Re: GSR

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

Maurie Daly <mauried@commslab.gov.au> wrote in message
mauried.282.379130EA@commslab.gov.au">news:mauried.282.379130EA@commslab.gov.au...
>
> >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.
>
>
>
> Bob , whilst I completely sympathise with your plight, you are blaming the
> wrong crowd.
> The situation is that we dont have any Interstate passenger trains any
more .
> They are GSRs trains and as a private company who are in the business to
make
> a profit,(not to provide public transport) ,then they are entitled to run
> their trains as they see fit ,which unfortunately means stopping when and
> where they like and picking up passengers where and when they like.
> The real culprits are the Federal Govt for selling AN in the first place
and
> to a lesser extent the State Govts of Vic & SA for failing to provide any
> alternative services .
>
> If the Govts of Vic or SA want GSR to provide a public transport service
to
> country VIC & SA then they must pay them to do so,which currently they do
not.
>
> cheers
> MD
>
I agree with you regards the Govt and the selling of AN, but are you sure
GSR don't still get Govt subsidies? they do have a requirement to maintain
these trains for a specified time!!!!

But thanks for your thoughts.

Bob.