Re: [COTU] Airport Line - first impressions

["Eric Cartman" <erk_cartman_RESPECT_MY_AUTHORITAH@yahoo.com>]

I too went to the opening and believe it or not, I totally agree with Dave
and his comments about the stations. I'm going to throw a theory up here -
the two Airport stations should have been designed like Olympic Park's
platforms are. I noticed there were escalator problems at International and
the lift on the East Hills platform at Wolli Creek was out of service at
1700. Having said that, I didn't have a big look around the airport itself
but noticed in the Ansett terminal a pictogram of a train on a sign - shock
horror it looked like a Mexican Comeng.

I also noted the indicators at the stations were set up differently than the
CityRail plasma screens. Basically, there is one main section in the centre
of the screen where the stopping pattern goes, the next two trains at the
bottom, the current time in the right top corner and an Airport Link logo in
the bottom right corner. Also, the screens (with the same displays as the
Airport Link stations complete with logo) were working on the lower
(east/west - Airport line) level at Wolli "I wonder where we are" Creek but
not on the upper (Illawarra) level, this also occurred on the concourse
level. I found it strange there were no platform numbers on the platforms at
WC but the signage was good elsewhere at the station.

I was pleased to note as well that the on train announcements were pretty
good and all the guards seemed to remember the correct order of the stops.
However, someone needs to spread the word that the Airport is not at Mascot
station as I heard the inference at Central (I'll get to Central's signage
shortly). However, whoever designed the shuttles picked the worst way to
present CityRail (getting passengers used to it?) especially with the S sets
(34, 41 and a couple of others IIRC). The C sets (2 & 8 - who thinks it can
tilt) were better presented. It would have been good to see the Airport
Link/Ansett moving billboards there instead. All I can say is (photo wise)
I'm glad I had the 800 speed in the camera, the platforms seemed less bright
when compared to the City Circus.

* takes a deep breath *

Central's signage is woeful. I realise that the station is undergoing
renovation and that new signage is on the way but the place reeks of
temporary signage. Special tickets (un-numbered by the way) for the day were
on sale at the Airport Link stations, Turella, Wolli Creek and Central,
where information booths were in place too. This was not widely publicised
either.

It's lucky that Dave got in first or I'd have sore fingers by now, pics on
my website by Monday 22/5 PM. I've got some comments about the City Circle
plasma screens which I'll add in that section.


Eric
http://www.erk.au.com/erktrans/
(new direct URL for my Transport site)

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