Oh btw, sorry for not replying to comments! I'm going to save my full responses for the follow up in a week or two! You guys have lots of great suggestions and some of them I really like!
Some great suggestions. You said it yourself though; “peak hour fares are just an additional tax on commuters”. Bingo. That’s why they won’t get rid of it; they want money :(( I think something needs to be done to make stopping patterns easier to read. The scrolling screens are so annoying to read, you have to wait so long for it to scroll by.
Last week the government announced the abolition of half price fares after 8 journeys on Opal cards. I live close to the city and use public transport daily and this usually costs me approx $40 weekly. Without the half price fares my transport costs will increase to the $50 weekly cap every week, which is a 25% increase, or $500 per year. The same government is introducing a reduction in tollroad costs. It really is outrageous that in 2023 we have a government subsidising car users by increasing costs to public transport users.
I think the door buttons could take some inspiration from Transperth. Having the buttons operate like lift buttons (press it between stations and the door will open when you reach the station) would probably make them easier to implement than when they tried latches the first time with the Tangara.
(from sa) The airport fee is genuinely so annoying I tend to just get the 350 to Mascot and get a train from there, or just take it all the way into Bondi Junction. save 15 bucks for a cheap meal anyway lol
5 of the 8 lines run semi-express, express or skip stop patterns on their lines.They should have slightly more detailed line diagrams on each platform that illustrate the various stopping patterns of the line, like they do in Tokyo. I think platform screen doors could be added to some stations. This would not only have the obvious safety benefits but also increase boarding times as well as trains accelerating and deaccelerating (or faster passing non-stopping trains) into platforms.
Like all the takes honestly, execpt for maybe decreasing peak hour to same level. Maybe by half the way to the off peak still gives some insentive even if its not that many. Anyhow, here are Some suggestions for sydney Trains. Theres quite a few 1. On the new PID (passenger information screens) on Oscars and Wharatah series 2 , add the Line you are on aswell as the colour. E.g. SCO, CCN, T2, T1 etc) and as a follow on 2. On PID's at stations, tell us what type of train you are catching. This may seem like only helpful for people really into trains but it can help people who for whatever reason hate a certain train or a certain train is not as accessible 3. Show where the Train is on the PID's (this might be to crammy but would be cool) 4. At major stations as it prob would be to expensive at every station, add touch screen board where you can look up where to go (like in Westfield's for example) [so it would be tripview on the platform] 5. Add USB's to all new suburban trains. It can just be on side and not in between seats and not even proper power sockets, just the USB (like metro) 6. Have quiet carriages extend to Suburban trains. It works well in intercity and i feel like it would work well in suburban trains too (execpt in school times) 7. Add luggage racks above the seats in the vestibule on all trains theres no harm not having them Hope these are good and i enjoyed the vid
Off peak and weekend services to all stations on the T4 line to be at least every 15 minutes. Having a 30 minute service to stations like Arncliffe, Banksia, Carlton and Allawah is pretty bad.
Although the intercity trains have buttons on their doors, they are rarely used, which is a shame. The only time I have seen them being used is on a hunter railcar at Maitland.
I'd be wary of removing the airport fee too soon, as the line is already often extremely busy and doesn't have the proper space for luggage (even a carry-on), families on top of prams, wheelchairs and bikes too. I'd argue the line needs a major re-think, because I don't think double-deck trains are cutting it when it comes to taking passengers with luggage in busy times. The vestibules get rammed whilst the seating areas are relatively empty, because of the stairs. As for using buttons to open and close doors, it seems many Sydneysiders are allergic to the idea of actually having to open a door - I already see this on V Sets, and occasionally trams where it used to be more common but due to complaints (post-pandemic) drivers open all doors at all stops anyway where they can. Personally, except in the case of HCMTs here in Melbourne, I just hold the button down to open if there is one to get that sweet, sweet microsecond early mark off the tram or Metro train.
8 car trains on the T5 line during peak hours! This line is very overcrowded in the peak and runs with 4 car trains. It's the only line that actually has shorter trains in the peak hour compared to weekends when it is run with 8 car trains.
