Re: Melbourne frequencies (was Double deckers)

["Daniel Bowen" <dbowen@#DELETE#custard.net.au>]

Vaughan Williams <ender2000@my-deja.com> wrote in message
80007p$jv8$1@nnrp1.deja.com">news:80007p$jv8$1@nnrp1.deja.com...
> I have often wondered whether the lower frequencies in the north and
> west are for political reasons or patronage reasons.
>
> Either they offer better service on Frankenstein, Dandenong & Ringwood
> lines because they pass through a lot of marginal seats, or because the
> patronage is better (triggering the chicken-and-egg argument about
> which came first, the poor service or the low patronage).

Frankenstein.. :)

As far as I remember, 15 minute off-peak services were first introduced on
the Glen Waverley line in the 70s, as a test to see if it would improve
patronage. Not sure if the Ringwood services (and Alamein) were done at the
same time or a bit later.

Around 1990, they decided to try it with the Sandringham line, and patronage
shot up. Around 1996-ish (?), Frankston and Dandenong were upgraded, and
simultaneously all services through Burnley and Caulfield (but not
Sandringham) got Sunday daytime trains upgraded from 40 to 30 minute
frequencies.

Then of course earlier this year, most Sunday afternoon services were
improved to every 20 mins, along with Sunday arvo tram service upgrades.

As for why 15 minute frequencies haven't hit the west and north... I dunno -
you could theorise about the usual (perceived or actual) bias towards the
eastern and southern suburbs I suppose.


Daniel
--
Daniel Bowen, Melbourne, Australia
dbowen at custard dot net dot au