Michael Bell
@xtrackka.bsky.social
Transport and optimism
Posting from Parkdale | Bunurong
and Goldfields | Dja Dja Wurrung lands
Posting from Parkdale | Bunurong
and Goldfields | Dja Dja Wurrung lands
Pinned
1/1/26 musing:
When someone says “roads are for cars!” I say no, roads are not for cars.
Roads are the means by which people and goods can move between property and locations.
Cars just happen to be the mode society currently prioritises for facilitating that movement.
When someone says “roads are for cars!” I say no, roads are not for cars.
Roads are the means by which people and goods can move between property and locations.
Cars just happen to be the mode society currently prioritises for facilitating that movement.
“Artist impression, subject to change.
Vegetation shownlat 10 years maturity.”
Hard to see how #ParkdaleStation is ever going to look like the 10-year renders if no plants have survived the first year in these planters.
Vegetation shownlat 10 years maturity.”
Hard to see how #ParkdaleStation is ever going to look like the 10-year renders if no plants have survived the first year in these planters.
January 19, 2026 at 8:33 AM
“Artist impression, subject to change.
Vegetation shownlat 10 years maturity.”
Hard to see how #ParkdaleStation is ever going to look like the 10-year renders if no plants have survived the first year in these planters.
Vegetation shownlat 10 years maturity.”
Hard to see how #ParkdaleStation is ever going to look like the 10-year renders if no plants have survived the first year in these planters.
#Bluesky iOS app just did something annoying that it hasn’t done before… I opened a linked story in a post, and when I came back, Bluesky auto-refreshed and threw me unceremoniously to the top of my feed.
Why #BSKY? The ability to control my place in the feed was one of the joys of this place.
Why #BSKY? The ability to control my place in the feed was one of the joys of this place.
January 15, 2026 at 9:08 PM
The AWW debacle broke on this platform, and the most immediate and factual updates from people close to the events appeared here first.
Bluesky finally feels timely and relevant.
Bluesky finally feels timely and relevant.
January 13, 2026 at 4:06 AM
The AWW debacle broke on this platform, and the most immediate and factual updates from people close to the events appeared here first.
Bluesky finally feels timely and relevant.
Bluesky finally feels timely and relevant.
Trying to create a VicTraffic account so you can keep track of road closures during to fires on routes you regularly travel?
Can’t, because #TransportVictoria doesn’t have sufficient API capacity on AWS. Embarrassing.
Can’t, because #TransportVictoria doesn’t have sufficient API capacity on AWS. Embarrassing.
January 11, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Trying to create a VicTraffic account so you can keep track of road closures during to fires on routes you regularly travel?
Can’t, because #TransportVictoria doesn’t have sufficient API capacity on AWS. Embarrassing.
Can’t, because #TransportVictoria doesn’t have sufficient API capacity on AWS. Embarrassing.
INModeration
Yes. Maybe.
Slightly diminish a band:
The Foo Negotiators
The Foo Negotiators
January 10, 2026 at 10:42 AM
INModeration
Sweeeeet cool change just arrived in Parkdale. Wind has swung from NW to SW. Temp dropped from 42 to 34 and falling!
January 9, 2026 at 6:10 AM
Sweeeeet cool change just arrived in Parkdale. Wind has swung from NW to SW. Temp dropped from 42 to 34 and falling!
1/1/26 musing:
When someone says “roads are for cars!” I say no, roads are not for cars.
Roads are the means by which people and goods can move between property and locations.
Cars just happen to be the mode society currently prioritises for facilitating that movement.
When someone says “roads are for cars!” I say no, roads are not for cars.
Roads are the means by which people and goods can move between property and locations.
Cars just happen to be the mode society currently prioritises for facilitating that movement.
January 1, 2026 at 1:14 AM
1/1/26 musing:
When someone says “roads are for cars!” I say no, roads are not for cars.
Roads are the means by which people and goods can move between property and locations.
Cars just happen to be the mode society currently prioritises for facilitating that movement.
When someone says “roads are for cars!” I say no, roads are not for cars.
