Re: Bankstown- mascot airports

[" Ian" <iansmith@optusnet.com.au>]

"Dave Proctor" <daproc@spambait.ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
xhY%5.113284$IP1.3741699@news1.giganews.com">news:xhY%5.113284$IP1.3741699@news1.giganews.com...
> (Cross-post added)
>
> Such a beuatiful summary of the problems with the airport rail line from
> someone interested in aviation rather than rail. Perhaps this should be
sent
> to the managers of the line?
>
> Dave
>
> "matthew weber" <mattheww50@home.com> wrote in message
> news:u4i04to8ndbls4va3ncp2gsmhuttec3npf@4ax.com...
> > On Wed, 20 Dec 2000 16:24:46 +1100, "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > >Oh crap on this rail stuff. KSA has only recently got rail,
> > >managed fine without it and it still doesnt get used much.
> >
> > It would be if the product wasn't so botched up.
> > Does it use purpose built cars with suitable luggage racks?
>
> Not strictly necessary *if* you can get a reasonable service starting from
> Wolli Creek - and thus are empty - or almost empty - when the train gets
to
> International and Domestic. If they were to provide a service every 15
mins
> starting from Wolli Creek, and have a service every 15 mins from East
Hills
> or Campbelltown, you would end up with 8 trains per hour, with every
second
> one being empty. As long as the station staff promoted the fact that the
> *next* train would be empty, people with stacks of luggage would not have
a
> problem with waiting an extra 7 or 8 minutes.
>
> > Is it materially less expensive or materially faster than a Taxi?
>
> Materially faster, yes, provided your CBD hotel is near a station. It can
> take ages to get from the airport to the city, the train is certainly much
> quicker. The pricing is exorbitant though, and taxis win hands down there
> for two or more people.
>
> > Does it provide multi-lingual information?
>
> Not really necessary, as long as the information is available at the
> stations (if you can find out at the station that you only need to travel
5
> stops, you don't need the info on the train. And yes, I have travelled in
> countries where I do not speak the local tongue).
>
> > Does it have onboard ticketing?
>
> Not really necessary.
>
> > How many flights of stairs will a passenger have to traverse with
> > his/her luggage?
>
> Not really necessary if the train is empty - the end saloons are rather
> large and able to handle reasonable numbers.
>
> > The long and the short of the problem is the Airport Express buses
> > provide better service at lower cost because the Train connection is
> > very much like the London Underground Connection to LHR. Downright
> > unfriendly to travellers, enough so that there was little trouble in
> > adding a dedicated train service which addressed the failures of the
> > underground service.
> > The service is pricey, but is carefully designed to provide the
> > services the passengers need, and few seem to object to paying the
> > price, because the service that is needed, is provided.
>
> I quite like Heathrow Express, the service is good, and it is value for
> money. And at least their rolling stock is aesthetically pleasing, not
like
> the rubbish Gatwick Express are in the middle of introducing.
>
> Dave
When was the last time you were over there  Dave ?

Ian S