Why cutting bus fares is a bad idea

A bus at Wyndham Vale station (via Thebusofdoom)

Recommendations 45-47 of Infrastructure Victoria's 30-year Strategy deal with various changes to public transport fares. Some of these are good ideas, but others very much aren't, so let's take a closer look at the problems they're trying to fix, and why I disagree with some of their solutions. 

The legacy of Ballarat's tramways

The shape of Ballarat's tram network in 1971

On Sunday 19 September 1971, 50 years ago today, the last ever revenue service on Ballarat's tramways ran from Lydiard Street to Sebastopol. The mayors of Sebastopol and Ballarat ceremoniously piloted it back to the depot, and the transition of Ballarat's public transport network to motor buses was complete, with the tramways entering their preservation era. But the legacy of the tramways echoed through Ballarat for many years after, and can still be heard today. 

How should we build Melbourne Metro 2?

Diagram of proposed MM2 amongst Melbourne's network (via IV)

Recommendation 61 of Infrastructure Victoria's 30-year strategy is to "Prepare for Melbourne Metro Two and direct Geelong rail services". They're more positive about the project than last time, and it seems the potential for Geelong services to use it has been one of the key things to influence this. But they're less keen on the northern part of the project, recommending it be built in two stages and that the route from Southern Cross to Clifton Hill be reconsidered. Let's take a closer look at this. 

Getting off at Rockbank: should we go all the way to Melton?

Infrastructure Victoria's vision for rail extensions (source)

Recommendation 74 of Infrastructure Victoria's 30-year strategy was to "Extend rail services in Melbourne's western and northern growth areas" - specifically, they recommend extending electrified Metro trains to Wyndham Vale, Rockbank, and Beveridge. Why Rockbank and not Melton? Good question.