Re: Straight from the Horse's Mouth

[Arthur Marsh <marsh@ties.itu.ch>]

So the CEO of GSR didn't actually state which train(s) and what
class(es) of travel he took on them?

[quoting in full just to avoid being tarred as a selective quoter]

broken_hill@hotmail.com wrote:
> 
> Recently, I posted an e-mail to Great Southern Railway.  I received a
> response from the CEO, which I then forwarded on to a few of my friends
> for their interest.  Unbeknownst to me, one of them has posted an
> extract from the response to this newsgroup.  I regret their decision
> to do so.  At the request of the CEO of GSR, I am now posting my
> original letter, along with his complete reply as follows:
> 
> Original message:
> 
> Subject:
>         What a Joke
>    Date:
>         Fri, 28 Jan 2000 04:49:17 PST
>    From:
>         <broken_hill@hotmail.com>
>      To:
>         Salesagent@gsr.com.au
> 
> Dear Mr Stephen Bradford,
> 
> Back when the federal government sold Australian National the rail
> industry in South Australia was full of hope that finally someone had
> the balls to operate and maintain passenger services.  How wrong the
> government was.  I have written to you before, only to hear all the
> frog shit.  It disgusts me now to hear the Overland will only operate
> on Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights.  What is your company doing -
> Honestly.  First the track speed was slow, that's now almost been
> rectified and then you agree with National Rail to put BL Class
> locomotives on the train (a freight locomotive on a passenger train,
> 100kph)  Who are you trying to kid?  Yes Mr Bradford I will
> continue to travel on GSR trains and will also continue to be a full
> paying passenger, but attitudes towards the average passenger is crap.
> I am very lucky I know much about Australian passenger trains. A train
> is a train and not a bus on bogies.
> 
> Mr Bradford out of interest's sake have you ever travelled on the
> trains you operate and I mean the economy section?  Fancy sitting
> from Sydney to Perth, Alice Spring to Melbourne with nowhere to go?
> Even a slow bus gives you the chance to stretch your legs.  I mean
> those clapped out AG/BG sitting cars, feels like the bogies need a
> good overhaul.  As for First and Holiday class the service is much
> better and very comfortable, for the price though might as well book
> an air fare, bet you're scared about virgin entering the market.
> 
> Also I had a lot of inspiration about the relocation from Keswick
> Terminal back to Adelaide Station, this is excellent.  You would be
> very foolish indeed to renig on this idea.  Keswick as you know was
> a huge goods yard with residential housing  built on the old Mile End
> Depot and population in the area has increased, but Adelaide Station
> is ADELAIDE STATION.  You should already know the advantages, so get
> your act together and strive.  Fancy sending Trans Adelaide services
> through Keswick.  Trans Adelaide is already being laughed at by all
> the other Australian Suburban Rail Systems.  I wonder how the everyday
> commuter would feel about an extra four minutes added to their
> Noarlunga Centre or Belair trip.
> 
> Well Mr Stephen Bradford you now have my thoughts.  You have it in
> black and white.  Put more trains on the track and improve schedules.
> 
> Killing the Overland, you hypocrites.
> 
> Response:
> 
> From: "Murray, Sally (GSR)" <Sally.Murray@serco-ap.com.au>
> To: "'broken_hill@hotmail.com'" <broken_hill@hotmail.com>
> Subject: Email to Great Southern Railway - Attention Mr Andrew Harris
> Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2000 14:43:09 +1100
> 
> Dear Mr Harris,
> 
> Thank you for your email of 28 January.  I can advise: -
> 
> *      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
> 
> (Message delivered via smurray@gsr.com.au - Personal Assistant to CEO)
> 
> Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
> Before you buy.