AUSTRALASIAN TIMETABLE NEWS No. 270, February 2015 ISSN 1038-3697 RRP $4.95

Published by the Australian Timetable Association www.austta.org.au

RAIL AND TRAM NEWS

Queensland Rail: No freight operation The former Queensland government ruled out Queensland Rail resuming a role as a freight carrier. A parliamentary committee had recommended the now passenger-only operator be used to fill freight gaps in regional Queensland. But then Transport Minister Scott Emerson said the state government has other priorities for the business. "Queensland Rail should concentrate on its core business of delivering passenger transport services," a spokesperson said. "[It] no longer has the assets or resources to re-establish a freight presence." Instead, the government will continue to encourage private sector operators to fill demand for freight rail services in regional areas.

Aurizon: Wiggins project Work will commence soon on Aurizon’s Wiggins project on the North Coast line near Gladstone and Rockhampton. The upgrade involves 3.5km triplication of the line through Yarwun to connect to the Wiggins Island Balloon Loop, a new 2.5km holding track at Aldoga and two holding tracks, approximately 5.5km, at Kabra. The project includes earthworks and drainage, track infrastructure, bridges, overhead electrical equipment, power systems, signals and telecommunications. The first section of work, located near Gladstone, is the Aldoga Holding Road and WICET branch line which will allow trains to be held while waiting for access to either WICET or the rail network," she said. The second section, near Rockhampton, is the construction of the Kabra holding tracks on the Blackwater Line to improve the flow of train traffic, and for train driver changeover. The approximate project value is: $200 million. Work will last through 2015.

Transport for NSW: Gosford Passing Loops The Gosford Passing Loops were brought into operation from 20 February. This is part of the project to upgrade the NSW North line to facilitate freight operations. The Hexham sidings are already open. The North Strathfield fly-under is at an advanced stage. The Epping to Pennant Hills third line (6 km) is under construction.

Sydney Trains: Leppington (South West) line opens Public services commenced on the new Leppington (South West line) from Sunday 8 February. As reported in the January Table Talk services operate every 30 minutes every day. On weekdays, the first service departs Leppington at 0506, and then every 30 minutes until 2336. From Liverpool trains depart every 30 minutes from 0528 until 2358. On weekends, trains depart Leppington at 0503, 0528 then every 30 minutes until 2328, and from Liverpool every 30 minutes from 0534 until 2334, then at 0009. These trains do not stop at Casula.

Although services were included in the new Sydney Working Timetable of 25 January, Special Train Notice 612-2015 converted about a third of the runs into crew training, and cancelled the other services in the first week as did STN 613-2015 for the second week. The public timetable is online at www.sydneytrains.info/timetables/pdf/South_West_Rail_Link.pdf

ARTC: Maintenance Over the Christmas-New Year period when there is a downturn in freight traffic, ARTC undertook projects on the North-South line:

! 40km of track resurfacing ! 8.2km of re-railing ! 3 level crossing refurbishments ! Over 10km of shoulder ballast cleaning ! 1650m of track undercutting and drainage ! Installation of 5500 concrete sleepers ! Renewal of five bridges with 225 new transoms ! Other works included cutting and embankment

works, surveying, culvert repairs and installation, turnout maintenance and removing redundant track infrastructure.

On the East-West line there was: ! 6446 metres of ballast cleaning between Maroona

and Ararat which also included improvement work to three level crossings and drainage improvements

! Installation of two new turnouts between Newport and Tottenham in Melbourne

! A level crossing upgrade at Park Terrace, Salisbury, SA.

In this period, ARTC completed the Port Botany upgrade, phase 2, comprising:

• Major reconfiguration and signalling of Port Botany rail yard

• A train staging area at Enfield, to hold and re-sequence trains away from the Port

• Additional signalling to effectively extend double tracks from Cooks River to Mascot

• Complete separation of signalling systems from Sydney Trains passenger operations

• Dedicated network control with ARTC, operated from its Junee Control Centre.

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ARTC: Working Timetable 22 February A new ARTC Working Timetable comes into effect from 22 February. It is online at www.artc.com.au/Content.aspx?p=160

Geoff Lambert writes: I have only analysed Victorian North East Standard Gauge line. There is no change there.

The NESG is horrible compared to what it used to be. The table below shows freights north of Seymour (including times when one of the current SG tracks was Broad Gauge.) The big drop between 2013 and 2015 is due to the Qube trains running north instead of south and to PN amalgamating the

steel trains into the Intermodals. Mark this – those two caused a 33% drop in traffic.

Worse is probably yet to come. Both Pacific National and Aurizon are rumoured to be pulling out of Intermodal traffic. Every last bit of it is now in Melbourne-Brisbane trains (although some traffic to/from Sydney is carried on these). The nails in the coffin could be the diesel price drop, the Pacific Highway upgrade and the Federal government’s refusal to regulate road traffic.

Add passenger trains and the decline looks MUCH worse – there were paths for 125 passenger trains per week in 1969 – albeit many rarely used. Today there are paths for 70

.

# of trains Running time Crossing time Elapsed Time

WTT Down Up Total Down Up Average Down Up Average Down Up Average

5 May 1969 128 128 256 5:27 5:30 5:28

1 Jan 2002 17 16 33 3:41 3:46 3:43 24.1 20.4 22.2 4:08 4:06 4:07

1 Jan 2010 42 36 78 3:47 3:52 3:50 45.1 45.0 45.0 4:32 4:37 4:34

15 Apr 2013 35 35 70 3:46 3:47 3:46 11.0 7.0 9.0 3:56 3:54 3:55

25 Jan 2015 24 23 47 3:46 3:52 3:49 8.8 10.4 9.6 3:54 4:02 3:58

QUBE train discontinued The thrice weekly (Tue, Thur, Sat) Sydney-Dubbo and return QUBE freight train ceased running from 29 January. (John Holland Rail Country Train Notice 55-2015 refers.)

Cowra Rail Company The Cowra Rail Company commenced operations with three trains in December 2014 from Forbes to Sydney conveying canola and wheat for export through Port Botany. Cowra Rail Co is also one of the two companies which submitted tenders to take over and re-open the closed Cowra lines, Blayney-Cowra-Koorawatha-Demondrille and Koorawatha-Grenfell. The other tenderer for this is Australian Rail Partners. A Tender Evaluation Committee comprising the NSW Department of Transport and local shires has been considering these tenders since the middle of last year and is expected to make an announcement around March.

Espee Railroad Services: Canberra freight Freight train operation to/from Canberra is to resume in late February. A weekly containerised train will operate between Canberra and Port Botany conveying scrap steel for Access Recycling. This company’s Canberra depot is in Fyshwick next to the railway line. The train will be operated by Espee Railroad Services. It will be the first freight operation in Canberra since oil trains ceased in December 2010.

Espee Railroad Services is the commercial subsidiary of the Australian Railway Historical Society, ACT Division. For some time it has carried out work mainly in NSW, mainly locomotive transfers and testing for Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia (CFCLA) and ballast trains for ARTC. It recently extended operations to Victoria where it has undertaken locomotive and rolling stock transfers for railway enthusiast groups – a locomotive transfer from Seymour to Echuca on 13 January, and rolling stock transfer Seymour-Echuca-Bendigo-Castlemaine and return on 22-24 January.

Metro Trains: Bypassing stations A dossier obtained by the Herald Sun newspaper revealed the extent of the controversial practice by Metro Trains Melbourne of station-skipping, which inconveniences thousands of passengers a week (mentioned in October Table Talk page 2).