I think that next-train indicator boards should distinguish between different service patterns on a line. Currently there's a box that say whether a train is "All Stops" or "Limited Stops", but this often isn't enough to know if a train is stopping at the station you want to go to, so you have to read the full list of stations. Having standard designations for different service patterns on a line would make it clearer at a glance which train you need to get on. One way this could be done would be to introduce a letter for each service pattern, for example T2A could be the limited-stop service to Leppington and T2B could be the all-stop service to Parramatta. However, this would be complicated by the many odd services that run, for example the inconsistent stopping patterns at Homebush, Flemington, and Clyde on this line. Simplifying service patterns so there aren't as many odd skip-stop situations would probably be a good idea, though this may fall outside the range of small suggestions since it would require a significant change to timetabling.
Train frequency should be increased on weekends, and most of the trains should be all-stops trains. I think a lot more people would catch trains on the weekend if they could rely on services every 10 minutes, which is certainly not the case for smaller stations like Banksia and Arncliffe on the T4 line which are skipped by most trains. But even with the lower frequency and limited stops trains, most trains I catch to the city on the weekend are full of people. So after making the weekend trains more accessible by stopping at more stations, frequency should increase as well to cater for the demand.
Colour coding trains for routes would be nice but impossible due to the city circles design, better accessibility for sections of the network that are kinda bad, duplication of the Richmond line and making them not all stop to parramatta, abolish the t2 connection to parramatta and instead make it where both t1 and t2 can stop at granville instead where alignment can be easier, and allow t5 gain more frequency, and last but not least, extend the conversion of the bankstown line to sefton so you can actually have a proper connection with metro and the main line instead of having an awkward shuttle, it has space to be modified to do so
The incessant reminder announcements at railway stations, particularly city circle stations. Bong bong bong stand behind the yellow line, bong bong bong stand clear of the doors, bong bong bong hold onto your stroller, bong bong bong don't touch left luggage, bong bong bong smoking is not permitted, etc etc. At times these seem to just keep on coming every thirty seconds, over and over. I call it "Nag Rail" instead of City Rail.
I'm actually sure tbh, because the video I used that shows off the D set buttons said they would switch over, but I've not seen anything else to confirm it. I was going ot mention it in the video, but cut it out. Either way, they still have the buttons.
@@CityConnectionsMedia yeah it’s a shame to have the buttons present but non-functional. In the most recent deed document is where they reference that the buttons will no longer be used. Not sure if the document is available to the public though.
I was pretty disappointed the other day when the airport line was down, and the replacement bus cost me the same amount despite having no seating available and I had to juggle large heavy bags when travelling overseas to see family
That's pretty bad, I'd honestly submit a complaint on the basis most trackwork buses are not programmed or even fitted with Opal readers set up for train fares. My last trackwork trip to the airport was express to Central and 'free'.
I reckon scrapping the current sydney trains overhead departure boards in favour of the metro styled boards would be beneficial. Not only are the current boards placed in awkward angles and in not so good spots of visibility but also the fact they scroll is a pain, especially if you're not familiar with a service. The metro boards are even being implemented at stations like Sydenham, so why not just scrap the overhead boards in favour of placing metro styled boards outside spots like station entrances? Hell, the system could be easily placed in non electrified lines as due to it being an LED board with bluetooth connection
The most annoying thing about the airport surcharge is that 85% goes to the government anyway, so the private operators only get like $2 of your fare. There's no point for it to be as high as it is
I am surprised only one person has mentioned the annoying nanny announcements mainly about safety issues. You don't have to be waiting for very long to hear a substantial percentage of the whole repertoire repeated. Most of us have used the trains more than once so we don't have to hear them again. Berlin public transport has to cater for people who don't speak German so announcements are kept to the important ones. You soon learn what they mean. I yearn for their simplicity.
Just been travelling a bunch on the trains with an international mate It's been.... interesting I will say those bloody video adverts with the speakers need to be ripped out. It makes things far too hard for someone who's first language isn't English.
Whoops you covered those.... yeah they need to go. The RTA years back thought about having video adverts in NSW and shot it down for being totally stupid.
I totally agree with everything you have here Unfortunately all of these have been talking points for us folks in TfNSW for years. We definitely need people to pressure politicians for these things.
