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GSR



Re: I.P Ghan & Overland.
The new operator of the above trains is Great Southern Railways. They
have given an undertaking to the Fed Gov. in the sale process that the
IP/Ghan will run for the next 5 yrs. The Overland has been given 2 yrs.
There is speculation that The Overland will be reduced to 5 times a
week, 3 daylights and 2 overnight services which I don't think is such a
good idea as it is commuter then tourist train, I'd rather have a go at
a good marketing program to promote a daily service before going to that
extreme of cutting back. Two Ghan services will continue with one
running from Sydney, The Alice revisited, will it work this time? Two
IPs one via Melb.
Some drastic cost cutting will have to be made to keep the services
running as the Govt. will not give any concessions on Track Access, a
costly expense. Current concessions to pensioners/students will continue
and funded by the Govt. Staff numbers to be cut.
It is not known how many current staff are to keep their jobs, if many
at all. Staff morale is at an all time low at the moment and rumour is
rife of a surprise action by current staff who will be notified late
this week or early next week of their employment fate. Rumoured leaks
estimate that staff retention by new operator could be as low as 30%.
But then again it could be as high as 70%, only time will tell.
GSR will have to contract Hook & Pull as GSR have no locos in the sale
process.