Between July and December 2014, 965 services were altered to allow station-skipping, 1660 services scheduled to run through the City Loop bypassed it, so as to save about seven minutes and 3806 trains were cancelled.

From 1 to 17 December, timetables were altered on 73 occasions creating snap expresses, skipping stations at which the trains were to stop. Frankston line passengers were the worst affected. Between January and 17 December, 2280 services were altered to skip stations. Passengers are unaware of changes until it is too late.

Station-skipping is not banned under Metro’s contract. Metro must run 88% of trains each month on time or face penalties, and also pay commuters compensation. Station-skipping to fast-track late services has been credited for Metro’s being able to meet monthly punctuality targets, and avoid multi-million dollar fines, over the last two years. Metro has an internal target of non-Loop station-skipping of 35 services a week. But the documents reveal the average is 40 a week. Its internal standard for bypassing the Loop is 49 weekly services, but it averages 69.

Bob Neilson, speaking for Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan, said the Government had sought advice from Public Transport Victoria on how to reduce station-skipping and deliver more services. Fining the train operator if commuters were not warned their train would not stop according to the schedule was one option being canvassed. “Ultimately, we want trains stopping where they should stop, so the public can plan their journey with confidence,” Mr Neilson said. “The previous Liberal government built their punctuality figures off the back of station-skipping and timetable manipulation.”

Metro spokeswoman Larisa Tait said the rail operator was trying to reduce station-skipping, setting lower targets for it each year. She said that services became expresses when there were major disruptions or to avoid knock-on effects that would lead to major delays. “We heavily monitor how often and which services are altered to run express and resort to the practice as infrequently as possible,” Ms Tait said. “We understand this approach inconveniences some of our customers, but our aim is to ensure the majority get to their destination on time while delaying the smallest number

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of customers possible.” She said that announcements were made to advise customers of any changes, and infrastructure was being improved to reduce faults that might delay passengers.

Metro Trains: Race trains On Saturday 31 January trains to Flemington Racecourse departed Southern Cross station, rather than from Flinders St, as a trial.

Metro Trains: Working Timetables Metro Trains Melbourne no longer includes its Working Timetables on its website. However the WTT, in both electronic file and printed formats, as well as the System Addenda, are available from the ATA’s February Distribution List. The dates are Burnley group 18 Nov 2012 Caulfield group 27 July 2014 Clifton Hill group 22 Dec 2013 Northern group 12 Oct 2014 System Addenda 22 Dec 2013.

V/Line: Sale Sunday trains A V Line circular issued on 15 January cancelled the 1025 Melbourne to Sale Sunday train between Traralgon and Sale and 1415 ex Sale between Sale and Traralgon due to “V/Line Infrastructure Restrictions” and indicated bus replacement. The circular was cancelled the next day.

TasRail: Train control An $11 million Advanced Network Train Control System (ANCS) came into operation in late January. ANCS is a GPS-based system supported by a digital data radio network that ensures significant additional safeguards for both rail movements and track maintenance activities. “It provides much improved visibility of network occupation, combined with GPS-based alarming to warn users of potential occupation and/or speed breaches”, TasRail CEO Damien White said. “By contrast, the old system was paper-based and required considerable human interaction, meaning that it was vulnerable to human error and resulted in a relatively high number of safeworking breaches”. Unlike a majority of TasRail’s other major capital projects, Mr White said the ANCS touches all parts of the freight railway operation. “By necessity, the planning and implementation processes are complex and have required comprehensive risk management and change management processes”.

TasRail went through an exhaustive procurement process to select the new system and suppliers with the right experience. The ANCS is supplied by Siemens Rail Automation, supported by a digital data radio network designed and supplied by Tait Communications. Project support is also being provided by Australasian Railway Consultancy Services, particularly during the planning and implementation phase.

The ANCS project was included in Tasmania’s Rail Recovery Plan and funded by the Tasmanian government.

Great Southern Rail timetable-less Great Southern Rail has revamped its website, www.greatsouthernrail.com.au The useful, detailed timetables of the Indian Pacific, Ghan and Overland are no longer included. The provision of these timetables providing times at passing stations to provide information to passengers goes back to Commonwealth Railways days. (The much summarised public timetables still appear.)

Perth airport railway The $2 billion-Bayswater to Airport line has progressed to the expressions of interest stage, with industry invited to lodge tenders for the design and construction of the project. The line will provide a new railway to Perth’s eastern suburbs, as well as connecting the City to the Airport. It will

create a 20-minute rail journey from Perth’s eastern suburbs to the city and will have three new stations - Airport West (Belmont), Consolidated Airport and Forrestfield. It will be 8 km underground below the Swan River and Perth Airport. The contract will be a single design and construction package, which including tunnel and civil infrastructure, track, stations signalling, communications and power.

WA grain lines After a three-month halt on negotiations, rail freight operator Brookfield Rail, WA’s major grain handler, and Cooperative Bulk Handling, will return to the task of trying to lock in a 10-year rail access agreement. An agreement over rail access was expected in November 2014, but the two decided to halt negotiations over the 2014/15 harvest period. Brookfield and CBH now have to come to an agreement by April on the future of Tier 3 Rail lines; lines that Brookfield put into care and maintenance on 30 June 2014.

The reopening of Tier 3 relies on an agreement between CBH and Brookfield Rail, but Brookfield CEO Paul Larsen says it will also rely on cooperation and collaboration with the government. WA's acting Minister for Transport John Day said that it is waiting for the outcome of negotiations between Brookfield and CBH but the State Government is committed to "keeping open commercially viable Tier 3 rail lines".

CBH said it is being asked to fund Brookfield's maintenance obligations "without any transparency" and has been a willing party and has acted in good faith in negotiations with Brookfield Rail.

The State government is expected to table a response to a parliamentary inquiry into the management of WA’s freight rail network in February.

Brookfield Rail's chief executive officer Paul Larsen says the Tier 3 rail lines can be reopened, but only if Brookfield Rail, CBH and the State government agree to invest in the infrastructure. He believes there will be a positive outcome on Tier 3 access, but only if all three groups are willing to invest. "We're railway people, we want to get as much freight on rail as possible," he said. "Clearly it's got to be viable financially and commercially for our organisation to invest as it would be no different for any other business.”The key is co-operation and collaboration between the company that is operating the track - us; the company that wants to run the trains - CBH which represents the farmers, the ultimate freight owner; and the government."

Mr Larsen indicated that while grain rail freight represents only 8% of Brookfield's volumes, this did not affect costing decisions. "It's still very important to us because it's a renewable resource that is increasing its yields," he said. "We want all freight on rail. CBH is our customer, they tell us when and where they want to run trains from. It's their decision whether grain moves out of a bin by rail or by road, so we make the track available when they want to use rail. Clearly we've got to make sure that we deliver the performance we're contracted to provide and that we invest and maintain to support that outcome and that we provide a safe and efficient railway." Brookfield Rail is willing to invest its money into reopening Tier 3 lines alongside CBH and the government in a co-operative and collaborative model. ”It's three-way co-operation that is required here." Mr Larsen said community uproar claiming Brookfield Rail hadn't maintained the Tier 3 lines as required by its lease were unfounded. He said Brookfield Rail had fulfilled its requirements following the Strategic Grain Network Review in 2009.

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Auckland electric services Electric train services commenced between Britomart (central Auckland) and Papakura on the Southern line from 5 January. As seems to be customary with the Auckland electrification project, initially only off-peak trains were electric. This will be extended gradually.

Auckland Tram temporary closure The Auckland tourist tram will close again in late March “when the next stage of road development begins”. No re-opening date is provided.

