Daniel Bowen
@danielbowen.au
Transport blogger / public transport advocate / campaigner and spokesperson for @ptua.org.au / professional geek. Opinions are all mine.
Bunurong land, Melbourne, Australia
Bunurong land, Melbourne, Australia
I wonder how long ago Newman’s moved #Melbourne
September 16, 2026 at 8:18 AM
I wonder how long ago Newman’s moved #Melbourne
Reposted by Daniel Bowen
Tell me again that climate change is a hoax.
September 15, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Tell me again that climate change is a hoax.
Central #Melbourne seems to be getting new pedal bins
September 15, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Central #Melbourne seems to be getting new pedal bins
Reposted by Daniel Bowen
Seems bad to base our entire transportation system on a volatile commodity, but what do we know?
September 15, 2026 at 1:48 AM
Seems bad to base our entire transportation system on a volatile commodity, but what do we know?
Reposted by Daniel Bowen
It's that time of year again. Hopefully your wait for a train is a short one, but watch out for swooping birds! 🐦⬛
September 15, 2026 at 7:46 AM
It's that time of year again. Hopefully your wait for a train is a short one, but watch out for swooping birds! 🐦⬛
Unfortunately couldn’t make the MTF public transport forum tonight at St Kilda Town Hall - it’s live-streaming here: vimeo.com/event/6080... #SpringSt #VicVotes
September 14, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Unfortunately couldn’t make the MTF public transport forum tonight at St Kilda Town Hall - it’s live-streaming here: vimeo.com/event/6080... #SpringSt #VicVotes
Reposted by Daniel Bowen
We took the train to town yesterday, and we're absolutely chuffed! ☺️🚇 #CRL
Enjoy this special bumper post, chock-full of great pics & stories, links to wider media coverage, plus some fun (and moving) reflections from our very happy team of "tired nerds": www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2026/09/14/a...
Enjoy this special bumper post, chock-full of great pics & stories, links to wider media coverage, plus some fun (and moving) reflections from our very happy team of "tired nerds": www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2026/09/14/a...
Absolutely chuffed: our report from CRL opening day - Greater Auckland
What a day! Sunday saw the first running of passenger trains through the City Rail Link tunnels and stations. Some of us were up before the birds to catch the very first train, while others took a mor...
www.greaterauckland.org.nz
September 14, 2026 at 12:46 AM
We took the train to town yesterday, and we're absolutely chuffed! ☺️🚇 #CRL
Enjoy this special bumper post, chock-full of great pics & stories, links to wider media coverage, plus some fun (and moving) reflections from our very happy team of "tired nerds": www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2026/09/14/a...
Enjoy this special bumper post, chock-full of great pics & stories, links to wider media coverage, plus some fun (and moving) reflections from our very happy team of "tired nerds": www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2026/09/14/a...
Reposted by Daniel Bowen
It was exactly ten years ago today, on my 33rd birthday, that I posted this comic online.
September 13, 2026 at 11:54 PM
It was exactly ten years ago today, on my 33rd birthday, that I posted this comic online.
With recent chatter about rail in Melbourne's west, I was pondering: how full are the RRL tracks from Sunshine into the city? Short answer: pretty full in peak.
How full is RRL?
A quick one, something I edited out of the recent post about the Melton line hybrid (bi-mode) train proposal: peak capacity on RRL. Currently the Ballarat and Geelong lines merge just west of Deer Park, where they run to Sunshine, joined there by trains from Bendigo (though these don't actually stop at Sunshine station). From [...]
danielbowen.com
September 13, 2026 at 9:59 PM
With recent chatter about rail in Melbourne's west, I was pondering: how full are the RRL tracks from Sunshine into the city? Short answer: pretty full in peak.
Alan Kohler is a smart bloke, and does some good stuff, but this is really poor.
It assumes metros/subways are all underground and that cities that built metros in 19th/20th centuries didn't also build trams; compares rail tunnels with Las Vegas Tesla tunnels, and more.
It assumes metros/subways are all underground and that cities that built metros in 19th/20th centuries didn't also build trams; compares rail tunnels with Las Vegas Tesla tunnels, and more.
Why Melbourne's trams were a big mistake | Alan Kohler | ABC NEWS
When the rest of the world was digging subways, Melbourne was laying tram tracks.
Alan Kohler explains why the city missed the boat on building its metro, and why it's costing so much.
Subscribe: http://ab.co/1svxLVE
Read more here:
Note: In most cases, our captions are auto-generated.
#ABCNEWS #
www.youtube.com
September 13, 2026 at 12:03 PM
Alan Kohler is a smart bloke, and does some good stuff, but this is really poor.
