This is my very first blog, and I have been introduced to this world, by my brothers. I have a lot of grieviances and think this is a great place to air them, and hear other peoples responses. I am a stay at home mum, that does not drive, who has a child with special needs; a million in one medical conditions, but still manages to get ahead. These blogs will be about everyday issues that either annoy, fascinate or bewilder me. I hope that you will enjoy, maybe laugh, disagree or just have a read.
I am a Melbourne girl born and bred. Spent 4 years in Qld, but ended up coming home, due to family matters. One thing that did not change while I was away was our beloved public transport. Queensland is not much better, but at least their trains our clean and run on time. Please explain how (Melbournians will understand this blog more), the state government can justify, having low floor trams everywhere around Melbourne, but the hospital district, and still have those horrible smelly buses with those awful high steps. As I am currently tackling the Victorian roads on my L’s, I still have to travel on public transport. Every month, sometimes up to 4 times a month, my 3 year old daughter and I tackle transport into the city, so that we can attend her specialist appointments. My daughter has a condition called Distal Arthrogryposis, but more about that in another blog, and even though she can walk, she is only able to do it, for a certain amount of time. Therefore we always have to take her stroller, because by the time we come home she is exhausted, sore and cannot walk. Well, do you think we can get onto public transport with ease.
Get real!!!
We need to take a bus, which is sometimes low floor. What I mean by low floor, is that they have a ramp, so that you can get on with ease. Other times they have steps. The bus drivers hardly ever help, they mainly sit on their fat lazy behinds and just look at you. Then once I get her on, and the stroller, I then have 5 seconds to get her seated, before Mr bus driver takes off at 100kmh. Last time I looked Lower Dandenong Road, did not quite look like Bathurst, or a Formula 1 circuit. We then have a 10 mintue ride to the train station, of which we are holding on for dear life, as the driver still thinks he is is racing against Michael Schumacher. We get to the train staion in one piece and proceed to get on the train. This is the best part of the journey, as I have no trouble getting her on. The only problem is that you need to get to the station 2 hours before your appointment, so that you get in their on time. Mind you, it is only a 30 minute train ride to the city. Once we arrive in the city, I then have to catch a tram 10 mintues up the road to the Royal Childrens Hospital. This could be a very simple trip, instead I have to struggle to get a child and stroller onto very high steps all in a matter of 2 minutes. All the while, people are just looking at me, some help, most do not. 10 mintues later we arrive at a destination, exhausted, hot, tired and ready to go home. But, wait we cannot go home yet, as we have just arrived. Later in the afternoon I have to go through it all over again, and this time with the peak hour rush.
My message here is that it is time our Premier listened to the little people. Our system needs a major overhaul. Having old trams running through the hospital route is stupid. Letting the Private Bus Companies get away with bad customer service and then expecting that taking seats out of the trains will fix the problem.
Everyone needs have to be met. The roads are too congested, because the public transport is crap. The public transport is congested, because the roads are too congested and people think public transport is easier. We cannot win. Instead of spending money on overhauling the trains yards, to make them look fancier and new football stadiums. Use it to help the everyday person. Make it easier for us who do not drive and do not have access to a car during the day.
I do not want to have to drive everywhere, but this why I need to get my licence. I cannot get around anywhere without a degree of difficulty. Why? Ask John Brumby.
Excuse my spelling and grammer.
Sit back read, comment and enjoy
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