US non-Amtrak intercity passenger services The Eastern Flyer passenger train is expected to commence operations between Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma (about 160 km) this month. There will be two services every day. It will be the first new regularly-scheduled non-Amtrak intercity (long-distance) service in the US since Amtrak took over most long-distance passenger train services in 1971. It will be operated by Iowa Pacific, a charter passenger train operator. It will not be subsidised. Their website is www.easternflyer.com

The Florida East Coast Railway is forging ahead with plans to introduce a frequent intercity passenger train service in southern Florida. This will use the railway’s existing tracks, currently used for freight trains, from Miami north via Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach to Cocoa, then west via a 64 km new line next to a motorway to Orlando. The total length will be 376 km. Construction between Miami and West Palm Beach – mainly double-tracking - will commence by the middle of this year. Construction north of West Palm Beach will commence after the environmental impact statement process is completed. Although the Company is proceeding with work on this line, this will take at least a couple of years and hence operation is still some time off. Their website is www.allaboardflorida.com

In Indiana, the state government is considering transferring support for the Indianapolis-Chicago train, the Hoosier State, from Amtrak to another operator, probably Corridor Capital.

Boston Surface Commuter Railroad is examining operation of a passenger train service between Providence, Rhode Island and Worcester, Massachusetts, over the Providence and Worcester Railroad, a 70 km route. It believes it could offer a reliable service that would attract regular commuters.

NE US Winter blizzard Winter blizzard Juno was expected to dump large quantities of snow on the NE US from late night on 26 January. On Tuesday 27 January Amtrak suspended Northeast Regionals and Acela Expresses between New York and Boston, Empire Service New York – Albany, Downeaster Brunswick, Maine – Boston, Vermonter Washington – St. Albans, Vt, the Springfield line New Haven, Conn. – Springfield, Mass., and the Lake Shore Limited between New York and Albany, and Boston and Albany. Acela Express and Northeast Regional trains between New York and Washington, and Keystone Service New York – Harrisburg, Pa operated at reduced frequencies. New York subway, Metro North and Long Island Railroad services were suspended from 2300 on Monday night. In Boston, where the storm did turn out to be severe, the MBTA suspended all subway, commuter train, streetcar (tram), motor bus, trolley bus and boat services from Monday evening and all through Tuesday 27 January.

2015 European timetable books For 2015 the following comprehensive public timetable books were published by national railways:

NMBS / SNCB Belgium, ZFBH Bosnia, BDZ Bulgaria, HZ Croatia, CD Czech Rep, DSB Denmark, ELRON Estonia,

MAV Hungary, IR Ireland, LG Lithuania, CFL Luxembourg, MZ Macedonia, ZCG Montenegro, NSB Norway, SNCFR Romania, ZSR Slovakia, SBB Switzerland.

The following comprehensive public timetables were published by private concerns: • Albania: by the Fahrplancenter; • Georgia: by the Fahrplancenter: • Moldova: by the Fahrplancenter, • Britain: “Train Times” by Middleton Press;

• Italy: “Orario Generale” (also known as “Orario Veltro”;)

by La Veltro di Fruscalzo Paolo;

• Netherlands: “Spoorboekje” by Rover.

The following Lander (States) of Germany published public timetables: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hessen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Schleswig-Holstein, Thüringen, Sachsen-Anhalt.

To put this the opposite way round: There are no paper timetable books available for some countries, including some big and important countries - although individual line timetables are generally available. These are Austria, Finland, France, Greece, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Spain, Turkey and parts of Germany.

In the case of Poland a private timetable is planned to be published in summer 2015. Details are not known.

The timetable situation in the former Soviet states of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine is not known but, even if books

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have been published, they seem not to be available in the west.

This compilation draws on the list published by the Fahrplancenter in Switzerland. Most of the published national timetables are available from the Fahrplancenter – see www.fahrplancenter.com

Current British Working Timetables Current Network Rail Working Timetables are online at www.networkrail.co.uk/browseDirectory.aspx?dir=\Timetables\Working%20timetable%20%28WTT%29&root=

All 2013 and 2014 NR WTTs will be available on the next ATA Timetables on DVD, available through an ATA Distribution List in the near future.

Current Transport for London Working Timetables are online at www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/working-timetables

Re-nationalisation of British railways? A curious effect of the British railway privatisation process is becoming apparent. That is, the acquisition of British Train Operating Companies by nationalised European railways. One important reason for this is that state railways attract far more favourable credit ratings than private companies. Abellio, a subsidiary of NS Nederlandse Spoorwegen, will take over the franchise for Scotrail from 1 April. NS will then control: • Scotrail, 45 million train-kilometres a year • Northern, 44.9m train-km (50%) • Greater Anglia, 33.8m train-km • Merseyrail, 6.4m train-km (50%).

DB, Deutsche Bahn, controls: • Cross Country, 32.7m train-km • Arriva Trains Wales, 24.4m train-km • Chiltern Railways, 10.9m train-km • London Overground Rail Operations, 8.1m train-km

(50%)

• DB Schenker, UK (and elsewhere) freight operator.

Through a 70% holding in Keolis, SNCF French Railways, has interests in: • Southeastern, 38.2m train-km (24.5%) • Southern, 37.8m train-k`m (24.5%) • London Midland, 25.8m train-km (24.5%) • First Transpennine Express, 17.9m train-km (31.5%).

Serco’s sleeper trains As reported in December Table Talk, Serco is exploring the sale of its Australian subsidiary Great Southern Rail. On the other hand, it sought and obtained the new franchise for the London to Scotland sleeper trains. Ironically, in securing this contract, it cited in support its experience of running the GSR’s Indian Pacific and Ghan sleeper trains.

Never on time Last year the 0729 from Brighton failed to arrive on time at London Victoria every day. Southern Railway’s solution for the 0729 and its slow-motion siblings, the 0714 and 0744 (on time, respectively, once a fortnight and once a week in 2014) is that when they reach Gatwick they become part of the "every 15 minutes" Gatwick Express service.

Jane Lee, of Southern, says that the choreography of trains converging on the main north-south artery and then splitting north of East Croydon means any disruption quickly magnifies. She points out that resilience has been reduced by the rebuilding of London Bridge station, fourth-busiest in Britain, while still running trains: "It's like hosting a dinner party while having your fitted kitchen redone. We and Network Rail are working to improve performance and doing everything we can to run that train on time."

Thanks to Scott Ferris, Steven Haby, Victor Isaacs, Geoff Lambert, Ross Morrison, Len Regan, Roger Wheaton, www.fahrplancenter.com, www.railpage.com.au, Passenger Train Journal, Federal City Express (ARHS, ACT), Railway Digest, Railway Update, and Transit Australia for Rail news.

AIR NEWS

International Air China will introduce a four times week service from Sydney to Beijing in June, increasing to five times weekly in October.

Busiest Airports Dubai has overtaken London Heathrow as the world’s busiest airport for international passengers. In 2014 Dubai

had 71 million international passengers and Heathrow 68.1 million.

In 2014 Sydney Airport handled 38 million passengers, an increase of 1.7%. International passengers increased by 2.8% and domestic by 1.2%. Melbourne Airport handled 31 million passengers, an increase of 4%.

Thanks to the Australian, Financial Times and the Daily Telegraph for Air news.

