Naththan
@nathanpittman.bsky.social
PhD candidate, writing about the art of government of transport planning: maps as manifestations of power, models as inseparable from plans, questions of what planning is as questions of what it should be, and good planners as bad planners.
Pinned
Naththan
@nathanpittman.bsky.social
· May 24
The Victorian government should make public transport free*
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*by free, I mean “free from being obstructed by car traffic” and not “fare free”
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*by free, I mean “free from being obstructed by car traffic” and not “fare free”
Finally arrived in Melbourne, only four hours behind schedule.
Ah, the XPT. Not content in having just a two hour delay due to one of the power cars being busted, now we’re held up in Benalla for an unspecified amount of time due to a signalling fault.
December 30, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Finally arrived in Melbourne, only four hours behind schedule.
Ah, the XPT. Not content in having just a two hour delay due to one of the power cars being busted, now we’re held up in Benalla for an unspecified amount of time due to a signalling fault.
December 30, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Ah, the XPT. Not content in having just a two hour delay due to one of the power cars being busted, now we’re held up in Benalla for an unspecified amount of time due to a signalling fault.
So, this was this driver’s sixth driving offence since 2009 and he had been served two further infringement notices since the crash, but in 30 months, he’ll be permitted to drive again.
A man who caused the death of an elderly couple while driving with methamphetamine in his blood is ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and four months of home detention.
Driver on meth who killed couple in bridge crash avoids jail
A man who caused the death of an elderly couple while driving with methamphetamine in his blood is ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and four months of home detention.
www.abc.net.au
December 30, 2025 at 6:01 AM
So, this was this driver’s sixth driving offence since 2009 and he had been served two further infringement notices since the crash, but in 30 months, he’ll be permitted to drive again.
Have a sook, mate.
Federal Labor MP Dan Repacholi has hit out at the NSW Labor government over its new gun laws, saying it means he "would no longer be able to compete in all my Olympic events"
"When you rush things through it has unintended consequences...shame on the NSW Government"
"When you rush things through it has unintended consequences...shame on the NSW Government"
December 24, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Have a sook, mate.
This article claims “the cost of collecting and policing fares eats up most – if not all – of the revenue collected”.
My sense is this is incorrect, except for smaller towns and cities, or places that charge stupidly low amounts.
Anyone have any data?
My sense is this is incorrect, except for smaller towns and cities, or places that charge stupidly low amounts.
Anyone have any data?
Free calls to Santa from payphones are a gift – and a reminder that public goods have a value beyond money | Cressida Gaukroger
Free calls to Santa from payphones are a gift – and a reminder that public goods have a value beyond money | Cressida Gaukroger
The cost of making an Australian public good like beaches, museums, transport and phones free or universal is marginal – while the benefits are immense
In a world that seems increasingly keen to monetise every interaction we have with it, how nice it was to watch my daughter discover she could make a “call to Santa” from a public payphone … free of charge.
I say “payphone”, but in Australia payphones are not in fact “pay” phones. In 2021, Telstra, the now-privatised national telco, made all local and national calls from public phones free – as well as calls to Santa, which I guess count as “international”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 24, 2025 at 12:39 AM
This article claims “the cost of collecting and policing fares eats up most – if not all – of the revenue collected”.
My sense is this is incorrect, except for smaller towns and cities, or places that charge stupidly low amounts.
Anyone have any data?
My sense is this is incorrect, except for smaller towns and cities, or places that charge stupidly low amounts.
Anyone have any data?
Properties include Mould Kent Road, Infested-by-a-Vine Street, Claiming Excessive Bond Street, and Water Works (but has a slight rust discolouration)
What’s wrong babe? You’ve barely touched your Nelson Alexander monopoly and signature fragrance Christmas present
December 18, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Properties include Mould Kent Road, Infested-by-a-Vine Street, Claiming Excessive Bond Street, and Water Works (but has a slight rust discolouration)
Context for non-Oz readers: 40 actual nazis stormed an Indigenous cultural site in Melbourne earlier this year, but we're to think that the epistemic permission to massacre a cultural event is produced when undergrads insist their unis don't finance genocide.
