Re: GSR

["Exnarc" <gwrly@netspace.net.au>]

Matt Lucas <matt@smart.net.au> wrote in message
7mpl4j$jvk$1@perki.connect.com.au">news:7mpl4j$jvk$1@perki.connect.com.au...
>
> RCL wrote in message <7mookm$221e$1@otis.netspace.net.au>...
> >Does GSR want bussiness????
> >
> >I recently had to buy a ticket on the Overland from Dimboola to Adelaide
> for
> >my son.
> >
> >I went to the normal outlet in Dimboola (Caltex Service Station) to be
> told:
> >
> >"GSR doesn't let us sell their tickets anymore!!! You will have to drive
to
> >Horsham (34km away) and purchase them at Harvey World Travel"
>
> V/Line cant sell GSR tickets. Ring GSR (13 21 47), and purchase the ticket
> over the phone and they will post it to you. or book it and purchase it
> onboard the train. Just call then and explain the situation.
> >
> >I drove the 34k's and tried to book the ticket only to be told, "They are
> as
> >slow as a wet week in GSR bookings come back in 2 hours and we may have
one
> >for you"
> >
> Once again, book the ticket over the phone and give hervey world the PNR
>
> >The Overland stops at Dimboola for a loco crew change, passengers can
board
> >there but you can't buy a ticket in the town.
> >
> How many passengers travel to/from Dimboola?? Why should they pay for a
> staff member in Dimboola when you can purchase a ticket over the phone?
>
> >Whats worse, I'm told that though the Ghan stops at Dimmy for the crew
> >change, passengers have to drive to Horsham, as GSR won't allow them to
> join
> >in Dimboola.
> >
> I thought that the GSR crew change was at Muthroa not Dimboola.
> Once again how many passengers would actually want to board the ghan in
the
> middle of the night in Dimboola rather than the V/Line coach service
during
> the day
>
> >If this is the brave new world of free enterprise, lets bring back the
old
> >one!!!!!
>
> >Bob.

Thanks for your comments Matt, but thats not always conveniant, what
happened to our intergrated passenger network?

We once could walk into any railway station anywhere in this country and buy
a rail ticket to anywhere, I (whilst I don't like it) understand that we had
to have cut backs in the way stations are manned, but never the less we
should not have suffered any loss of service due to privatisation. These
people where supposed to make the rail industry more cost efficient.
Privatisation hasn't improved the service, the Overland is a disgrace, the
cars are filthy, (not surface filth) the seats are stained. The on train
staff are the only saving grace, they provide a good curtious service with
little backup from Serco who seem to have no interest in the train or its
passengers.

With regards to the crew change, the Conductors change at Murtoa Loop, but
the National Rail Loco crews change at Dimboola.

With regards to the Ghan, if you want to go to Port Augusta or Alice Springs
its not much point catching the Daylink. Whilst I understand that the Ghan
is a new service it really is a replacement for the Wednesday Overland out
of Melbourne, and quite a few people board the Overland at intermediate
stations, on the morning (3.30am) I put my son on the train, 5 people
alighted and 4 boarded the train at Dimboola. If you read my mail properly
you would have noted I did not suggest that GSR employ anyone to sell
tickets at Dimboola, V/Line used two local agents as ticketing point, they
just got paid a commission.

I still consider that GSR and its owning company (Serco) to be a shabby
operator of our Interstate Passenger Trains

Bob.