Re: Tangaras in Melbourne
Michael Walker (walker@hotkey.net.au)
Thu, 16 Apr 1998 01:25:44 +1000
>>>I think that the privatised PTC should see some new rolling stock being
>>>bought...
>>>maybe dd, but probably more likely more 3-car single deckers....
>>considering
>>>the cost of raising bridges, etc,
>>
>>But why is this an issue? The Frankston, Dandenong, Belgrave, Lilydale,
>Glen
>>Waverley and Alamein lines are already modified to take the 4DD, and any
>new
>>rolling-stock ordered is not going to completely replace the current
fleet.
>>Surely new double-deck carriages could be segregated to these lines.
>>
>oh.. I didn't know that... thanx for the info... but one more question...
if
>these lines can allow the 4D to run on, how come it only runs on the
>Lilydale line exclusively, not even Belgrave?
>cheers
Would Melbournians take that well to double decker trains given they are
currently used to the single deck Comeng rolling stock?
- The current Comeng rolling stock has more comfortable seats, carpet, high
roofs, facing seats and panoramic windows compared to the 4D which is far
more cramped and spartan.
- The current Comeng rollingstock is excellent for accessibility by those
with bikes, strollers, prams, walking frames, etc as it is single deck
throughout as opposed to the 4D which is only accessible at the ends by
these types of passengers.
- When the 4D was introduced, it was found it was considerably slower
loading and unloading compared to a Comeng as the 4D had only two doors per
carriage as opposed to the Comeng which had 3. This would need to improve
for future designs.
- The 4D cost $20m for the four car set vs.. $6m for a Comeng three car set.
Would the new private companies be so keen on double decker trains if the
cost continues to be similarly high compared to the equivalent Comeng. After
all, you can fit far more people into 3 three car Comeng sets than 1 double
deck four car set.
I would suggest that most companies investing in transport would probably
see our current rollingstock being quite adequate for a number of years.
Given an economic life of a train is around 30 years with a 15 year
refurbishment, the Hitachis as our oldest train would be regarded as being
life expired from 2002 on. Given they have just recently (and still are in
dribs and drabs) had their half life refurbishment, it is likely that they
will last somewhat longer and given their reliability is seemingly higher
than the Comengs from my understanding of the figures and the Upfield line
experience I have referred to in previous posts, I doubt we will see
replacement trains for current rollingstock for at least 5-10 years. A new
operator is more likely to spend money on improving the reliability of
current rollingstock (a far cheaper option than new rollingstock) so that we
don't have 1/3 of the trains on the system requiring repair and therefore
better utilisation to enable new services to be run. Other options for
spending money will be improving infrastructure. I would hope to see rail
line extensions and duplication before new trains as this is where the need
really is.