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BUS NEWS Australia Capital Territory January Events Football fans travelling to the ‘AFC Asian Cup’ games at Canberra Stadium in the late afternoon/early evening on 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20 & 23 January could catch free return buses operating from Tuggeranong, Woden, City, Belconnen or Gungahlin. Free buses also operated from Labor Clubs in Charnwood and Belconnen for the games on 18, 20 & 23 January. On 14 January, free travel was available across the ACTION network to those attending the ‘Prime Minster’s XI Cricket Match’ at Manuka Oval on presentation of their entry ticket. ACTION also provided half-hourly services from City & Woden at the start and end of play. The ‘Australia Celebrates Live’ concert was held on the lawns of Parliament House on Sunday 25 January. In addition to Blue Rapid 900 & 932, ACTION ran free buses to the event from 1530 until 1900, departing Belconnen, City & Woden regularly and Gungahlin ‘hourly’ (this would suggest the last bus was at 1830). Return buses operated from 2000 until midnight. Two free special loop services operated on Monday 26 January for those travelling to the National Museum Australia for the ‘’Spirited’ Australia Day Festival’. Bus one departed every 15 minutes from City Bus Station direct to the museum from 0900 to 1700, while bus two ran via Regatta Point, operating every 20 minutes from 1000 to 1730. Families attending the ‘Australia Day Fireworks Spectacular’ at Lake Burley Griffin on Monday 26 January could catch Blue Rapid 900 or 932, 934 & 935. ACTION provided free buses home to Gungahlin, City, Belconnen, Woden & Tuggeranong from 2130. Woden Works Demolition work at Woden Interchange commenced on 12 January with the overhead bridge to Sir Keith Campbell Bridge demolished on 1 February. Passengers were advised to check temporary signage and NXTBus screens for details on bay alternations. A new interchange at Woden is part of a revitalisation plan for the allaying town centre, which includes the expansion of the Westfield shopping centre.

New South Wales Hillsbus January timetable updates Saturday 24 January saw the extension of Hillsbus’ Route 603 (Parramatta - Glenhaven via Castle Hill) to Rouse Hill. Buses continue via Glenhaven Road, Samantha Riley Drive, Hezlett Road and Withers Road, serving new estates in North Kellyville. Sunday services continue to solely operate north of Castle Hill. On Tuesday 27 January, updated runtimes extra growth trips were introduced for Routes 602X (Rouse Hill – North Sydney) & 612X (Kellyville – Milsons Point). Inbound 602X trips have increased from 11 to 14, with a later 0831 service introduced suiting those starting at 1000, while 612X has gained a new 0801 trip ex Castle Hill. Outbound services on 602X now start 20 minutes earlier at 1522, ideal for those finishing at 1500, with total PM peak trips increasing from 12 to 14. 612X passengers benefit from an extra trip to Castle Hill at 1545. Revised runtimes were also implemented on M2 routes to Macquarie Park & City including 607X, 610, 610X, 611,

613X, 614X, 615X, 616X, 617X, 618, 619, 620N, 620X, 627, 628, 650X, 650X, 651, 652X, 653 & M61. The changes largely reverse the significant reductions in runtimes made last January after the completion of the roadworks on the M2, with increases of 15 mins or more on peak period services. Route 625 (Parramatta – Pennant Hills) also received updated runtimes to cope with increased congestion along Pennant Hills Road. Hunter Valley January updates In addition to CDC’s Sydney changes in late January, Hunter Valley Buses introduced updated timetables on 27 January on Routes 136, 137, 138, 140, 145, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 192, 401, 402 & 403, to ‘give better transport connections’. Connecting ferry and train times are now included in selected booklets. A new weekday service, Route 189, provides a direct link between Stockland Green Hills and Thornton Station serving the Chisholm Estate. Peak services depart hourly, with occasional services during the day. Transdev January updates Transdev issued a new timetable for 586 (Pennant Hills - Westleigh) on 27 January. Early morning services have been adjusted to improve train connections at Thornleigh. 2015 University of Wollongong services As part of the 2014-2015 growth buses program, Premier Illawarra introduced a new Route 41 between Dapto and University of Wollongong on 27 January. Services operate once an hour in both directions during the AM peak, mid morning, PM peak and early evening. Students attending the Innovation Campus can hop on the new iC shuttle commencing on 23 February. The bus travels close to Campus East, Gundi, Keiraview and Wollongong Campus. Services travel to the Northfields Avenue interchange but not around the ring road. Services operate every half-hour during the morning and afternoon peaks. Premier Illawarra has been contracted to operate the service. The free GK shuttle linking the campus with Keiraville, Gwynneville & Wollongong CBD will recommence on 23 February, operating at 15 minute intervals during peak periods and 30 minutes at other times. Services operate from 0745 until 1300, and 1530 to 2200. In 2015 the service will no longer serve the ring road, but instead serve the interchange on Northfields Avenue. Premier Illawarra also operate this shuttle. Students arriving by train can continue to connect with the NG shuttle departing North Wollongong Station, with Route 9 trips running anti-clockwise around the ring road, and 9N operating directly to Northfields Ave bus interchange. The service is currently running a reduced timetable from 5 January until 22 February. Dions continues to provide the service. From early February, upgrade works will commence to the interchange on Northfields Ave, with a wider footpath and more shelters. Buses will be relocated to temporary interchanges outside the UniCentre or Botanic Gardens for the duration of the works.

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Queensland Transdev January timetable updates Transdev introduced new timetables for the following routes on 12 January: • 242 (Wakerley – Carindale) • 243 (Capalaba – City) • 251 (Ormiston – City) • 265 (Sheldon – City) • 267 (Alexandra Hills – City) • 273, 275 (Thornlands – City) • 276, 279 (Victoria Point – City) • 281 (Point Talbupin – City) In addition to the extra stop on Gardner Rd Rochedale on Routes 276, 279, 280 & 281 (as reported in last month’s Table Talk), new runtimes have revised with adjustments of up to 15 mins, while Route 242 has been amended to operate via Palm Lakes Resort.

South Australia January timetable updates New timetables were introduced across metropolitan Adelaide on 25 January. Four new routes have been introduced: • 176 (Athelstone – City), amalgamating former 177

(Newton – City) and 179 (Athelstone – City) • 544 (Golden Grove Village – City) – renumbering of

M44 (Marion – City – Golden Grove Village) shorts between City & Golden Grove.

• T843 (Mt Barker – City) – weekend limited stop service using the trial double decker bus. Similar to weekday T840 but also serving Hahndorf.

• X30 (West Lakes – Paradise) renumbering of express H30 trips

The following services were discontinued: • 148 (Glen Osmond – City): operated twice daily for

shoppers • 169 (TAFE SA Marleston campus – City): Removed due

to closure of TAFE campus • 177 (Newton – City) & 179 (Athelstone – City): replaced

by new 176 • 226F (UniSA Mawson Lakes campus - City): limited

express at class times, students can continue to access 224

• 352 & 353 (Port Adelaide loop): limited weekday loop. Semaphore continues to be served by 157 & 333

• 407 (Elizabeth – Waterloo Corner): limited shopper service to Virginia & Palms Lifestyle Village. Route 900 continues to provide peak service.

• 592 (Golden Grove Village – Golden Grove loop), 593A, 593C (Golden Grove Village - Greenwith loop): Replaced by extended 548 & C2

• 740 (Seaford – Colonades Centre): replaced by extended 751

• 867 (Stirling – Crafers): replaced by existing 820, 821 & 866

• B11 (UniSA Magill Campus – City): Peak only service departing the City from North Terrace rather than Grenfell St, students can still catch B10

Routing changes & service improvements include: • 171 (Mitcham Square – City), 173 (Blackwood – City):

Now operates via Wakefield St, King William St & North Terrace in City instead of Grenfell St with changes to through-routing

• 174 (Paradise - City): Now operate via King William St, Wakefield St & Hutt St in City instead of Currie St with changes to through-routing

• 253 (Mansfield – City) & 254 (Port Adelaide – City): Express trips now operate via Torrens Rd rather than Regency Rd & Churchill St

• 320 (Aberfoyle Hub – Marion Centre): Increased frequency, now operating limited off-peak trips

• 333 (North Haven – Port Adelaide): Limited loop around Outer Harbor discontinued, selected trips continue to serve Australia Submarine Corporation.

