Re: Victoria Finally Adopts Modern Safeworking

["MattyQ" <matticue@corplink.com.au>]

Maurie Daly wrote in message ...
>Actually its not at all hard to do , ie implement ES over radio.
<snip>
>All of this stuff has to be maintained by someone and its not as cheap as
>maintaining ES instruments or staff boxes.


I cannot believe what I am reading here! What does FV intend to do with the
train service? Stop it completely? They talk about cutting costs, of
returning to archaic, time wasting safeworking systems such as TS&T or even
ES. Ridiculous!

What about the customer? They are the reason trains are run in the first
place. Any viable business, be it transportation or otherwise, must be in a
position to offer the best service possible. In terms of rail freight
haulage, this translates to efficient timetabling, better running
capabilities, on-time delivery etc. etc.

Sure, Staff working has undeniably proven itself as a reliable form of
safeworking, but it is slow and time consuming. Trains having to stop at
every station/crossing place to perform safeworking procedures is not good
business practise. Why should a train have to stop at a station if it has no
business there (eg: shunting, crossing)? Especially if traversing the main
trunk between two capital cities.

What about transport business terms such as "just in time delivery",
"specialised express freighters" or "absolute overnight" etc? This is what
the customer wants to hear when spending their hard earned dollar on freight
forwarding. This is what FV should be aiming at. Establishing a good service
base for the customer.

You'd be surprised how many business' would be prepared to spend a little
more on freight rates knowing their goods will arrive quickly and on time
whilst receiving quality customer service before, during and after delivery.
Reintroducing old fashioned safeworking practices will only drive freight
back onto the road where it doesn't belong.

Getting rid of Train Controllers is not the answer. It is a well known fact
that signallers responsible for a small portion of the corridor (performing
the duties of a TC) are unable to see the big picture. This does not promote
efficient train running. If FV wants to portray itself as a viable
transportation alternative, they must bite the bullet and invest in modern,
reliable, safe EFFICIENT safeworking systems.

Regards

Matt Smith
Brisbane, Queensland
Reply to matticue@hotmail.com

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