Twilight of the Passenger As?

[steam4me@enternet.com.au (Yuri J Sos/Melbourne AUS)]

Country train travellers (Victoria, Australia) will get $80 million
worth of new trains after the state's railways are privatised.

The winning bidder for V/Line Passenger (Victoria, Australia) will
have to buy 20 new sprinters to replace four 45 year old A class
diesel locomotives in the next four years, according to a page five
article in the "Herald Sun" (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)
yesterday, 16 June 1999.

Services along V/Line' six country lines are likely to be more
frequent and more comfortable.

The "Herald Sun" has also learned a United States bidder for
Victoria's country rail services dropped out a week before final bids
were due on May 17 (confirming Mr Anonymous Marsupial's post of
several weeks ago).

The withdrawal of Pittsburgh-based rail operator Railroad Development
Corporation leaves only two contenders for V/Line Passenger - fewer
than the government's benchmark of at least three.  Originally, five
bidders were shortlisted.

British rail and bus operator National Express and US-owned Freight
Victoria are now the only contenders.  A spokeswoman for the Transport
Minister (Victoria, Australia) Robin Cooper said the government would
not comment, said the "Herald Sun".

Regards

Yuri
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Yuri J Sos
Melbourne VIC AUS

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