Re: Boo Hiss to Hillside

[Chris Parnell <chspnll@origin.net.au>]

They were stuck, I agree with that. I made 5 efforts through different staff to see if they
could get me to Spencer St and make my connection. I showed my ticket to a number of staff,
and explained my predicament. I had a VLP ticket with a Met 123 on the same ticket. I
thought they would have perceived I was a dual customer with a legit need. What is
frustrating is waiting at booms and helplessly watching empty cars pass through on the up to
the city to form peak hour services whilst we sit and wait. I did say something to the bus
driver, I told him he did a sterling job in peak hour traffic to move us through traffic as
he did. I am not griping, I was in the cab listening to the radio with the driver. He and
all others were equally in the dark being held at sticks. However, I had a need, and I
allowed over two hours to make my connect.

Sam Eades wrote:

> Chris Parnell wrote:
>
> > Caught the 4.11 up from Belgrave to connect to the 1815 Shepparton out of Spencer
> > St.( I believe in allowing for plenty of time).  Held at Bayswater, 'fire on the
> > line at Nunawading". 10 minutes. Held at Ringwood for about 25 minutes before the Up
> > was terminated and turned into 2127 Dn Belgrave. Left standing, 5 down trains had
> > come through. Announcement, "fire trucks on the line at Nunawading". Get on a bus at
> > 5.50 pm to go to Box Hill. Observe two Up empty cars pass the bus on the way to Box
> > Hill. Bus arrives at Box Hill at 6.32,
>
> Snip...
>
> > Hillside advises SM that Hillside Trains do not
> > guarantee any connection to any other service.  Boo Hiss. And a vote for excellence
> > in customer sevice to VLine Pass.
>
> I agree that it was very good of VLP and Countrylink to help you out like that, and that
> what happened with Hillside was unfortunate.
> But, what do you suggest that Hillside do? Run passenger trains through the middle of a
> fire? Also, in regards to buses, it is very hard to get any number of buses at that time
> of day, as most are out on peak hour runs. How can you even suggest that it was bad
> management by Hillside, do you think that they told the fire to start?
> After a service disruption it as very hard to get things moving again, and often
> impractical or dangerous to run passenger trains. I think that Hillside did what they
> did with the passenger safety in mind.
>
> Sam Eades