Cars & Transportation Perth Railway thread...

[Bouvet_Island]

Well, since the Melbourne & Adelaide Railway threads were such good reading, I figured this story would be a good excuse to kick off a Perth Railway thread...

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/f...s-latenight-train-service-20110630-1gshq.html

A Facebook page has prompted the government to introduce a free weekend late-night train service on Perth's metropolitan rail lines.
Transport Minister Troy Buswell today announced the $1 million trial, which would see a train service leave from Perth at 4am on all five metropolitan lines on Saturday and Sunday mornings, in addition to the current 1am, 2.15am and 6am services.
Mr Buswell said the trial would be introduced in November over a six-month period, after he was made aware of a Facebook campaign called Transperth Trains running hourly on Fri + Sat night which boasts over 35,000 fans​

The Facebook page was created by Perth nightclub punters Seb Brodie and Scott Brosens out of the frustration of not being able to leave Northbridge unless they joined the long queue for a taxi, for which they could barely afford the fare.
The pair had previously told reporters that many of their friends had opted to sleep in Northbridge, on benches or in parks, until the 6am train arrived. Others had been prepared to risk drink-driving.
Mr Buswell said he was pleased to be able to respond to a public campaign led by people who may sometimes feel neglected by the government.
"As a politician you have to have an open mind to good ideas," he said.
"It's a sad they when we rely on politicians who think they know the answer to everything. I met the two guys Seb and Scott and we had a long chat and I think they raised some important issues."
Mr Brodie said he and Mr Brosens were thrilled when they found out that their Facebook campaigning actually provoked a change.
"(it is) pretty unreal to be honest," he said,
"We are pretty happy with what happened and what they have offered us. And we are glad it is on all lines, so there is no favouritism at all."
Mr Buswell said the decision on whether the service was made permanent would depend on patronage and the impact on the other two late-night services.
"My hope is that the 35,000 people who supported the Facebook campaign will vote with their feet when they can to support the public transport option," he said.
WA Nightclub Association President Simon Barwood welcomed the new train service, saying the industry had sought this outcome for several years.
"It will give people options. When people are not acceptable to come into our nightclubs they need an option to get out of the city and at the moment they don't have a viable option," he said.
"It's a small step to show that Perth is growing up as a city."
Mr Buswell said the government was working closely with the nightclubs to promote the new train service wile Mr Barwood said they had workshopped ideas to give out free train tickets to people on their way into the clubs.
Taxi Council CEO Olwyn Willians said she applauded the government on the dedcision, saying taxis had been thought of as the only night-time transport option for too long.
Shadow transport minister Ken Travers said he welcomed the 4am train as a start, but the trial consisting of one additional train only would not go far enough.
"While a 4am train is a good start, the trial should include a train every hour to determine which times are most popular," he said.
"The trial should have trains running every hour through the night to see which ones are most popular and which times were most valid to make permanent."
Mr Travers said Mr Buswell needed to explain how the Government will provide security on these trains.
"There should be 321 transit guards working on our public transport, instead the Barnett Government only had 227 in 2010 and allowed that to drop to 209 this year," he said.
"Historically up to 10 per cent of guards have been off work from injury or stress.
"Adding additional trains, without a plan to recruit more transit staff, will place more pressure on an already struggling system.
"Mr Buswell must ensure every train that runs as part of his late night trial has transit guards on it."


Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/f...ain-service-20110630-1gshq.html#ixzz1QjjGQh00

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[CakeEater]

Im not sure whether this was in the spirit of the thread but I have a Armadale line story.

It was about 6am in the morning and I was the only guy in the carriage a couple of stops from where I needed to go a lady gets on and starts talking to noone in particular.
She was obviously tripping out as she said to herself 'I guess I wont be needing these anymore and empties her bag which were full of sex toys she then goes to me you can have them if you want them but they have been used.
She proceeds to get off at the next stop.

I got the dodgiest look from the lady who got on the train next.

 

[DREAM TEAM BUFF]

I been on the Prospector when i was going to kalgoorlie

 

[Upgrayedd]

Someone tried to fight me because i looked like a "boat person" on the armadale line

 

[Plugger35]

I wouldn't get on a late night train in Perth even if you paid me, let alone if it was for free.

I felt safer on the London tube and New York subway late at night than I do on Perth trains late at night. Only the dregs of society seem to catch trains here at that hour and you always get people looking to pick fights and cause trouble. The transit guards never seem to be around when you need them either.

 

[Poseidon]

I wouldn't get on a late night train in Perth even if you paid me, let alone if it was for free.

This.

Absolute scum on there at night.

 

[The Speaker]

Anyone got any idea when they're going to upgrade some of the stations beyond horrible grey platforms surrounded by thin rail fencing with bitumen footpaths?

For example, on the Armadale (!) line they have the right idea for Victoria Park, but then you have to go past every other decrepit station, including the "major" ones of Oats Street and Cannington until you get to Kelmscott.

