Melbourne Trains

[ozbob]

^ Anyone have insight on what the actual problem is here?

If it was a brand new line, all new terrain, sure. But it's a short section of new track, flat as a tack, on the existing reservation, with upgraded signalling. If muscle memory is a requirement to follow speed boards and signals, that's terrifying.

I dislike Metro Trains and their contemptible attitude towards ... anyone who's not their executives. But on this particular one, just not really following.

https://www.themercury.com.au/news/national/13-train-drivers-sent-home-over-dispute-with-metro-over-tracks/news-story/0084d0e88b1ec18e3f541425f48efb3a

... The head of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union's locomotive division, Marc Marotta, said as many as 120 drivers had asked for 16 minutes of extra hands-on training to familiarise themselves with the new section of rail.

Metro argued enough support already had been provided. Further cancellations are likely.

"You've got a lot of drivers who are inexperienced (and) they are the ones who have requested the training," Mr Marotta said.

"What they're trying to do is move those people who have requested additional training to other runs but that's just masking the problem."

An opinion published by the Fair Work Commission on Saturday found Metro had likely provided enough training but an official decision will come after hearings this week. . ...

I think there is probably some merit in the inexperienced drivers requesting some actual route tuition.  The run from Hawksburn to South Yarra has changed considerably.   The Frankston UP and DOWN lines, and the Pakenham UP lines have been slewed further west, leaving room for a double track access into the portal for the Melbourne Metro tunnel.  The Pakenham DOWN line is in the original position as far as I can tell.  There has been signalling and track geometry changes.  I think the drivers who request extra tuition should get it. I don't really understand why they haven't.  Standing them down has just meant the rail network is struggling.  I spoke to some folk in Melbourne today, overcrowding was severe.

The tweet below shows the new layout ...

https://twitter.com/cambriafont/status/1221259903005626370

[ozbob]

This shows the changes as well.  The double track right of picture is the Sandringham line.

https://twitter.com/metrotunnelvic/status/1222752070970642437



The concrete structure to the right of the Sandringham line is where the TBMs are going to be retrieved.  There is no room in the main quad corridor.

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> More Melbourne train, tram strikes on way amid enterprise agreement debate

Commuters stranded in this week's transport chaos are set to be hit by more strikes as furious workers plan to continue walking off the job in coming weeks.

Commuters are set to be hit with more tram and train strikes over coming weeks as the state's public transport union continues to pressure operators and the government.

It comes as trams ground to a halt on Thursday for the second time this week and added to a day of commuter chaos across the public transport network.

Leaders in the Rail, Tram and Bus Union will meet on Friday as they plan the next wave of industrial action in their battle for a new pay deal.

Longer strikes and timing more action around major events are understood to be on the table as negotiations over a new enterprise agreement continue.

Services across the Metro network were cancelled on Thursday morning because a group of 48 train drivers had been stood down for refusing to drive on new tracks in South Yarra.

But the Fair Work Commission issued an interim order ruling the drivers return to work and the timetable is expected to return to normal on Friday.

The union has asked Metro, V/Line and Yarra Trams for a 6 per cent pay rise year on year but have also railed against other measures including a push for part-time rostering.

RTBU state secretary Luba Grigorovitch said delegates had been pushing for more industrial action.

"They know that we are in this fight for the long haul and we will not surrender until we have a fair and reasonable deal," she said.

"It is time the company and the government understand what this fight is about.

"The sooner they understand and assist; the sooner these stoppages will end."

Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne this week offered a mediator to assist in V/Line discussions.

But Ms Grigorovitch has also asked for mediators be appointed for negotiations with Metro and Yarra Trams and knocked back the government's current offer.

In a letter to the public, Yarra Trams chief executive Julien Dehornoy apologised for the disruption.

"We want to reach an agreement with the union which allows for more part-time employees, but not at the expense of our people," he said.

"No driver will lose their job because of a part-time hire."

The union has opposed the company's push for more part-time rostering in negotiations because it believes it would casualise the workforce.

Mr Dehornoy said the company had made guarantees about overtime preferences and job security.

Melburnians have also been warned public transport services will be affected as the mercury soars past 40C on Friday.

Buses will replace trams on routes 78 and 82 and route 30 trams will not run.

Extreme heat timetables will also be used across the entire V/Line network and Metro staff will monitor conditions in case speed restrictions are needed throughout the day.

