People Using Public Transportation Climbs 13.2 Percent in One Year

Residents of Melbourne are using public transportation more than ever. This includes a 13.2 percent rise in the use of trams, buses and trains just last year. Leading the way were trams, which experienced the highest passenger growth rate. Passengers using trams were up 15 percent to 178 million trips annually. The patronage figures from March also show an increase of 14 percent in bus usage and 11 percent to 214 million trips of train usage. When asked how Melbourne’s public transportation system rated overall, residents responded positively. Lynne Kosky, Public Transport Minister, commented that the bus network now services more than 100 million passengers on an annual basis. This is the highest number of passengers since the 1970s. Ms. Kosky was quoted as saying “More people than ever before are using Melbourne’s public transport network and that is why we have projects worth $1 billion already just completed or underway plus more than $6 billion funded through the State and Federal budgets.” She also added the increase in passengers using the bus reflects the $1 billion investment by the government to enhance the local bus services. “The massive investment has also created more than 400 full time jobs and provided a boost for the bus industry creating more opportunities for local suppliers and businesses,” she added. These statistics arrived only one a week following the revelation by Connex that 53 new train services will be added to selected lines beginning in July. In addition, Werribee line services were increased with trains running every 10 minutes throughout the day. Frankston, Williamston and Pakenham lines will also notice improved services....

Navigating Ipswich and Stowmarket through the River Gipping

Flowing from near Felsham in Suffolk is the River Ure on its way to the sea at Harwich. It travels by way of Rattlesden, Stowmarket and Ipswich. This river has held many new names through the years resulting in the distinction of currently holding three names. It is called Rattlesden River from its origin on the way to Stowmarket. When it gets to Stowmarket, it turns into the River Gipping and remains thus all the way to Ipswich. Once it reaches Ipswich, it becomes the River Orwell and flows to the North Sea. Even though the River Gipping begins near Mendlesham Green, its name comes from the small village known as Gipping, which is located a couple of miles away. Here, it merges with the Rattlesden River to the south of Stowmarket. During the year 1719, proposals first appeared to make the river passable from Stowmarket to Ipswich. These were dropped because Ipswich Corporation objected. The next attempt occurred in 1790 through a Bill that was presented to Parliament. The royal sanction was received on the first of April in 1790. There were many issues with the entire process. John Rennie was tasked with producing a new survey. The contractors were sacked. Worst of all, there had been an estimate of £14,300 to complete everything. However, the final cost was £35,300, clearly a significantly higher amount than was initially stated. In spite of everything, though, September of 1793 finally saw the launching of the navigation. The navigation grew stronger as many maltings were set up in Stowmarket as well as other facilities. These were particularly noticeable in Bramford where...