Trains

I hate how Australian transport is one big national joke. The other day I was at the city and was trying to get home. All of a sudden, the train stops at Stratty and they tell everyone to get off for track work. No forewarning. So we all got off and went to check the timetables for trains. No timetables. There was only one train leaving Stratty and that was to return to the city. So pretty much I had to trek back and forth for over two hours before I got home. No wonder everyone calls cityrail shittyrail.

Now you'd think that the government would be investing in measures to improve our public transport system. I wish. No, instead they're spending money on some machine that sits on top of the ticket barriers telling you when you can remove your ticket. Thank you. For the past few years, every time my ticket popped up, I've been standing in front of the barriers going no where because I didn't know when to remove my ticket. 

^ taken off google 

Obviously, investing in these "indicator screens", as some people are calling them, is a waste of money and is pretty useless. All this talk about Australia being a growing and ageing population means that developments need to be made to cater for these changes. Apart from service efficiency (for example in Hong Kong, trains come every 5 minutes), we need more carriages with more room so that more people can fit. If you've ever taken a train to the CBD during rush hour, you'd know that there is no such thing as personal space when you're literally squished like a pack of sardines in the train. This has got to be a safety hazard, especially if the train ever encounters a problem whilst underground. We also need to cater for the elderly. More and more people are growing old. While all the younger people can stand around and get knocked into each other as the train moves, the elderly folk probably need to sit. Not only that, we have to account for the jerks who don't give up their seats for those in need and like to take up 3 seats for 1 person.

Ok, so I don't want to fully dismiss the government's efforts. Them having to live in Canberra when parliament's in session is punishment enough. Kidding. The fact that they have track work means they're trying, and I applaud that. But they just seem to be going about it the wrong way. 

Heads up Miss Prime Minister. Elections are drawing closer.