Melbourne January 2016

[ozbob]

Will be spending a few days in Melbourne January.

Will probably head down to Geelong, and might check out Maryborough.

[ozbob]

Maryborough is a bit awkward for a day trip, so I think I will go to Traralgon instead ..

[ozbob]

Myki topped up.  Sky bus ticket $18 ...  only need a single this trip as travelling from Adelaide to Melbourne on the Overland.

[verbatim9]

I have done that Overland Trip both ways

[ozbob]

Done a few trips myself, but not for a while.  The last time I was on the Overland it was an overnight journey .. 

[ozbob]

Closures: > http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/removal-of-furlong-road-level-crossing-begins-ahead-of-major-summer-works/

Will not interfere with my plans fortunately.

[ozbob]

Melbourne weather.  Generally cool while I am there, good.  No track speed restrictions.

>> http://www.myweather2.com/City-Town/Australia/Victoria/Melbourne/14-Day-Forecast.aspx

[ozbob]

Few random photographs around Melbourne town. Myki seems to working a bit quicker these days too.
Caught a night train from Caulfield at 1.18am early Saturday morning, almost peak loading 







































Photographs R Dow 9 & 10th January 2016

[verbatim9]

Few random photographs around Melbourne town. Myki seems to working a bit quicker

I like those Seimens trains even though they were contraversial due to the braking system, but that seems to be addressed.

[ozbob]

http://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/crossings/burke-road,-glen-irisry

Major construction has started on the removal of the Burke Road level crossing with the project to be completed by mid-2016.

Very complex project involving tram, heavy rail and roads.  New station for Gardiner as well.

[ozbob]

Photographs R Dow 10th January 2016

[ozbob]

Just departed Southern Cross Vlocity 1146 for Traralgon

[ozbob]

Nice trip to Traralgon and return.

VLocity outbound, N class hauled passenger train inbound.



























Photographs R Dow 12th January 2016

[ozbob]

Yes, I had a look at Bentleigh, McKinnon and Ormond stations.  Three adjacent stations on the Frankston line that all have level crossings undergoing grade separation.  Checked out Glen Huntly as well, this is a tram square level crossing not being grade separated.

Bentleigh






McKinnon








Ormond






Glen Huntly










Other around Glen Huntly/Elsternwick







Photographs R Dow 11th January 2016

[ozbob]

Back to Brisbane today.  Grade separation works are very good bang for the buck, and should be stepped up.

Positive improvements in Melbourne from my observations.  Myki seems much more responsive, fares are very reasonable.

Night trains/coaches good move.   Frequency of suburban  rail is very good of course, bus overall is fine.  Trams are just gold.

I do wonder a little about the massive cost of Melbourne Metro tunnel.  I really think they do need to fix up what they have first, track needs work and a better signalling system.  More LX removals are needed of course.

VLine services are excellent.

But overall - great time as usual.

[ozbob]

Bye Melbourne!









Photographs R Dow 13th January 2016

[ozbob]

My myki history for this visit.  Fares are  affordable in Victoria.

It cost me $33.39 (concession) for lots of travel, including a journey to Traralgon, over the 5 days.

Date   Time   Transaction Type   Service   Zone   Description   Credit   Debit   myki money Balance

