Re: Late running trains go Express (Hillside)

[Chris Brownbill <cbrnbill@enternet.com.au>]

Christopher_Martin GORDON wrote:
> 
> : They have been doing it since before privatisation. Once they made a train
> : run express Glen Waverley to Burnley as it was running about 10mins late
> : during the morning peak (it was the 7:47 express Darling - Richmond).
> 
> I now that, but now they are private operators they face fines for late
> running and cancellations, but not for running express like this to make
> up time.  It is bad service, so maybe it come under the not providing
> the existing levels of service.
> 
> I just think they shouldn't do that, it they run late they should pay
> the fine and not use loopholes to get around the fine.
> 

Morally and ethically yes, but that holds no stick whatever in the brave new
world of privatisation.  They LEGALLY must make as much profit as they can -
otherwise the directors can be held liable for failing to maximise profit.  This
is the real pointy end of privatisation.

My prediction is that the next thing we will see is when the timetables are next
re-drawn, an extra minute or two will be added to journey times to make it just
that little bit easier to run on time - for exactly the same reason.  The real
subtlety to watch for will be that the Working Timetables will differ from the
Public timetables, but the Public timetables will be what the contract is based
on.  The only time point which will differ between the two timetables will be
the final stop (eg Tecoma to Belgrave will be scheduled 5 mins instead of 1 or 2
currently).

Lets just see if cynical ol' me is right.