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MelbourneCity
Chief Commissioner
Joined: Jan 22, 2003
Last Visited: Nov 29, 2008
Location: Melbourne
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 9:24 pm
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With petrol prices still high (despite recent falls in the price of oil) has there been an increase in passenger numbers on the Countrylink network?
We've all heard at length about the boom in patronage on Victoria's country and metropolitan systems. No doubt Sydney has also had a rise in patronage (though less documented it would seem), along with other capitals. Just wondering whether passenger numbers have increased for Countrylink?
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4001firstdiesel
Locomotive Fireman
Joined: May 11, 2008
Last Visited: Dec 1, 2008
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 11:02 pm
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There have been substantial increases on the Cityrail network, so its reasonable to believe that Countrylink have seen patronage increases as well (this might force them to improve their on time running, which is much worse then Cityrail's)
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dalts 1985
Chief Commissioner
Joined: Jul 29, 2003
Last Visited: Nov 30, 2008
Location: Warrnambool by the sea on the Shipwreck Coast of Victoria
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Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 12:07 am
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| 4001firstdiesel wrote: | | There have been substantial increases on the Cityrail network, so its reasonable to believe that Countrylink have seen patronage increases as well (this might force them to improve their on time running, which is much worse then Cityrail's) |
Just remember the C/Link fleet (esp. the XPT's) is streched to the max as it is with only 19 sets... One stuff up & it throws the whole cycle out... Plus Late running can be attributed to ARTC Control in some ways too, with the C/Link trains being slapped in loops for freights to pass, when it should be the freights made to wait in the loops, "but" as we all know, freight is where the big $$$ are  Not pi**y little interstate passenger trains, welll thats how ARTC see it  
"A vote for Labor means no more of Howard's bullsh*t |
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newington
Train Controller
Joined: Mar 04, 2007
Last Visited: Sep 28, 2008
Location: In a 48 at Nevertire wheat silo NSW
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Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 7:23 am
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| dalts 1985 wrote: | | 4001firstdiesel wrote: | | There have been substantial increases on the Cityrail network, so its reasonable to believe that Countrylink have seen patronage increases as well (this might force them to improve their on time running, which is much worse then Cityrail's) |
Just remember the C/Link fleet (esp. the XPT's) is streched to the max as it is with only 19 sets... One stuff up & it throws the whole cycle out... Plus Late running can be attributed to ARTC Control in some ways too, with the C/Link trains being slapped in loops for freights to pass, when it should be the freights made to wait in the loops, "but" as we all know, freight is where the big $$$ are Not pi**y little interstate passenger trains, welll thats how ARTC see it |
Dubbo seen neary 60% more patronage. when i the first time in '99 (I was about 3 or 4) the only thing i remeber (besides lunch) was Mum taking me for a walk around the train. we walked into car D and lo and behold theres 3 people. (that was at Penrith)
Also with the delay issue, i don't think you can get much worse than Brisbane XPT. They stick you in a crossing loop every time theres another train (even other XPT's) Not much you can do, though, because unless its a ten mile passing loop, they have to put short trains in the loop, or you'd have a bit of a problem having 2 engines and, say 10 wagons of a maximum length goods train so it still occupies the Main Line. thats the tricky part that ain't gonna work. 
I AM NOT BELFORD_ROCKS |
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Speed
Chief Commissioner
Joined: Mar 19, 2007
Last Visited: Dec 1, 2008
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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:16 pm
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When comparing V-Line with Countrylink, it is important to note that many people catch the former's trains to work in the morning while none would use the latter that way. People travel daily from Geelong, Melton, Sunbury & Traralgon to work in Melbourne. Many also travel daily to Geelong from Melbourne. If you choose to catch the train, the services are provided by V-Line. The New South Wales equivalent is Cityrail inter-urban services to and from the Blue Mountains, Newcastle / Central Coast and Wollongong.
The increases in patronage of V-Line services will mostly be by people who used to drive between cities (maybe parking at a Zone 1 station to catch a train for the last stretch into the city) choosing to catch the train instead. If people do the same in New South Wales, it's still an increase in Cityrail patronage.
If there has been increase in patronage by people travelling between Melbourne and Bairnsdale, it's unlikely to be as great. It's those longer journeys with which Countrylink should be compared.
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Somebody in the WWW
Comeng Gunzel
Joined: Oct 08, 2004
Last Visited: Dec 1, 2008
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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 4:35 pm
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Well said Speed 
CityRail's network is very expansive spanning south-west to Goulburn, west to Lithgow, north all the way to Scone & Dungog and southto Kiama & Nowra. This covers the entire equivalent area to V/Line's interurban services plus a little more, such as the far Hunter services intended for travellers to Newcastle, for example.
