Interestingly, none of the info about concession contactless is online yet. transportnsw.info/tickets-fare...

Hawthorn station pre-electrification. via https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/node/66359

Hawthorn station

🎂🚉Happy 165th birthday to Hawthorn station, opened 13th April 1861.
The Belgrave/Lilydale line has a confusing myriad of stopping patterns, and fewer services interpeak on weekdays than on weekends. A rewrite of the timetable is overdue, to make the service easier to understand and easier to use.

Train reflected in a large puddle on a station platform

Snapped this on Saturday partly because the reflection looked cool, partly so I could look at passing it on to fix the drainage. Then I noticed a Metro staffer also taking a pic. “I’m on it” he said.👍 #Melbourne #MetroTrains

That's the same with all tap and go systems, particularly those where you don't register. Even a credit card in a phone has a different virtual number to the physical card it's linked to.

Pensioner cap is $17.50... same as daily cap x 7 transportnsw.info/tickets-fare...

One million NSW commuters to benefit from upgrade to Opal card network Concession cardholders and pensioners will soon be able to use credit and debit cards on public transport across New South Wales. 

Pensioner and Concession public transport users in Sydney about to get contactless (Tap And Go) fare payment option

ABC news story: Government launches multi-million-dollar fuel saving campaign https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-11/government-launches-multi-million-dollar-fuel-saving-campaign/106555004

Bus timetable showing no service on Sundays

The best way to help people reduce their fuel use is to give them more options.
We look forward to seeing more investment in walking, cycling and public transport in the upcoming Federal and State budgets. #auspol

yep, some buses going to Caulfield www.metrotrains.com.au/planned-work...

It may seem like nerdy detail that the increasing weight of cars is worsening potholes, but it matters.

The car makers push to sell wider and heavier cars is increasing road maintenance costs and that affects us all.

Not to mention worse crash outcomes and less space to pass (wider) parked cars.

Sign at Caulfield station, showing: Glen Waverley passengers: trains to the city depart platform 1

✅Using the new sign to provide relevant info for diverted passengers
❎Missing half the message. For the busiest two city stations, a train from platform 3 is much faster (and more frequent after 7pm)
#Melbourne

Cushion left on a train seat

I guess someone wanted extra comfort…but then left it behind 😢

Okay CTA. This is a good sign.

Not linked directly to privatisation, but part of the long slooooow move to accessible stops.

Yep. Mid block stops for a variety of reasons. Some due to stop consolidation, others due to constrained space to fit platforms, and requirements for truck turning circles etc. It can mess up interchange a bit.
Hook turns are mostly confined to the CBD.
Overall a lot more needed to speed up trams.

Steamrail isn't free like V/Line is right now, but at least you know you'll get a seat!

Figure 3 from linked report, titled “Route Average Speed by Average Stop Spacing - TTC Streetcars and Peer Cities."

Notable chart included in a new TTC Board report about improving streetcar speeds, comparing stop distance and average speeds on Toronto routes versus surface rail routes in other cities. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...

It’s bizarre that @vicgovau.bsky.social can release an #ActiveTransport plan and keep it completely hush hush.
I only just found out!

@yarrabike.bsky.social
@streetsaliveyarra.bsky.social @portphillipbug.aus.social.ap.brid.gy @docsenvaus.bsky.social @3crmelbourne.bsky.social #springst

A GENTLE REMINDER: we are trying to eliminate fossil fuels because using them kills us.

If fossil fuels were cheap (they're not) or reliable (they're SO NOT), it would still be urgent to get rid of them because their intended use destroys our life support systems.

If people are trying out public transport during the free period, it's as important as ever that they have a good experience to encourage them to become regular users. Overcrowded and unreliable services don't help. State Govt and the transport operators need to do better.

US carmakers accuse EU of blocking supersized pick-up trucks from roads Brussels is proposing to tighten safety rules that apply to a small number of specialist imports

As an American, I'm 100% on Team 🇪🇺 here.

Monster trucks don't fit on US streets, let alone European ones.

Sign for Caulfield Station, with arrow pointing to Derby St (sic) trams

I always love to see new wayfinding signs, and this seems to have a digital display for service updates.
But I wonder how long it'll take them to notice and fix the typo. It's Derby Road, not Derby Street. #Melbourne #Caulfield

Construction, widening footpaths

Wider footpaths FTW! #Melbourne

I feel for the staff in these situations. It's a mess, not of their doing.

'Made it very attractive': Free rides luring thousands more onto buses The temporary ability to catch public transport for free is turning some Tasmanians into "converts", while others are using it for new experiences.

Tasmania reporting patronage up about 20% since their buses were made free.
But they've also now admitted that "temporary" service cuts from 2023 are actually permanent.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04...

Monthly cost savings to support Canberra public transport users

Meanwhile, the ACT has resisted free PT, but instead has temporarily halved their monthly cap. www.cmtedd.act.gov.au/open_governm...

I inadvertently gatecrashed a press conference for the Public Transport Minister this morning, talking about savings from the free travel period.
The view from industry insiders seems to be that Metro is mostly coping with the extra demand, but V/Line is under pressure. www.premier.vic.gov....

Internet speed test showing slow speed

I have so many thoughts on free public transport that it’s taking a while to figure out what I want to write. In the meantime here’s a blog post on slow internet speeds on trains. danielbowen.com/2026...

People boarding a tram

It's World Health Day!
Public transport (and walking/biking to the stop or station) are healthier for people than driving, and also help reduce air pollution, with health benefits for everyone.

Read more about the benefits of using public transport here: link.springer.com/ar...

Interestingly, the other screen in the carriage did not have the same problem, nor in the adjacent carriage.

Screen in a train showing Welcome To Metro overlaid on top off next station information

Screen burn-in? #Melbourne #MetroTrains