The opening of the Metro Tunnel in Melbourne is to be celebrated (The Metro Tunnel will finally open after years of chaos – so what is the payoff for the Melbourne commuter?, 28 November). Like the new metro in Sydney, and the one under construction in Brisbane, it will give us better, sustainable ways to move people around. But your report speaks of commuters and not travellers or passengers. This fails to embrace the potential of “all of the city, all of the time for everyone” public transport.
The weekday work commute to a city’s central business district is only a tiny part of the story: we need to seamlessly think of public transport first for going to the pool, visiting friends, shopping, getting to the airport, heading to concerts – all our daily trips – before turning to cars.
The best cities in the world have excellent public transport, as well as safe walking and biking cultures. Let’s think bigger about the way metros can move people, not just commuters, around our cities.
Will Atkins
Sydney, Australia
