Re: DUBBO XPT BUFFET SERVICE

["David Bennetts" <davibenn@pcug.org.au>]

Ron BEST wrote in message <36c7af01.0@139.134.5.33>...
>Did a return trip to Orange recently (28-30 Jan 1999) on the XPT. Excellent
>trip, apart from lots of per-way speed restrictions. (20 min late on the
>down at Orange, 15 on the up at Penrith). BUT - the buffet closed on the up
>at 1945h - over 1 3/4 hrs before arrival at Sydney Central! I've heard talk
>before about having to "reckon up" - can't somebody buy them a calculator
to
>replace the abacus they must use??? (or is it fingers and toes??)
>--
>Rgds
>
>Ron BEST
>
Maybe if they stayed open a little longer they wouldn't have as much left
over stock to count on their fingers and toes!  Which would of course reduce
their stocktake time.  In the interests of customer relations (where
Countrylink is very laissez faire) there should be a certain waypoint
adopted from where the buffet is closed - it shouldn't relate to time, there
is nothing worse from a passenger's perspective when the train is late and
food/drink is no longer available.  Dare I say they could look to the
airlines where food and drink vouchers are often provided when delays occur.
Suggested points could be Campbelltown to the south, Penrith to the west and
Cowan to the north.

Regards
David Bennetts