6% year on year increase is just greed when inflation is around 1.9%.   The Andrews Government is looking increasing impotent.

[verbatim9]

Herald Sun --> More Melbourne train, tram strikes on way amid enterprise agreement debate

Commuters stranded in this week's transport chaos are set to be hit by more strikes as furious workers plan to continue walking off the job in coming weeks.

Commuters are set to be hit with more tram and train strikes over coming weeks as the state's public transport union continues to pressure operators and the government.

It comes as trams ground to a halt on Thursday for the second time this week and added to a day of commuter chaos across the public transport network.

Leaders in the Rail, Tram and Bus Union will meet on Friday as they plan the next wave of industrial action in their battle for a new pay deal.

Longer strikes and timing more action around major events are understood to be on the table as negotiations over a new enterprise agreement continue.

Services across the Metro network were cancelled on Thursday morning because a group of 48 train drivers had been stood down for refusing to drive on new tracks in South Yarra.

But the Fair Work Commission issued an interim order ruling the drivers return to work and the timetable is expected to return to normal on Friday.

The union has asked Metro, V/Line and Yarra Trams for a 6 per cent pay rise year on year but have also railed against other measures including a push for part-time rostering.

RTBU state secretary Luba Grigorovitch said delegates had been pushing for more industrial action.

"They know that we are in this fight for the long haul and we will not surrender until we have a fair and reasonable deal," she said.

"It is time the company and the government understand what this fight is about.

"The sooner they understand and assist; the sooner these stoppages will end."

Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne this week offered a mediator to assist in V/Line discussions.

But Ms Grigorovitch has also asked for mediators be appointed for negotiations with Metro and Yarra Trams and knocked back the government's current offer.

In a letter to the public, Yarra Trams chief executive Julien Dehornoy apologised for the disruption.

"We want to reach an agreement with the union which allows for more part-time employees, but not at the expense of our people," he said.

"No driver will lose their job because of a part-time hire."

The union has opposed the company's push for more part-time rostering in negotiations because it believes it would casualise the workforce.

Mr Dehornoy said the company had made guarantees about overtime preferences and job security.

Melburnians have also been warned public transport services will be affected as the mercury soars past 40C on Friday.

Buses will replace trams on routes 78 and 82 and route 30 trams will not run.

Extreme heat timetables will also be used across the entire V/Line network and Metro staff will monitor conditions in case speed restrictions are needed throughout the day.

6% year on year increase is just greed when inflation is around 1.9%.   The Andrews Government is looking increasing impotent.

Train drivers will start to earn the same as Commercial Airline Pilots, Medical Professionals such as GPS. Both Professions require years of training min 4-6  years. A train Driver 10months? That's socialism for ya!

[timh]

Herald Sun --> More Melbourne train, tram strikes on way amid enterprise agreement debate

Commuters stranded in this week's transport chaos are set to be hit by more strikes as furious workers plan to continue walking off the job in coming weeks.

Commuters are set to be hit with more tram and train strikes over coming weeks as the state's public transport union continues to pressure operators and the government.

It comes as trams ground to a halt on Thursday for the second time this week and added to a day of commuter chaos across the public transport network.

Leaders in the Rail, Tram and Bus Union will meet on Friday as they plan the next wave of industrial action in their battle for a new pay deal.

Longer strikes and timing more action around major events are understood to be on the table as negotiations over a new enterprise agreement continue.

Services across the Metro network were cancelled on Thursday morning because a group of 48 train drivers had been stood down for refusing to drive on new tracks in South Yarra.

But the Fair Work Commission issued an interim order ruling the drivers return to work and the timetable is expected to return to normal on Friday.

The union has asked Metro, V/Line and Yarra Trams for a 6 per cent pay rise year on year but have also railed against other measures including a push for part-time rostering.

RTBU state secretary Luba Grigorovitch said delegates had been pushing for more industrial action.

"They know that we are in this fight for the long haul and we will not surrender until we have a fair and reasonable deal," she said.

"It is time the company and the government understand what this fight is about.

"The sooner they understand and assist; the sooner these stoppages will end."

Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne this week offered a mediator to assist in V/Line discussions.

But Ms Grigorovitch has also asked for mediators be appointed for negotiations with Metro and Yarra Trams and knocked back the government's current offer.

