Source

New train, tram operators for Melbourne
Clay Lucas and Mex Cooper
June 25, 2009 - 11:13AM

Connex has been stripped of its contract to operate Melbourne's train system, with Hong Kong-backed company Metro Trains Melbourne to take its place.

The city's trams will also have a new operator with Keolis Downer EDI ousting the incumbent Yarra Trams as the government's preferred tenderer.

Interesting.

I doubt it will have any effect to be honest. I don't think the problem is the operators. I think it's the stifling gov't interference.

And build an outer loop already!

For us non-Mexicans, is that a big deal? Are the current trams useless or something?

this seems like the reason...

The decision to oust Connex is likely to be warmly greeted by train passengers who have become increasingly infuriated with late, overcrowded and cancelled services across the network.

May was the fifth month in a row that Melbourne trains did not meet punctuality targets with almost one in 10 failing to arrive at their destination on time.

Yeah it's been a huge issue down here in Mexico since the start of this year. As the article states 2.8% of trains were canceled. It was hugely compounded by the hot weather that we had in summer, and the papers showed massive crowding in peak times with this ridiculous weather - and then half the trains don't have air conditioning!!!

I can't catch trains often anymore. I drive one hour to work from one outer suburb to another. There is a train station 5 min walk from my house.

I want a big outer-loop exactly like in Berlin. I think having a small inner-loop like Melbourne is a failure.

http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/9582/bennyneroanagrammap.th.gif

(Edit: Hahaha, just had a closer look at the Berlin map I posted. It's some dudes comedy image. He has replaced all the real station names with silly things. Wow, big effort...)

A sloppy operator gets fired. Not that controversial.

something really needs to be done about brisbanes public transport aswell

I don't find my bus route too bad here in Brisbane (475/476 Bardon <-> City) although I did order a new goCard 2 weeks ago online (cause I thought it would be easier than going to the get one and registering it.. waiting a few days.. ringing back and getting the password etc) and still haven't seen it and apparently goCard support can't help cause a different company does their online stuff.

Melb transport has always been a bit hit and miss ... they should have got the people that run the trains in Jap with there stupidly accurate public transport.

I don't know what will change but unlike the QLD government (BAM) it seems when the current mob aren't performing then they get turfed and someone else can have a crack at it.

Tram punctuality is far worse than trains though, at one stop I waited about 30 minutes (even though tram tracker said a tram every 8 minutes) and the tram that did come was only a depot run and fortunately I jump off a few stops before the depot.

Hopefully all those Connex and Yarra Tram wannabe cops can get the arse and be replaced by customer service instead of thugs in long black jackets, f*** those wankers piss me off. They stand in a line like riot police outside Flinders St waiting to pounce on anyone who looks a bit suss and then treat people who do get caught out like criminals.

I didn't validate at the start of my trip once (even though the expiry date of monthly ticket is printed on the back) and the f***tard was about to write me a fine for not having a valid ticket!@%!

they should have got the people that run the trains in Jap with there stupidly accurate public transport.

Or perhaps MTR who operate the Hong Kong Metro?

Yeah, I don't catch trains much, but I'm glad theres a change coming in for trams, I've been 45 minutes late to work sometimes because of trams not showing up, then you get like 5 or 6 of the same tram show up back to back. Also, maybe they'll actually put some decent size trams on my route, we always get the tiny single carriage ones and in the morning on the way to work people are packed in like sardines :(

hey should have got the people that run the trains in Jap with there stupidly accurate public transport.

And on some trains give you beer if they are late.

Only recently been back from Japan and their train system is just fantastic. Travelled to and fro work at Fujitsu by train everyday and it was a delight. Can't see the need for a car there if you work close to the train line.

And on some trains give you beer if they are late.

if qld were serious about getting me to use public transport, they woudl do this

Japan trains are the shiznit. I stayed at Shibuya and got the train all over the place on the weekends when I wasn't working and it was awesome. If that clock said it was there at 5.01 it was f***ing there at 5.01 and not at 5.00 or 5.02 unlike Connex s*** f***s who say it's there at 5.01 and it finally shows up about 30 minutes later because it was hot that day or they have to run slow because the brakes could fail.

You can't really complain about the Connex train-cops if you've seen the Berlin ones. In Berlin they are undercover and look SCARILY normal. The S-Bahn will close it's doors but the train won't take off. Then suddenly the middle-aged mum next to you reading the paper drops her paper and asks to see your ticket. The dude across the aisle who looked like he would bash someone as soon as look at them also gets up and starts asking to see tickets. First time I witnessed it I thought the train was being hijacked!

late, overcrowded and cancelled services

I thought this was business as usual for public transport in AU?