• 400 (Elizabeth – Salisbury North): Now serves Calvary Central Districts Private Hospital

• 492A & 492C (Gawler East Circuit): No longer operates east of Cheek Avenue, inter-peak frequency doubled with services now operating clockwise & anti-clockwise

• 541 (Golden Grove Village & Fairview Park – City): Weekday daytime & counter-peak services now continue into the City, hourly weekend services introduced between Golden Grove & Fairview Park

• 543 (Surrey Downs – City): PM peak trips ex City now commence 43 mins earlier at 15:57

• N721 (Moana – City): Trips extending beyond Colonnades Centre in Noarlunga now terminate at Seaford instead of continuing onto Moana.

• 548 (Golden Grove Village & Greenwith – Tea Tree Plaza & City), 591 (Greenwich loop) & C2 (Greenwith – City): Route consolidation in Golden Grove and Greenwith with expanded hours, replacing the 592, 593A & 593C in Golden Grove.

• 556 & 557 (Tea Tree Plaza – City): AM counter-peak trips now originate at Paradise, extra inbound AM peak trips

• 559 (Tea Tree Plaza – City): Selected peak trips continue to City

• 750 (Sellicks Beach – Seaford) & 751 (Aldinga – Seaford Centre): Trips now continue along Commerical Rd to Noarlunga and Colonnades Centre, with 751 replacing 740 along South Pacific Drive & Grand Boulevard

On Routes J7 & J8 (West Lakes Centre – Marion Centre) the last bus ex Marion at 18:35 now operates a J7M only as far as Camden Park (Mooringe Avenue) rather than heading to West Lakes – passengers must travel one hour earlier. Routes affected by time changes and through-routing alterations included: 100, 144, 170, 172, 202, 203, 204, 208, 241, 245 & 248. Routes affected by timepoint & time changes: 141 & 142. Routes affected by time changes included: 98A, 98C, 99A, 99C, 101, 115, 117, 118, 140, 147, 150, 155, 157, 162, 167, 168, 190, 195, 196, 197X, 200, 209F, 224, 228, 229, 230, 232, 235, 238, 239, 251, 252, 262, 263, 265, 271, 273, 281, 286, 287, 288, 300, 350, 361, 371, 372, 376, 421, 443, 451, 452, 491, 493, 494, 500, 501, 502, 503, 506, 507, 528, 542, 545, 545X, 546X, 560, 565, 579, 600, 601, 605, 645, 646, 681, 682, 683, 719, 720, 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, 733, 734, 737, 741, 743, 744, 745, 747, 756, 820, 821, 823, 830F, 834, 835, 837, 838, 839, 840X, 841F, 842X, 860F, 861, 863, 864, 865, 866, 868, B10, B12, C1, G10, G20, G21, G40, H20, H21, H22, H23, H24, J1, J1X, J2, J7, W90, W91, N1, N10, N202, N254, N262, N502, T721, T840, T842 & T863. O-Bahn Trackworks Part of the O-Bahn track was again closed for maintenance on 1 February, with services diverted between Paradise and Park Terrace from 0545 until 1600. Passengers boarding at Klemzig were required to go to Stop 17 on O.G. Road.

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Victoria New networks for Bendigo, Geelong & Bellarine Peninsula proposed In addition to the extensive ‘Greenfields’ changes to Transdev services announced in December (as documented in last month’s Table Talk), PTV also undertook community consultation during December for new networks in the provincial cities of Bendigo and Geelong, along with several changes to services across the Bellarine Peninsula. The changes are amongst the more radical since the closure of the tram networks in 1972 and 1956 respectively, and in both cases see substantial renumbering of existing services. Again the timing of the consultation immediately following the Victorian state election suggests the Liberal and National parties feared potential backlash from voters at the changes, and asked PTV to postpone the consultation until after the election. Implementation is due to coincide with new V/lLne timetables introduced as part of the opening of stage two of the Regional Rail Link through Melbourne’s outer west. The public were invited to provide feedback on the proposals in December through a series of community drop-in sessions and online surveys. Proposed improvements in Ballarat, as foreshadowed by the Liberal Party in the lead-up to the state election have yet to be announced – it is not known if the upgrades have been postponed, or whether the changes will be less substantial and therefore do not justify consultation. Highlights of the proposed changes in Bendigo include: • More direct routes, including a new cross-town route

from Kangaroo Flat to Epsom & more direct routes to both LaTrobe Uni & Strathfieldsaye

• New coverage to growing parts of Huntly, Maiden Gully & Strathfieldsaye, plus the first link into Jackass Flat

• Buses departing Eaglehawk Town Centre for Bendigo every 15 minutes on weekdays

• Promises of improved train connectivity, although it’s unclear if services will be extended to cater for commuters travelling to/from Melbourne – currently it’s impossible to catch a bus to connect with peak hour trains to/from Melbourne

• New runtimes to improve ontime performance • All bus routes now originate and terminate at Bendigo

Station, serving Mitchell St shopping precinct enroute – the current network is designed around most routes being paired north-south or east-west, generally only serving the station and the interchange on Mitchell St once. This had hindered train co-ordination in the past – it will be interesting to see the attempts with the new routing in the City, and if any routes are linked on a consistent pattern.

The following routes will replace the existing Bendigo network: • 5 (Kangaroo Flat – Epsom via Bendigo Station): A new

cross-town service replaces both ‘Kangaroo Flat 1’ and ‘Epsom 10’. Traditionally the main Kangaroo Flat route has continued to Eaglehawk as Route 5, so this quite a significant change. Route 5 will provide a continuous north-south route along Calder Highway and Midland Highway for the first time. The proposed ‘Bendigo Metro’ suburban rail service, floated by the ALP state government prior to being elected in November would also link these areas – the new route will gauge the potential of this option, particularly if it runs at an attractive frequency. Departing Kangaroo Flat, buses will no longer divert south to Crusoe Rd, which is now covered by Route 55. Due to new alignment leaving Bendigo, buses enter

Bendigo station via Mitchell St rather than Murtle St. The northern half follows the current ‘Epsom 10’ past the new Bendigo hospital until it reaches Arnold St, before heading down Bridge St onto McCrae Street and Midland Highway, incorporating part of the existing ‘Huntly 8’ route. In Epsom, it continues to services both the Epsom Village Shopping Centre, and newly opened Epsom Station, however the complicated loop around Ascot and the golf course has been simplified.

• 50 (Bendigo Station – Huntly): Route 50 will replace the current ‘Huntly 8’. With the new northern half of route 5 operating along the Midland Hwy, route changes have been made in North Bendigo & White Hills. The new route heads west up View St, before taking a left turn into Barnard St, and servicing the hospital. It then continues via Finn St, before traversing the back of the White Hills cemetery, going onto Kennewell St. It will turn into Howard Street to service Epsom village Shopping Centre, currently bypassed by Route 8 (the currently stopping 200m away on Midland Hwy). Exiting Epsom, buss will serve new estates to the north-east, before returning to Midland Highway. Buses will now terminate at the developing Viewpoint estate in Huntly.