In a letter to the public, Yarra Trams chief executive Julien Dehornoy apologised for the disruption.

"We want to reach an agreement with the union which allows for more part-time employees, but not at the expense of our people," he said.

"No driver will lose their job because of a part-time hire."

The union has opposed the company's push for more part-time rostering in negotiations because it believes it would casualise the workforce.

Mr Dehornoy said the company had made guarantees about overtime preferences and job security.

Melburnians have also been warned public transport services will be affected as the mercury soars past 40C on Friday.

Buses will replace trams on routes 78 and 82 and route 30 trams will not run.

Extreme heat timetables will also be used across the entire V/Line network and Metro staff will monitor conditions in case speed restrictions are needed throughout the day.

6% year on year increase is just greed when inflation is around 1.9%.   The Andrews Government is looking increasing impotent.

Train drivers will start to earn the same as Commercial Airline Pilots, Medical Professionals such as GPS. Both Professions require years of training min 4-6  years. A train Driver 10months? That's socialism for ya!

Greed is the opposite of socialism

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[verbatim9]

Herald Sun --> More Melbourne train, tram strikes on way amid enterprise agreement debate

Commuters stranded in this week's transport chaos are set to be hit by more strikes as furious workers plan to continue walking off the job in coming weeks.

Commuters are set to be hit with more tram and train strikes over coming weeks as the state's public transport union continues to pressure operators and the government.

It comes as trams ground to a halt on Thursday for the second time this week and added to a day of commuter chaos across the public transport network.

Leaders in the Rail, Tram and Bus Union will meet on Friday as they plan the next wave of industrial action in their battle for a new pay deal.

Longer strikes and timing more action around major events are understood to be on the table as negotiations over a new enterprise agreement continue.

Services across the Metro network were cancelled on Thursday morning because a group of 48 train drivers had been stood down for refusing to drive on new tracks in South Yarra.

But the Fair Work Commission issued an interim order ruling the drivers return to work and the timetable is expected to return to normal on Friday.

The union has asked Metro, V/Line and Yarra Trams for a 6 per cent pay rise year on year but have also railed against other measures including a push for part-time rostering.

RTBU state secretary Luba Grigorovitch said delegates had been pushing for more industrial action.

"They know that we are in this fight for the long haul and we will not surrender until we have a fair and reasonable deal," she said.

"It is time the company and the government understand what this fight is about.

"The sooner they understand and assist; the sooner these stoppages will end."

Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne this week offered a mediator to assist in V/Line discussions.

But Ms Grigorovitch has also asked for mediators be appointed for negotiations with Metro and Yarra Trams and knocked back the government's current offer.

In a letter to the public, Yarra Trams chief executive Julien Dehornoy apologised for the disruption.

"We want to reach an agreement with the union which allows for more part-time employees, but not at the expense of our people," he said.

"No driver will lose their job because of a part-time hire."

The union has opposed the company's push for more part-time rostering in negotiations because it believes it would casualise the workforce.

Mr Dehornoy said the company had made guarantees about overtime preferences and job security.

Melburnians have also been warned public transport services will be affected as the mercury soars past 40C on Friday.

Buses will replace trams on routes 78 and 82 and route 30 trams will not run.

Extreme heat timetables will also be used across the entire V/Line network and Metro staff will monitor conditions in case speed restrictions are needed throughout the day.

6% year on year increase is just greed when inflation is around 1.9%.   The Andrews Government is looking increasing impotent.

Train drivers will start to earn the same as Commercial Airline Pilots, Medical Professionals such as GPS. Both Professions require years of training min 4-6  years. A train Driver 10months? That's socialism for ya!

Greed is the opposite of socialism

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

Just saying a socialist approach is to remunerate most professions equally despite the amount of.training that goes into them. Yes there is greed involved here too, but unions seem to take a socialist approach to wage deals, treating most professions as equal when actually they are not.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/SimoLove/status/1223186155471962112

[ozbob]

Metro Melbourne training video

[ozbob]

Herald Sun Leader --> RACV On Track Survey 2019 reveals Melbourne's best and worst stations

Download data > here!

Commuters have not held back when asked to share their views about the state's train network in a new survey.

Chronic overcrowding, unsafe stations, excessive late trains and inadequate parking are plaguing Melbourne's train lines, RACV's 2019 On Track Survey has revealed.

