Sampling latest trend people are talking about the New Metro Tunnel & walking to main transfer points

11/1 most V/Line service,Bendigo, Geelong, Ballarat Albury are were suspended due to Bushfires and Occupations [ track works ] in progress at the same period

I went to Southern Cross to see for myself what was happening before 11:24 as expected the station was empty no activity due the bushfire suspending most trains services as per advice of CFA.

Despite this there was number of people still moving around as I understand the Australian Open could be on at this period

1. The only line that was operating at the time was to Seymour & Albury so I decided to have little ride that allowed me to have little rest before decided to source info for sampling the latest trend people talking the Metro Tunnel!
   • On arrival the station after grabbing few drinks and snack I promptly boarded the Seymour Service VLocity
2. On arrival at Seymour Platform 3 I saw the haze hanging over the end of the station where the lines continued to Shepparton & Albury
   • 13:34 Southern Cross from Shepparton was good crowd on arrival, managed to get a seat despite the crowd on board
   • Shepparton and Seymour services up and running
3. Arrived back at 15:20 Southern Cross station is empty as I walked past a good crowd was waiting on arrival all wanting to catch service to Seymour as the train I got off was tabled for that same run after!

After getting info from Metro staff I made my way to see the New Tunnel and ride the newer X’traps.2

1. I got the Williamtown the Siemens EMU, odd looking train so squarish, but seat line up better then older X’traps to Footscray
   • On arriving at Platform 4 walked to Platform 1 waited for “City Loop”
2. The I had to get off Central Station which serviced the other lines out the loop both directions after a walk to State Library a far distance to go down a escalators notice the lift and end of the station for mobility access users
3. I board the Westall service after waiting behind those glass door barriers which was very similar to what is seen in Singapore and Hong Kong in their underground rail station they have there.

On boarding the newer High Capacity X’traps.2

• I notice the seat are very upright but they were quite narrow as anyone who taller and broader might have issues with them as the quite closely spaced together
• near the door way seats were place a in way with people back toward the windows
• The grab rail and straps holding for passenger were anchored toward central areas of the carriages
• features seen in train that is design for easy passenger flow in and out in high demand periods

The seats narrower, compared with older Siemens, X’traps mk1 and Comeng trains even sitting in crowded service could be awkward for some

I feel who ever design it didn’t take in consideration people are bigger and taller these days!

Westall is exposed to weather but there is waiting room and office on site

On arrival the PA advise passengers about the connecting service to Pakenham

I stayed on the train and rode again this time toward West Footscray and on arrival I managed to snap the QN Steel train rolling by West Footscray whist waiting for the train to return to the city, armed myself with advice how return to Flinders St Station and slowly made my way

Going by foot from Town Hall to Flinders St Station

After getting off at Town Hall Station very sleek and modern on leaving went through a underpass that used go under Flinders St Station it was a short stroll from the train platforms from Town Hall.

I boarded the metro service promptly as any train will do, as stopping off Southern Cross station again to catch with the Adelaide to Melbourne Train service.

I was aware it will be at the platform after it’s arrival and that will put top a cherry on top to end a good day on the system despite the hiccups happening in Regional Vic with V/Line!

I am sure V/line will pull themselves together again, what a mess for them fix up the fire damaged areas!

Observations of the main services changing points State Library and Town Hall

I noticed the people currently using the service that day are most are very young and agile some elderly people amongst them that day and various ethic groups were present at the time.

• Town Hall is short stroll from Flinders st but not user friendly for mobility access without power scooter or wheel chairs!
  • The same potential concerns can apply to the State Library Transport changing points to connect with other services
  • People who are, Elderly ,frail, use canes, walkers or crutches may find the a bit of hassle when trying access their services on other lines
  • The lifts for these people are located at far end of the platforms underground where train depart the Metro Tunnel

The striking feature of the modern design that caught my eye was the the fact the walking distance to and from between the train service inter change points which I seen in overseas ie Asia, Hong Kong etc where it was common feature in those countries where it was norm to mid distance walk to and foe to reach certain transport services

Could the unspoken message in those more densely populated countries overseas toward such people that design their Rail Transport Services this way could be:

If you can’t move around properly around our services please stay at home?

Some people were wildly excited about the Metro Tunnel.

For me I see it as achievement a start of progress the rail system into 21st Century very nice modern something interesting and good see those safety barrier similar to some stations overseas it’s start for now still a long way to go…