It assumes metros/subways are all underground and that cities that built metros in 19th/20th centuries didn't also build trams; compares rail tunnels with Las Vegas Tesla tunnels, and more.
It assumes metros/subways are all underground and that cities that built metros in 19th/20th centuries didn't also build trams; compares rail tunnels with Las Vegas Tesla tunnels, and more.
Congrats #Auckland on the opening of the City Rail Link, joining recent CBD rail tunnels opened in Melbourne (2025-26) and Sydney (2024). Brisbane expected 2029. Great to see public transport investment across AU and NZ🚇🇦🇺🇳🇿
All aboard: Live from Day 1 of the CRL
A journey a decade in the making, 1News business correspondent Jason Walls joins Q+A live from on board one of the brand-new train services opening up to Aucklanders on the first day of the City Rail Link.
Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with
www.youtube.com
September 13, 2026 at 5:36 AM
Congrats #Auckland on the opening of the City Rail Link, joining recent CBD rail tunnels opened in Melbourne (2025-26) and Sydney (2024). Brisbane expected 2029. Great to see public transport investment across AU and NZ🚇🇦🇺🇳🇿
Reposted by Daniel Bowen
gunzeldom is truly a universal language, it's beautiful
Chants of ‘Tunnel, Tunnel, Tunnel’ have rung throughout the train as the service departs Grafton and begins entering the CRL Tunnels.
September 13, 2026 at 4:18 AM
gunzeldom is truly a universal language, it's beautiful
Reposted by Daniel Bowen
🚉🎉Happy opening day to West Tarneit station! More upgrades are needed for Melbourne's growing west, but this station will make a big difference to the local community.👍
📷LachlanTansey, via Wikipedia CC BY 4.0
📷LachlanTansey, via Wikipedia CC BY 4.0
September 13, 2026 at 1:21 AM
🚉🎉Happy opening day to West Tarneit station! More upgrades are needed for Melbourne's growing west, but this station will make a big difference to the local community.👍
📷LachlanTansey, via Wikipedia CC BY 4.0
📷LachlanTansey, via Wikipedia CC BY 4.0
Reposted by Daniel Bowen
Today is not only the opening of West Tarneit station, but a major step forward in the Wyndham bus network, with three new every 20-minute corridors added.
Explore the changes at ptmapmeb.com
🧵(1/4)
Explore the changes at ptmapmeb.com
🧵(1/4)
September 13, 2026 at 1:20 AM
Today is not only the opening of West Tarneit station, but a major step forward in the Wyndham bus network, with three new every 20-minute corridors added.
Explore the changes at ptmapmeb.com
🧵(1/4)
Explore the changes at ptmapmeb.com
🧵(1/4)
Reposted by Daniel Bowen
Sydney's population is similar to Melbourne, but their rail patronage is about 50% higher. Why?
One factor is Sydney has frequent trains to almost every station all day, every day. It makes public transport much easier to use for more trips, so more people hop on board.👍
One factor is Sydney has frequent trains to almost every station all day, every day. It makes public transport much easier to use for more trips, so more people hop on board.👍
September 12, 2026 at 12:22 AM
Sydney's population is similar to Melbourne, but their rail patronage is about 50% higher. Why?
One factor is Sydney has frequent trains to almost every station all day, every day. It makes public transport much easier to use for more trips, so more people hop on board.👍
One factor is Sydney has frequent trains to almost every station all day, every day. It makes public transport much easier to use for more trips, so more people hop on board.👍
Reposted by Daniel Bowen
NFL in #Melbourne: big event, with no MCG public parking. Public transport is showing how good it can be - plenty of services ensuring the crowds get easily and efficiently to the game.👍🚉🏈
September 11, 2026 at 12:10 AM
NFL in #Melbourne: big event, with no MCG public parking. Public transport is showing how good it can be - plenty of services ensuring the crowds get easily and efficiently to the game.👍🚉🏈
Reposted by Daniel Bowen
With all eyes on the City Rail Link opening on Sunday, we’re lifting our gaze to the horizon. It’s the ideal time to refresh our vision for a Congestion-Free Network.
@patrickreynolds.bsky.social asks: what’s next? What can we achieve in 3/ 10/ 30 years?🔮 www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2026/09/10/v...
@patrickreynolds.bsky.social asks: what’s next? What can we achieve in 3/ 10/ 30 years?🔮 www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2026/09/10/v...
A vision realised: what the opening of the CRL means - Greater Auckland
Celebrate! From Sunday 13th September 2026, an actual real Auckland Rapid Transit (ART) network will exist, for us all to use and enjoy! You can see it – and
www.greaterauckland.org.nz
September 9, 2026 at 10:50 PM
With all eyes on the City Rail Link opening on Sunday, we’re lifting our gaze to the horizon. It’s the ideal time to refresh our vision for a Congestion-Free Network.
