Derailed

As I've mentioned before over the past 3 weeks that the public transport crisis in metropolitan Melbourne could topple the current Labor state government in the next election if the problem is prolonged without any form solid solution in sight.

The opening of this week saw the Flinders Station dangerously packed with evening peak-hour commuters due to the rain. Connex, of course, blamed the weather for the train delays and consequently the packed platforms.

Transport Minister Lynne Kosky, currently on leave, continues to receive backlash from commuters. I am pretty sure she is currently one of the most unpopular minister in the cabinet.

From The Age today:

Catch our trains' say frustrated commuters

'Angry commuters have challenged the head of Connex and Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky to take a ride on Melbourne's overcrowded and "dangerous" train network.

- Kosky challenged to 'take a ride'
- Flinders Street station 'dangerous'
- 'Sea of commuters' block platforms

Frustrated passengers threw down the gauntlet to Connex executive chairman Jonathan Metcalfe and Ms Kosky in emails expressing their fury at crammed train carriages and packed station platforms.

[...]

A Craigieburn line passenger said it was "only a matter of time" before overcrowding at Flinders Street Station caused a death or serious injury.

"The Transport Minister and her colleagues should join the voters of safe Labor seats and catch the 5:36pm to Craigieburn," he wrote.

"She might see that this is a real problem that has a high potential to cause serious injury to children or the elderly or small-framed women who, if pushed in a big crowd, will not have the strength to resist the crowd and will be toppled onto the tracks." '

The metro railway contract currently held by Connex will be up for tender soon and so far Hong Kong's MTR and France's Keolis are bidding for the rights. Personally, I would like to see MTR to run the trains as they are no doubt one of the best railway operators in the world.

Ms. Kosky, you heard us?

No escape from the public transport 'crisis'

The Labor Party Carlton Branch meeting this evening was supposed to have the attendance of Victoria Deputy Premier Rob Hulls.

I am certain that almost everyone in the room was expecting him. I was late due to the rain and ran to the meeting to find out that Mr. Hulls cannot make it due an emergency cabinet meeting. Spring Street isn't very far from the Trade Unions Hall in Lygon - so near yet so far.

In my mind I expected questions for Mr. Hulls from the floor to be on the lines of the implications of the recently concluded WA Elections, which the Labor Party lost to the Liberal/National tie-up on Saturday, and of course the Melbourne Metropolitan public transport 'crisis'.

The members in the room I spoke to agreed that the public transport problems have reached a tipping point that could launch an electorate backlash against the Labor Party. While it is understandable that the government cannot resolve the problems overnight but on the public relations front in providing confidence for the people has been rather disastrous. Think MyKyi and Lynne Kosky.

It is not just an issue of people's comfort in using public transport but also the implications for business and investments. Certainly this has affected Melbourne's status as one of the world's most liveable city. If Victoria wants to capitalise on the federal's initiative in turning Australia into a global financial hub then it has got to get its basic infrastruture right.

If it can't solve a public transport problem how can it provide a suitable platform for future investments and economic growth?

Until the people's grouses are subdued the future of Labor Party maintaining its hold in Victoria looks shaky, if not defeatable.