December 17, 2025 at 4:52 AM
Context for non-Oz readers: 40 actual nazis stormed an Indigenous cultural site in Melbourne earlier this year, but we're to think that the epistemic permission to massacre a cultural event is produced when undergrads insist their unis don't finance genocide.
It's been incredible to watch how rapidly the conversation about the Bondi Beach attack has pivoted to "it's the fault of anti-genocide protestors" with no reflection whatsoever on the role of actual neonazi March for Australia gronks and the incels who stormed Camp Sovereignty a few months back.
December 17, 2025 at 4:46 AM
It's been incredible to watch how rapidly the conversation about the Bondi Beach attack has pivoted to "it's the fault of anti-genocide protestors" with no reflection whatsoever on the role of actual neonazi March for Australia gronks and the incels who stormed Camp Sovereignty a few months back.
Please, join me in my latest hobby: emailing polite but stern complaints to the IT support desk whenever they push updates that reinstalls friggin Copilot.
December 10, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Please, join me in my latest hobby: emailing polite but stern complaints to the IT support desk whenever they push updates that reinstalls friggin Copilot.
I would be interested to see Old Mate's take on the precision/reliability of business cases for suburban arterial upgrade program (i.e., road widening in the suburbs).
Ain't going to happen, though: we would never subject road building to the same level of scrutiny.
Ain't going to happen, though: we would never subject road building to the same level of scrutiny.
This opinion piece appears to look at daily average patronage figures, concludes not growing as fast as forecast. But Tue/Wed/Thu ridership is strong, and crowded trains are common.
And does the piece mention the massive motorway projects also underway? No of course not. #Melbourne
And does the piece mention the massive motorway projects also underway? No of course not. #Melbourne
December 9, 2025 at 10:47 PM
I would be interested to see Old Mate's take on the precision/reliability of business cases for suburban arterial upgrade program (i.e., road widening in the suburbs).
Ain't going to happen, though: we would never subject road building to the same level of scrutiny.
Ain't going to happen, though: we would never subject road building to the same level of scrutiny.
Haymarket in Melbourne is a great example of intersection management that crams as many cursed cars through as possible, while also slowing trams down.
2011 changes saw general traffic lanes added and lights installed. Previously, trams had priority; now, they wait for lights.
2011 changes saw general traffic lanes added and lights installed. Previously, trams had priority; now, they wait for lights.
December 9, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Haymarket in Melbourne is a great example of intersection management that crams as many cursed cars through as possible, while also slowing trams down.
2011 changes saw general traffic lanes added and lights installed. Previously, trams had priority; now, they wait for lights.
2011 changes saw general traffic lanes added and lights installed. Previously, trams had priority; now, they wait for lights.
A 4WD driver has killed a child in Melbourne's north-eastern suburbs.
You can be sure the ensuing discussion will focus on the excessive power of e-bikes, and not on the excessive size and power of 4WDs or the repeated failure of the State government to provide a safe environment for bike riders.
You can be sure the ensuing discussion will focus on the excessive power of e-bikes, and not on the excessive size and power of 4WDs or the repeated failure of the State government to provide a safe environment for bike riders.
December 9, 2025 at 12:48 AM
A 4WD driver has killed a child in Melbourne's north-eastern suburbs.
You can be sure the ensuing discussion will focus on the excessive power of e-bikes, and not on the excessive size and power of 4WDs or the repeated failure of the State government to provide a safe environment for bike riders.
You can be sure the ensuing discussion will focus on the excessive power of e-bikes, and not on the excessive size and power of 4WDs or the repeated failure of the State government to provide a safe environment for bike riders.
Improved bus services are welcome (in the sense that something is better than nothing) but these improvements to the west's buses are about providing the bare minimum to keep up with population growth, rather than providing a robust alternative to driving.
More buses, more often for the outer west
transport.vic.gov.au
December 7, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Improved bus services are welcome (in the sense that something is better than nothing) but these improvements to the west's buses are about providing the bare minimum to keep up with population growth, rather than providing a robust alternative to driving.
Mmmm delicious… sand?
