Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
[quote user="endeavour"] Thanks for that info!! Here in Oz, most of our commuter services are state government provided, except in Victoria where it is privately run, with massive government subsidies. For years the governments have been scaling back our passenger, and freight rail networks to the point we need a massive reinvestment in infrastructure. Builiding housing estates with no public transport links have been proven a big failure, cutting regional transport has also not worked out. But there are signs thay it may be chaning, with a return to service of a day train to Bathurst, 240km's from Sydney, with hopefully more to come. We have also been fed the line that the bigger the car, the cooler you are. Now with our fuel prices going up, and other costs too, our love affair with our cars are starting to sour!! [/quote] I lived in Melbourne from 1999 to 2004. I did not own a car, although my employer would have provided me with one if I had wanted it.  Instead I relied on Melbourne's excellent tram and bus system, as well as the commuter rail lines, for travel in and near the city. Also, I used the V Line for travel within Victoria. I rode most of the national trains, including the Indian Pacific, The Ghan, and The Overland, as well as the QR's Spirit of the Outback from Longreach to Brisbane.  Also, I rode the Tilt Train from Brisbane to the Whit Sundays. It was a great ride. I don't know whether it is still true, but at the time there was a screen at the front of each car and a camera in the nose of the front unit that made it possible to watch the track as the train progressed.  It was really neat at night. I return to Melbourne every 12 to 15 months to visit friends.  This year I am planning a trip for November. Although I am not much of a horse race fan, one of my friends has convinced me to go to the Melbourne Cup. I usually fly into Sydney and then take the Country Link XPT to Melbourne. My friends don't understand why I fly into Sydney and then take the train to Melbourne. I just like riding trains, but it is hard to explain to people who are not train buffs.  Australia has an excellent public transport system. It is also a great country.   Cheers, Sam
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag