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Re: Straight from the Horse's Mouth
All of this shows what bastards private companies can be, and the
dangers of privatising services without very strict, centralised
control and planning.
Under wicked socialism the Overland ran every day of the year for over
a century.
Howard Govt. privatised it and promised services would improve. I can't
see how running a train three times a week instead of daily is an
improvement.
In article <38A2B817.3C37E8E1@ties.itu.ch>,
Arthur Marsh <marsh@ties.itu.ch> wrote:
> 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.
>
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.