13/01/2016   07:02:56   Touch off   Train   1   Southern Cross Station   -    -    -
13/01/2016   06:28:56   Touch on   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
12/01/2016   16:48:57   Touch off   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
12/01/2016   16:43:33   Touch on   Train   1   Carnegie Station   -    -    -
12/01/2016   16:26:59   Touch off   Train   1   Carnegie Station   -    -    -
12/01/2016   16:23:24   Touch on   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
12/01/2016   16:22:03   Touch off*   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    $9.87    $15.45
12/01/2016   14:34:38   Touch on   Train   -   -   -    -    -
12/01/2016   13:17:38   Touch on   Train   12/13   Traralgon Station   -    -    -
12/01/2016   11:50:14   Touch off*   Train   12/13   Traralgon Station   -    $7.92    $25.32
12/01/2016   09:28:38   Touch on   Train   -   -   -    -    -
12/01/2016   08:51:37   Touch on   Train   1   Southern Cross Station   -    -    -
12/01/2016   08:51:37   Touch off (Default Fare)   Train   1   Southern Cross Station   -    -    -
12/01/2016   08:11:37   Touch off (Default Fare)   Tram   1   Tram   -    -    -
12/01/2016   08:11:37   Touch on   Tram   1   Tram   -    -    -
12/01/2016   07:52:30   Touch on   Tram   1   Tram   -    -    -
12/01/2016   07:42:29   Touch off*   Train   1   Southern Cross Station   -    $1.95    $33.24
12/01/2016   07:08:56   Touch on   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   15:26:36   Touch off   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   15:08:11   Touch on   Train   1/2   Oakleigh Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   14:06:21   Touch off   Train   1/2   Oakleigh Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   13:54:25   Touch on   Train   2   Clayton Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   12:56:57   Touch off   Train   2   Clayton Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   12:41:07   Touch on   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   11:57:33   Touch off   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   11:42:27   Touch on   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   11:40:10   Touch off   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   11:32:32   Touch on   Train   1   Glenhuntly Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   11:28:44   Touch off   Tram   1   Tram   -    -    -
11/01/2016   11:19:02   Touch off (Default Fare)   Tram   1   Tram   -    -    -
11/01/2016   11:19:02   Touch on   Tram   1   Tram   -    -    -
11/01/2016   11:10:40   Touch on   Tram   1   Tram   -    -    -
11/01/2016   11:03:44   Touch off   Tram   1   Tram   -    -    -
11/01/2016   10:51:50   Touch on   Tram   1   Tram   -    -    -
11/01/2016   10:39:00   Touch off   Train   1   Glenhuntly Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   10:29:55   Touch on   Train   1/2   Ormond Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   10:24:17   Touch off   Train   1/2   Ormond Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   10:18:52   Touch on   Train   1/2   McKinnon Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   10:13:08   Touch off   Train   1/2   McKinnon Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   10:07:19   Touch on   Train   1/2   Bentleigh Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   10:01:19   Touch off*   Train   1/2   Bentleigh Station   -    $1.95    $35.19
11/01/2016   09:41:18   Touch on   Train   1   Carnegie Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   09:22:09   Touch off   Train   1   Carnegie Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   09:16:19   Touch on   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   07:29:38   Touch off*   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    $1.95    $37.14
11/01/2016   07:22:53   Touch on   Train   1/2   Oakleigh Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   05:57:35   Touch off   Train   1/2   Oakleigh Station   -    -    -
11/01/2016   05:51:21   Touch on   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
10/01/2016   19:10:59   Touch off   Train   1   Carnegie Station   -    -    -
10/01/2016   19:03:26   Touch on   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
10/01/2016   15:40:57   Touch off   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
10/01/2016   15:29:30   Touch on   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
10/01/2016   15:08:48   Touch off   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
10/01/2016   15:02:38   Touch on   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
10/01/2016   11:59:31   Touch off*   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    $1.95    $39.09
10/01/2016   11:53:09   Touch on   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
10/01/2016   08:35:06   Touch off   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
10/01/2016   08:08:50   Touch on   Train   1/2   Oakleigh Station   -    -    -
10/01/2016   06:47:29   Touch off*   Train   1/2   Oakleigh Station   -    $1.95    $41.04
10/01/2016   06:34:43   Touch on   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
09/01/2016   22:03:38   Touch off   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
09/01/2016   22:00:57   Touch on   Train   1   Carnegie Station   -    -    -
09/01/2016   19:39:05   Touch off   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
09/01/2016   19:36:36   Touch on   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
09/01/2016   17:13:19   Touch off   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
09/01/2016   16:59:36   Touch on   Train   1/2   Oakleigh Station   -    -    -
09/01/2016   16:26:56   Touch off   Train   1/2   Oakleigh Station   -    -    -
09/01/2016   16:15:48   Touch on   Train   1   Carnegie Station   -    -    -
09/01/2016   15:51:50   Touch off*   Train   1   Carnegie Station   -    $0.60    $42.99
09/01/2016   15:47:53   Touch on   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
09/01/2016   15:08:08   Touch off   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
09/01/2016   14:43:27   Touch on   Train   1   Flagstaff Station   -    -    -
09/01/2016   14:41:36   Touch off   Train   1   Flagstaff Station   -    -    -
09/01/2016   14:14:39   Touch on   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
09/01/2016   13:46:57   Touch off*   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    $1.95    $43.59
09/01/2016   12:53:41   Touch on   Train   2   Cardinia Railway Station   -    -    -
09/01/2016   10:16:08   Touch off*   Train   2   Cardinia Railway Station   -    $1.35    $45.54
09/01/2016   09:42:17   Touch on   Train   2   Dandenong Station   -    -    -
09/01/2016   01:23:49   Touch off   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    -    -
09/01/2016   01:06:46   Touch on   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
08/01/2016   21:44:49   Touch off   Train   1   Caulfield Station   -    -    -
08/01/2016   21:39:48   Touch on   Train   1   Carnegie Station   -    -    -
08/01/2016   19:30:49   Touch off*   Train   1   Murrumbeena Station   -    $1.95    $46.89
08/01/2016   19:00:51   Top up myki money   -   -   -   $20.00    -    $48.84
08/01/2016   19:00:51   Touch on   Train   1   Southern Cross Station

[ozbob]

I should also point out that on the 10th I also travelled from Caulfield to East Malvern, then to Gardiner and return on the rail replacement buses.

No charge for this travel, passengers ARE NOT required to touch on/off with myki, nor are they expected to tramp back and forwards to rail stations to touch.  Much more civilized treatment than in SEQ.

[SurfRail]

I make it a point to always touch off if I am leaving the rail system - no exceptions.  This should be the universal rule.

It's especially significant on the Gold Coast where every station from Coomera south is gated (ie the readers are unidirectional).  You would in theory have to reach over the gate to touch off from the inside, which is clearly insane.

[ozbob]

Yo, my Mrs and I do likewise.  It is crazy ...  typical Queensland approach   

One day my Mrs got off a rail bus at Roma St outside, went inside to touch off.  Explained to the station staff that she needed to go through gate then touch off.  Staff just stared in wonderment    at which time she then decided she was going to touch off when leaving the rail stations rather than play go charades on bus rail substitutions.