‘Safer, cleaner and on time’

Is this going to happen ? being hearing the same byline for the last 20 odd years and it still continues to go down hill. No matter who’s in Libral or Labour both manage to make a mess of it.

So excuse me if I don’t get all excited about this last announcement.

Remember back to the red rattlers, and when trams had conductors and stations had staff, at least it was safe to ride the trains and who cared if they where running a little late.

Then along came the bean counters an totally ruined a good system, not to mention  Jeff and his mates who gave a whole new meaning to the word privatisation.

But then thats another story in its self, and don’t get me started on Dick Hammer.

The Government, reeling from a public backlash over the rail network’s failings, yesterday dumped the French-owned operator Connex and replaced it with a consortium backed by Hong Kong’s metro operator.

In a surprise move, the Government also dumped the French-controlled consortium behind Yarra Trams, replacing it with a group headed by another French firm, Keolis.

But Premier John Brumby insisted commuters would get a better deal from new rail operator Metro Trains Melbourne (comprising Hong Kong’s MTR, John Holland and the United Group) and Keolis Downer EDI, which will run the trams.

Asked if he was concerned about problems surrounding myki, Metro Trains Melbourne chief Andrew Lezala pointed to the success of Hong Kong’s Octopus smartcard.