Straight from the Horse's Mouth

["Anon" <anonymous@cotse.com>]

This message was posted anonymously:

*       Great Southern Railway is a private company which is required to make a profit on capital 
invested.  The business to us is not a hobby on which to lose significant amounts of money.

*       Our efforts, I believe, to grow rail travel in Australia has been nothing less than superb.  We 
extended The Ghan, introduced tours off the Indian Pacific, refurbished The Overland, introduced 
refurbished carriages, brought the Chairman's Car into service etc.  These may not be all to your
personal liking but they bring to Rail new customers - this is what is needed, in our view.

*       The Overland has lost considerable sums of money, but much less than
Australian National.  There is no justification for a Monday and Tuesday service in most weeks in 
February or March.  There are not enough passengers!  This is a simple fact that has been in evidence 
for 5 plus years.

*       Track speed is now (since September 1999) not an issue.  The market is telling us the present 
timetable for a night service is at its optimum - any less would be unworkable.

*       I don't know what you mean about the BL locomotives.  They adhere to track path speed and are 
cost effective.

*       Coach class sit-ups meet a segment of the market in an effective manner.  It is not deluxe and is 
not sold as such.  Our market research says that a lounge car (at an extra price in coach class) would 
not be supported by passengers.

*       Our coach class carriages are safe, have well maintained bogies and meet a market segment.

*       I have no fears about Virgin or any other competitor - it is a free market economy.

*       First class is a holiday not A to B travel.  You may not like this, but it is the market segment that 
we meet and meet well.  Comparison to airfares is a nonsense.

*       Great Southern Railway will not be relocating to Adelaide Station. This has been confirmed by 
the South Australian Government.  The cost, logistical complexity and effect on local trains make this 
decision mandatory.  We have never stated we support a move to Adelaide Station, anyway but we 
did participate in the Government study to completely resolve the matter.  An active working party is 
now examing the use of Keswick as an interstate and intrastate rail and bus terminal.  This concept, in 
my view, has considerable merit.

Your sincerely,

Stephen Bradford
Chief Executive Officer