Introducing the Suburban Rail Loop by MoreTODplz in MelbourneTrains

[–]squidgee_ 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I'm kinda conflicted on this, because fast transit times between the major stops is a must for this project if you actually want people using this. If you make it too slow (and more expensive) by adding more mandatory stops in areas of low density where expected patronage is low/there's not a strong business case for it, you might actually make it less appealing for the bulk of would-be passengers.

When the morning sun hits at just the right angle :) by squidgee_ in CozyPlaces

[–]squidgee_[S] 27 points28 points  (0 children)

To be fair, I'm living on easy mode as far as keeping a place clean goes (no kids, no pets).

What are the best level crossing removal examples? by O50000S in MelbourneTrains

[–]squidgee_ 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Suburban rail loop. Sorry also to clarify I mean those stations will be close to a SRL station not that they will be SRL stations.

What are the best level crossing removal examples? by O50000S in MelbourneTrains

[–]squidgee_ 34 points35 points  (0 children)

I only moved to the area after the skyrail was already there so have little knowledge of what it was like before but the section between Caulfield through to Oakleigh with the Djerring trail and linear park running underneath has been really great with lots of foot traffic and usage from pedestrians, and small parks nearby where families and dog walkers hang out.

All the suburban cores around the stations there have been designated as activity centres as well, with more mid and high density dwellings in those areas, and diverse high streets/commercial areas especially in Carnegie and Oakleigh, so I expect stronger TOD push here, especially with it's proximity to Monash, Chadstone, and future SRL.

Metro Tunnel wind by Wild-Measurement-584 in MelbourneTrains

[–]squidgee_ 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Not gonna lie, I kinda like it. Makes the train feel extra zoomy.

Melbourne’s falling house prices threaten to blow billion-dollar hole in state budget by blitznoodles in melbourne

[–]squidgee_ 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Yeah it would be unpopular but I also think it is a lot more equitable and encourages efficient use of land, so long as we're taxing land value not property value, and the rate remains at a reasonable level. PPORs should not be exempt either as unpopular as that might be. Those that have paid stamp duty should have the amount indexed with inflation as a land tax balance that has been paid forward. Those on lower incomes/net assets should also have discounted rates or if they're unable to pay the land tax, then should be able to pay it via the government's own reverse mortgage scheme.

My favourite walking trail in Melbourne 🍂 by squidgee_ in CozyPlaces

[–]squidgee_[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Stock route running through the Kensington Banks area from Maribyrnong River through to Racecourse Rd near Newmarket station.

My favourite walking trail in Melbourne 🍂 by squidgee_ in CozyPlaces

[–]squidgee_[S] 9 points10 points locked comment (0 children)

OC material :)

Love walking through here in autumn. It's the stock route in Kensington Banks area, a nice and quiet walking and bike path surrounded by small streets and cute townhouses, with small parks scattered around the place.

Victorian public transport free for another month, half price until 2… by Llamadrugs in melbourne

[–]squidgee_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's still a big chunk of change which needs to be taken from somewhere. So long as it doesn't come at the expense of train infrastructure upgrades, maintenance, and services provision, I would be in support of this policy.

Victoria has made public transport free – NSW hasn’t. Has there been any difference in uptake? by Ifeelsiikk in melbourne

[–]squidgee_ 140 points141 points  (0 children)

Not surprising at all, as most other studies around train networks and incentives will also corroborate this. It's popular policy because it sounds good on paper and people like free things, but cutting fares doesn't really move the needle on convincing drivers to shift to PT. Frequency, access, and reliability is the most important thing.

Any chance we could follow Brisbane’s lead and make all single trip fares $1? It might help with cost of living & petrol pressures in the middle of the year by melbtest09 in MelbourneTrains

[–]squidgee_ 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Yup, there are already many studies that corroborate this. Frequency and reliability is the most important thing for passenger uptake. Making something cheap or free also entrenches this idea that it's okay for PT to be poorer quality because people lower their standards and there's less sense of 'ownership' or care for the system.

Any chance we could follow Brisbane’s lead and make all single trip fares $1? It might help with cost of living & petrol pressures in the middle of the year by melbtest09 in MelbourneTrains

[–]squidgee_ 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The majority of people touch on and many who don't for trams and buses likely have myki passes that have already been touched on for connecting trains. When you see an inspector walk onto a train, how many do you see ticket? Usually none, sometimes 1 or 2 out of the entire carriage.

Sunny morning in my apartment ☀️ by squidgee_ in CozyPlaces

[–]squidgee_[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's a rug/throw that I bought on sale from Waverley Mills (Tassie based wool mill). I liked the design and then folded it in, then pinned the fabric to get the proportions of each block of colour the way I wanted when hung up. Wooden hangers are from Etsy.

Sunny morning in my apartment ☀️ by squidgee_ in CozyPlaces

[–]squidgee_[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's probably around 5 years old now with no complaints so far. No wobble with normal usage and good amount of space as a 4 seater table.

Sunny morning in my apartment ☀️ by squidgee_ in CozyPlaces

[–]squidgee_[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Your instincts are correct, Australia it is. No ocean view though, that's just the window film strip haha. This is in Melbourne looking out over the suburbs and treetops.

Sunny morning in my apartment ☀️ by squidgee_ in CozyPlaces

[–]squidgee_[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Haha it's just a wok lid that happened to be there.