The Trams

Talk about boring topics on which I am posting but I feel I have to say it. This morning another train I was taking was delayed again, this time not as bad, only 5 minutes. But then when I got to the tram stop at Melbourne Central, swanston st, there was not a tram for at least 10 minutes. The trams along this major thoroughfare should be up each other's arses, but as I looked over the horizon down the street there was none. By the time one finally arrived the tram stop was packed with people and as a result the tram was chockers. Luckily I maneuvered my way to the front and got a seat, but after two stops, the tram stopped and couldn't get its back doors to shut. FAULTY TRAM. The driver tried over and over again to close them, but they wouldn't. So he got out of his cockpit, walked to the back and pushed them, then hit them, then opened the little hatch above them and fiddled around. He then hit them some more. At this stage I had missed the start of my lecture. They then magically shut and we started off again. At the next stop the doors opened and the driver said, "Last Stop!" We all got out grumbling. So I walked. Yay.

There is a great punishment for the train and tram service in Melbourne. If they are late a certain amount of times then the public gets subsidised. Well sort've. If the trains and trams are late an incredible amount of times. More times than any sane person would consider acceptable. Then those people with a monthly or a yearly ticket get a single daily ticket as compensation. If you have a daily or a weekly you don't get shit. It makes sense I guess. Although I'd prefer that they take all the money from these stupid fines and invest in new trams and trains. Then they should sack the minister for transport, sack the director of Connex in Melbourne, and replace them with competent and intelligent individuals.