Article: Connex's future in doubt; public transport free on Friday

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Connex's future in doubt; public transport free on Friday

Connex's future in doubt; public transport free on Friday
Article from: Herald Sun

Ashley Gardiner

January 30, 2009 12:00am

PUBLIC transport will be free today in a $2 million sweetener for commuters fed up with delayed and cancelled trains.

As Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky made the fare-free order, train controllers cancelled the 1000th service so far this year.

Not one working day this year has been free of cancellations.

Trains went into meltdown again as the temperature soared to 43C; as of 6.30pm, 295 services had been cancelled.

A woman on a crowded North Melbourne station platform was hit by a falling mirror and knocked to the ground.

Services were suspended on the Alamein and Williamstown lines in the afternoon peak because of a lack of available trains.

Nine crews with water tankers patrolled the rail network to prevent rails from buckling in the heat.

Power cuts halted services between Broadmeadows and Craigieburn.

Morning services on the Frankston line were disrupted when a car hit a train at McKinnon station.

Speculation is mounting that Connex will be dumped as Melbourne's train operator later this year.

Sources have told the Herald Sun the French-owned group is well behind in the race for the new contract.

The train meltdown triggered another round of blame-shifting, but Ms Kosky yesterday defended the embattled operator.

"I believe that Connex, in this extreme heat, they've done an incredible amount," Ms Kosky said.

Free transport today, on trains, trams and buses in Melbourne and on the V/Line network, will cost the State Government up to $2 million.

Connex yesterday stepped up its campaign to blame unionists, first revealed by the Herald Sun on January 21.

The company's executive chairman, Jonathan Metcalfe, said union activity could be blamed for up to 80 per cent of recent cancellations.

Yesterday, at least 12 three-car train sets were not in service, despite Connex's view they were safe to operate.

Mr Metcalfe said a group in the drivers' union wanted to take control of the way train faults were reported.

"We're asking the small section of the union to think about what they're gambling with," he said. "A cancelled train can have a direct impact on up to 1000 people who rely on that service."

Rail, Tram and Bus Union locomotive division secretary Brian Hill said no industrial action was being taken.

The Public Transport Users Association has been tracking train cancellations, and its tally broke 1000 for the year just before 3.30pm.

PTUA president Daniel Bowen said cancellations had caused chaos: "This is obviously not a milestone to be proud of. Gimmicks like free rides, ice creams and drinks won't solve the real problems."