Re: Rail related questions about moving to Sydney

[billboltonREMOVE-TO-EMAIL@computer.org (Bill Bolton)]

"Reuben Farrelly" <reubie@bigpond.AAA.com> wrote:

> * How reliable is the system in regards to both cancelled trains and
> delays

In my experience of travelling on the North Shore for many years, its
basically reliable.

> In particular, do most trains run late (by much) or on time

Mostly on time, but North Shore line service is frequent for the
stations I travel to/from, so its not a big issue for me.

> - if I was to try and connect at Hornsby would I be safe to be
> there 3 mins before, or 20 mins beforehand?

Sorry, can't say.

> * If I bought a ticket to Artarmon from say, Beecroft, and I wanted to go
> further north from Hornsby, could I simply buy another ticket from Hornsby

You can do that.

> Why does the system run on the basis of station-to-station fares as opposed
> to zones like what Victoria has?

Because its not Victoria.

If you are travelling regularly you should buy a periodical ticket..
weekly from the machines or longer (up to 366 days) through a ticket
office.  If you need to travel outside of the area covered by your
normal periodical, look closely at what the fare basis would be, the
"per km" rate reduces with distance travelled so depending on where
you want to go, its sometimes just cheaper to buy a separate ticket
for the odd journies, even if they cover part of the territory your
periodical covers.

You also need to be aware that off peak (after 9am) return tickets are
also not much more expensive that single tickets. 

> [Seems to add a lot of complication to the system, although I think
> that Victorian zones are _way_ too big]

Your call... when I'm travelling in Melbourne I find the system
confusing, especially with the time limits, because I'm not used to
working within the limits of that system.  

There is some comfort in knowing when you have ticket with source and
destination stations printed on it and a current date, that it MUST be
valid for your journey.

Cheers,

Bill