Pick The Difference Of the Oscar Train Carriages On These 2 Photos!

Check out  the 2 pictures that we provide on this blog. Besides being the Oscar train carriage is on different angles. Can you notice something that stands out out in front of your eyes?


One difference not known to you, is the left picture is  the Oscar Train carriage is at Mount Druitt train station platform.


The second right picture you will not pick up is that this Oscar train carriage is at Parramatta train station platform!

Okay do you give up? 

The landings at the doorway entrances are at different heights. At Mount Druitt this could be a safety issue for commuter if not properly addressed. At a  last local meeting , this matter was address by Angie to the NSW Parliamentary Secretary of Transport and Roads, Mr. Ray Williams -  took the suggestion to  ensure Sydney Trains make audible announcements warning commuters of the height difference at specific train stations and its dangers.

This goes back to  the early days of the Sydney's Railway history where some suburban train station built train station platforms to suit country trains and platforms. Country train platforms were built lower then  suburban ones! We will wait for  further advice on the  platforms to suit Oscar Train carriages and what the NSW Government will do.


Click Here for previous blog regarding  previous meeting


NB: Please blog was published referring to Waratah Trains- this has now be altered to Oscar Trains - Thank you for the  comment below to correct myself!

Lifts At Mount Train Station Are Closed For Upgrading!

For commuters at Mount Druitt, the lights at Mount Druitt will be upgraded, they will be done one lift at a time and should be completed within a few weeks. They are waiting for parts to arrive to provide the upgrade.

So we suggest that all commuters be patient, until they are fully maintained and ready to work!

Waiting For Rail Buses Outside of Mount Druitt Train Station Heading To The City!

On weekends, we have to sometimes catch  buses to replace rail services called 'Rail Buses'. One of the duties of Transport for NSW is to schedule in buses to replace trains, whilst track work is being maintained, ready for services.

In Mount Druitt it is set up very simply. On the southern  side of Mount Druitt Train Station - is where you catch 'Rail Buses' to
                                     the city or beyond.
On the North side of Mount Druitt train Station, this is where you catch 'Rail Buses' to Penrith train station or beyond!

Although there are temporary shades placed for NSW transport staff and seating, we find there isn't any seating for the elderly and needed.

Yet, in saying this, the amount of bus services provided seem to matching or provide more service then regularly provided on weekends. Weekends are chosen to provide less inconvenience to commuters than during the week!

You can track the track work in Sydney  calling 131500 or  Click here for Track Work updates

In Mount Druitt Not Many Commuters Using The Opal Card As Yet But......

Speaking to a Transport offer from Sydney Trains, it appears there is a low usage of commuters using the Opal Card, that was launched recently.

This may be attributed to a few things: that there really wasn't a great publicity campaign on the day of the launch at Mount Druitt to promote commuters to use it - I had only witnessed one person handing information flyers. Also a lot of commuters use buses and are waiting for the launch of the expansion of the Opal Cards to buses later on this year.  Lastly there are a lot of people that may not be even aware of it being available!

Again , it all goes back to adverting in the TV Media. and  with the printing press - NSW Government should consider this!

More Frequency Of Trains Out West And Less Up North - Rooty Hill Commuter!

Each commuter I talk too has got such good qualities and wonderful in sharing their opinions on how they would like to  see improvement in public transport. The beautiful thing that I like in interviewing or discussing these topics with these commuters is I do listen - and when they come from Mount Druitt and surrounding suburbs I listen even better! No, it doesn't mean I don't listen to others!

Whilst talking to Jeanne from Rooty Hill, I was really encouraged with her enthusiasm with her passion for  improvement in public transport. It made  myself so realise that there are so many great people in Mount Druitt.

Jeanne travels by car from Rooty Hill to Mount Druitt and then then catches Sydney Trains to Town hall train station and return to home. She says the frequency of trains is very important issue in peak hours returning home, where there is a general tendency that the trains carriages from the city are very crowded and she is generally left standing up to Parramatta train, and sits when seats become available. 

One thing  she has noticed is trains travelling travelling towards the North Shore line are not are not as crowded or over crowed as the T1 Western line. this is where trains services may be taken from to cater  for more commuters travelling out West on the T1 Western Line.  

Jean also mentioned that it appears the NSW Government may not understand that there are workers out west that need to travel to the city or further for work on weekends.  Having on 2 -3 services per hour  on weekend peak hours needs to be increased to 3-4 services per hour, allowing commuters more preparation of time to catch the Sydney Trains at Mount Druitt. The current train services are like the old days when they was only weekday shopping and no weekend shopping - now it is 24 hour shopping, 7 days a week. We don't have the train services to match it, in our modern era.

