Jarred Crowe

  In this state election, big transport spending has been a key part of Mathew Guy and the Victorian Liberal's plan to win come November 26. The $2 Zone 1 & 2 fares have certainly got people talking despite the fact it would drain significant funds from the system leaving it without capital for improvements.  Despite their plan to limit fare box revenue 27 days out from the polls, the Geelong Advertiser revealed the Lib's bold plan to create a Geelong metro-style train service. If you have a subscription you can read the full article here  but for now, let's take a look at the proposals considering the benefits and noting some things the Liberals might not have considered when drafting this policy.  The key proposals are 30-minute Geelong to Werribee train services. 20-minute Geelong to Bannockburn train services with a new station at Bell Post Hill 50-minute Geelong to Colac train services with a new station at Moriac Relocating the Moorabool Street bus interchange.  R

Bright and early on a Sunday I start the long journey to Canberra, I'm not flying or even driving as most would. I decided to take the Melbourne to Sydney XPT service. Here are some of my thoughts on the journey and some notes that could be handy if you decide to take the journey yourself. The XPT arriving at Yass Junction to take us back to Melbourne. [Me] Bookings Booking with NSW Trains Link is really easy I booked my outward journey online using their website and my return journey over the phone as I had an extra passenger with me coming home.  Initially, I punched my journey into the journey planner on the transport NSW website which is almost identical to the victorian equivalent. I suspect PTV took heavy inspiration from this when they redesigned their website not too long ago.  [NSW Transport Website Screenshot]  Unfortunately, I couldn't find where to book from this page. Like in Victoria long-distance travel has a different web presence to city services. On the home p

As globalisation took over Geelong's manufacturing giants could not keep up. The mid-2010s saw major employers Ford, Shell & Alcoa all pull out of the city leaving behind their vast facilities. The biggest being Alcoa's Point Henry Aluminium Smelter and the electrical infrastructure that powered it for so many years.  Point Henry Smelter in 2016 [Me] Opened in the early 1960s, Initially Point Henry got its power from the grid as anyone else would but it was evident that something more sufficient was needed. A 220 kV transmission line circling the southern edge of Geelong was built and connected to the Geelong Terminal Station in Norlane to the smelter. The alignment headed south from the terminal station following the since built Geelong Ring Road then cutting through the developing suburbs of Highton, Grovedale and Marshall before heading back north towards the smelter via Moolap.  Map of Point Henry to Geelong Terminal Transmission Line Alignment [Base Map: Google, Shapef

Recently PTV has begun to roll out some new style bus stop flag signs in the Geelong region. Whilst doing they have created some confusion with a new service listed for the first time. Route 101 to Apollo Bay. I first spotted this new route listed on a sign at the Freehans Road on Surf Coast Highway stop. This stop has seen a lot of services introduced in its short life span. First built to service the Warralilly Coast housing estate via the existing Torquay routes 50 & 51. October 2019 saw it also serve as a stop on the new route 45 Armstrong Creek service. More recently the Mount Duneed V/Line coach stop was also moved to this location. This was a good move as this coach stop is now near housing and, a retirement village, unlike the previous stop which was a typical side of the highway dead zone. In the last few weeks, the bus stop flag sign has been replaced with one in the new design style but of more importance, it now has 4 services listed, unlike the previous sign that only