@patrickreynolds.bsky.social asks: what’s next? What can we achieve in 3/ 10/ 30 years?🔮 www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2026/09/10/v...
@patrickreynolds.bsky.social asks: what’s next? What can we achieve in 3/ 10/ 30 years?🔮 www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2026/09/10/v...
Reposted by Daniel Bowen
📅🚧Everyone's least favourite calendars. But it's worth checking for disruptions when planning a trip.
Planned closures for upgrades might be necessary, but authorities need to ensure disruptions are minimised, info is clear and that there are plenty of staff and buses to help keep people moving.
Planned closures for upgrades might be necessary, but authorities need to ensure disruptions are minimised, info is clear and that there are plenty of staff and buses to help keep people moving.
September 8, 2026 at 9:53 PM
📅🚧Everyone's least favourite calendars. But it's worth checking for disruptions when planning a trip.
Planned closures for upgrades might be necessary, but authorities need to ensure disruptions are minimised, info is clear and that there are plenty of staff and buses to help keep people moving.
Planned closures for upgrades might be necessary, but authorities need to ensure disruptions are minimised, info is clear and that there are plenty of staff and buses to help keep people moving.
Heading home in a 737 🚉
September 9, 2026 at 6:53 AM
Heading home in a 737 🚉
I was in Sydney for a few days last month, and I finally got around to blogging a few thoughts on the Sydney Metro. Very impressive. Australian cities could do with more like this.
Some thoughts on the Sydney Metro
If you're boarding the Sydney Metro (I'll mostly use the line number M1 for short) for the first time from a CBD station, the first thing you see is the grand architecture. It’s impressive, but you also get a sense that they have designed it for scale to carry large numbers of people through the [...]
danielbowen.com
September 8, 2026 at 11:03 AM
I was in Sydney for a few days last month, and I finally got around to blogging a few thoughts on the Sydney Metro. Very impressive. Australian cities could do with more like this.
Reposted by Daniel Bowen
🚉🚴Cycling and public transport make a great combination. We support the call from Bicycle Network for 5% of state transport infrastructure budget to be used to provide better cycling infrastructure.
Read more here:
Read more here:
5% for Safer Streets — Bicycle Network
Find your electorate, see what cycling infrastructure exists — and ask your local candidates to invest in safer streets.
bicyclenetwork.com.au
September 7, 2026 at 10:29 AM
🚉🚴Cycling and public transport make a great combination. We support the call from Bicycle Network for 5% of state transport infrastructure budget to be used to provide better cycling infrastructure.
Read more here:
Read more here:
Sorry not the best ever video, but: dolphins in the Maribyrnong river this morning! #Melbourne 🐬
September 6, 2026 at 1:31 AM
Sorry not the best ever video, but: dolphins in the Maribyrnong river this morning! #Melbourne 🐬
High-rise at the end of the rainbow🌈🏙️
September 5, 2026 at 9:34 AM
High-rise at the end of the rainbow🌈🏙️
Reposted by Daniel Bowen
More public transport systems are adding monthly or weekly fare caps, so regular users can avoid the hassle and upfront expense of preloading a Pass. Victoria should do this too, especially now we've got Tap And Go.
No more buying TTC monthly pass upfront: Fare cap starts Sept. 1 | NOW Toronto
Starting September, Toronto commuters will only be required to pay for 47 trips, with the rest of their rides free for the month.
nowtoronto.com
September 4, 2026 at 11:48 PM
More public transport systems are adding monthly or weekly fare caps, so regular users can avoid the hassle and upfront expense of preloading a Pass. Victoria should do this too, especially now we've got Tap And Go.
Reposted by Daniel Bowen
I remember, many years ago, I first heard the phrase “climate anxiety” and thought it silly.
Now here in Sydney - in the first week of spring - we face temperatures of 33*c and a total fire ban due to “extreme” fire danger…
Now I’m anxious! www.nine.com.au/australia-ne...
Now here in Sydney - in the first week of spring - we face temperatures of 33*c and a total fire ban due to “extreme” fire danger…
Now I’m anxious! www.nine.com.au/australia-ne...
Total fire ban declared for millions as unseasonable early heatwave bears down
www.nine.com.au
September 4, 2026 at 12:38 PM
I remember, many years ago, I first heard the phrase “climate anxiety” and thought it silly.
Now here in Sydney - in the first week of spring - we face temperatures of 33*c and a total fire ban due to “extreme” fire danger…
Now I’m anxious! www.nine.com.au/australia-ne...
Now here in Sydney - in the first week of spring - we face temperatures of 33*c and a total fire ban due to “extreme” fire danger…
Now I’m anxious! www.nine.com.au/australia-ne...