Re: Bus-train integration (was Free Ride (Victoria))

["Bradley Torr" <btorr@bigpond.nospam.com>]

James C. wrote in message <8gsjak$i2q$1@nnrp1.deja.com>...
>In article <39319b2b@pink.one.net.au>,

>Melbourne's system  is not good enough when compare with some European
>cities , but good enough when compare with Sydney:-)

I'll be a fence-sitter and say that, having travelled extensively on both
MEL and SYD public transit, that both have their advantages and
disadvantages.

Melbourne's greatest advantage is its multi-modal three-zone ticketing
system. One ticket allows you to travel on any mode of transport within a
specified time frame within three generously-defined zones. Compare this to
Sydney where even if you want to make separate trips between three or more
destinations in one day on one single mode, you have to buy separate tickets
for each journey or pay for some expensive tourist ticket like DayRover for
CityRail....... and don't get me started on lack of integration between
those loathsome western-suburbs private bus operators and the main rail
network, in terms of ticketing AND timetabling.

Also, the extensive network of trams in Melbourne - from a purely
engineering standpoint, buses are usually better than trams - after all
they're not fixed to an immutable route; they don't require
points-switching; and can easily overtake slower, busier buses, and come in
a wide variety of shapes and sizes . However, trams hold a special appeal to
people to encourage people to use them. As former Mayor of Los Angeles
Thomas Bradley once said, "Rail is sexy and buses are boring". I know very
few people who salivate over a bus (well, maybe a couple, but they're well
in the minority). Buses aren't as comfortable either.

Melbourne's system will never be good as most European cities either. The
ultra-low metropolitan density, flat terrain and relative ease of parking
downtown will make sure of that. Europe is a different kettle of fish.

However, the thing I don't like about Melbourne - the complete dearth of
late-night running. At least in Sydney you have Nightride buses replacing
trains for 4 or 5 hours on nearly every line. In Melbourne, it's only on
Friday and Saturday nights. Try being a shiftworker in the city centre who
knocks off his call-centre or finance job at 12:30am Tuesday and getting
home to Bayswater or Doveton!

Another thing - poor cross-city transport. You may have a much higher number
of lines than in Sydney, but they all radiate from the City Loop. At least
in Sydney you have various anabranches, triangular junctions, etc. to help
facilitate cross-city traffic. Sydney has more express trains as well and
much more extensive electrification (c'mon, when's Craigieburn and Melton
going to be electrified?)

Balancing all, I'd say that Melbourne and Sydney would be about equal from a
passenger's viewpoint. It's no use turning this into some big-dick contest;
both systems have clear pros and cons which outweigh each other.

Regards,
Bradley.