criticisms of all-night weekend services as they currently stand in Victoria?
11) How successful has, in the Greens opinion, the SmartBus program been? Do the Greens support continuing the SmartBus program?
12) How successful has, in the Greens opinion, the Doncaster Park and Ride been, and does the Greens policies include any more Park and Ride styles hubs?
13) Do the Greens support combining the 551 Heidelberg - Bundoora (La Trobe University) bus service with the 291 Heidelberg - Box Hill (via Doncaster) bus service, or implementing a better co-ordinated time-table between these two bus services?
14) Are there any other improvements the Greens would make to the bus service in suburban Melbourne?
Again, your time in answering these questions is greatly appreciated.
Sincerest Regards,
Concerned Commuter.
As I said earlier, I'm not nieve enough to expect anything other than spin, if I get any reply at all. That being said, I'll post whatever replies I get - with my analysis - as it comes in.
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