But stations rebuilt as part of the level crossing removal project have been given the commuter stamp of approval.

More than 24,500 people rated railway stations and services across the state in the latest survey.

South Kensington was ranked worst out of Victoria's 311 stations, scraping a score of just 2.48 out of 10.

The average station rating across the state was 6.40, down from 6.48 in the 2017 survey.

Sixty-four per cent of respondents who used South Kensington said they felt unsafe there, 58 per cent said trains were too crowded and 27 per cent said there were poor bus connections.

Other low ranking spots included Aircraft in Laverton (3.43), Donnybrook (3.44), Hastings (3.50) and Broadmeadows (3.74), Jacana (3.76) and Ruthven (3.96).

Four of those stations languished in the rankings in the previous survey conducted in 2017.

But there is hope for some commuters in those areas with current improvement works at Donnybrook and plans to upgrade Broadmeadows with a new northern station entrance, refurbish toilets, upgrade lighting and CCTV, and signage, upgrade lighting along the walkway between the station and subway entrance.

When it came to services, the Upfield line came off the worst with Gowrie, Fawkner, Merlynston, Coburg topping the list for the infrequent trains.

At the other end of the line, Hawkstowe earned the highest rating – 9 out of 10 – in Victoria.

The Whittlesea station opened in 2018 as part of the Mernda line extension and also scored highly when it came to train services.

The new Carnegie station, unveiled in 2018 after a level crossing removal, was the express mover on the list skipping from the bottom 10 in the 2017 survey to second best this time around with a score of 8.61.

Other top ranking spots were Middle Gorge (8.48), Rosanna (8.34), Bentleigh (8.32) and Southland (8.22), all of which were new or rebuilt stations opened since 2016.

RACV senior manager transport Peter Kartsidimas said urgent investment on the rail network was needed to improve railway stations and services.

"It's no surprise that congestion on Melbourne's road network is getting worse, but we also need to fix congestion on our rail with over a quarter of Victorians experiencing overcrowding on their service," he said.

Wyndham Vale, which had the highest score in 2017 survey, dropped to 43rd this time with commuters citing a lack of parking spaces and bus connections for the score.

More than 40 per cent of respondents who drove to their station said they would be willing to pay an extra $2 for more parking options, particularly people travelling from Camberwell, Frankston and Heidelberg.

"As the population continues to boom we need genuine alternatives for getting to the station including reliable bus connections and better walking and cycling paths," Mr Kartsidimas said.

He said other concerns raised, such as inadequate shelter and lighting, had inexpensive solutions.

Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne said the State Governments was transforming the transport network by investing more than $70 billion in major projects.

"While we build the infrastructure for the future, we're also investing in the services passengers need now with more than 500 extra services added to the Metropolitan network since 2015," Ms Horne said.

The On Track Survey 2019 was conducted from October 16 to November 20 and gave commuters a platform to air their gripes and help RACV advocate for better public transport infrastructure and services.

To see the full results visit racv.com.au/ontracksurvey

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsMelb/status/1238007719296147462

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/vicsig/status/1238453880146374666

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Metro staff secure pay rise and increased parental leave

A lengthy dispute between the state's Public Transport Union and Metro Trains is set to come to an end, with members voting in favour of a new agreement.

About 51 per cent of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union have endorsed the new contract which covers operational staff such as train drivers and authorised officers.

It is understood about 95 per cent of eligible employees cast a vote.

The announcement comes after months of negotiations in which the union lodged for industrial action and then battled Metro in court after it was blocked from being able to strike.

The contract secures staff a 3.5 per cent pay increase year on year and a similar rise in allowances.

Parental leave will be lifted to 14 weeks.

The Fair Work Commission will now receive the proposed agreement for approval.

Metro chief executive Raymond O'Flaherty said the decision provided certainty for staff.

"We are pleased to have reached a fair agreement for our people, with a competitive pay increase balanced with improvements in the way we work to deliver the network needed for a growing Melbourne," he said.

Victoria was hit with rolling strikes across Yarra Trams and V/Line services earlier in the year as the RTBU called on the Andrews Government to intervene.

Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne attended mediation for the tram deal in February and an agreement was ticked off by leaders and passed by members.

V/Line negotiations are ongoing.

