Greets from Perth...
This morning I decided to go down to Freo on the train. I am fairly sure this is the first time I've used the Perth rail system. The trains both ways were on time, and they're only 15 minutes apart on a Sunday! They were clean, quiet and spacious. The central station is modern and clean. They're expanding the system by adding new stations and putting lines underground (click here to check out the details). The fares are pretty cheap too...
In short Connex could learn a thing or two from Transperth
In short Connex could learn a thing or two from Transperth
posted by Connex Whinger at 9:00 pm
11 Comments:
Connex can also learn things from Transport for London. I've just returned from 3 weeks there and the Underground still suffers from the years of neglect under the Thatcher government. But 5 billion pounds is being invested over the next 10 years to improve the system. That is the type of money that needs to be invested to make a real difference.
Currently there are constant delays due to signal failure and faulty trains, but one major difference that Connex should learn from is COMMUNICATION. Each time I was on a train that was stopped, even for 2 minutes the driver announced on the PA the reason for the delay, made an apology and gave an estimate of the time of the delay. There are also continual audio announcements and written updates in the stations about the state of service on the network, allowing customers to make alternative plans if certain lines are experiencing delays.
It is amazing how something so EASY makes a differences to passengers' attitudes. The infrastructure problems at Connex cannot be fixed overnight, but a genuine focus on communication and customer service will improve attitudes and reduce complaints.
Glad you enjoyed our clean Perth trains, you would of travelled on Transperth A Series Bombardier unlike Connex our government is spending big dollars on total cabin refurbs.
No surprises that Connex is still a total disaster, I left Melbourne in January and couldnt wait to get on a clean train back home in Perth.
Enjoyed reading your blog when I was in Melbourne. ( I was the one who asked you if you liked Perth Trains at Xmas).
Bracksy aint gettin my vote come election time.
anonymous
former M>Train did commit $500 million to new trains - Siemens - problems here an there, theyre fine now.
Connex did likewise, although the ride quality of the "X'Trapolis" train is debatable.
I daresay you'd give your vote to opposition Liberal. I'd want 'some' investment compared to a very slim looking ZERO!
--
Mr Whinger, the best Melbourne could do is use verbal announcements. Look at Southern Cross - no suburban train departure times, and Flinders street is slowly getting new screens that you can actually see.
But it needs to be fixed as i agree - these things are pre-dated to the 80's. Nothing can be done apart from say that the train is 'delayed.'
Near impossible to just say ' a train is here - display it on this screen' - or even then, who'd be bothered.
Plus the hassle
For the past three weeks I've been driving to work in the inner western suburbs. And you know what? I'm actually happier when I get to work and get home again, than when I was wrestling with the train system. I get the various Connex SMS's about cancelled services and laugh at how many I know didn't run with no warnings at all.
And yes, I get a lot of idiot drivers and heavy traffic but I get more info. from the radio station on the state of the roads ahead of me, than I ever did from Connex with dedicated alerts!
Sam
Howdy CW, your old buddy VW here!
I'm back on the V/Line now after 3 months hiatus and it's not been too bad thus far (though it's only been 4 days!).
I've met a scottish guy at my new workplace and he is the equivalent of you on steroids when it comes to complaining about Connex. I might have to point him to your blog & maybe you should make him an associate contributer whilst you are away! ;-)
Enjoy Perth & let me know when you are back, catch up for a beer.
Cheers,
J.
Some time ago learning a few things from Tokyo have been discussed on this blog. But did you know that the employers overthere *pay* for the public transport? Each employee gets paid equivalent of the monthly ticket value between their home and work place. Bracks... here is an idea... I think, if ever implemented in this country, this would change a few things... :-) Alex.
Regarding BrianTGN's comment, I got that message too once I was on platform 8 waiting for the 1738 to Sandringham. Natrually it was late along with most of the trains going through Sth Yarra.
When I was on the train, (just after the 20th time in 10 mins they announced that there would be no stoppong at St Yarra) a man who was around 50-something caught my eye and said "looks like I have to walk from Richmond then". He had a walking cane, so I really did feel quite sorry for him.
So the train stops at Richmond, I watch him start his obviously difficult trek.
We continue on our way..... Imagine my surprise when we start breaking and stop at Sth Yarra station where quite a number of people were on the platform waiting for our train to pick them up. Apparently what ever had happened was over and evidently it had been over for a little while.
Around 10 mins later I got the message from Connex that train service to Sth Yarra had been restored and that "Connex apologises for the inconvenience"
Don't tell me! All I could think of was that poor gentlemen who would still be struggling to walk from Richmond to Sth Yarra.
Shock Horror!!!
This afternoon I was at Flinders St for around 15 mins waiting for an express train to Frankston.
In that time I saw the 17:49 train to Sandringham appear to leave at 17:49 exactly, the doors of the 17:53 Frankston shut at 17:52:55 and the train rolling out the platform at 17:53:05, the 17:56 Pakenham leave around 17:56:30 and the 18:00 Frankston was out on time too.
Is this a first for Connex?
Today 31/7/06 the 8.32am from Caufield to City left at 8.41. Crowds of people waiting and another train pulls in and out 2 platforms away... at an empty platform... we could only watch as it comes and goes. Not a single message from Connex staff either to announce the delay or tell us about the other train. Connex and service? ... Maybe a funeral service.
Well since my existance on Connex Whingers site, you may recall me and my ideas, (in fact wait, they're NOT ideas! ITS REALITY) well, the reality of people standing in doorways.
Connex's new advertising scheme:
http://www.dontholdothersback.com/
more info here
NB broken link - fixed
Don't Hold Others Back
Post a Comment
<< Home