Re: [NSW]CityRail guessing games, 21 November

["Hoges" <pghogan@NOSPAMbigpond.com>]

> Bill McNiven <wmcniven@gunzel.ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
> p4LZ3.6385$MZ.51809@ozemail.com.au">news:p4LZ3.6385$MZ.51809@ozemail.com.au...
> > The approach of CityRail to
> > * providing clear advice to customers
> > * scheduling track shutdowns so that a maximum amount of work is done
with
> a minimum number of shutdowns
> > * providing adequate replacement for train services
> > is, IMHO, progressing from a Guessing Game to a total farce.
<remainder snipped.

Some trains crews must have called in sick on Friday night. The *advertised*
last Central Coast and Newcastle service before the total shutdown was the
9.17 pm from Central.  This was due Epping at 9.39pm. At 9.55pm, an
announcement was made at Epping that "owing to essential track maintenance
work and technical difficulties, the 9.39pm Intercity service has been
cancelled.  Passengers for this service are requested to proceed to the
ticket barrier for further information, while we try and work out how to get
you to Gosford and Newcastle" !  (That's almost verbatim how it was
announced).

After we all trecked up the stairs, we were advised that the last local
service for Hornbsy was departing in 10 minutes, and that at Hornsby, they
should await "further instructions" on connecting buses to Berowra or Cowan,
from where "your connection  further north will be arranged. "  Fine by me,
I was only catching it to Hornsby anyway, but I pitied people travelling
further. Bear in mind the replacement bus services weren't scheduled to
commence until 11pm.  When we arrived at Hornsby, naturally none of the
station staff knew that there were stranded passengers on the local service.
As I left, staff were being besieged with frustrated passengers, many of
whom had *deliberately* aimed to catch the 9.17pm, knowing this was the last
through service before the shutdown.

Just another Friday night on Cityrail....

Regards,

Paul