1. Effective and integrated public transport

Melbourne will be the central node of a metropolitan public transport network. Public transport will be the most efficient and attractive way to travel within the municipality and throughout metropolitan Melbourne. This integrated system of rail, tram and bus services will be affordable, responsive to customer needs and fully coordinated with the municipality's cycling and walking paths.

Mode shift from cars to public transport

Demand for daily travel to and from the Municipality of Melbourne will grow substantially during the next decade. Rail, tram and bus are a more efficient choice than private motor vehicles for daily commuting and a strong shift from car to public transport will be critical to easing the traffic burden on the inner city road network. Likely continued increases in petrol, diesel and LPG will lead to increased use of public transport.

Our public transport capacity needs to increase significantly. Urgent improvements are needed to increase the capacity of our rail system, especially the metropolitan rail loop. Radial trips around the metro area currently used exclusively by cars need public transport solutions.

As well as increased capacity, our public transport system needs to continue improving its customer focus and attractiveness to further encourage travellers to leave their cars at home. A frequent and reliable service, faster travel times, ease of interchange, high standards of comfort and safety and coordinated timetabling/route planning between transport modes would contribute to higher levels of public transport use.

Building the future metropolis as a network of transit cities

An important focus of the Victorian Government's metropolitan planning strategy, Melbourne 2030, is the consolidation of future metropolitan growth into existing urban centres around public transport stops. In this strategy, transit cities (with numerous connecting stops and transport options) will form a network of mixed use, 24-hour activity centres, connected by fast and effective public transport. The Municipality of Melbourne will be the major and central node in this network. This strategy will strengthen the economic, cultural and social life of the metropolis and of the municipality and also strengthen the public transport system.

Inner city public transport, walking and cycling

Public transport and walking have a symbiotic relationship. Walking is the start and finish of every public transport trip. Stops and stations must be well designed for pedestrian ease and comfort and integrated into the wider pedestrian network.

In a similar way, cycling in the inner city complements public transport services by reducing local demand for public transport services, effectively freeing transport up for other patrons. A future public bicycle rental system such as the velib in Paris should be directly integrated with stations and stops, allowing travellers to move from train/tram/bus to bike with ease. Tram and bus traffic must be compatible with high levels of road use by pedestrians and cyclists.

Increasing efficiency by minor upgrades of existing public transport infrastructure

Super-stops and road priority improve tram and bus travel times, allowing for easier access and faster loading and unloading. Super-stops are safer and easier for passengers, offer greater shelter, have real-time travel information and can provide ticketing services. Developing tram shuttle services along key routes will also greatly improve the efficiency of existing services.

Tram and bus stops at intersections enable easier transfers between routes, especially in the central city. Trams and buses can be delayed at intersections by cars turning right. Introducing more hook turns, right hand turn bans and specific traffic light cycles would help.

Real time information for public transport users

Information available at stops, stations and online allows customers to make smarter use of the public transport system. Combining information about routes, timetables, departures, and other related modes such as car pooling, car sharing, taxis, and a future public bicycle rental system using technologies such as GPS, 3G and impending 4G networks will give customers information equal or better than car SATNAV travel guidance systems.

Integrated electronic ticketing

Ticketing systems such as the Myki system will allow for easier public transport use and inter-modal travel. Other transport systems such as car sharing and public bicycle rental also use electronic systems. In the future, consumers will demand a coordinated one-card system for all public transport options.

References

1 : ABS Journey to Work, City Users Survey

2 : Land Victoria (2008) Urban Development Program