New Australia - Transport

Rails Not Roads

NewAustralia supports a big shift in funding from roads to various mass transport systems. We also support shifting car subsidies to building mass transport vehicles and systems.

The NewAustralia Transport Plan

Upgrade the Rail Network: Major improvements to the existing network.
Extend the Rail Network: Major new extensions to the rail network in both urban and regional Australia.
Fast Rail: Examine the costs and benefits of mass-produced fast rail systems such as Maglev or TGV.
High Capacity Monorails: Roll out high capacity monorail systems in congested urban areas as a cost- effective alternative to rail subways.
More Bike Paths: Increase funding of bicycle tracks and lanes.
Tax Reform: Tax changes to remove incentives for driving (E.g. FBT vehicle tax breaks).
No Rego: Replace flat vehicle 'rego' fees (~$570 in Victoria) with congestion charges.
Simplified Ticketing: Existing and proposed ticket systems are excessively complex and hence expensive. We propose offering "Membership" to most public transport systems. This would entail a flat monthly membership fee. This could be supplemented with daily tickets for infrequent travellers.
Gauge Conversion: Gradually converting mainland broad and narrow gauge rail lines to standard gauge to enable seamless transport of freight by rail.
Overnight Luxury Sleeper Trains between the mainland capitals as an alternative to air transport. These can mostly use existing freight track at ~100km/h while taking none of the passengers time as the passengers are asleep.

This plan can be funded by cutting back the billions of dollars spent annually on new roads.

Recycling Motorways

This roadwork on Melbourne's M1 Freeway shows how easily a fully grade-separated easement could be provided for public transport.

Existing motorway easements are ideally suited to recycling as public transport corridors as they are already fully grade-separated. The roadworks in the above picture shows how the centre of the Melbourne's Monash Freeway could easily carry two commuter lines and still leave space for six lanes of traffic.

Federal Control

We recommend that all control of Transport matters be granted to the Federal government. (Other responsibilities such as Health, Education should go to the States)

This allows for:

National drivers licences and vehicle registration.
A national 'no fault' vehicle injury compensation scheme, possibly modelled on the TAC scheme in Victoria
A national rail network operating on standard gauge - at least for the mainland.

The Monorail Alternative

The NewAustralia submission to the Victorian East - West Transport Needs Assessment enquiry.

Libs Pledge Rowville Line

25^th Aug 2010: Liberals promise to build Rowville Rail line, Labor says they will not. Previous estimate was $413 million more...

Myki Madness

24^th Feb 2010: Rome's transport smartcard system: $53m, Singapore's: $90m, London Oyster Card: $290m, Victoria's Myki system: $850m so far - and it STILL doesn't work! more...

Frankston bypass

2^nd Apr 2009: Ken Davidson on the latest PPP freeway madness. more...

Transport Failure

12^th Jan 2009: Study finds Melbourne one of world's most car-dependent cities and only North American cities have worse access to public transport. more...