Roads are the means by which people and goods can move between property and locations.
Cars just happen to be the mode society currently prioritises for facilitating that movement.
The trust destroying act of #Wired cataloging the biggest data breaches of 2025, but failing to report its own December breach
www.wired.com/story/worst-...
www.wired.com/story/worst-...
The Worst Hacks of 2025
From university breaches to cyberattacks that shut down whole supply chains, these were the worst cybersecurity incidents of the year.
www.wired.com
December 29, 2025 at 10:19 PM
The trust destroying act of #Wired cataloging the biggest data breaches of 2025, but failing to report its own December breach
www.wired.com/story/worst-...
www.wired.com/story/worst-...
Disregard for the historic coloured tile subway ramps at #RichmondStation continues with more advertising wrap. Metro Trains Melbourne - current franchise owner - seems to have given up on caring for Richmond Station, and instead is chasing revenue from whoever is prepared to pay. #MetroTrains
December 23, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Disregard for the historic coloured tile subway ramps at #RichmondStation continues with more advertising wrap. Metro Trains Melbourne - current franchise owner - seems to have given up on caring for Richmond Station, and instead is chasing revenue from whoever is prepared to pay. #MetroTrains
#RichmondStation is falling down. Temporary structural props have been installed over the mid-platform subway, on all platforms. Interestingly, this is where the mid-platform PIDs used to hang.
December 22, 2025 at 9:50 PM
#RichmondStation is falling down. Temporary structural props have been installed over the mid-platform subway, on all platforms. Interestingly, this is where the mid-platform PIDs used to hang.
In-train PIDs not working. Train is atypically empty… 2 days ‘till Christmas.
At Moorabbin, driver announces “this is a limited express service, running express to Caulfield”, then proceeds to stop all stations to Ormond. Skips Glenhuntly, then stops Caulfield and Malvern.
#MetroTrainsMelbourne
At Moorabbin, driver announces “this is a limited express service, running express to Caulfield”, then proceeds to stop all stations to Ormond. Skips Glenhuntly, then stops Caulfield and Malvern.
#MetroTrainsMelbourne
December 22, 2025 at 9:34 PM
In-train PIDs not working. Train is atypically empty… 2 days ‘till Christmas.
At Moorabbin, driver announces “this is a limited express service, running express to Caulfield”, then proceeds to stop all stations to Ormond. Skips Glenhuntly, then stops Caulfield and Malvern.
#MetroTrainsMelbourne
At Moorabbin, driver announces “this is a limited express service, running express to Caulfield”, then proceeds to stop all stations to Ormond. Skips Glenhuntly, then stops Caulfield and Malvern.
#MetroTrainsMelbourne
Counting down the minutes until Pauline Hansen turns this moment into a political message of division and hatred in an ugly attempt to recruit voters.
December 15, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Counting down the minutes until Pauline Hansen turns this moment into a political message of division and hatred in an ugly attempt to recruit voters.
There are some people that say local council is all about roads, rates & rubbish. They’re wrong…. local council is all about community!
#CarolsByKingston
#CarolsByKingston
December 7, 2025 at 9:07 AM
There are some people that say local council is all about roads, rates & rubbish. They’re wrong…. local council is all about community!
#CarolsByKingston
#CarolsByKingston
Is Arden Station Melbourne’s first ever high-capacity public transport service in a yet-to-be-developed urban setting?
Rather than criticise the station in “a barren expanse of weedy gravel”, it should celebrated!
www.theage.com.au/politics/vic...
Rather than criticise the station in “a barren expanse of weedy gravel”, it should celebrated!
www.theage.com.au/politics/vic...
‘Out of the station and into a paddock’: Arden station is open, so where’s the suburb?
Arden is meant to be the latest attempt to turn a patch of gritty industrial land into a thriving suburb. But the precinct faces flood risks and a 30-year build-out.
www.theage.com.au
December 5, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Is Arden Station Melbourne’s first ever high-capacity public transport service in a yet-to-be-developed urban setting?
