Re: Straight from the Horse's Mouth

["Dave Proctor" <thadocta@spambait.dingoblue.net.au>]

Gezza wrote in message ...
>I totally agree.
>There appears to be a lot of criticism about GSR, much of it
>destructive instead of constructive. The people doing the whining that
>GSR is not running things to their liking have a choice...if they
>don't like it, then don't travel on it.
>Companies run businesses to make money, and they have a right to
>decide just how their business will be run.

Not when they are receiving taxpayer subsidies, they don't. The
reimbursement for concession fares offered are taxpayer subsidies. The price
paid by GSR was well below what it should have been *because* The Overland
was such a loss making service. To now claim that they cannot run it because
of that loss is hypocritical at best and is tantamount to fraud.

>If someone has any criticism to make, let it be constructive and make
>sure that they have viable alternatives to put forward,bearing in
>mind that it is not their money they are spending but someone else's.

Actually, it is our money - if it was known that GSR would reduce the
service to three days per week, the Commonwealth could have received a
higher price for the purchase. Given that the price paid reflected a daily
Overland service, GSR diddled the taxpayers (that is, you and me) out of
these funds.

>As Maurie suggests, when  GSR pull out, anyone who can do it better,
>come forward with your money and show everyone how it should be done.
>You are dead right Maurie, there won't be many takers.

For the very reason you stated - money. Your suggestion is simplistic.
Plenty of us could do a better job at marketting. How much advertising do
you see for the Overland? We see TV advertisements in Sydney for Firefly
coaches - and not just for Sydney to Melbourne, but also Melbourne to
Adelaide.

Their brand awareness is woeful, and explains to a large extent the lack of
patronage. Any idiot should be able to see that, but GSR do not seem to be
taking any steps to redress that.

Dave