Thinking an artwork is the the cause of the networks degradation and somewhat run down nature sure is one of the most bizarre opinions I have ever encountered on this Site.

And that is one of more bizarre criticisms I have ever encountered. The idea that artwork has caused any failings is just crazy.
The comment was ( and remains) that anything which is not transport related is a potential or real distraction for V/Line whose job is to run trains. It's that simple. Got it?

That was quite literally your argument. You and YM were implying such and saying it was all unneeded "politically correct" Nonsense. V/line deciding to commission artworks does not equal a politically correct agenda and is most likely due to internal interest and mandated state regulation to support the arts industry. Calling it a "Distraction" from what matters is way overblown. Do V/line still run trains and coaches? Yes (mostly). It does not detract from anything, if they were doing a unique design on every bit of rolling stock they had then It might be. A one off does not do this.

I repeat, the fewer distractions V/Line has, the better. It's collective record isn't all that flash, and money spent on art rather than transport is a distraction. There will be V/Line people being paid to dedicate their time to art. No! Run trains efficiently by spending your money sensibly.
There are other places and departments whose job it is to look after the arts; let them do it and get V/Line to quit posing. Concentrate on your business V/Line - it's called running trains.
What are we going to have next - Metro paying for sculptures on platforms?

Contrary to what some people seem to think, I am not anti art. I do, however, prefer it looked after by dedicated experts and not messed with by organisations that are funded by us to do a specialised job as efficiently as possible.

As I said, calling it a "distraction" is overblown. Even if the money from this was redirected to what you want the benefit to the network would be very negligible. One train in a special paint job does not equal a Ballarat line upgrade or Murray basin line rebuild. Most government departments these days are actually required to contribute to the arts sector, that's why things like the topic of this thread happen. Is it sensible for this to be done? In my view yes.

As I said, making an issue out of nothing of great importance.

As for metro having sculptures on the platforms, there is precedent for that world-wide. A metro stations (Particularly the new rebuilds, and the metro tunnel) actually have sculptural installations in them, so yes we are doing that.

Good to hear your not anti-art (how absurd that would be!), However the impact on the rail operators caused by this is non exinsistant and overblown.

Thinking an artwork is the the cause of the networks degradation and somewhat run down nature sure is one of the most bizarre opinions I have ever encountered on this Site.

And that is one of more bizarre criticisms I have ever encountered. The idea that artwork has caused any failings is just crazy.
The comment was ( and remains) that anything which is not transport related is a potential or real distraction for V/Line whose job is to run trains. It's that simple. Got it?

......... and maintain tracks - which they clearly are not!

That was quite literally your argument. You and YM were implying such and saying it was all unneeded "politically correct"

In a word; nonsense.
We already have one expert who decides what people mean, and then criticises them, rather than reading what they write. Don't you start.
I implied nothing and meant exactly what I wrote. . . it is a distraction from V/Line's proper function - no more; no less.

If you don’t understand that this is purely corporate virtue signalling then you are indeed nothing but a moron.

If you don’t understand that this is purely corporate virtue signalling then you are indeed nothing but a moron

Precisely; that's exactly what it is - don't judge us by our performance; look at what great people we are.

That was quite literally your argument.

Something I should have said previously - you obviously do not understand the meaning of "literally". I suggest you look it up.

If they'd chosen to have pictures of 2021 Paralympians on the facemasks, I'm sure there would be less than half the petty gripes on this thread.

You may call it petty, Bingley, but when the people at V/Line stop services being stuffed up because of "train fault", "equipment fault", "track fault" et al, they can feel quite free to branch out into other activities. Until then, let them concentrate on getting their core business (which we pay for) up to scratch.

That was quite literally your argument. You and YM were implying such and saying it was all unneeded "politically correct"

In a word; nonsense.
We already have one expert who decides what people mean, and then criticises them, rather than reading what they write. Don't you start.
I implied nothing and meant exactly what I wrote. . . it is a distraction from V/Line's proper function - no more; no less.

My apologies for the lateness of my reply.

Please do not compare Me to Him, our resident pseudo intellectual. I understand what your main argument is, I just happen to think there is no need for the tirade against  "political correctness" to be thrown around, that's just the way of the world, especially in a state as progressive as Victoria.

Since this thread seems to be a broken record more than anything, I will say this bearly changes anything from an operational standpoint. Distraction is an exaggeration.

You may call it petty, Bingley, but when the people at V/Line stop services being stuffed up because of "train fault", "equipment fault", "track fault" et al, they can feel quite free to branch out into other activities. Until then, let them concentrate on getting their core business (which we pay for) up to scratch.

We all know the answer to that statement. Even if the network "gets up to scratch" those things will always happen. I do not think those known issues are related at all to a train being painted.




Anyhow, in other news, there is also a gay train. How do some of the posters here view this one? Some more Corporate Virtue signalling? Pretty nice way to break up the monotony of the fleet.

As well as being responsible for providing a rail service, V/line are an employer. As an employer it is important to show your employees as well as prospective employees and of course customers (in this case passengers) that you promote an inclusive and accepting workplace for anyone, even if they don't fit the old standard straight white bloke image that would have once been the default face of your company.

Being overtly inclusive of people who in the past were left to feel invisible can only be a positive.