NSW: On time running

[Hunslet <hunslet@cia.com.au>]

CitRail will go to any length to improve its "on time" running record.

Take Sutherland last Saturday, 15/4, at 6.45pm.   There are two services
to the City, an up inter-urban due at 6.50pm, on that day, diverted to
Martin Place, stopping Hurstville, Redfern, Central, Town Hall and
Martin Place.   It is followed at 6.52pm by the local service from
Cronulla, stopping Jannali, Mortdale, Penshurst, Hurstville, Kogarah,
Rockdale, Sydenham, Redfern and all to Bondi Junction.   It leaves from
Platform 3, whilst the inter-urban leaves from Platform 1.     The
majority of passengers wait on platform 1 for the faster inter-urban.

Guess what happens.   No prior announcements - the up Cronulla is given
the road, then as it pulls out, an announcement comes over the to 50
plus passengers waiting on platform 1 - "Please note, that the 6.50pm
service to Martin Place is running eleven minutes late."    Just as the
6.52pm local has departed the platform.   Result - 50 plus passengers
inconvenienced and delayed unnecessarily.

To quote the Station Manager on duty at the time when asked why the
passengers were no informed of the late-running inter-urban  beforehand
- "The announcements come from the person in the signal box who is under
the control of Network Control.   I wasn't told."   I always thought
that platform indicators were controlled by CityRail staff.

That is how CityRail improves its on-time running.   Doubt worry about
passengers - they are an inconvenience to ont-time running.   Let them
catch a later train.

Hunslet.