The organisation was founded in 1976 as the Train Travellers Association, and became prominent after the controversial Lonie Report recommended huge freeway expansion and closure of most public passenger transport in the city.
The Association advocates a greater role for public transport and less dependence on the private car.
Key PTUA policies include: Of particular interest to the Association are potential extensions to Melbourne's metropolitan rail network, particularly lines to Doncaster, Rowville (via Monash University's Clayton Campus) and Melbourne Airport, the revitalisation of the bus network, including more routes being upgraded to SmartBus status,[1] and filling in so-called "tram missing links", by the construction of mostly minor extensions to the tram network that will ensure that routes terminate at nearby railway stations, bus routes and activity centres.
They also successfully lobbied for the extension of the 109 tram to Box Hill in Melbourne's east.
[4] The association successfully pushed against the contentious idea to prohibit bikes on trains during rush hour in 2008, garnering substantial media attention.