Same story on the other two old lines. Compare it to the Joondalup and, especially, the Mandurah lines.

 

[Scotland]

Well if we stopped subsidising other states maybe we'd get a chance...

Never really understood the trains leaving at 1am, 2.15am then 4am. Would be better off with 1am, 2am, 3am IMO with those still out after 3am clogging up the taxi ranks rather than those finishing up at 2.16am and not wanting to sit on a concrete platform for an hour and 45 minutes.

 

[jefffff34]

Have been on a 2am train going towards Mandurah (from memory), amused myself as I was still more than awake, but saw some guy wake up and realise he had gone about three stations past his stop, and just say "awwwwwww".

Simple and amusing.

 

[Borry]

Saw a lady lay down a blanket and her baby down on a row of seats and feed it in between the Rockingham and Mandurah stations.

Have passed out on the Armadale line a few times.

 

[kBuck]

I wouldn't get on a late night train in Perth even if you paid me, let alone if it was for free.

Far to many bogan stops on each line. I've never felt safe on the train in Perth after 9 pm.

 

[Hue_Jars]

Going out towards Midland can get pretty damn hairy at night. There have been a lot of bashings at Ashfield and Bassendean by the local indigenous youths.

The Freo line anytime of day is always a good laugh.

 

[Hue_Jars]

I been on the Prospector when i was going to kalgoorlie

Stay in school Adelaide fan....

 

[kfc1]

Anyone got any idea when they're going to upgrade some of the stations beyond horrible grey platforms surrounded by thin rail fencing with bitumen footpaths?

Burswood upgrade is awaiting funding - thank god, it is probably the most high profile shit station on that line.

The rest of the stations on that line frankly match the suburbs they are located in.

I don't think the Midland ones are particularly bad, although the wooden footbridges are a bit rattly.

 

[The Speaker]

I don't think the Midland ones are particularly bad, although the wooden footbridges are a bit rattly.

Have they upgraded Midland station yet?

 

[ioppolo]

Midland station is full of aborigines, me and a mate got off there one time and I tell ya what, a line of about 50 abos were sitting along a little brick wall, was quite intimidating.

One thing I find amusing is the fact that the Kenwick traino has a Thirsty Camel right next to it, surely not the greatest place to have a bottleshop?

A few pictures of a naked abo lady sleeping on the Armadale line have popped up on Facebook too.

 

[kfc1]

Have they upgraded Midland station yet?

How could I forget that piece of shite that is Midland. Supposed to be state of the art when it was opened in 1968(?).

The new station is planned to be adjacent to Cale Street but PTA don't have any funding yet. Don't expect big things unless the government gives them funding, otherwise we'll get another shite station surrounded by bitumen car parking...

 

[kfc1]

Midland station is full of aborigines, me and a mate got off there one time and I tell ya what, a line of about 50 abos were sitting along a little brick wall, was quite intimidating.

Even if Midland was full of posh western suburbs types, and not full of feral drunk aborigines, it would still be a horrible, horrible station.

One thing I find amusing is the fact that the Kenwick traino has a Thirsty Camel right next to it, surely not the greatest place to have a bottleshop?

Plenty of stations have bottle shops or pubs next to them. Need to provide for people who catch the train to do their shopping on the way home...

 

[The Speaker]

How could I forget that piece of shite that is Midland. Supposed to be state of the art when it was opened in 1968(?).

The new station is planned to be adjacent to Cale Street but PTA don't have any funding yet. Don't expect big things unless the government gives them funding, otherwise we'll get another shite station surrounded by bitumen car parking...

For those who perhaps aren't from Perth who are reading this thread, let me show you the six (plus one) terminus' for each line in Perth.

Perth:

Perth Underground:

Fremantle:

Mandurah:

Clarkson:

Armadale:

and Midland:

 

[DTRAIN87]

Even if Midland was full of posh western suburbs types, and not full of feral drunk aborigines, it would still be a horrible, horrible station.



Plenty of stations have bottle shops or pubs next to them. Need to provide for people who catch the train to do their shopping on the way home...

Midlands was the biggest dive of a station I have been to in Perth. Needs urgent upgrades. Freo line is spot on. Caught the last train to Perth years ago after getting stuck in Rockingham before the Mandurah line was finished. Some funny characters ranging from drunk Aussie bogans to indigenous youth who were being kicked off the train for chroming by the transit guys.

 

[Hue_Jars]

Hahaha awesome little montage that

 

[Chris_6678]

Lol to midlands train station

 

[Tarkyn_24]

Guess I have it easy with the Mandurah line.

 

[Bennett.]

and don't be misled - Clarkson is Horrible! Walk through the cloud of smoke and disenfranchised youths out the front and only half the fun has begun...

 

[ioppolo]

What about the Joondalup line?