• 51 (Bendigo Station – Jackass Flat): This route serves Bendigo's newest suburb, Jackass Flat and replaces part of the current ‘North Bendigo 4’ and ‘Eaglehawk 7’. After servicing the Hospital it heads along Nolan St, Holdsworth Road, Edwards Road, before completing a loop of the new suburb.

• 52 (Bendigo Station – Eaglehawk): Route 52 is designed to replace the current ‘Eaglehawk 5 & 7’ routes through North Bendigo & California Gully. The bus is re-routed to the hospital district via Pall Mall & Bridge St, from which it continues the existing ‘Eaglehawk 5’ route along Arnold St & Sandhurst Road, next traversing the Nelson St and Bright St housing commission area. The route goes on to service Eaglehawk Secondary College, plus the local cemetery, and is then rerouted via Butts Road, down to Simpsons Road, where it loops around McClelland Drive. It continues down Sailors Gully Road and Kirkwood Drive incorporating a small portion of the ‘Eaglehawk 3’, before terminating near the train station.

• 53 (Bendigo Station – Eaglehawk): ‘Eaglehawk 3’ is renumbered Route 53. This route, which has remained largely unchanged since the removal of trams to Eaglehawk, continues to largely follow the same alignment although the loop around Kirkwood Rd, servicing a retirement village, is now on Route 52.

• 54 (Bendigo Station – Maiden Gully): Route 54 is a ‘neighbourhood’ service, replacing much of the current ‘North Bendigo 4’ and ‘Maiden Gully 15’. The bus now continues up View St, before looping around Buckley St, winding its way back onto Eaglehawk Road, and onto Calder Highway. From there it heads directly out to Maiden Gully's Robin Hill housing estate, travelling past the Bendigo Stadium (replacing part of the existing ‘Golden Square 6's’ north end). The route then loops Maiden Gully's main housing estate, although on a more streamlined alignment.

• 55 (Bendigo Station - Kangaroo Flat): Route 55 is set to replace the current ‘Kangaroo Flat West 2’ route along with the western part of ‘Golden Square 6’. The bus now heads along View St up to Barnard St, then Chum St, Specimen Hill Road, Symonds St & Aspinall St, eliminating the indirect loops of the current Golden Square 6. The bus then continues a more direct version of ‘Kangaroo Flat West 2’, rerouted along Olympic Parade, Thomas St & Duke St. Upon heading down Queen St the bus continues via Crusoe Road and Furness St replacing the slight deviation in the current Kangaroo Flat 1 route.

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• 60 (Bendigo Station – East Bendigo): The proposed 60 replaces the current ‘East Bendigo 9’ with the removal of a 'loop based' coverage, with refined bi-directional service. The new route follows Mitchell St, Pall Mall, Chapel St, McIvor Road, Kennedy St, Charleston Rd, Stickland Rd, Murphy St, Lloyd St, Crook St, McIvor Road, with a loop around Pratts Road, Strickland Road and Powells Avenue in the Mayfair Industrial Estate. The industrial area north of Strickland Road, adjacent to Bendigo Airport, will no longer receive a bus service.

• 61 (Bendigo Station – LaTrobe Uni): This route replaces the current ‘Strathdale 14’ and has been renamed to more appropriately represent its terminus, although continues to follow the same path as today.

• 62 (Bendigo Station – Spring Gully): The existing ‘Spring Gully 12’ service has become an indirect feeder service, re-routed via Pall Mall, Chapel St, McIvor Highway, Murphy St, and St Aidans Road to Kennington; then Edwards Road, Ellis St, Curtin St, Strathdale to La Trobe University. From there the new route heads down Keck St, Neale St, Osborne St, Cook St & Retreat Road, before terminating in Mandurang Road.

• 63 (Bendigo Station – LaTrobe Uni): This replaces the current, and somewhat indirect, medium frequency ‘La Trobe Uni 11’ route with a higher frequency, direct service timed to connect with trains to/from Melbourne. The operates via Mitchell St, Mollison St, Williamson St, Townsend St, Curtin St & Keck St.

• 64 (Bendigo Station to Golden Square): This new route replaces the eastern parts of low patronised, indirect ‘Golden Square 6’ route, whilst filling the current coverage ‘black hole’ in Quarry Hill. The new route travels via Mitchell St, High St, Myrtle St, Russell St, Houston St, Somerville St, Carolin St, Carpenter St, Gordon St, Byron St, Belle Vue Road, Laurel St, Mac Dougall Rd, Hollow St, Young St, Stani St, Tucker St, Hattam St & Oak St. Unfortunately, the Calder Hwy terminus fails to serve any local attractors, with passengers forced to transfer to Route 5 to reach Kangaroo Flat Station or Linsell Square Plaza, a missed opportunity for the network to provide more direct access to the rail network from these areas, with passengers required to backtrack north towards Bendigo.

• 70 (Bendigo Station to Strathfieldsaye): The existing ‘Strathfieldsaye 16’ has been refined with the current loop around Strathfieldsaye North scrapped. Instead, the route has been extended to cover the rapidly growing housing estates off Guys Hill Road. It assumed that the route will continue to be operated by Whitmore’s (who trade under the banner Strathfieldsaye Transit). Christians operate all other routes within the Bendigo network.

. PTV advises that the McIvor Transit services to McIvor and Heathcote will not change, nor other ‘shopper’ routes feeding Bendigo from surrounding towns. Detailed frequency information has yet to be provided for the new network in Bendigo, with PTV citing that most routes will run “every 30 or 60 minutes”. Highlights of Geelong’s new network include: • More direct routes, including to Deakin Uni’s Waurn

Ponds campus • Buses from Geelong’s northern suburbs feed into trains

at North Shore, reducing backtracking to North Geelong or Geelong

• Removal of confusing ‘one-way’ loops • Improved frequencies with several routes running at 20

min intervals all day on weekdays, including to the growing surf-coast town of Torquay

• A new route numbering system to make identifying local routes easier

• Improved co-ordination with trains • New coverage for Curlewis & Leopold Lara residents will be served by an expanded local feeder network compromising of: • 10 (Corio – Lara): A direct service between Corio Village

& Lara along Forrest Road, replacing the current 12, which current deviates as a town service. It is not clear if buses will continue onto Geelong – currently buses continue along the Route 30 alignment along Thompsons Road.

• 11 (Lara –Lara East): Replaces the Rennie Road section of Route 12 in Lara

• 12 (Lara –Lara West): Replaces the Lara West section of Route 12 in Lara, with expanded coverage to Grand Lakes Estate.

Lara services are proposed to operate every 20 – 40 mins on weekdays – it’s not clear if a final headway is yet to be finalised, or whether buses will alternate intervals similar to timetables for bus meeting 20 min trains around South Morang & Epping. Routes serving Geelong’s northern suburbs include: • 20 (Geelong – Corio): Replaces the current Route 10

along Melbourne Rd south of Corio Village. Route 23 replaces the Rosewall portion of the route. The current Route 11, with it’s deviation around North Shore is replaced by extensions of other routes and the new 24. Services will be downgraded to 40 mins on weekdays and hourly weekends – currently buses on Route 10 alone run every 20 mins, plus 11 once an hour.

• 21 (Geelong – North Shore Station): Proposed to absorb the current 12 & 30 along Thompsons Road. It travels via Autumn St in Geelong West rather than narrow Albert St. Buses no longer continue north to Corio via Plantation Road, but instead hook-around to travel to North Shore Station to provide a more logical train connection. Weekday frequencies remain every 20 mins.

