Re: Out of Gauge Suburban EMU's in Sydney (Was DOO In Sydney)

["Scott Beecham" <snoa@dingoblue.net.au>]

Michael Kurkowski <mk@netstra.com.au> wrote in message
8E5CCA0F4telstraNews@vic.news.telstra.net">news:8E5CCA0F4telstraNews@vic.news.telstra.net...
> Hi,
>
> Ideally that's how it should be done. A guard sitting in the end (or
> middle cab) sitting doing nothing other than blowing a whistle and making
> announcements is useless. Melbourne has already proven this.
>
> It would be great if the guard can assume another role, as you mentioned,
> checking tickets on their trains, and keeping order. Melbourne opted for
> the cheap approach, scrap guards completely and install mirrors on
> trains, CCTV/monitors on platforms. The guards jobs were not replaced.
>
> Having said that, a guard would be of a lot more use if they can check
> tickets, and also inform passengers as required (i.e. does this train
> stop at central? do i wash my whites with my colours in cold water?), or
> basically the same role as Melbourne's tram condictors (the human, not
> the stainless steel type).
>
> I think the reason why CityRail have a lot of employees who can't be
> bothered doing their job is simply because they have been treating them
> too good for too long. Anyone found to be slack should be
> dismissed/disciplined on the spot. Examples being, the driver in Katoomba
> (or wherever it was, in previous thread) that said "oh yeah, i better go"
> 3 minutes after departure time.
>
Or the relief guard that didn't appear for his shift at blacktown station
this afternoon. He was pageds about three times over the pa system and told
that his train was waiting for him. In the end I believe another gaurd may
have taken his postion, cause I heard a female voice saying the "stand
clear, doors closing" and one very annoyed driver slaming the door.