The end of era of Locomotive hauled N sets on the Warrnambool Line is approaching and with it the end of onboard service for passengers.
2 out 5 services to Warrnambool will run as Velocities DMU rail cars fixed seats and No Buffet onboardAs I understand testing will commence this week for the newer Velocities DMU rail cars 3×2 layout….
I have a few concerns as it seems this has being poorly thought out and I understand there will be still level crossing and roads as not was remove as originally planned via our Transport Dept.I have observed population has grown and fuel is expensive and more people are taking trains instead of driving their cars.
By the information gathered in my travels it seems this seems to how it going be operated for now on….
- A ticket reservation systems for seat could be introduced for set no. seat on the DMU Velocities trains to Warrnambool etc.
- Those who miss out will be shuffled off on buses instead like our Albury line which Standard Gauge.
- There are people who can’t ride buses due to complex medical requirements, due accessibility, dietary requirements access to food/drinks etc.
Wait, I thought the purpose of the train upgrade was to reduce traffic on the road of cars and other heavy vehicles?
Why are we replacing what was the benchmark of regional rail travel N sets in Vic with not fit for purpose trains?
Do we have business and technical people with a Railway background qualified people in the role management for Transport of making these decisions who are familiar with travelling requirement for Victorian Railway Conditions making decisions on the travelling communities behalf?
Do they ever travel these newer trains from Southern Cross all the way and back again on board excceding 3-4+ hrs one way in our newer trains to evaluate the impact of their decisions the frontline workers on board operating them and the public who uses them on regular basis?
I have had dinner in our newer velocities in the middle car on board using their table after bring my own food and drinks , it very cramped and noisy on board 112-124 decibels from Geelong, I don’t think people will put up with these travelling conditions for 3-4 plus hours on board to Warrnambool and doing coach transfers etc.
What more when everyone starts taking bikes,Wheelchairs bags and extra for food and drinks onboard another issue may emerge, overcrowding and OHS problems for train crew for access to emergency exits and passengers tripping over people’s bags due lack of space for storage!
It was fairly crowded on N sets on weekend when footy or some festival on public holidays were happening in that period , but now it seem it could be problematic when 3×2 is reduced to 3×1 on the newer trains due to train faults as I had that experience to Geelong during that shutdown early this year….
Most of the information have gathered from people who work on board them and observing people board them and disembarking them from ground zero during my lengthy hours onboard….and yes I being caught in some doozies on the system with them all!
Line has being upgraded to 130 kms/ph but it will be interesting how the track hold out during wet weather as I observed how rough the tracks are on N sets at 108kms beyond Waurn Ponds and beyond after poor weather conditions one does wonder how the newer trains will handle it?
For now it’s to be advised!
Part and parcel of rail travel….
Your comments of these upcoming changes would be appreciated…..
Recently V/Line opened elmhurst loop on the standard gauge line between Ararat and Maryborough again to industry criticism
Some councils and people who think they know what they are talking about should take note, the Vlocity trains over longer distances are rubbish. Poor seating comfort, noisy and no onboard amenities like snacks and coffee. They should not be on a 3+ hour service to Warrnambool or Bairnsdale.
Try writing to PTV and Dept of Transport I have.
..more people need to voice their concerns about this.
As our silence is approval in their re respective!
Saying ” squeaky g wheel gets the grease!”
The Quality of the Victorian Government ordered rolling stock sport is a bloody disgrace!!! Watch the complaints that come when this rubbish starts service on the Warrnambool Line.
There is no way there trains should be on longer distance services they are rubbish and a 20 year old train design. Why are we allowing this to happen?
The main concern with the N sets being replaced by VLocity railcars is the lack of refreshment-snack bar facilities on the VLocity railcars. I feel sorry for the people arriving on the connecting road coach services not having the opportunity to buy food on the train. It’ll be a case of bring all your own food and drinks. A refreshment facility was developed for the standard gauge VLocity railcars for the Melbourne-Albury run. Why can’t this be installed for the long distant runs within Victoria ?
This is a case of five steps forward and four back !!!
Laurie.
It seems it all amounts, to $$$ as re drafting the contract terms and conditions requires $$$ as Alstom there to make business…..
It seems people’s bad misfortunate that their rolling stock management didn’t make rolling stock specs for Victorian Regional Railway Travelling Conditions…
NSW specifies: for trains with more 2-3 hrs travelling on board to terminating point requires bi directional seats and Buffets on board for the overseas transport rail manufactures providers to follow! Built for Vic Railway Conditions, Not Europe’s railway conditions…..
Well politicians and VLine management DON’T travel by train so what can we expect. Try sitting in one and trying to read a newspaper —- bloody impossible. They HAVE to create two classes of VLs. Subn stuff with passengers crammed in into uncomfortable rock hard seats and long distance VLs with seats aligned with the windows and a way more comfortable seat padding. Oh and providing a buffet does NOT replace 40 something seats. That was the initial SG arrangement with tables, that is NOTHING like the current VS sets. Just typical bullshit from uneducated dickheads in Spring St.
Bring back the old services.
We are paying more for less service.
Australian deserve better.
Totally agree third world train service Allan way over Budget!!!