Article: Train operator Metro tells commuters to forget the train, take the tram

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Train operator Metro tells commuters to forget the train, take the tram

Train operator Metro tells commuters to forget the train, take the tram

    * Ashley Gardiner
    * From: Herald Sun
    * April 29, 2010 12:00AM

IN a stunning admission of how bad train congestion has become, Metro has advised commuters to take a tram instead.

The suggestion by Metro to avoid its trains comes as it announced plans for a radical shake-up of Cranbourne, Frankston and Pakenham line services.

It will mean big changes for how 130,000 Melburnians travel by train each day.

Express trains will now run direct to Flinders St, bypassing the congested City Loop.

Some stations along those lines will actually have fewer trains each day.

But passengers have been warned against changing trains at Caulfield, Richmond or South Yarra because they are too crowded.

Similar changes introduced on the Werribee line in late 2008 led to a crush at North Melbourne as confused commuters changed trains.

"It may seem quicker to change at Richmond or South Yarra, but the services at these stations are at or close to capacity," the Metro advice says. "The City Loop services from platform 1 at Flinders St will have ample capacity for a more comfortable journey as they are heading out of the city.

"Also, you may wish to consider a tram service from Flinders St to move you across the CBD grid."

Opposition spokesman on transport Terry Mulder said it was evidence that public transport could not cope.

"This is an admission of failure by the Government," Mr Mulder said.

"When they start turning people away, they have got to admit they have failed."

Metro spokesman Chris Whitefield said commuters were advised to avoid changing at Richmond because of the large numbers of commuters using the station.

"Richmond is such a busy hub as it is, the idea is to get as many people into the city at Flinders St," Mr Whitefield said. "It's giving people the option if they don't want to be stuck on a packed train in the mornings."

Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula said the overhaul would help reduce delays on the network.

"These changes will benefit thousands of commuters every day," Mr Pakula said.

The new timetable, which comes into effect on June 6, includes seven extra peak services a day on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines, and seven on the Frankston line.

The new timetable will bring significant changes to the way the three lines currently operate. At the moment, most Frankston trains run express from Caulfield or Malvern to South Yarra.

But from June, Cranbourne and Pakenham trains will run express from Caulfield to South Yarra.

Pakenham trains will also bypass some stations from Dandenong to Caulfield.

Public Transport Users Association president Daniel Bowen said it was positive.

"But Frankston passengers in particular will need to beware of changes to their services," he said.

[#Metro]

I've read that the Melbourne system wasn't designed to take all trains around the loop, and it would have far more capacity if most trains did what QR does and through-routes them through Flinders Street.

Here's the reference: http://www.theage.com.au/national/more-trains-could-run-20090308-8sfs.html
I think that they realised how convenient it would be to take everyone around the loop after it was built.