Comments on: Green call to ban freeways

By: Craig

Craig — Tue, 06 May 2008 05:40:18 +0000

Err, I think what they were saying was that if more resources were put into public transport (none of you can argue that anywhere near the amount spent on roads is spent on public transport), and as much effort was put into improving rail links, than less people would need to drive and hence the roads would be less congested. Hence, less stop-start traffic, hence less emissions. Free flowing freeways? Anyone here used the (Melbourne) Eastern in the morning? And don’t tell me that Eastlink is going to make that situation any better! I’d use the train if it was available for me – and I’m no tree hugging, dreadlocked greenie moron…

By: Davo

Davo — Sun, 04 May 2008 10:46:19 +0000

AGREE with a much of what hmmmm says but I used to work around the Ringwood Bayswater Wantirna area,traffic nightmare due to tha lack of alternative arterial roads,coupled with enormous industrial & population growth over the past 30 years.
EAST LINK is twenty-five years overdue.
Infrastructure planning post WW2 has been reactive.
Houses first then you think about how to service a growing population,particularly with transport.
It was not always like this.
Glen Waverley rail line will one day(does)need to be extended out to possibly to Rowville & beyond.The alternative?Force everyone into cars?New York style underground subway or overhead?A headache for future planners.On the other side of town it is just as bad.St Albans/Deer Park at any time of day can be bad news.Both regions have poor public transport compounded by insufficient arterial roads which have enormous housing estates within the boundaries.
But there are two major Freeways nearby.
I count myself as fortunate,400m from the rail station,
7k’s from the city,car left at home MON-FRI but I think the planners of the past have presumed I am typical.

By: Liam

Liam — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:14:01 +0000

I’ve not read all the replies as Captain Mainwaring hit the nail on the head in the first post.

Encouraging more walking and so on has it merits, but not if it means banning freeways.

By: XR2_Capri

XR2_Capri — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:46:32 +0000

why is it that the greens place so much creedence to the prius’s 45mpg and why bother with the city/country petrol cycle. I know im simple but my cars seem to use less petrol past Katoomba were I can constantly go at 90 to 100 kph than along Parramata Road were I can go at a constant 0 to 30 kph.
So make the freeways 2 lanes wider and start developing cars like the EV-1 to do 400km between charges so that no-one is idling at stop lights burning good fuel.

By: No Name

No Name — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:20:10 +0000

Admittedly the rail system is not much use, flying works, as does Melbournes trams. However I do have a problem with having to own a car and the expenses that go with it then being told to use privately owned “for profit” public transport. The punters loses out all the way. If I caught the bus to work it costs me about $9.40, fuel for the car ~$3.66. I still need the car for other things so I still bear the cost for insurance rego etc. Also the bus would take 45 mins the car 14 mins.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:06:49 +0000

Fact – Public transport in Australia is several decades away from a system which can deliver consistent “on time” performance as is the case in London, Paris and most major European cities.

If these fools have their way, you might as well buy a horse and cart and start a business in saddle making. Don’t laugh, the great majority of our state and federal public servants love to side with the loud minority. Be warned.

By: No Name

No Name — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:09:43 +0000

Hmmmm – So the Eastlink is awaste of time. pffft

By: Phill

Phill — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 07:27:14 +0000

So much money is collected by freeway/motorway toll I doubt that they will stop making more(in oz anyway)at least until pay per KM,GPS based toll systems come on line.Which sux

By: hmmmm

hmmmm — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 05:18:35 +0000

ummm.. banning freeways IS a good idea

don’t get me wrong – i work for one of the local car companies – i love cars to bits and enjoy nothing more then driving on nice uncongested roads…but

most of you are forgetting the true traffic impact freeways have. sure they reduce congestion – but THIS IS ALWAYS IN THE SHORT TERM. Case & point, the Monash Freeway between Warrigal & Punt Rd was only 2 lanes, it is now 3 lanes – this increase in capacity created an improvement for something like 5-10 years? Now the freeway is in absolute grid lock to the point they have decided to add an additional lane. This in turn will last for another 5 years?? This “short term” increase in capacity will entice more people to drive along the freeway – clogging up all arterial roads leading to it – can you imagine Toorak Rd, Bourke Rd, Blackburn Rd, Warrigal Rd with a conservative 10% more traffic on it? What is the solution then?… build more freeways of course!! in a world of increased fuel costs and concerns on global warming – how can this be logical?

Freeways do nothing more then INDUCE more traffic onto the road network – which will inevitabily lead to worse congestion. LA is a prime example – already LA & most of Europe have already woken up to this fact and have basically stopped or severely slowed Motorway construction over the past 20 years – its a shame Australia is still lagging.

The long term solution is major investment in public transport – especially heavy rail/metro systems – it is the only viable long term solution for cities as large as Melbourne & Sydney.

By: David

David — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 04:23:47 +0000

Please change the headline. It should read
Freeways call to ban Greenies

By: Tom Jakovljevic

Tom Jakovljevic — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:34:38 +0000

Ill man the bulldozer with an uzi – lets get cracking on making some more freeways!

Whos with me!

Seriously though… stupiest idea. Ever.

By: bus-truckie

bus-truckie — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:11:31 +0000

In the ineterests of balance, while efforts to combat congestion often focus on freight and commercial traffic, passenger cars make up 80.7% of traffic in Australia’s capital cities; 82.5% in Melbourne, and 82.9% in Sydney. So the single occupant vehicle is the major pollution and congestion source.

* If it was a country, the Australian transport sector would be one of the top 50 greenhouse polluters in the world.

By: bus-truckie

bus-truckie — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:04:01 +0000

Just to put the roadies on notice about the true Costs of roads in australia
Road costs – Road construction & maintenance, land acquisition, road trauma, FBT and fuel tax concessions and subsidies $34,300m
Govt Revenue recouped in fuel excise, registration, insurance, tolls $26,250m

Roads are costing the Australian community a conservative $8billion per year. Road users really dont pay their way.

By: No Name

No Name — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:07:12 +0000

Wheelnut “theres no way your car can identify who was riding it as they all look the same and are long gone yet they can tell which car hit them”

Careful…looks like you might have given the game away that cycles are more efficient in town!!!! ;)

By: Wheelnut

Wheelnut — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:17:52 +0000

The greenies are the reason that traffic in the major cities is as slow as it is because they pushed for not only a bus lane but a bicycle lane.. which together takes up at least a lane and a half – and as they’re on both sides of the road thats alot of space which should be 3 extra lanes of traffic

The other thing is that when there is a bike lane how many cyclists [particularly the kamikaze couriers] do you see actually using them they’re often darting in and out between cars listening to their i-pods etc bumping mirrors and going through red lights.

I think that all vehicles that are going to be used on the raod should have a number plate because when a cycle courier hits you theres no way your car can identify who was riding it as they all look the same and are long gone yet they can tell which car hit them

By: No Name

No Name — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:08:27 +0000

150K’s yeh that was a bit much. Getting excited on the keyboard…

The most I ever done was 95,000Kms in a year for 2years(1.8LX Mondeo Wagon) a few years back. Trying to keep things a bit mopre local nowadays. And some folks down under don’t think we pohmms travel far cos blightys so small.

By: B///M3

B///M3 — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:59:39 +0000

Goddamn hippies have crossed the line this time!!!!!!!!

By: Casey

Casey — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:55:07 +0000

KJ what’s with the racism? I don’t think that is called for on a car web site man.

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:38:18 +0000

No name,
phew,
was gonna say if you crank out 150,000k’s a year the tree huggers must arrive at your door step like a bible basher

By: No Name

No Name — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:18:07 +0000

15K K’s….sorry