>I have been travelling on the Hurstbridge line since about 1981 and have
>seen many timetable changes. The express trains are a bonus, but I have
>always wondered.
>What are the reasons to there being no express trains on the Epping line
>during peak times?
The only reason express trains run on the Epping line is to get trains to and
from the Epping Mainenance Centre. All normal service trains stop all
stations.
>Is it the level of customer usage?
>Is it the length of the line in travelling time?
>Is it a legacy.
>Is the track too straight (heading practically North until around
>Reservoir.)
>Will Hillside introduce new services to attract patrons?
>And will they extend the line back out to South Morang (Comengs have a
>South Morang on the destination scroll list) or Mernda for that Super
>city they intend to build. This means that Mill Park could get a
>station and the track be dualled upto Epping.
I don't think that Hillside will do that, it will be a job for the Government
as owner of the system. If the government sells the system, I think we can say
goodbye to any further extensions on any line.
That will apply to the trams as well.
>Where do you write for input and suggestions that don't go into a
>blackhole?
The best person to send mail to would be the Minister of Transport. You could
also try and persuade Jeff to change his mind, but I think that would be
harder than climbing a greasy pole. :-)
>Can you answer any of these?
John McCallum.