".....and the little plastic castle............"

ClydeGM · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:05 pm

"....and the little plastic castle is a sur-prise every time........"

Wouldn’t you think that with all the positive publicity that washes over Connex’s CSE’s/ticket checkers/Gestapo storm troopers, all the complimentary names they are called and the high esteem in which they are held, that the absolute last thing Connex would do is put up what looks, for all the world, like a sensitive new age primate enclosure, complete with exotic timbers (well, OK; it's cheap plywood!), barred, full length, floor to ceiling windows down the sides and festooned with leafy green vegetables at the ends, to house them in full public view on the concourse at Flinders Street!?

I haven’t figured out yet if it’s designed to keep them in and us safe, or us out, and them safe.

Them guys are gonna feel like goldfish (albeit simian goldfish!).
I wonder if they’ll remember the little plastic castle, or if it will be a new and exciting experience on every lap around the interior?

The cops at Flinders Street are infinitely smarter here.
Based on their long experience of meting out summary justice, their enclosure has reflective “we can see out, but you can’t see in” glass.

Oh yeah, and it’s yet another obstacle to the free and unimpeded movement of pedestrian traffic through the concourse.
What a bonus during peak hour that will be!

I'd take a picture and post it, but apparently it's unlawful to wield 'unauthorised' photographic implements on "connex property".

Jay.

"At this height, why they might harpoon us, but they dang sure ain't going to spot us on no radar screen."

alstom_888m · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:12 pm

What is it you are going on about? Please take a photo, say it's from the media if you have to.

Reliable, Economical, Safe, By Rail.

Away for Summer. Won't be on RP.

connexwest · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:24 pm

He's refering to the "customer Information Centre" Connex has built in the middle of the concourse at Flinders Street Station.

Rob

Check out my tram pictures at http://robsgallery.fotopic.net/

574M · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:01 pm

ClydeGM · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 1:35 am

"You are upset with this castle, aren't you?"
574M

Just for the record no, I'm not.

I'm actually quite chuckled, chortled even. Bordering on guffawing in fact.
It's just a particularly stupid thing, situated in an inconvenient and inappropriate place, and I wonder how much it's cost and who's paying.

AND, it's a bloody eyesore as well - as ugly as a kicked in night-soil can!
About what you'd expect from the design department at Connex.

What an utterly 'orrible place to expect anyone to work.

But I digress.
The concourse is already an obstacle course, what with 'Paid by Commission' professional begging services, 'we paid to be in your face' promotional/advertising/marketing/freebie distributors; a very poor layout combined with endless numbers of people who mill about at the tops and bottoms of stairs and escalators obstructing everyone else, not to mention the gauntlet of stormtroopers, the legions of centurions manning the ramparts er, I mean barriers, to repel those nasty fare evaders.
The Gestapo however, are rarely in evidence when the faecal material - in the form of mindlessly drunk and drug affected filth - smites the fan, assaulting, vandalising, vomiting and urinating indiscriminately on trains and in public areas, in the later part of most evenings.

As bad as it is, Treasure Island, aka SUX, (my normal port of entry) is better laid out for the swift movement of large numbers of people.
Maybe it's the visible clouds of diesel fumes that discourage loitering there?

And, it's my (distant) recollection that 'The man in Grey' and similar information services required a detour by some to get to them, not a detour by most to get around them.

Jay.

"At this height, why they might harpoon us, but they dang sure ain't going to spot us on no radar screen."

esssee · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 5:23 pm

Deep Throat · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:16 pm

So it's a Man In Grey booth then.

Anonymous - and proud of it.

wongm · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 1:30 pm

Some photos from today.

It appears to be staffed by attractive young females, rather than your traditional 'Man in Grey'...

Marcus Wong

Railway Pics New URL, updated January 3rd
Youtube videos
Rail Geelong: History of Geelong's Railways. Victoria's real Main Line.

alstom_888m · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 2:06 pm

Oooh I like this castle... Nice wood and trees, very natural. What's it for? Buying tickets if you're a dummy like me and can't figure out those machines?

Reliable, Economical, Safe, By Rail.

Away for Summer. Won't be on RP.

wongm · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 2:37 pm

steveo2004 · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 4:38 pm

Cry me a river, Connex is hiring people to help the pax oh no it's the end of the world, people want to help other people. Rolling Eyes

Proud to be one of the last 3 Gate Keepers in Melbourne

Alamein_Line · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 5:22 pm

Wouldn't an Information Centre be better located along the fence-line between the "paid" and "unpaid" areas with a window facing each ?

Positioned as it is , someone arriving at Flinders Street who requires information before buying a ticket is going to have to ask at the Ticket Window

Surely the idea of an information kiosk is to assist customers ( both new passengers and those changing trains ) and leave Ticket Windows to sell tickets ?

Speed · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 5:26 pm

Ned Ludd · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 11:24 pm

fast01 · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 12:24 am