![Photograph of an ingredients list from a flavour sachet.
It reads: INGREDIENTS: Dehydrated Vegetables, Salt, Spices Includes Chipotle Chilli (8%)], Rice Flour, Sugar, Yeast, Brown Sugar, Herbs, Smoke Flavours (Barley), Anti-caking Agent (Silicon Dioxide), Tamarind Powder, Acidity Regulator (Ascorbic Acid, Natural Colour (Paprika Oleoresin), Natural Flavours.
Silicon dioxide is highlighted in yellow](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5udcc3kk7z46nvsjb4wgp7bo/bafkreidr7x433y4hi6rmin5rncfybr3wfqb3ht3yxc2phtlpjo4dks53fq@jpeg)
December 6, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Mmmm delicious… sand?
What’s the problem? Most car trips are less than 10km.
Use public transport or walk or bike.
Use public transport or walk or bike.
Road tests find no EV in Australia that lives up to its claimed range on a single charge – but one brand came close
Road tests find no EV in Australia that lives up to its claimed range on a single charge – but one brand came close
MG4 only managed 281km of its claimed 405km range, while Tesla Model Y came closest to matching expectations
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Electric vehicles are not travelling as far as their manufacturers promise, with independent road tests showing all models analysed have failed to meet their advertised range.
One popular small car produced the worst EV result to date in the latest tests, pulling up more than 120km short of the distance printed on its sticker. At the other end of the scale, Tesla’s latest Model Y SUV was only a few kilometres short of its claim. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:53 PM
What’s the problem? Most car trips are less than 10km.
Use public transport or walk or bike.
Use public transport or walk or bike.
Incoming changes to Route 57 through North Melbourne to accommodate G-class trams.
Positives: heaps of parking reductions, more space for tram passengers to wait, heaps of parking reductions.
Negatives: some stops moved away from intersections, changes don't provide level boarding.
Positives: heaps of parking reductions, more space for tram passengers to wait, heaps of parking reductions.
Negatives: some stops moved away from intersections, changes don't provide level boarding.
Route 57 North Melbourne tram corridor
We want your feedback on planned tram stop changes along the North Melbourne corridor.
engage.vic.gov.au
December 3, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Incoming changes to Route 57 through North Melbourne to accommodate G-class trams.
Positives: heaps of parking reductions, more space for tram passengers to wait, heaps of parking reductions.
Negatives: some stops moved away from intersections, changes don't provide level boarding.
Positives: heaps of parking reductions, more space for tram passengers to wait, heaps of parking reductions.
Negatives: some stops moved away from intersections, changes don't provide level boarding.
So, y’know how the Metro tunnel opening on Sunday was this fun day with gunzels and normies alike being all happy and joyful about a major infrastructural link finally opening…
Reckon we’ll repeat that when the West Gate Tunnel opens?
Reckon we’ll repeat that when the West Gate Tunnel opens?
December 2, 2025 at 1:55 AM
So, y’know how the Metro tunnel opening on Sunday was this fun day with gunzels and normies alike being all happy and joyful about a major infrastructural link finally opening…
Reckon we’ll repeat that when the West Gate Tunnel opens?
Reckon we’ll repeat that when the West Gate Tunnel opens?
The new Swanston St Railway Tunnel went through a few routing changes - a good thing for a project this size.
Not shown is how the tunnel was going to be delivered in stages: first from Footscray to Domain, then Domain to Caulfield later.
Not shown is how the tunnel was going to be delivered in stages: first from Footscray to Domain, then Domain to Caulfield later.
December 1, 2025 at 12:37 AM
The new Swanston St Railway Tunnel went through a few routing changes - a good thing for a project this size.
Not shown is how the tunnel was going to be delivered in stages: first from Footscray to Domain, then Domain to Caulfield later.
Not shown is how the tunnel was going to be delivered in stages: first from Footscray to Domain, then Domain to Caulfield later.
Flemington Racecourse turn the frigging music down its Sunday night FFS.
November 30, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Flemington Racecourse turn the frigging music down its Sunday night FFS.
