Re: NSW: On time running

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

Hunslet wrote:

> 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.

PS:   Quess what?!   I rang the Transport Infoline 131-500 to complain.
No-one there.   Transferred to an answering service.   And guess what - put
on hold indefinitely   My mobile dropped out three times waiting.   So no
complaint could be registered.

Hunslet.