Riding the Rails: Public Transport Not Traffic campaign launch

Leafleting under the Flinders Street Station clocks

Happy Launch Day to the Public Transport Not Traffic campaign!
This morning I walked to Clifton Hill station, took some photos of the Public Transport Not Traffic group (PTNT) doing their thing, jumped on the train to Flinders Street station, took some pics of the leafleters there before boarding another train to return me to Clifton Hill, after which I walked home, where I arrived in time to start work at 9 am. Phew! One major advantage of the opposition to the Tunnel movement I can definitely vouch for is that it gets you moving early. These days a good lie in for me is 7am! But it was well worth it. It was great to see the PTNT group up and at it so early at Clifton Hill.

Clifton Hill team

I'm embarrassed to confess that I was very glad that Mack was staying put at Clifton Hill. Otherwise I wouldn't have been able to visit Flinders Street. What public transport activist leaves home without her Myki card? This one. Thank you, Mack, for the loan.

Mack with enthusiastic commuter

I overheard the lady above saying that she was hearing from so many sources about opposition to the East-West link and pro-Public Transport that she was keen to know where PTNT fits in. Her impression that there is a groundswell of interest is music to the ears.

The Flinders Street station gang

At Flinders street the leafleters were hard at it by the time I arrived. Leaflets were disappearing fast, and even though many of the passers-by just grabbed a leaflet in passing on their way to work, that wasn't always the case.

Stopping to share a laugh

Leafleters were very seasoned by the time I left. They had their shpiels off pat and seemed to be attracting a lot of positive attention.

Disappearing like hot cakes

The leaflets are particularly attractive. The design is clear and colourful, and encourages commuters to go online to have their say about Melbourne's transport future via a brief survey that can be completed between one stop and the next. There is even a prize - of a $50 MYKI card. The designers have made a good job of their market research.

An arresting leaflet

Although I only had time to visit two locations, it was heartening to think that other train stations across Melbourne were also being leafleted. What a great launch for an inventive new community campaign. Welcome Public Transport Not Traffic!