Slight tax increase but then make all public transport and car rego free. This makes it fair for road and public transport users. It would encourage use of public transport use. But above all we stop wasting money paying for 800 wankers to wander up and down trains saying “daaah… got an opalll carrrrd” plus the cost of maintaining all opal equipment. Think about the millions of dollars spent administering ticketing & car rego, money that just doesn’t need to spent if all cost are just covered by tax. A counter point might be that tourist don’t pay but we spend millions on advertising tourism so if Sydney gets known globally as the free transport city that in itself will counter any lost revenue.
Luxembourg has free public transport throughout the country which is about the same size as the Sydney Metropolitan Area. Tourists contribute to the cost via a €2 per day per adult bed tax on short-term accommodation. To be fair to non-Sydney residents of NSW either all public transport in NSW should be free and covered by a tax increase across the state in communities with access to a minimum standard of public transport or any tax increase to pay for free transport in Sydney should only apply in the Sydney Metropolitan Area.
OScar Button is Useless now the buttons don't work it just Open automaticaly You forgot the V set they dont Open automaticaly you need to pull the door open
I would first of all, add reversible seating to the D Sets. Next install PIDS on the V & T Sets so they can run along their replacement increasing capacity. Then I would convert the metro lines to train lines. I would modify a few Waratahs to make a new fleet of trains just to make the network not as boring.
The Metro Tunnels are not wide enough to be converted to double deck, the V sets are being retired and can't fit (as in we dont have enough yard space) to run them alongside the d sets. Adding reversable seating to the D Sets would just cause the roll out to be even longer. (Although a good consideration for future refurbs). And modifiying Waratahs "to be more interesting" is hardly a worthwhile spend of public money.
Oh btw, sorry for not replying to comments! I'm going to save my full responses for the follow up in a week or two! You guys have lots of great suggestions and some of them I really like!
all good! hope to see it :D
Some great suggestions. You said it yourself though; “peak hour fares are just an additional tax on commuters”. Bingo. That’s why they won’t get rid of it; they want money :((
I think something needs to be done to make stopping patterns easier to read. The scrolling screens are so annoying to read, you have to wait so long for it to scroll by.
Melbourne's PIDs are slowly getting more colourful, and could be a good template.
1. Platform screen doors on the airport link
2. Public Tranport Oriented development
3.More access to shops from stations
Last week the government announced the abolition of half price fares after 8 journeys on Opal cards. I live close to the city and use public transport daily and this usually costs me approx $40 weekly. Without the half price fares my transport costs will increase to the $50 weekly cap every week, which is a 25% increase, or $500 per year. The same government is introducing a reduction in tollroad costs. It really is outrageous that in 2023 we have a government subsidising car users by increasing costs to public transport users.
I agree, it's an absolute disgrace
I think the door buttons could take some inspiration from Transperth. Having the buttons operate like lift buttons (press it between stations and the door will open when you reach the station) would probably make them easier to implement than when they tried latches the first time with the Tangara.
(from sa)
The airport fee is genuinely so annoying I tend to just get the 350 to Mascot and get a train from there, or just take it all the way into Bondi Junction. save 15 bucks for a cheap meal anyway lol
5 of the 8 lines run semi-express, express or skip stop patterns on their lines.They should have slightly more detailed line diagrams on each platform that illustrate the various stopping patterns of the line, like they do in Tokyo.
I think platform screen doors could be added to some stations. This would not only have the obvious safety benefits but also increase boarding times as well as trains accelerating and deaccelerating (or faster passing non-stopping trains) into platforms.
Like all the takes honestly, execpt for maybe decreasing peak hour to same level. Maybe by half the way to the off peak still gives some insentive even if its not that many.
Anyhow, here are Some suggestions for sydney Trains. Theres quite a few
1. On the new PID (passenger information screens) on Oscars and Wharatah series 2 , add the Line you are on aswell as the colour. E.g. SCO, CCN, T2, T1 etc) and as a follow on
2. On PID's at stations, tell us what type of train you are catching. This may seem like only helpful for people really into trains but it can help people who for whatever reason hate a certain train or a certain train is not as accessible
3. Show where the Train is on the PID's (this might be to crammy but would be cool)
4. At major stations as it prob would be to expensive at every station, add touch screen board where you can look up where to go (like in Westfield's for example) [so it would be tripview on the platform]
5. Add USB's to all new suburban trains. It can just be on side and not in between seats and not even proper power sockets, just the USB (like metro)
6. Have quiet carriages extend to Suburban trains. It works well in intercity and i feel like it would work well in suburban trains too (execpt in school times)
7. Add luggage racks above the seats in the vestibule on all trains theres no harm not having them
Hope these are good and i enjoyed the vid
Off peak and weekend services to all stations on the T4 line to be at least every 15 minutes. Having a 30 minute service to stations like Arncliffe, Banksia, Carlton and Allawah is pretty bad.
