Metros are for all travellers, not just commuters
Will Atkins responds to an article about the opening of the Metro Tunnel project in MelbourneThe opening of the Metro Tunnel in Melbourne is to be celebrated (The Metro Tunnel...
By Guardian Staff · The Guardian Opinion
Will Atkins responds to an article about the opening of the Metro Tunnel project in Melbourne The opening of the Metro Tunnel in Melbourne is to be celebrated ( The Metro Tunnel will finally open after years of chaos – so what is the payoff for the Melbourne commuter?, 28 November ). Like the new metro in Sydney, and the one under construction in Brisbane, it will give us better, sustainable ways to move people around. But your report speaks of commuters and not travellers or passengers. This fails to embrace the potential of “all of the city, all of the time for everyone” public transport. The weekday work commute to a city’s central business district is only a tiny part of the story: we need to seamlessly think of public transport first for going to the pool, visiting friends, shopping, getting to the airport, heading to concerts – all our daily trips – before turning to cars. Continue reading...