• 22 (Geelong – North Shore Station): The northern half of the existing Route 45 is tied up, running directly along Anakie Rd before the current route via West Corio. The deviation to Braund Avenue is axed - passengers can catch Route 25. After reaching Corio Village, buses continue onto North Shore Station for more direct rail access. The new 20 minute frequency on weekdays will provide a big boost to the north of Braund Avenue.

• 23 (Corio – North Shore Station): The northern ends of 10, 11 & 12 in Corio and Rosewall are to be replaced by a new local service, although Purnell Road & Hendy St lose service in favour of a new coverage along nearby Princes Hwy. It is not clear if buses will through-route onto Geelong’s CBD at Corio Village. As per the current 10, services operate at 20 minute headways on weekdays.

• 24 (Geelong – North Geelong Station): This route takes parts of currently unrelated routes, namely 11, 35, 36 & 51, and strings them together to provide ‘neighbourhood’ service, bringing buses onto Noble St for the first time in modern times (previously buses in that area ran via Aphrasia St, and still do at school times) before taking over the Minerva Road route (current 51) and then running across to North Geelong station. Frequency is every 40 mins (increased from every hour) and provides a new connection to trains from North Geelong.

• 25 (Geelong – Bell Post Hill): The McCurdy Road bus (Route 50) gets shifted from Autumn Street to Aberdeen Street (replacing current 36 out/35 in) before following the current route and then making the Braund Ave extension full-time (which also compensates for the

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removal of selected 45 trips). Weekday frequency increases to every 20 minutes from (depending which part of the route) every 30, 60 or 80 minutes.

Significantly, services departing Geelong Station will travel via the Moorabool St interchange before heading north – currently buses are through-routed with services from the south, picking up at Moorabool St then Geelong Station. In is also of interest that consultation material suggests only every second train will stop at North Shore off-peak – this means many routes will run twice as frequently as connecting trains. Directly to the east of Geelong’s CBD, residents will be able to travel on one of three local routes: • 30 (Geelong Station – Whittington Square): The

Newcomb bus (Route 55) loses its loop format and gets extended via Solar Dr (replacing part the current 45) to Whittington Square. Weekday daytime frequency drops from half-hourly to every 40 mins. There would appear to be an opportunity for services to be timetabled to return to Geelong as Route 31.

• 31 (Geelong Station – Whittington Square): The Whittington bus (Route 62) sees some consolidation with the Breakwater bus (current 61) as far as the Whittington Five Ways before also losing its loop format and running around St Albans Park and terminating at Whittington Square. Again trimmed back from roughly every 30 mins to every 40 mins.

• 32 (Geelong Station – Leopold): The existing Route 77 subsumes much of Route 45 in East Geelong. Hopefully it will be scheduled together with the new Drysdale 61 service, meaning a 20 minute headway for many residents.

South-western residents of will be served by: • 40 (Geelong – Deakin Uni): Much like the new Route

24, this route draws together a couple of existing route sections and introducing a new link. In this case, parts of both the Whittington & Breakwater buses (current Routes 61 and 62) not already served by Route 31 are linked via the Breakwater Bridge with a mixture of the Deakin University via Grovedale buses (current 19 and 20) serving Marshall Station and Burleigh Dr but skipping Waurn Ponds Station. Buses run hourly during the week (matching frequencies on some sections and dropping from roughly every 30 minutes on others, albeit in areas close proximity to more frequent services). Unlike every other route in the new network, 40 will not run on weekends.

• 41 (Geelong – Deakin Uni): Replaces the current Route 17 in East Belmont on a more direct path before being extended from Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre to Deakin Uni via Waurn Ponds station, replacing the southern segment of today’s Route 19. Weekday frequency gets a boost from every 60 minutes to every 40.

• 42 (Geelong – Deakin Uni): Replaces much of Route 16 along with parts of the current 14 & 15. The service travels along Moorabool St, Belmont Shops, Mt Pleasant Road, Morris St, Roslyn Road, South Valley Road, past Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre, Pioneer Road, Burdoo Drive, Heyers Road, Waurn Ponds Station & Ghazeepore Road. Boosts all round during the week to every 20 mins from every 30 mins (Geelong City to Highton) or hourly (beyond to Deakin).

• 43 (Geelong – Deakin Uni): The current 34 bus to Buckley Falls steps up to take over from the Pakington and West Fyans St section of the Newtown Loop (current 35 / 36) as well as extending via Thornhill Rd to Deakin Uni (replacing current 16), thus now encompassing a large part of Newton & Highton. Wandana Heights remains without direct coverage, presumably due to its poor road layout. Surprisingly 43

operates direct down Mount Pleasant Rd, completely missing Highton shops. Weekday buses run every 40 minutes - a boost for the Buckley Falls section but a drop from every 30 minutes for the Thornhill Road section (albeit a short walk from the more frequent route 42).

• 44 (Geelong – Deakin Uni): The majority of Route 14 has been straightened along Princes Highway and now incorporates the limited university days Deakin Express, now stopping all stops and running every 20 minutes (up from every 60 mins for both routes). The route will provide a direct link with the Waterfront campus of Deakin Uni, and it will be interesting to see if the university reviews their private Cube service travelling between both campuses.

The existing three routes serving the surf-coast towns of Jan Junc & Torquay are proposed to be consolidated as two: • 50 (Geelong – Jan Junc): Serves the eastern

developments in Torquay before looping Jan Junc, replacing the 73 town route and limited peak-period 72 link to Marshall Station. In central Torquay, buses appear to run directly along The Esplanade, skipping Torquay Central on Bristol Road.

• 51 (Geelong – Jan Junc): Largely replacing Route 74, bus enters Torquay directly along Surf Coast Highway, then operating via the Central Torquay shopping precinct before continuing onto the same loop in Jan Junc as Route 50.

During peak periods, each route will operate every 40 mins, providing a combined 20 min corridor into Geelong, while off-peak services will run every 80 mins (combining to 40 mins). Weekend services are hourly – it’s not clear if this will provide a half-hourly link, or whether both routes will meet the same train to Melbourne. A streamlined network of four routes will provide coverage to those living across the Bellarine Peninsula: • 55 (Geelong Station to Ocean Grove): The current

Route 80 via Barwon Heads will take over the Thacker St section of Route 82 (Ocean Grove – Queenscliff) providing western Ocean Grove residents better access into Geelong. Buses run every 60 minutes.

• 56 (Geelong Station to Queenscliff): The Queenscliff via Ocean Grove bus (current 76) becomes the sole route between Geelong and The Borough, with the existing 75 (Geelong Station – Queenscliff direct) & Route 82 (Ocean Grove – Queenscliff) discontinued. Weekday frequency is every 90 minutes.

• 60 (Geelong Station to St Leonards): Renumbering of Route 79, running every 40 to 80 mins.

• 61 (Geelong Station to Drysdale): This is a new route complimenting Route 60. It runs along down the Bellarine Hwy to Leopold before cutting back up to Portarlington Rd, serving new estates in Curlewis and then picking up the local Clifton Springs bus (current 78). Buses run every 40 mins during the week, which should allow it to be off-set with Route 32 between Geelong & Gateway Plaza in Leopold.

The Queenscliff via Bellarine Hwy (current 75), Cross-Peninsula (current 81), Ocean Grove - Queenscliff (current 82) and Geelong - Ocean Grove via Wallington (current 83) buses all go - the first mainly replaced by route 56 (but missing the holiday park at Marcus Hill), the third by both routes 55 and 56 and the last only running a couple of times a day serving Wallington – Ocean Grove Rd. Passengers wanting to travel between Drysdale & Ocean Grove will need to travel at least to Leopold and change buses, although the frequency may be better than the roughly 120 minute interval of the current direct service.