Although the intercity trains have buttons on their doors, they are rarely used, which is a shame. The only time I have seen them being used is on a hunter railcar at Maitland.
I'd be wary of removing the airport fee too soon, as the line is already often extremely busy and doesn't have the proper space for luggage (even a carry-on), families on top of prams, wheelchairs and bikes too. I'd argue the line needs a major re-think, because I don't think double-deck trains are cutting it when it comes to taking passengers with luggage in busy times. The vestibules get rammed whilst the seating areas are relatively empty, because of the stairs.
As for using buttons to open and close doors, it seems many Sydneysiders are allergic to the idea of actually having to open a door - I already see this on V Sets, and occasionally trams where it used to be more common but due to complaints (post-pandemic) drivers open all doors at all stops anyway where they can. Personally, except in the case of HCMTs here in Melbourne, I just hold the button down to open if there is one to get that sweet, sweet microsecond early mark off the tram or Metro train.
8 car trains on the T5 line during peak hours! This line is very overcrowded in the peak and runs with 4 car trains. It's the only line that actually has shorter trains in the peak hour compared to weekends when it is run with 8 car trains.
I think that next-train indicator boards should distinguish between different service patterns on a line. Currently there's a box that say whether a train is "All Stops" or "Limited Stops", but this often isn't enough to know if a train is stopping at the station you want to go to, so you have to read the full list of stations. Having standard designations for different service patterns on a line would make it clearer at a glance which train you need to get on.
One way this could be done would be to introduce a letter for each service pattern, for example T2A could be the limited-stop service to Leppington and T2B could be the all-stop service to Parramatta. However, this would be complicated by the many odd services that run, for example the inconsistent stopping patterns at Homebush, Flemington, and Clyde on this line. Simplifying service patterns so there aren't as many odd skip-stop situations would probably be a good idea, though this may fall outside the range of small suggestions since it would require a significant change to timetabling.
Perth has indicators which indicate the pattern, which could be W, P, or K in the case of the Joondalup line
Train frequency should be increased on weekends, and most of the trains should be all-stops trains. I think a lot more people would catch trains on the weekend if they could rely on services every 10 minutes, which is certainly not the case for smaller stations like Banksia and Arncliffe on the T4 line which are skipped by most trains. But even with the lower frequency and limited stops trains, most trains I catch to the city on the weekend are full of people. So after making the weekend trains more accessible by stopping at more stations, frequency should increase as well to cater for the demand.
Colour coding trains for routes would be nice but impossible due to the city circles design, better accessibility for sections of the network that are kinda bad, duplication of the Richmond line and making them not all stop to parramatta, abolish the t2 connection to parramatta and instead make it where both t1 and t2 can stop at granville instead where alignment can be easier, and allow t5 gain more frequency, and last but not least, extend the conversion of the bankstown line to sefton so you can actually have a proper connection with metro and the main line instead of having an awkward shuttle, it has space to be modified to do so
T9 service’s should be upgraded for Parramatta with duplication between Homebush and North Strathfield Station
The incessant reminder announcements at railway stations, particularly city circle stations. Bong bong bong stand behind the yellow line, bong bong bong stand clear of the doors, bong bong bong hold onto your stroller, bong bong bong don't touch left luggage, bong bong bong smoking is not permitted, etc etc. At times these seem to just keep on coming every thirty seconds, over and over. I call it "Nag Rail" instead of City Rail.
The push-to-open buttons will not be functional on the D sets. All doors that are alongside a platform will open, similar to Waratahs.
I'm actually sure tbh, because the video I used that shows off the D set buttons said they would switch over, but I've not seen anything else to confirm it. I was going ot mention it in the video, but cut it out. Either way, they still have the buttons.