Furthermore Jeanne  advised about a friend hers that catches the 756 home outside Rooty Hill train station, normally catches the Busways bus 756 and one day the bus didn't arrive for 20 minutes so she decided to walk home to Oakhurst and was completely tired , after one hour of walking on top of the  waiting period.  Bus services should be provided to the local community at correct intervals, to prevent community members being disheartened about bus services and spending  more time getting home!

Finally, Jeanne says that the Sydney Trains are more reliable as opposed to local bus services that disappear!

NSW Transport Officer Provides Issues On Intercity Trains

Commuters in the past were fined for travelling on a Sydney Trains intercity train and after many complaints raised The NSW government all commuters to catch these trains.

Inside information from a NSW for Transport Officer advised that the Intercity Trains were only to be used as drop offs at major train stations, allow commuter using the intercity trains to be seated on their long journey to Blue Mountains. Now this has been relaxed commuters who travel the long distance on the intercity trains are complaining about no seating available to them on the T1 Western Line.

What do you think is this fair? Do you think every commuter should travel on these intercity trains?

Sydney Trains Transport Officer Finds Difficult To Get To Work On Weekends!

The people in Mount Druitt that are workers, work in various different industries, travel in so many different directions using single and multiple public transport trips.

A Sydney Trains transport  officer has got difficult connections in catching Sydney Trains from Mount Druitt. The issue is simply,this person is rostered to commence work at certain times, relies on public transport and needs to get to work on time. On Saturdays, when the bus arrives at Mount Druitt bus interchange at around 11.21 am - the train has left and there is a half an hour or so wait for next train. 

Now, I personally know the NSW Minister for Transport has a personal goal of doing her best to get the trains on time, especially with interchanges with multiple modes of  public transport. Not 100 per cent of commuters will be happy with time tables that are based on making sure connections are perfect. 

Yet one way of  resolving this issue, is providing more time tabled services  - with fewer times for waiting, in case a Sydney Trains  service is missed by the commuter. Then and only then is  when   Sydney Trains  own employees can have a better chance to get to work on/or before time!

Spilt Water Raises Striking Conversation On Sydney Trains - St Marys Commuter!

Another amazing commuter can I say!

Sometimes when we travel on Sydney Trains, we either travel empty handed or we are carting with us some sort of bag or in some cases bags. When we are able to take a seat, we then settle ourselves down with bags  that carry our daily needs.

In my case the other day, my bag was rest on my lap as I was about to read a journal and I felt something on the right of my trousers. When I checked with my right hand  there was a  spot of water dripping from my water bottle ( which I realised was not tightened).
Then I also notice a bit of it went on the young man sitting next to me called Jamie, from St Marys.

Thinking to myself I was think how will this commuter react once I tell him - but as I advised him what I did we both laugh and  he was alright. We then started a English Soccer  League  (EPL) conversation as he was reading  a book of a life of one of the Liverpool players from 20-30 years ago. I was happy that he  wasn't negative to my accident that happened. Thank God!

He later was advised of our Group details and  was  very appreciative of what we are doing for the community. We both though there might other commuters who meet on Sydney Trains and  create  other striking conversations.

Have you had or started a striking conversation with someone you haven't met be fore, please tell us. We would like to know!

Checkout Improvement in First 6 Months of Sydney Trains - What do you think?

We refer to a recent  story from the  NSW government indicating their Report Card is rating A and hasn't reached A Plus yet.

We need to know after reading this story, your feedback positive or negative as everyone's opinion is very important!

Click Here for Article Re- Improvements with Sydney Trains

Mount Druitt Trial Of The Opal Cards Coming Soon On Multi Tickets!

Trial Tap & Go Electronic Ticketing Machine
at Mount Druitt train station

Well  we need to prepare ourselves on the new Opal Card ( Electronic Ticketing System) that Sydney Trains is releasing on their network. Is everyone ready for it?

They will be so easy to use 'Tap and Go'! How's that?

You will have to apply for them?
Click Here to Apply For an Opal Card

Although it is not advertising or pamphlets provided to commuters at Mount Druitt train station - it appears it will be  later on in the year as per   NSW for TRansport Opal Press Releases so far - click here

Does Sydney Trains Clean Out Light Fitting Covers - Health & Safety Issue!

To myself, a former chairperson of a Work Health & Safety Committee health and safety is an important part of everyone's life, which I am concerned about in all facets of public transport.

Even from tiny cigarette butts on  bus interchange or bus stops to left over foo wrapping on Sydney Trains.

I don't know how often Sydney  Trains conduct a Work Health & Safety  Audit but this  picture shows the light fittings on trains have been neglected. Let's hope that all light from today this is cleaned up appropriately making healthier for all commuters:

Solution To Squashed Commuters On Sydney Trains - Blacktown Commuter!

William from Blacktown travels on Sydney Trains from Blacktown train station to Meadowbank train station and  transfers at Strathfield train station.

