They are solid numbers.  How do they compare to the ararat service?

They are solid numbers.  How do they compare to the ararat service?

It is interesting that in the Rail Revival Study, the average number of passengers per trip was quoted at 26.
I am not sure what time period that was based on or how old the figures were.
Again they do seem a bit light on just compared with my anecdotal counts that I have posted... I suppose I will just keep posting when I do travel.

And  Mike, I am not a daily user... once or at best twice per week . It would be helpful if other users could post some numbers as well.

It is interesting that in the Rail Revival Study, the average number of passengers per trip was quoted at 26.
I am not sure what time period that was based on or how old the figures were.
Again they do seem a bit light on just compared with my anecdotal counts that I have posted... I suppose I will just keep posting when I do travel.

And  Mike, I am not a daily user... once or at best twice per week . It would be helpful if other users could post some numbers as well.

That line badly needs more services so people can make day trips arriving in the morning and leaving at night. With what we have now visitors are forced to spend the night and the next train leaves early in the morning at 7am.

That line badly needs more services so people can make day trips arriving in the morning and leaving at night. With what we have now visitors are forced to spend the night and the next train leaves early in the morning at 7am.

The timetable is designed to suit Vline more than anyone else. It s initial market seems to be students and workers going to and from Ballarat. Thats OK in itself but it does seriously limit the market. The comments on the day return are spot on . Also the weekend  down train leaving at 4pm  makes it impossible to go to the football or races or a matinee show etc because you have to leave half way through the performance. The Aratat train leaves at around 5:30pm which is much more sensible. I think this is to do with rostering, train availability  and related issues rather than what the public actuially wants or needs

The timetable is designed to suit Vline more than anyone else. It s initial market seems to be students and workers going to and from Ballarat. Thats OK in itself but it does seriously limit the market. The comments on the day return are spot on . Also the weekend  down train leaving at 4pm  makes it impossible to go to the football or races or a matinee show etc because you have to leave half way through the performance. The Aratat train leaves at around 5:30pm which is much more sensible. I think this is to do with rostering, train availability  and related issues rather than what the public actuially wants or needs

Exactly.  There is a great deal of Victoria which is designed to be bureaucrat-friendly, and any gain to the customer is incidental.

The example above is one; then there are Myki and Toll Roads, both  made extremely difficult for visitors, and some degree of nuisance to locals. But who cares?  Not the bureaucrats.

The timetable is designed to suit Vline more than anyone else. It s initial market seems to be students and workers going to and from Ballarat. Thats OK in itself but it does seriously limit the market. The comments on the day return are spot on . Also the weekend  down train leaving at 4pm  makes it impossible to go to the football or races or a matinee show etc because you have to leave half way through the performance. The Aratat train leaves at around 5:30pm which is much more sensible. I think this is to do with rostering, train availability  and related issues rather than what the public actuially wants or needs

Do you acknowledge the fact that Maryborough has a smorgas board of Road coach services to and from both Ballarat and Castlemaine (that connect with trains)

Some people have the Idea that the two daily train services are the only public transport out and Into Maryborough.

The numbers quoted by observers ain't showing any more than a road coach load, so fat chance on getting any more services In and out of Maryborough.

that is yet to be seen

Do you acknowledge the fact that Maryborough has a smorgas board of Road coach services to and from both Ballarat and Castlemaine (that connect with trains)

Some people have the Idea that the two daily train services are the only public transport out and Into Maryborough.

The numbers quoted by observers ain't showing any more than a road coach load, so fat chance on getting any more services In and out of Maryborough.

I conclude the exact opposite.

Yes, in addition to the daily train, there are buses into and through Maryborough.  So, that says to me that there is greater potential to get better usage out of the train.  And remember, none of the buses to points beyond Maryborough connect with the train, so much of the potential train patronage is denied to it.  Not only that, on some days there is a bus that runs from Ballarat to Maryborough and return only 35 minutes after the train - practically duplicating it.  And that's before you consider that there are also many daily local services between Ballarat and Creswick.  And despite all that there are still 40 to 50 on each train.

So, the potential is to