Most of CountryLink's destinations are much further from Sydney than equivalent V/Line destinations are from Melbourne. V/Line's longest service is the 4-hour, 345km trip to Swan Hill, while CountryLink's second shortest service (after Canberra) is the 462km, 6.5hr Dubbo XPT.
Most of the 'major' destinations are just as far from Sydney - Coffs Harbour 600km, Wagga Wagga 521km, Tamworth 455km, etc.
On top of all of that, many destinations also have air services provided by airlines such as Regional Express, QantasLink and Virgin Blue using either Dash 8s & Saab 340s or even jets like Boeing 737s or Embarer E-Jets for some runs like Coffs, Port Mac & Albury. The only destinations in Victoria which have air services coincidentally are not served by V/Line such as Mildura and Portland.
It would be nice if members of this board would stop considering V/Line and CountryLink to be equivalent operations
" The trains at Pennant Hills run roughly every half hour. Nobody in their right mind uses a service that shoddy. That so many do just proves how many dumb and/or desperate people there are in Sydney." - MrPC
Transport Textbook - My photos at RailPictures.Net |
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MelbourneCity
Chief Commissioner
Joined: Jan 22, 2003
Last Visited: Nov 29, 2008
Location: Melbourne
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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:50 pm
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Well, I wasnt actually comparing V/line to Countrylink. As said they are both different beasts. WHat I was asking was if there has been any patronage increases, what have those increases been.
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thadocta
Chief Train Controller
Joined: Apr 18, 2004
Last Visited: Dec 2, 2008
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 12:14 am
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| Somebody in the WWW wrote: | | On top of all of that, many destinations also have air services provided by airlines such as Regional Express, QantasLink and Virgin Blue using either Dash 8s & Saab 340s or even jets like Boeing 737s or Embarer E-Jets for some runs like Coffs, Port Mac & Albury. The only destinations in Victoria which have air services coincidentally are not served by V/Line such as Mildura and Portland. |
What absolute rubbish - V/Line services Mildura and Portland, and I was unable to find any RPT flights to Portland (IATA code PTJ).
Dave
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Somebody in the WWW
Comeng Gunzel
Joined: Oct 08, 2004
Last Visited: Dec 1, 2008
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 12:22 am
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| thadocta wrote: | | What absolute rubbish - V/Line services Mildura and Portland |
In the form this type of transport
Image opens in a new window
and maintaining a railway line to the former which is only used for freight.
I thought we were talking about trains?
| thadocta wrote: | | I was unable to find any RPT flights to Portland |
Sorry, I was going by what was on Riccardo's blog a while back. Still plenty of flights to Mildura though
" The trains at Pennant Hills run roughly every half hour. Nobody in their right mind uses a service that shoddy. That so many do just proves how many dumb and/or desperate people there are in Sydney." - MrPC
Transport Textbook - My photos at RailPictures.Net |
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thadocta
Chief Train Controller
Joined: Apr 18, 2004
Last Visited: Dec 2, 2008
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:35 am
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It is still a V/Line service, on which ONLY V/Line tickets are accepted. As for flights to Mildura, I know, I took one just a few weeks ago.
Dave
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Maikha
Not a gunzel
Joined: Sep 06, 2003
Last Visited: Nov 22, 2008
Location: Wagga Wagga, NSW
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:37 am
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| Somebody in the WWW wrote: | | On top of all of that, many destinations also have air services provided by airlines such as Regional Express, QantasLink and Virgin Blue using either Dash 8s & Saab 340s or even jets like Boeing 737s or Embarer E-Jets for some runs like Coffs, Port Mac & Albury. The only destinations in Victoria which have air services coincidentally are not served by V/Line such as Mildura and Portland. |
I would not have considered that a shift from high petrol prices and road transport would overflow onto the regional airlines, simply considering the cost, and additionally, most of the airports serving these locations are that far out of town one would also have to factor in the taxi fare needed to get there.
Cheers
Maikha Ly
The Intercity Platform & Valve Gear Media!
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/
Comments made are that of my own, and do not reflect those of organisations mentioned. |
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Somebody in the WWW
Comeng Gunzel
Joined: Oct 08, 2004
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turtle3280
Station Staff
Joined: Oct 10, 2007
Last Visited: Nov 12, 2008
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Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 3:22 pm
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Thadocta, there are certainly flights between Portland and Melbourne(Essendon), flown by Sharp Airlines.
Personally I wouldn't expect a dramatic increase in patronage for Countrylink, because even the rise in petrol prices means it's still cheaper to drive than take CL.
On the other hand, taking Vline is cheaper than driving. Go figure.
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