@@CityConnectionsMedia yeah it’s a shame to have the buttons present but non-functional. In the most recent deed document is where they reference that the buttons will no longer be used. Not sure if the document is available to the public though.
I was pretty disappointed the other day when the airport line was down, and the replacement bus cost me the same amount despite having no seating available and I had to juggle large heavy bags when travelling overseas to see family
That's pretty bad, I'd honestly submit a complaint on the basis most trackwork buses are not programmed or even fitted with Opal readers set up for train fares. My last trackwork trip to the airport was express to Central and 'free'.
I reckon scrapping the current sydney trains overhead departure boards in favour of the metro styled boards would be beneficial. Not only are the current boards placed in awkward angles and in not so good spots of visibility but also the fact they scroll is a pain, especially if you're not familiar with a service. The metro boards are even being implemented at stations like Sydenham, so why not just scrap the overhead boards in favour of placing metro styled boards outside spots like station entrances? Hell, the system could be easily placed in non electrified lines as due to it being an LED board with bluetooth connection
The most annoying thing about the airport surcharge is that 85% goes to the government anyway, so the private operators only get like $2 of your fare. There's no point for it to be as high as it is
You forget the other part.. it also subsidises not having a surcharge at Green Square and Mascot.
maybe extend a branch of the existing airport line to to new western sydney airport?
Literally and if they do this and abolish the airport surcharge they could do airport transfer between the two airports
I am surprised only one person has mentioned the annoying nanny announcements mainly about safety issues. You don't have to be waiting for very long to hear a substantial percentage of the whole repertoire repeated.
Most of us have used the trains more than once so we don't have to hear them again. Berlin public transport has to cater for people who don't speak German so announcements are kept to the important ones. You soon learn what they mean. I yearn for their simplicity.
Just been travelling a bunch on the trains with an international mate
It's been.... interesting
I will say those bloody video adverts with the speakers need to be ripped out. It makes things far too hard for someone who's first language isn't English.
Whoops you covered those.... yeah they need to go. The RTA years back thought about having video adverts in NSW and shot it down for being totally stupid.
I totally agree with everything you have here
Unfortunately all of these have been talking points for us folks in TfNSW for years. We definitely need people to pressure politicians for these things.
Damn, the airport surcharge went up since you posted this video. By almost 2 bucks!
I'd like to point out that you actually get charged ~43% more during peak, you have to invert the 30% discount, which is even more garbage
>:/
Slight tax increase but then make all public transport and car rego free. This makes it fair for road and public transport users. It would encourage use of public transport use. But above all we stop wasting money paying for 800 wankers to wander up and down trains saying “daaah… got an opalll carrrrd” plus the cost of maintaining all opal equipment. Think about the millions of dollars spent administering ticketing & car rego, money that just doesn’t need to spent if all cost are just covered by tax. A counter point might be that tourist don’t pay but we spend millions on advertising tourism so if Sydney gets known globally as the free transport city that in itself will counter any lost revenue.
Luxembourg has free public transport throughout the country which is about the same size as the Sydney Metropolitan Area. Tourists contribute to the cost via a €2 per day per adult bed tax on short-term accommodation. To be fair to non-Sydney residents of NSW either all public transport in NSW should be free and covered by a tax increase across the state in communities with access to a minimum standard of public transport or any tax increase to pay for free transport in Sydney should only apply in the Sydney Metropolitan Area.
“ordered soon” that means it’s within the next 10 years
OScar Button is Useless now the buttons don't work it just Open automaticaly You forgot the V set they dont Open automaticaly you need to pull the door open
I would first of all, add reversible seating to the D Sets. Next install PIDS on the V & T Sets so they can run along their replacement increasing capacity. Then I would convert the metro lines to train lines. I would modify a few Waratahs to make a new fleet of trains just to make the network not as boring.
The Metro Tunnels are not wide enough to be converted to double deck, the V sets are being retired and can't fit (as in we dont have enough yard space) to run them alongside the d sets. Adding reversable seating to the D Sets would just cause the roll out to be even longer. (Although a good consideration for future refurbs). And modifiying Waratahs "to be more interesting" is hardly a worthwhile spend of public money.
@@SYDTrainsFilms I mean to make different A Aets with Extra PIDS on the outside
If you travel say less then say 10km you shouldn't have to pay