[ozbob]

 

https://twitter.com/jameseroyce/status/1254508727970836483

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Further delays hit $2.3 billion next-generation trains

Eighteen trains are now undergoing various stages of testing and another five are being assembled in Newport.

The government wants the first trains in service in December — coinciding with an expected timetable revamp — but internal documents warn the timeline is subject to worker availability during the pandemic.

The Andrews government's major infrastructure projects are also facing a 15 per cent hit to productivity due to COVID-19 restrictions, with some sections of the industry at risk of irrevocable damage, the documents warn.

Projects are at risk of being dominated by contractual disputes, Treasury warned, while liquidity problems would likely worsen as head contractors or suppliers struggled to meet their obligations.

Cabinet was also advised to consider COVID-19-related risks when signing contracts for the $2 billion Regional Rail Revival, which is upgrading seven regional lines and building a number of new stations.

Treasury cautioned before the second coronavirus lockdown against a total shutdown of construction for government projects, predicting this would lead to an $885 million blowout across major projects and drive up claims.

The government's major projects were exempted from rules limiting the number of workers on site to no more than 25 per cent during the stage four lockdown.

A full shutdown would have doubled the predicted $395 million impact of continuing work over a 12-week period with reduced productivity, Treasury found.

Projects like the $13.3 billion level-crossing removal project and the $6.7 billion West Gate Tunnel would have faced $300 million and $250 million in extra costs, respectively.

Transport infrastructure lawyer David Donnelly said major projects running at full capacity would still likely face delays, due to social distancing and lags in the supply chain. But given the interdependencies in the industry, most claims would likely be negotiated rather than litigated, the Allens lawyer said.

"There is a point where this will crystallise and there will be claims made, but people's focus has been on mitigation and keeping projects moving and in quite a few cases, an agreement to put claims on hold for a period and focus on continuing progress."

A government spokesman said the cost of the high-capacity metro trains had not blown out and no payments would be made to the consortium until the trains enter service.

"The cost of the delays to this project will be borne by the consortium – taxpayers won't pay a cent for these trains until they can be used by Victorian passengers," the spokesman said.

"Our Big Build program has made amazing progress, despite having to adapt to the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic."

The city's train timetable is headed for a revamp, Public Transport Users Association's Daniel Bowen revealed on his blog on Thursday.

Frankston, Sandringham and Werribee trains will likely run direct to Flinders Street all the time under the changes set to free up the City Loop.

Caulfield Loop services will run anti-clockwise all the time to enable the trains to run along track with upgraded signalling. Williamstown trains will likely run all the way to the city on weekends.

The government has not officially confirmed the change.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/vicsig/status/1318021434568945665

[ozbob]

The Age --> Treasurer couples himself to electric trains to Wyndham Vale within a decade

Electric trains will run to Wyndham Vale within five to 10 years, Treasurer Tim Pallas has confirmed amid fears the desperately needed rail upgrade for the booming west had been put on the backburner.

Western councils, academics and public transport advocates have called on the Andrews government to prioritise its 2018 state election commitment to electrify the rail lines to Melton and Wyndham Vale as part of its Western Rail Plan. ...

[SurfRail]

Hopefully the rollingstock is capable of doing V/line speeds out there.  They will obviously accelerate better than Velocities but it would be disappointing if they only hit 100 or so compared to what is currently provided.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/SimoLove/status/1333555264834871298

https://twitter.com/SimoLove/status/1333556450824581120

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> 450 new train services on Melbourne's new timetable

. an extra 450 weekly train services

. new timetable will come into effect on January 31 2021

. an off-peak discount of 30 per cent will apply on metropolitan train services for three months once the new timetable is rolled out

. Cranbourne and Pakenham services run through the City Loop anticlockwise to accomodate for new High Capacity Metro Trains

. regional rail upgrades will also allow Ballarat V/Line services to run every 20 minutes in the peak and 40-minutes off peak

[ozbob]

^ seems the off peak fares will only be for a limited period.  I think it might be difficult to roll it back after 3 months.  Probably end up permanent is my guess.

[ozbob]

Media Statement

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/building-train-network-future

Building A Train Network For The Future

01/12/20 9.16am

Victorian passengers will benefit from an extra 450 train services every week under a timetable redesign which will boost capacity and seize the benefits of the Victorian Government's major transport infrastructure projects.

Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll today announced that an extra 280 new metropolitan train services and 170 regional services will be added to the network each week from 31 January 2021, giving Victorians more options on their journeys and providing more space for physical distancing.

The coronavirus pandemic has dramatically changed the way Victorians use public transport, and with more people now moving around the state, these services will help reduce crowding.

The new timetable will deliver more trains during the peak on many regional lines, and greater frequency around the peak in metropolitan Melbourne – increasing trains during busy morning and afternoon periods to encourage passengers to stagger their weekday travel.

To make it easier for metropolitan passengers to travel during quieter times and physically distance as Victoria recovers from the coronavirus pandemic, off-peak fares will be discounted for three months. From 31 January 2021, anyone using myki money between 9.30am and 4pm or after 7pm on weekdays will receive a 30 per cent discount.

The community will experience the benefits of the Government's major transport projects like the Ballarat Line Upgrade and Cranbourne/Pakenham Line Upgrades – with dramatically increased regional frequency and bigger, better metropolitan trains entering service.

The Ballarat Line Upgrade will be complete once the new timetable begins – adding an additional 125 new services each week to deliver 20-minute frequency during busy morning and afternoon periods and 40 minutes in the off-peak. Changing the stopping patterns of some trains will better service the growing communities on the line.

The changes will allow for 45 extra services each week for Geelong line passengers, more morning express services to reduce travel time on the Bendigo Line and extra stops to cater for communities along the Traralgon line.

The new services will increase capacity on the Cranbourne, Pakenham, Frankston, Werribee, Williamstown, Upfield, Craigieburn and Sunbury lines during the busiest times each day to prepare the metropolitan network for the opening of the Metro Tunnel.

Passengers will be required to adjust the way they travel on some metropolitan lines – like Cranbourne and Pakenham line passengers, benefitting from 90 new services each week, who will travel in an anti-clockwise direction through the City Loop all day to pave the way for Melbourne's bigger, more modern trains.

Frankston passengers, who will see 45 new services each week, will not run via the City Loop until the Metro Tunnel is open in 2025, running straight to Flinders Street and Southern Cross then through to Werribee. Werribee and Sandringham weekend services will also leave the City Loop for more consistent services through the week.

Extra weekday services on the busy Craigieburn, Sunbury and Werribee lines will mean passengers will have a train at least every 10 minutes for more than three hours in the busy morning and afternoon peaks – while Williamstown services will extend to Flinders Street on weekends – so people no longer have to change trains at Newport.

Separating some of Melbourne's busiest rail lines enables more services and ensures delays on one line don't spread across the network – as well as allowing us to more regularly update the timetable and better respond to growth on specific lines.

Those who rely on local bus services to access trains will see new timetables to ensure they make their train connections – rolling out better timetables for 320 suburban bus routes by 11 April 2021, and re-coordinating 40 V/line coaches with the new train timetable from 31 January 2021.

To keep passengers safe the extensive cleaning of all trains, trams, buses, stations and myki facilities will continue across the network and hand sanitising facilities have been introduced at key stations and stops.

Victorians are reminded to always wear a mask when on public transport, never travel when unwell, practise good hygiene and physically distance from others wherever possible.

Timetables will be available at ptv.vic.gov.au from 8 January 2021.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll

"We're introducing the biggest timetable change in a decade – delivering 440 extra train services to our busiest lines to give Victorians more options on their journeys and increase capacity on our trains."

"We know COVID Normal will see people travelling differently than in the past – working from home arrangements, more services and a discount for off-peak travel will make it easier for people to stagger their trips."

"This is just the first step in the massive improvements Victorians will see to our transport network, with new bigger, better trains as we prepare to deliver the Metro Tunnel and our upgrades of every regional rail line still to come."

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Hundreds of Metro Train drivers quit union over concerns new workplace rules could lead to tragedy

Key points:

Drivers says a new agreement increases the chance of driver error and is a risk to the community

Metro Trains says there is no evidence driving on the same line repeatedly increases safety risks

The union says about 5 per cent of drivers have left the union ...

[verbatim9]

It will be good once the Melbourne train system becomes driverless. They are well on their way with level crossing removals and new trains  It's trending towards late 2020s for conversion to driverless technology.

[Gazza]

so what about GC and Canberra tram drivers who literally do one track day in day out?

Or what about train drivers in very small cities that only have a couple of lines?