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The proposed changes are indeed quite radical however do not appear to have generated a flood of negative comments from residents in either city, unlike the proposed changes by Transdev. No doubt readers will be keen to see what changes (if any) are made between December’s consultation and final implementation. (With many thanks to local enthusiasts Caleb Ellis (Bendigio) and Alex Csar (Geelong) for their extensive reviews of the proposed changes.) Changes to proposed Wyndham network Expanded route descriptions for the upcoming Wyndham network changes were released on PTV’s website in early January. Differences from the network presented during consultation include: • Route 151 has been altered to terminate at Tarneit

station instead of Werribee Plaza, avoiding duplication with Route 170 on Derrimut Road and now parallels Route 150 along local roads.

• Route 161 has been altered to run down Parramatta Road and Derwent Road instead of straight along Tarneit Road, similar to today’s Route 436. Riverdene Estate was originally to be served by Route 181.

• Route 167 now approaches Werribee Plaza from Barber Drive instead of Westmill Drive.

• Route 181 now approaches Werribee via the current Route 446 along Heaths Road west of Tarneit Road then into Greaves St North, however bypasses the dog leg into Rowes Road.

• Route 191 has had a minor change in Wyndham Vale to service the Wyndham Vale Super Clinic on Ballan Road.

Transdev subbies to Crown In late January, Transdev announced that additional unadvertised stand-by trips would be added to their popular Eastern Freeway commuter services during peak periods to cater for expected increase demand following the reduction of Zone 1+2 fares to the price of Zone 1 fares. Most freeway routes already operate every 10 minutes or less. PTV has agreed to fund extra buses to cater for additional freeway services, however these extra buses are not due to arrive until mid-year. In the interim, Transdev has subcontracted several school runs to eastern suburbs charter & school bus operator, Crown Coaches, who are expected to operate the following services for the next two terms: • 8000: 0737 Warrandyte Bridge - Balwyn High School • 8025: 0755 & 08:05 Heidelberg – Marcellin College • 8028: 0714 Box Hill – Marcellin College • 8061: 0755 The Pines – Whitefriars College • 8060: 0826 Mitcham – Whitefriars College • 155a: 0650 & 0712 Warrandyte Bridge – Kew Schools • 160a: 0710 Park Orchards – Kew Schools Services after school continue to be operated by Transdev, as the school & commuter peaks are staggered, making stand-by buses available.

Crown Coaches previously operated route services for the state government under former trading name Hawthorn Bus Service until late 1987, before selling these runs to Ventura. They also briefly operated the 609 service to Royal Talbot in Kew following the unexpected death of Allan Pollard in the late 1990s, before Dysons assumed the contact for this run. On multiple occasions during January, Transdev were observed running their late 1980s M.A.N. SL200, Ansair Mk2 vehicles on Eastern Freeway services, including the DART SmartBus routes, which also saw a higher than usual number of buses in PTV colours. It is not known the reasoning behind the appearances, as during school holidays Doncaster depot should have had adequate spares. Transdev Customer Information Survey Onboard posters are promoting an online survey by Transdev Melbourne examining their customer information channels. The survey seeks thoughts on their current QR code trial, and how passengers seek information on timetables, maps, trip planning, next service departures, disruption information, service changes, identifying where to get off and navigating connections to other modes.

Route 501 timetable recalled PTV has issued a reprint of the timetable for Kastoria Route 501 (Moonee Ponds – Niddrie) dated 27 July 2014. This replaces the original print-on-demand timetable dated 25 January 2010 which was recalled after your bus editor noted the weekday timetable panels towards Moonee Ponds incorrectly showed times for the opposite direction! John Usher awarded OAM Prominent bus proprietor, John Usher was among those honoured an Order of Australia medal on Australia Day, to acknowledge his contribution for his service to public transport in both Victoria and Tasmania. During his time as employee and director at Croydon Bus Service and Invicta from 1945 until selling in 2001, Usher oversaw a number of service innovations, including one of the most successful roll-outs of on-demand bus services internationally, TeleBus. He also trailed an Invictacab service, introduced LoRider services on Routes 664 & 670 in the mid 1990s, (which saw frequency & route upgrades without government support using smaller buses), the wide-spread roll-out of midi-sized buses for feeder routes and implementation of the Victorian Travelcard scheme. During the 1980s he served as presidents of the Victorian Bus Association & Australian Bus and Coach Association. He also served on the board of the Melbourne Metropolitan Transit Authority along as an advisory member of the Federal Transport Industry council. In Tasmania, Usher founded Tasmanian Wilderness Travel in 1989. In 1997 he became involved in Tigerline Coaches, now Tassielink Transit as owner and later managing director until his recent but well deserved retirement. Thanks to: Jason Blackman, Alex Csar, Caleb Ellis, Steven Haby, Peter Kane, Caiden Mullen, Alex Smith, Roger Wheaton & various contributors on Australian Transport Discussion Board.

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REVIEWS “Breaking the code” by Brian Schmidt, US Trains magazine, February 2015, pages 46-53, provides an explanation of how the seven major North American railroads use train symbols as control mechanisms for their complicated freight operations.

Worth looking at is the new Getabout Australia tourist and travel website www.getaboutaustralia.com.au, produced by ATA member David Lewis.

The article “Re-nationalisation of British railways?” which appears above is summarised from Railway Update no. 1/2015. Railway Update is published six times a year in English by Minirex of Switzerland. It provides a superb

summary of railway developments in Europe. It often includes articles about timetables. Cost is €69.8/CHF57.8 per annum. It is highly recommended. See www.minirex.ch/railway-update.aspx

The article about non-Amtrak intercity passenger trains in the US was triggered by an item in Passenger Train Journal. This is a high-quality magazine devoted to reporting and advocating passenger trains in North America. It often features illustrations of timetables. It is published quarterly by White River Productions. Subscriptions are $US30 per annum. It is highly recommended. Details are at www.whiteriverproductions.com

ODD SPOT UK Chiltern Railways online and printed timetables include a table listing the busiest 30 minutes at each station for lengthy queues.

About Table Talk Table Talk is published monthly by the Australian Timetable Association Inc. (Registration No. A0043673H) as a journal of record covering recent timetable news items. The ATA also publishes the Times covering timetable history and analysis. Contributions are invited and are very welcome. Please send these to the appropriate Editor. ABN 74248483468.

Editor, Rail and Tram, Air, Ferry: Victor Isaacs, abvi@iinet.net.au, 11 Blacket St Downer ACT 2602. Editor, Bus: Craig Halsall, craig.halsall@gmail.com, 27 Edithvale Road Edithvale VIC 3196. Production and Mailout: Geoff and Judy Lambert. Proofreaders: Agnes Boskovitz, David Cranney and Geoff Hassall.

Original material appearing in Table Talk may be reproduced in other publications but acknowledgement is required.

Membership of the Australian Timetable Association includes monthly copies of the Times, Table Talk, the Distribution List of timetables, and the monthly Auction catalogues. The membership fee is $60 (Adult) and $36 (Junior) pa. Membership enquiries should be directed to the Membership Officer, Michael Smith, at volvob10m0007@hotmail.com

Back issues of Table Talk are available on the Australian Timetable Association’s website, austta.org.au, after three months.

Table Talk Newswire is an advance monthly email of Rail news. To obtain this, ask the Rail Editor at abvi@iinet.net.au