He believes that he as a commuter doesn't like to be squashed like sardines in peak hour on trains. More carriages can be introduced, increasing from 6 to 8 carriages as this will provide more comfort to him and other commuters on long journeys.

A mate of his from Melbourne claims they have more frequent train services  down there and we should have done the same in Sydney, which means less commuters waiting on platforms on trains.

Does this makes sense to you and do you agree - let us know through your comments!

Smelly Sydney Train Trains - Westmead Commuter!

I met a young man yesterday that travels from Westmead train station to Strathfield Week days and return.

He claims half the  trains he travels on are new ones and the older trains stink. He claims cleaners can place some chemicals to fix the smell on trains.

Also he has issues with trains from North Shore don't  not stopping at  relevant trains or go past his stations without stopping!

Does This Happen To You When You Want To Sit Down In A Three-Seater In A Train Carriage?

Normally in a three seater in a train carriage - people sit one near the window and  the second person on the seat beside the aisle. This is if there are two people sitting down!

So then comes a person like myself, and politely asks if I could sit down and  kindly asks (the person sitting on the seat beside the aisle), if they could move to the middle of the three seater. Climbing over people can be very disturbing, to everyone!

Normally, people move to that seat and then it is easier for you to sit down. What happened to myself at Parramatta train station was someone had just climbed over the person, sitting beside the aisle. The one that climbed over, sat along the window seat. When I asked the person on the seat of the aisle to move kindly - the person just got up and left as if I had no right to ask him and went to sit on another seat on the train carriage. This was rather bizarre!

Checkout New Website for Sydney Trains

Checkout the new website here for Sydney Trains

New Jobs For Sydney Trains & NSW Trains

Please find  advertisement for new roles/jobs at Sydney Trains /NSW Trains, see if you would like to apply, courteous of MX Newspaper:

How Rail Tracks Increased In The City Could Be Increasing Services In The West - Eco-Transit!

Here is an interesting video on what NSW Government could happen with money well spent to reduce roads lane-ways on the Harbour bridge and have more Rail tracks to alleviate the private car industry wasting fuel (especially if only one driver is in the car), check it out below:

Replace The Old Tram Way Tracks ON Harbour Bridge to Rail Tracks!

Suggestion For Improved Western Line

A Blacktown to Chatswood male commuter has deep thoughts that NSW Government has been wasting lots of wasted money on Transport. He has requested focus be placed on the Northern Line providing more faster trains that only stop at major train station, limiting stops up to Wynyard and then regular express from Central to Western Line.

This then creates a more timely train service, enabling commuters to reach home early on the Western Line, that is train commuting time reduced.

NSW Transport Railcorp Media Release - My Train Tickets

MEDIA RELEASE
Friday, 23 September 2011
Free day of travel on MyTrain tickets purchased next week
CityRail customers will get a free day of travel when purchasing a seven day or 14 day MyTrain ticket next week due to the Labour Day Long Weekend.
CityRail’s Acting Chief Operating Officer, Tony Eid said the offer applies to seven and 14 day MyTrain tickets purchased between Sunday September 25 and Saturday October 1.
“Weeklies will be valid for eight days and fortnightly tickets for 15 days if purchased any time between Sunday 25 September and Saturday 1 October inclusive,” Mr Eid said.
“That’s a free day of extra travel for anyone buying their weekly or fortnightly MyTrain ticket next week. The new expiry date is automatically added to these tickets.
“These ‘stretchy tickets’ have the added benefit of helping to reduce queues on the Tuesday morning after the long weekend when people head back to work.
“Staggering expiry dates has proven successful in reducing ticket queues at some of our busiest stations,” Mr Eid said.
The offer only applies to weekly and 14 day MyTrain tickets and does not apply to MyMulti tickets or tickets topped up at a ticket vending machine.
Customers are also reminded they can take advantage of reduced fares on monthly, quarterly and yearly train tickets. Thousands of customers are purchasing longer term ticket since prices dropped by nine per cent on 1 July.
As well as saving customers money, the cheaper longer term tickets are helping to reduce queues.
For more information or to buy your tickets online visit cityrail.info.
For media inquiries RailCorp Media on (02) 8922 4346


I wonder if this happens fo My Multi Tickets as well!

Melbourne Train Commuter On City Rail Trains...

A former Melbourne train commuter has given me an insight on differences of trains Melbourne to Sydney:

• Melbourne trains are cleaner than Sydney 
• In Sydney if you bring a dog with you you get charged a fine of $400- $450.00. 
• In Melbourne no problems bringing your dog on the train except not to be placed on the train seats.

My comments are: I am pretty sure that in my younger days I would see blind people with Labrador dogs actually boarding, travelling and departing trains were in New South Wales. I do remember that sometimes the dogs smelled but my worry would be who cleans up any mess, left over?