Rather than criticise the station in “a barren expanse of weedy gravel”, it should celebrated!
www.theage.com.au/politics/vic...
Rather than criticise the station in “a barren expanse of weedy gravel”, it should celebrated!
www.theage.com.au/politics/vic...
December 5, 2025 at 10:54 AM
The presence of a bus stop, tram or train line alone is not sufficient justification for high density, car-free residential developments. The government must commit to increasing public transport service frequency and hours of coverage, for this policy to be successful. More bus/tram/train services!
The Victorian government vows to overhaul "outdated" car parking requirements for new residential developments in areas that are well-serviced by public transport.
Allan government targets car parking rules in bid to build more homes
The Victorian government vows to overhaul "outdated" car parking requirements for new residential developments in areas that are well-serviced by public transport.
www.abc.net.au
December 3, 2025 at 1:02 AM
The presence of a bus stop, tram or train line alone is not sufficient justification for high density, car-free residential developments. The government must commit to increasing public transport service frequency and hours of coverage, for this policy to be successful. More bus/tram/train services!
ABC Spin Doctors remarked how clever UFU was to use firefighters considerable public trust to make statements about tunnel safety (even if statements were untrue) vs statements from government and gov agencies that are inherently untrusted (even if true).
But this is stupid, trust destroying.
But this is stupid, trust destroying.
The union claimed firefighters entered the Metro Tunnel for operational reasons but Fire Rescue Victoria said there were no planned drills or site visits.
Firefighters slammed for 'potentially deadly' incident at Metro Tunnel
The union claimed firefighters entered the Metro Tunnel for operational reasons but Fire Rescue Victoria said there were no planned drills or site visits.
www.abc.net.au
December 1, 2025 at 8:57 AM
ABC Spin Doctors remarked how clever UFU was to use firefighters considerable public trust to make statements about tunnel safety (even if statements were untrue) vs statements from government and gov agencies that are inherently untrusted (even if true).
But this is stupid, trust destroying.
But this is stupid, trust destroying.
Melbourne’s #MetroTunnel opened, and there’s 2 things worth mentioning that none of the usual shouty commentators have reported yet:
1. The trains fit in the tunnels
2. There’s level boarding (no step) between the platform and the trains
That is all.
1. The trains fit in the tunnels
2. There’s level boarding (no step) between the platform and the trains
That is all.
December 1, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Melbourne’s #MetroTunnel opened, and there’s 2 things worth mentioning that none of the usual shouty commentators have reported yet:
1. The trains fit in the tunnels
2. There’s level boarding (no step) between the platform and the trains
That is all.
1. The trains fit in the tunnels
2. There’s level boarding (no step) between the platform and the trains
That is all.
There’s a new pigeon in town:
#AnzacPigeon
#AnzacPigeon
November 30, 2025 at 4:22 AM
There’s a new pigeon in town:
#AnzacPigeon
#AnzacPigeon
What happened to childhood obesity in Australia? An issue that seemed to have been a widespread problem a few years ago, is it still a concern?
November 27, 2025 at 6:02 AM
What happened to childhood obesity in Australia? An issue that seemed to have been a widespread problem a few years ago, is it still a concern?
Eh, what’s up? Taylor Swift has republished ‘Wood’ with changed lyrics. Thighs has become skies.
November 21, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Eh, what’s up? Taylor Swift has republished ‘Wood’ with changed lyrics. Thighs has become skies.
Battin gone.
Party still completely unelectable.
Party still completely unelectable.
November 18, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Battin gone.
Party still completely unelectable.
Party still completely unelectable.
An unusual listing: a set of 3 adjacent homes goes on the market, on the ‘beach side’ of #Parkdale, through the same selling agent. Aimed at developers maybe? I seem to recall collections like this being a popular selling tactic in parts of Sydney.
November 14, 2025 at 10:50 AM
An unusual listing: a set of 3 adjacent homes goes on the market, on the ‘beach side’ of #Parkdale, through the same selling agent. Aimed at developers maybe? I seem to recall collections like this being a popular selling tactic in parts of Sydney.