Victorian Premier John Brumby, being an earnest and very serious accountant kind of man, is usually not too fond of cliches and pithy slogans like most political leaders, but something he said yesterday while announcing a re-jig of the suburban train timetable made me shudder like a grave had just been opened.

Premier John Brumby said population growth, more employment in the central business district and rising petrol costs meant more people were using trains.

He said the extra services would “ease the squeeze” on overcrowded trains.

The squeeze, it must be eased!