Re: Losing weight on The Ghan.

[zambuck@my-deja.com]

In article <7oc9ln$12r7$1@otis.netspace.net.au>,
  "Exnarc" <gwrly@netspace.net.au> wrote:
> A woman yesterday rang 3LO's Terry Laidler show complaining about the
Ghan.
>
> She told of a trip to Alice Springs she and her husband made recently.
>
> The train arrived at Spencer Street (Time tabled about 10pm) at about
0230
> (am), Intending passengers were left at the Station with no access to
food,
> or other facialty (except for blue light tiolets) in the cold for over
4
> hour.
>
> The train departed 4 hours late and remained 4 hours late all the way
to the
> Alice.
>
> She said that she was a diabetic and required food regulaly and whilst
the
> meals on board were good they were so small she required extra food,
she
> offered to pay for the additional food but was told that they didn't
sell
> food (its all in the fare) however the crew went out of their way to
arrange
> some sandwiches for her.
>
> She asked them what if other passengers wanted extra food and was
told: "We
> don't carry enough food to supply everyone other than what is required
for
> the normal bookings"
>
> Isn't it wonderfull.
>
> SERCO at work.
>
> The more I hear about this company, the more I'm greatfull they didn't
get
> any Victorian railway.
>
> Bob.
>
>The way staff are utilised on these services its no wonder the
passengers are getting this type of treatment.   How many times have we
seen the headwave of cutting costs which has lead to the quality hitting
rock-bottom.   I can see this being a common thread,  just the other day
luggage handlers were expected to re-load vehicles on the motorail while
it was shunting in sydney yard.  Expect to hear complaints on damaged
vehicles in the future.
The Countrylink and GSR(serco etc) intra and interstate services were
reduced in staff.  Some new workers had no confidence in using emergency
hand signals, but were expected to work the buffet and attend to the
passengers' needs.  With P&O catering having the contract, it is in
their best interest to offer little for high prices to make that
almighty buck - that's what we all agree on right?

I guess the bottom line is - Who makes the decision to get extra food on
board and the staff to attend to the service?     unions? government?
company directors?

paul hayes, public transport workers, rank&file


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