Re: [NSW] Cumberland line patronage

["Ken Neate" <kenneate@tig.com.au>]

"Hubert Lam" <hubert@imap4.com> wrote in message
38d22333$0$14670@news01.syd.optusnet.com.au">news:38d22333$0$14670@news01.syd.optusnet.com.au...
> Could someone give an educated approximation of the PAYING PATRONAGE of
> Cumberland line services (bear in mind the high percentage of fare
> evasion...)
>
> Seems like CityRail doesn't give a shit about this line, and as we've seen
> today it was shut down again because of Jubilee 2000 at Olympic Park.
>
>
>
Given that CityRail have done their best to scare off passengers from this
line there can be few.  I have ridden 6 car peak hour services from
Glenfield to Parramatta and found them well loaded from Fairfield to
Parramatta.  One wonders why people persist.  In 1996 when the line first
opened, the northbound 4 car Tangaras from Campbelltown apparently had most
seats taken by Glenfield in the morning peak.  There were customers out
there. CityRail has driven them away thanks to indifferent service.

Probably the next timetable will see further reductions in service as there
will be a scramble to find trains for the Airport service.

It is a pity to see the investment in the Y link being wasted by bad
management. Also it is sad that the next time a service is suggested which
runs anywhere other than Sydney city, it will be howled down because "no one
uses the Cumberland line".

Ken