Australians have voiced their frustration over the state of public transportation following Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s appeal for residents to use it as a strategy to mitigate the nation’s fuel crisis.
In a national address delivered last week, Albanese urged citizens to opt for trains, buses, or trams for their daily commute. His call aimed to conserve fuel supplies, ensuring availability for those in critical need, such as farmers and essential workers, at petrol stations.
This appeal coincided with initiatives in states like Victoria and Tasmania, where free public transport fares were introduced. However, these measures resulted in chaotic scenes, with stations overwhelmed by large crowds.
Brock Valesini, a resident of Sydney, described the situation as overwhelming, noting that every train he’s taken into the city center recently has been “packed to the brim.” He expressed his frustrations, particularly highlighting the challenges of commuting into Sydney’s CBD.
Addressing the Prime Minister directly, Valesini stated, “Anthony Albanese, listen here. If you don’t do something about these fuel prices, I’m going to do something about them.” His comments underscore the growing public discontent with both transportation conditions and rising fuel costs.
‘Anthony Albanese, listen here. If you don’t do something about these fuel prices, I’m going to do something about them,’ Mr Valesini said.
‘This morning, I get on the train and I’m sitting on the two-seater side. After about eight stops somebody gets on and literally sat on the side of my leg.
‘They didn’t even make a fuss about the fact they were on top of me.’
Brock Valesini blamed Anthony Albanese for his recent train experiences
Free public transport in Melbourne has meant trains have been crammed in recent weeks
Many social media users agreed with his complaints.
‘I can’t even get a park at my train station any more,’ one said.
‘I work in community aged care and I would love to see him (Albanese) try and use public transport to get to all these people’s homes I service,’ another added.
‘Brisbane trains are already busy most of the time. My morning train ride is always packed after a few stops,’ a third said.
Melburnian Ruby Doyle said she uses public transport for work and on weekends, and claimed the government hadn’t taken into account what the influx of new passengers would do to the network.
She also experienced similar issues as Mr Valesini with behaviour on public transport.
‘It’s actually wild and no one knows how to act,’ she said.
‘Someone teach these people who usually drive how to behave on public transport. They seriously need some etiquette.’
Aussies are having to put up with packed trains and platforms
Aussies in capital cities around the country are putting up with packed trains
In Victoria, no additional services have been scheduled, with Premier Jacinta Allan stating she would monitor passenger numbers to see if more services were needed.
Many Aussies around the country pointed out the trains were already full during peak hours and have now become unbearable to ride in.
A Transport for NSW spokesman told news.com.au the prospect of expanding services was being considered.
‘All public transport modes are currently developing plans to examine the possibility of increasing capacity, should it be required in the future,’ he said.
Despite the complaints, the NSW Opal facilitated public transport network recorded just a 1.5 per cent year-on-year increase from March 30.
Hussein Dia, Professor of Transport Technology and Sustainability at Swinburne University of Technology, said public transport networks in NSW and Victoria were not built to ‘absorb a sudden and sustained surge in demand across the network’.
Last week, Albanese announced a 50 per cent reduction in the fuel excise for three months, cutting the cost of petrol by 26.3 cents a litre.
He asked Aussies to ‘switch to catching the train or bus or tram to work’ if they can.
