Public transport

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Go west is The Age’s special series on Melbourne’s western suburbs.

Go west

In this special series, The Age focuses on Melbourne’s western suburbs to see how life could improve in Australia’s fastest-growing region.

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Marelen Yap at V/Line’s Rockbank station, which heaves with city-bound commuters at peak-hour.

Marelen wastes thousands of hours commuting to work. She wants two things to change

In a new series, The Age focuses on Melbourne’s western suburbs, where high-skilled jobs are scarce and transport links often poor, to see how life could improve in Australia’s fastest-growing region.

  • Sophie Aubrey and Adam Carey
An e-bike caught fire on a Melbourne train in March.

Ban on e-bikes on trains a response over the top, cycling advocates say

Cycling advocates say fires on trains are a rare occurrence and the risk could be managed by enforcing quality standards on imported batteries and devices.

  • Patrick Hatch
In Victoria, e-bikes with motors above 250 watts must be registered as motorbikes.

Police crack down on e-bikes as crashes, injuries spike

E-bike riders are on notice, as Victoria Police launches a new safety blitz targeting illegal and overpowered bicycles.

  • Hannah Hammoud
Metro Trains.

Melbourne’s trains should move back into public hands to get a better deal for commuters, says union

The rail union is pushing the Allan government to take part in the bidding process for the next contract to operate Melbourne’s metropolitan rail network.

  • Rachel Eddie and Patrick Hatch
Suburban Rail Loop works at Glen Waverley.

State eyes carve-out of existing taxes to help plug $11.5b SRL funding hole

Land tax and stamp duty payments from properties around Suburban Rail Loop stations would be sucked into a special fund under a contentious proposal.

  • Kieran Rooney and Patrick Hatch
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An e-bike caught on fire on a Metro train in March.

E-bike, e-scooter ban flagged for trains over fire risk

Electric scooters and e-bikes would be banned from Victorian trains in a transport department proposal to address the risk of lithium-ion battery fires.

  • Patrick Hatch
A train carriage is removed from the tracks after derailing in Clifton Hill.

Major commuter train lines to resume but derailment cause still unknown

Mernda and Hurstbridge services will resume fully on Monday morning after more than 100,000 commuters were forced to resort to travel alternatives after a train derailed last Sunday.

  • Ashleigh McMillan
Bukurie Nazifovski and her family had to allow for an extra hour to make the game.

On the buses for footy fans; train tracks almost repaired

Footy fans braved not only a wet and chilly winter’s night on Saturday but also replacement buses, as works continue on the Mernda and Hurstbridge lines after a train derailed.

  • Angus Delaney
A photo shows the bogie twisted out from underneath the carriage.  

Derailed train leaves 100m of damaged track as commuter chaos drags on

More than 100,000 commuters continue to face delayed and crowded journeys following a train derailment that has halted two of the city’s busiest lines for a week.

  • Patrick Hatch and Angus Delaney