The end of era of Locomotive hauled N sets on the Warrnambool Line is approaching and with it the end of onboard service for passengers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n2 out 5 services to Warrnambool will run as Velocities DMU rail cars fixed seats and No Buffet onboard
<\/pre>\n\n\n\n\nAs I understand testing will commence this week for the newer Velocities DMU rail cars 3×2 layout….<\/summary>\n
I have a few concerns as it seems this has being poorly thought out and I understand there will be still level crossing and roads as not was remove as originally planned via our Transport Dept.
<\/pre>\n\n\n\nI have observed population has grown and fuel is expensive and more people are taking trains instead of driving their cars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By the information gathered in my travels it seems this seems to how it going be operated for now on….<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n
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- A ticket reservation systems for seat could be introduced for set no. seat on the DMU Velocities trains to Warrnambool etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Those who miss out will be shuffled off on buses instead like our Albury line which Standard Gauge.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- There are people who can’t ride buses due to complex medical requirements, due accessibility, dietary requirements access to food\/drinks etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Wait, I thought the purpose of the train upgrade was to reduce traffic on the road of cars and other heavy vehicles?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why are we replacing what was the benchmark of regional rail travel N sets in Vic with not fit for purpose trains?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do we have business and technical people with a Railway background qualified people in the role management for Transport of making these decisions who are familiar with travelling requirement for Victorian Railway Conditions making decisions on the travelling communities behalf?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do they ever travel these newer trains from Southern Cross all the way and back again on board excceding 3-4+ hrs one way in our newer trains to evaluate the impact of their decisions the frontline workers on board operating them and the public who uses them on regular basis?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have had dinner in our newer velocities in the middle car on board using their table after bring my own food and drinks , it very cramped and noisy on board 112-124 decibels from Geelong, I don’t think people will put up with these travelling conditions for 3-4 plus hours on board to Warrnambool and doing coach transfers etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What more when everyone starts taking bikes,Wheelchairs bags and extra for food and drinks onboard another issue may emerge, overcrowding and OHS problems for train crew for access to emergency exits and passengers tripping over people’s bags due lack of space for storage!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
It was fairly crowded on N sets on weekend when footy or some festival on public holidays were happening in that period , but now it seem it could be problematic when 3×2 is reduced to 3×1 on the newer trains due to train faults as I had that experience to Geelong during that shutdown early this year….<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most of the information have gathered from people who work on board them and observing people board them and disembarking them from ground zero during my lengthy hours onboard….and yes I being caught in some doozies on the system with them all! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Line has being upgraded to 130 kms\/ph but it will be interesting how the track hold out during wet weather as I observed how rough the tracks are on N sets at 108kms beyond Waurn Ponds and beyond after poor weather conditions one does wonder how the newer trains will handle it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For now it’s to be advised!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Part and parcel of rail travel….<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your comments of these upcoming changes would be appreciated…..<\/p>\n\n\n\n