[SurfRail]

It will be good once the Melbourne train system becomes driverless. They are well on their way with level crossing removals and new trains  It's trending towards late 2020s for conversion to driverless technology.

It is doing no such thing.

[Gazza]

It will be good once the Melbourne train system becomes driverless. They are well on their way with level crossing removals and new trains  It's trending towards late 2020s for conversion to driverless technology.

It is doing no such thing.

Will be done by the same contractor as the Kuranda electrification.

[verbatim9]

It will be good once the Melbourne train system becomes driverless. They are well on their way with level crossing removals and new trains  It's trending towards late 2020s for conversion to driverless technology.

It is doing no such thing.

It will be good once the Melbourne train system becomes driverless. They are well on their way with level crossing removals and new trains  It's trending towards late 2020s for conversion to driverless technology.

It is doing no such thing.

Will be done by the same contractor as the Kuranda electrification.

Watch this space it's not common knowledge but it will happen faster than you think

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/andrew_lund/status/1343015667952336898

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/declanmartin75/status/1342947905720598528

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Marcus Wong --> High Capacity Metro Trains finally taking passengers

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/danielbowen/status/1347122448127311872

[ozbob]

New services and new timetables

> https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/the-new-timetable-for-victorias-train-network/

From today 31st January 2021

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/aussiewongm/status/1356339551174754304

[AnonymouslyBad]

^ Just walking into Southern Cross of an AM peak and sampling that deadly, deadly air tells us all we need to know 

I've always wondered why so little of Victoria's rail network is electrified.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/WesHosking/status/1360834674692526081

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsMelb/status/1377156921837281285

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/brand-new-trains-improve-travel-and-back-victorian-jobs

Brand-New Trains To Improve Travel And Back Victorian Jobs

18 May 2021

The Andrews Labor Government will deliver a new fleet of more accessible, reliable and energy efficient trains built locally to create a better public transport network and support jobs in Victoria's world-class manufacturing sector.

The Victorian Budget 2021/2022 will invest $986 million to build 25 brand-new X'Trapolis 2.0 trains and the infrastructure they need to modernise the state's train fleet – making journeys more reliable, directly supporting around 750 jobs across manufacturing and supply chains.

Designed and manufactured predominantly in Victoria, the new trains will provide a vital boost to the state's advanced rolling stock manufacturing industry – particularly in regional Victoria, with at least 150 of the new jobs to be based at Alstom's Ballarat facility.

This vital investment in new trains will also support the gradual retirement of the Comeng fleet – the longest-running trains on the metropolitan network – with the new trains set to run through some of Melbourne's fastest-growing suburbs along the Craigieburn, Upfield and Frankston lines.

Part of the investment will also upgrade the Craigieburn Train Maintenance Facility, creating space for these modern trains and improving train maintenance to make the fleet more reliable and improve their longevity.

Detailed design work is already underway, with manufacturing of the X'Trapolis 2.0 trains to begin late next year.

This significant investment builds on the $1.48 billion investment in last year's Budgetto design, build and maintain 100 brand-new Next Generation trams in Victoria, improving the state's transport network for all Victorians and supporting more than 1800 jobs at the peak of production.

The Labor Government has invested more than $7.5 billion in Victoria's rolling stock since 2015, building new trains, trams and buses to deliver better journeys for passengers and attracting – and retaining – the best and brightest manufacturing talent to Victoria.

Quotes attributable to Acting Premier James Merlino

"We're designing and building Melbourne's new train fleet right here in Victoria, delivering better journeys for Victorians in some of our fastest-growing suburbs."

"These are trains made in Victoria, for Victorians, by Victorians – supporting local jobs at a time we need them most."

Quote attributable to Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll

"We've added hundreds of new services to our timetable – and we're delivering a big pipeline of new trains and trams to support our Big Build projects and support thousands of jobs."

Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

"Ballarat has a proud history of making trains and this is great news – keeping high skilled jobs in our local community, backing our local economy."

Quote attributable for Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

"We said we'd work with Alstom to protect local jobs, and that's exactly what this announcement does by delivering yet another huge pipeline of work."


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Victoria builds trains, here in banana-land we think about it ....

[ozbob]

 

https://twitter.com/andrew_lund/status/1394457102203047939

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/declanmartin75/status/1409274531655548928