tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8767022.post7015293231063081143..comments2023-11-02T23:36:25.442+11:00Comments on Ben's Adventures: The non Eddinton report post.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03896364165245209764noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8767022.post-67639035534032313012008-04-18T21:56:00.000+10:002008-04-18T21:56:00.000+10:00Thanks for the comments Phin I've been enjoying yo...Thanks for the comments Phin I've been enjoying your blog. I agree with the good point you raise about the north south tunnel being part of a segregated metro system. In my mind that is the only way to go. It's either a metro or it's not. I think Eddington is lifting expectations too high by calling it a metro tunnel, but having it connected to the existing suburban network.<BR/><BR/>Reuben, interesting point. Although to be fair I think Rod is saying that Geelong V/Line trains should be diverted via Tarneit to provide more paths for Werribee trains. Where this goes wrong is that he seems to think since the trains are going that way anyway it's a good idea to pick up extra passengers on already full trains. It's a bit like making V/Line trains stop all stations between Newport and Footscray...Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03896364165245209764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8767022.post-20950446662266089622008-04-18T15:36:00.000+10:002008-04-18T15:36:00.000+10:00To cut rail congestion, one must look at the facts...To cut rail congestion, one must look at the facts and tendencies of commuters. For instance, the Eddington report essentially ignores the vital fact that most people want to go to the CBD and not (as you so perfectly put it) between Tarneit and Werribee on a Vline Diesel. <BR/>Having got myself a hard copy of the report, it isn't hard to pick out flaws in the plans. Road funding is indeed higher than public transport (by some $1.3 billion) and there are some inane bus suggestions.<BR/><BR/>Overall, Sir Rod Eddington is either under the spell of the RACV/Kosky/IPA collective or is an utter idiot. Probably both.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8767022.post-68353192919280364362008-04-16T17:29:00.000+10:002008-04-16T17:29:00.000+10:00Hi Ben,You're absolutely right - Eddington's repor...Hi Ben,<BR/><BR/>You're absolutely right - Eddington's report is very difficult to respond to. I think this is partly because there is simply so much being discussed at once, and partly because the dodgy costings see a massive amount of money apparently required - money which, as you say, could be spent on much less glamorous but ultimately better improvements. <BR/><BR/>I agree with your plan for a Sydney style rail clearways project - we really want to segregate most of the lines from one another and get rid of the bottlenecks caused by flat junctions and inadequate track, platforms, signalling etc.<BR/><BR/>Getting the loop in order with unidirectional running for each line (Caulfield and Clifton Hill clockwise and Northern and Burnley anti-clockwise) as well as getting Werribee out is also really important. <BR/><BR/>For the record, I support a north-south rail tunnel, but only as a segregated metro taking in the Upfield-Airport and Doncaster lines. Even then, the rest of the network needs to be working like an S-Bahn (at least 6tph all day) to get the benefits of interchanging. A north-south tunnel should not be used as an excuse to let the rest of the system rot away.<BR/><BR/>Proper, all day two tier services are a really good idea (I'll be looking into this in Alternatives to Eddington part two), but I think only really necessary for Ringwood, Dandenong and Frankston. On these lines it should be done properly, with 4 tracks to the stopper (metro) terminus. <BR/><BR/>Controversial as it is, taking out seats at the ends of cars has to happen - look at any metro worth having and it doesn't assume that short trips (<25 mins) should see all passengers seated. The Hitachis already have this arrangement and they cope with the crush loads much much better.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I only just came across your blog - really good stuff - I'll put a link to it on my sidebar.<BR/><BR/>Cheers,<BR/>PhinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com