Re: XPT's Reduced

[Dion Williams <onamission@today.com.au>]

John Coyle wrote:
> 
> In article <3AF6CBCC.7939@today.com.au>, Dion Williams says...
> >
> >Graeme Cleak wrote:
> >
> >> > Not sure if they'll have to make too many adjustments; ST4 left Spencer
> >> > St this morning (6/5) with 5 cars and about three people in each car
> >> > (says he who was catching the Skybus to the airport on the other side of
> >> > the platform fence :))
> >> >
> >> > Dion
> >>
> >>  I think you have jumped to the wrong conclusion. I travelled on ST 4 on Fri
> >> 4/5, upon leaving Coota every seat was taken.
> >
> >True, but if there's already sufficent demand then why the need to
> >reduce to five cars I wonder. On the Dubbo I can see why, but the
> >interstates need that flexibility.
> >Remember there are limited
> >> number of seats available on the Day XPT for Vic pax, preference is given to
> >> the Riverina citizens from ALB, WGA, CTA etc
> >
> >Bit of a contrast with the old ICD days when you could book a year ahead
> >if you were travelling interstate and only a month if not.
> >
> >Dion
> 
> If the XPT's are being reduced to five cars, why not collect the "spare" cars
> into one train set, and run a DAILY, overnight train from Sydney to Griffith,
> returning as a daylight train? THe train could leve Sydney, Sunday to Friday,
> and Griffith-Sydney, Monday to Saturday. Leaving one day a week for detailed
> cleaning, and minor repares.

Nice idea but I can't see what extra demand a daily service to Griffith
is going to serve. It might be better say using it as a low-fare "extra"
to Melbourne, allowing the current Melbourne services to run as premium
services with very limited stops.

Dion