Trams of Australia
[Links]
[My own comments - DMH]
Remember how we were told that automated ticketing would eliminate fare
evasion? Here us yet more evidence that it has multiplied the problem.
I suspect that this is a very conservative estimate. A followup report in
"The Age" on 13-11-98 suggests that fare evasion throughout the PTC could
be as high as 40%, but that the PTC has grossly under-resourced its
policing. Certainly, my ticket does not get inspected very often.
The Government/PTC refuse to keep conductors on, so the trams have been removed. Services have had to be cut as a result. Press reports indicate that the union has loaded in a few other things into the dispute, such as crash testing the trams (why now, after 60 years?). Since the current union leadership have a famous track record for cutting off their own noses to spite their faces, I am not expecting the dispute to be resolved quickly. I hope I am wrong.
The track system is to be based on the historic narrow gauge (3'6"). The route for the Sulllivans Cove Tramway is intended to focus on Sullivans Cove with potential links to North Hobart and the existing rail network.
A comprehensive technical feasibility study has been completed and will be made available. Hobart City Council is now seeking expressions of interest from parties interested in financing and developing this project.
Please contact Alderman Darlene Haigh on (03) 6234 3914 or Mr Leyon Parker of Transportation Services on (03) 6238 2834 for further details.
V. B. Armstrong
General Manager
Hobart City Council
16 Elizabeth St, Hobart.
There are two problems. One is that the system requires passengers to "validate" their tickets on every tram they board, but the passengers don't do it. This is because there is no reason, from the passenger's point of view, to do so. Once the ticket has been first validated, nothing further is printed on it at any subsequent validation. If a ticket inspector would not be able to tell a "re-validated" ticket from one which had been validated only on a previous trip, why should the passenger bother? Re-validation is only for the convenience (and data gathering) of the PTC, but they offer no incentive (or credible threat) to passengers to obey.
The second is that when a passenger boards a train at a city station, validating a ticket in the station barriers gives the system no clue as to which of the two (fictionally competing) train operators is about to be used.
Consultants paid lots at taxpayers expense will no doubt be brought in to look at the mess. Perhaps we will go back to manual passenger surveys.
P.S. 1-Aug-1998 - I have just been approached (as a train passenger) by one of these consultants, doing just such a survey. Well done chaps!
While we are here we shouldn't forget the other great stuff-up. The PTC's mononeuronal administrators decided that the single most popular ticket bought on trams should be made unavailable from the on-tram ticket machines. Passengers cannot buy their day tickets on the tram or at the tram stop, but have to make a detour to a shop somewhere to get them. So passengers use the trams less, or evade the fares more.
And it wasn't even a mistake! They did it deliberately! When the previous ticket fiasco happened in Melbourne - the scratch ticket debacle that administered a mortal wound to the Cain government - they removed day tickets from trams. The protests from the public were enormous, and the decision was reversed. Apparently, only temporarily. Don't they ever learn?
There is now a blitz of advertising to convince people that the new system is easy to use, and that it is "convenient" to go off to a "conveniently located" shop to buy tickets before you board a tram. The very existence of the campaign is a pretty good sign that none of these things are true.
Bayside Trains will encompass suburban lines running through South Yarra and North Melbourne [stations], while the lines running through Clifton Hill and Burnley [stations] will be run by Hillside Trains.
Yarra Trams will operate all north-east and south-west tram lines [the Flinders, Collins, Bourke and Latrobe Street routes], while Swanston Trams will include north-west and south-east tram lines [William, Elizabeth and Swanston Street routes].
"Timetables and multi-modal tickets will not be changed because of the restructure [...]" said Mr Cooper.
[...] Victorian public transport is scheduled to be privatised by December 1998.
The Sydney Tramway Museum at Loftus will be helping to celebrate 1998 HERITAGE WEEK with the following special events on Saturday 2nd May and Sunday 3rd May:
On Saturday 2nd May - the SUTHERLAND HERITAGE TRAM FESTIVAL. For only $15.00 family, $8.00 adults and $5.00 child/concession, you can enjoy -
On this day only, there will be a half hour tram service on the National Park line. As part of celebrations marking the 119th birthday of the Royal National Park and by prior booking with the Royal National Park office on 9542 0649, you may catch the 1045am service from Loftus to the Park and partake of a guided walking tour along the Bridle Track and other areas of the Park.
On Sunday 3rd May, a VINTAGE BUS SERVICE will operate between the Sydney Tramway Museum, Woronora Cemetery, Sutherland School of Arts (historical dispay), Sydney Woodturners Guild at Oyster Bay OR Hazelhurst Cottage at Gymea (alternate trips) and the Sutherland Entertainment Centre (heritage Week display). Buses supplied by Sydney Tramway Museum and the Bus & Truck Museum, Tempe.
The SYDNEY TRAWAY MUSEUM is located adjacent to LOFTUS railway station and may be simply reached by public transport by catching a Waterfall local service from Central Station. If driving, take the Old Princes Highway through Sutherland Township and not the bypass! Further inquiries, by phone from: 9542 3646 or Fax 9545 3390.