Late addition to the negatives part of my metro tunnel review is that we bought cheap plastic-looking HCMTs instead of these gorgeous soviet contraptions.
There’s still time to get it right; we could order these for the Sydney to Newcastle high speed line that is totally getting built.
There’s still time to get it right; we could order these for the Sydney to Newcastle high speed line that is totally getting built.
Just realized that the Wicked locomotive is inspired by the 1979 USSR concept designed by designer Luigi Colani
November 30, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Late addition to the negatives part of my metro tunnel review is that we bought cheap plastic-looking HCMTs instead of these gorgeous soviet contraptions.
There’s still time to get it right; we could order these for the Sydney to Newcastle high speed line that is totally getting built.
There’s still time to get it right; we could order these for the Sydney to Newcastle high speed line that is totally getting built.
++ Metro Tunnel Thinkings🚇💭
+ way smoother ride than Sydney’s very bumpy metro,
+ some nice touches at the stations, especially with natural light at Arden & Parkville,
+ FSS to Town Hall transfer was faster/easier than expected, very dank passageway,
+ more of an S-Bahn/RER than a metro
+ way smoother ride than Sydney’s very bumpy metro,
+ some nice touches at the stations, especially with natural light at Arden & Parkville,
+ FSS to Town Hall transfer was faster/easier than expected, very dank passageway,
+ more of an S-Bahn/RER than a metro
November 30, 2025 at 7:42 AM
++ Metro Tunnel Thinkings🚇💭
+ way smoother ride than Sydney’s very bumpy metro,
+ some nice touches at the stations, especially with natural light at Arden & Parkville,
+ FSS to Town Hall transfer was faster/easier than expected, very dank passageway,
+ more of an S-Bahn/RER than a metro
+ way smoother ride than Sydney’s very bumpy metro,
+ some nice touches at the stations, especially with natural light at Arden & Parkville,
+ FSS to Town Hall transfer was faster/easier than expected, very dank passageway,
+ more of an S-Bahn/RER than a metro
The sheer sense of entitlement to public space that car drivers demonstrate is really quite mind blowing.
It’s unthinkable that one would pull over on the road, because that would disrupt all that is holy i.e., traffic flow.
Pedestrians and cyclists? Fuck ‘em.
It’s unthinkable that one would pull over on the road, because that would disrupt all that is holy i.e., traffic flow.
Pedestrians and cyclists? Fuck ‘em.
November 30, 2025 at 6:48 AM
The sheer sense of entitlement to public space that car drivers demonstrate is really quite mind blowing.
It’s unthinkable that one would pull over on the road, because that would disrupt all that is holy i.e., traffic flow.
Pedestrians and cyclists? Fuck ‘em.
It’s unthinkable that one would pull over on the road, because that would disrupt all that is holy i.e., traffic flow.
Pedestrians and cyclists? Fuck ‘em.
Arden Telephone Machine
November 30, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Arden Telephone Machine
This information suggests that Metro Tunnel services stop at North Melbourne some of the time, or that they are at least physically able to.
By this logic, Metro Tunnel trains also run express through Kensington and Macaulay stations.
By this logic, Metro Tunnel trains also run express through Kensington and Macaulay stations.
November 29, 2025 at 10:55 PM
This information suggests that Metro Tunnel services stop at North Melbourne some of the time, or that they are at least physically able to.
By this logic, Metro Tunnel trains also run express through Kensington and Macaulay stations.
By this logic, Metro Tunnel trains also run express through Kensington and Macaulay stations.
Ah man they just had to insist that the “new” stations have distinct names and identities, didn’t they 🤦🏼♂️
There's only one thing worse than messing up the usual Myki card 15 minute walk through/Change Of Mind feature, and that's the knee-jerk reaction to say they'll leave fare gates open for the benefit of a vanishingly tiny number of people. www.hepburnadvocate.... #MetroTunnel
Backflip on plans to charge pedestrians using underpass
Locals and tourists will no longer be charged for touching on and off between two connected CBD train...
www.hepburnadvocate.com.au
November 26, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Ah man they just had to insist that the “new” stations have distinct names and identities, didn’t they 🤦🏼♂️