Re: (NSW) How good are our trains?

["Hubert Lam" <hubert@imap4.com>]

in terms of fare collection we are ranked perhaps below third world
countries.



<chris@enet21.com.au> wrote in message
389FDDA3.B0997146@enet21.com.au">news:389FDDA3.B0997146@enet21.com.au...
> We are also behind Singapore (their stations are really cool!)  and
believe it
> or not Thailand as they have just opened up a new elevated railway in
Bangkok.
>
> Chris
>
> Lourie Smit wrote:
>
> > The following letter appeared in today's Daily Telegraph:-
> > "An English visitor once remarked to me, oddly enough in a monorail car,
> > that he was tremendously impressed with our trains. He found them fast,
> > regular and on time.
> > Obviously CityRail was enjoying a purple patch at the time. Although,
> > compared with UK trains, ours are superior, there's the catch.
> >  By wolrd standards, English transport is lowly rated, so the compariosn
> > woth ours is nothing to be proud of. What about the trains in France,
> > Germany, Russia, the US, Switzerland, Italy? How do we arte alongside
them?
> > The answer is taht we rate poorly. In Germany, you can buy your tickets
on
> > board the train from a passing conductor. In the Frankfurt and Stuttgart
> > areas this conductor also asks whether you would like a beer, coffeee or
> > sandwich - and takes your order. In New York, the commuter trains have
> > comfortable bars and lounges. We are also far behind China where tray
> > tables, refreshments, reliability, cleanliness and pleasant service are
> > standard.
> > One example is the two-hour trip between Shanghai and Hangzhou. Arrival
and
> > departure countdowns are shown on an elctric signboard and passengers
are
> > escorted to their carriage by an attendant.
> > Will Javitts, Manly"
>