In 1965, The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader published a feature by Tom Mead rebutting claims by NSW Transport Minister John McMahon (ALP) that all available electric carriages were in service during peak hours. As evidence, a photograph of trains stationed on sidings at East Hills during the evening peak period.
It is typical in Sydney to argue that trains are overcrowded, whether it was in the 1960s or now. The question the article raised was why couldn't additional services be provided to reduce the overcrowding. The East Hills Line was the focus, arguing that the idle trains could have made one return trip each from East Hills to the City.
Mead would be elected as a State MP for Hurstville two months later, holding onto the seat until 1976.
Source: Mead, T. 1965. "Electric trains idle as people fight for hold". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, March 3: 1.
Source: Cityrail. 1991. "The times they are a changin'." (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph Mirror, December 17: 22.
Source: Nance, J. 1992. "Rail commuters rattled". The Sunday Telegraph, January 12: 16.
Any change to public transport timetables in Sydney will always incur at least some criticism or controversy. It may affect one line or route or the entire network.
Given that trains are our more patronised mode of public transport in Sydney, any changes to timetables will impact more commuters than buses and ferries, and hence receive more attention. Changes to train timetables often flow onto bus timetables where bus routes connect with rail services.
You may remember the changes from a particular year, because they may have impacted you directly.
In 1992, I was seven years of age and being a child did not have to rely on trains to get around, but Cityrail made changes to its timetables, which at the time were controversial. This entry provides an overview of why.
Why a new timetable?
In 1991, the NSW Government decided to retire the red rattler trains due to safety concerns associated with open doors in their carriages, which was to be completed in 1993. Most of the remaining carriages were retired in January 1992 and were to be confined to the Bankstown and Inner West lines until their final withdrawal the following year.
Meanwhile, Tangara carriages (known as T set) were still being rolled out across the network following their introduction in 1988 and continued to be rolled out to suburban lines until 1994, with the outer suburban G set version rolled out in 1994 and 1995.
Also, Cityrail sought to increase services to outer suburban stations.
What were the changes?
Reduced off-peak services
Longer wait times for connections with other lines
An additional 2500 seats were made available for commuters during peak hours.
Reductions in peak-hour services on the Bankstown, North Shore and Western Lines
Additional services from Campbelltown to the Sydney CBD.
Reductions in services on the Illawarra Line.
Why the controversy?
As mentioned, services were reduced, longer connection times and reduced services on lines impacted workers, especially those who travelled in shoulder or off-peak periods.
For the majority of commuters, they were inconvenienced, whether it meant having to change trains, longer dwell (waiting times) or having to alter their travel times. Delays and cancellations also added to the difficulties experienced.
Despite an additional 2500 seats added to existing peak-hour trains, reduced service frequencies meant that trains were more crowded. Below are clippings from a special feature that was published in The Sydney Morning Herald on February 7, 1992 (page 4).
Transport advocacy group Action for Public Transport called for the restructuring of some lines to improve efficiency and hence capacity, such as the Bankstown Line and better turnarounds at Berowra.
Source: Anon. "Train service 'a mess'". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, January 22: 20.
The State Government was forced to act, altering timetables. The first round of changes was "small". Cityrail claimed to have received 26,000 calls, with many supporting the new timetable, especially the replacement of red rattler trains with modern carriages. Shadow Transport Minister Brian Langton (ALP, Kogarah) called for the timetable to be axed while the ALP had received thousands of complaints via a special hotline that they set up. Mr Langton himself was a rail commuter and saw firsthand for himself the impact it was having on his travels and those of his fellow constituents.
Source: Jones, S. 1992. "New review of Cityrail timetables". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, February 8:11.
Later that month, a further 100 changes to the timetable were to be implemented over the following months. Some services would receive extra carriages, while some services would be altered to either have more stops or fewer stops.
Source: McLean, S. "More tail changes to help commuters". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, February 24: 18.
Additional Reading
Action for Transport (N.S.W.). 1992. "New Cityrail timetable," Action for Public Transport (N.S.W.) Media Release Newsletter, no 1 (February 1992), https://www.aptnsw.org.au/newsletters/19921.html
In 2018, I wrote an entry on the arrival of Tangara Trains on Sydney's rail network as it had been thirty years since they commenced service. It is the most read entry to date.
I published a few of the newspaper advertisements in that entry, but have since found a few other newspaper advertisements worth sharing.
The first two are different versions of How far can a train go in 3 years?
Source: State Rail. 1988. "How far can a train go in 3 years?" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, January 13: 10.
Source: State Rail. 1988. "How far can a train go in 3 years?" (Advertisement). The Sun Herald, January 24: 135.
Source: State Rail. 1988. "Take a free ride into the 21st century" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, January 18: 10.
Source: State Rail. 1988. "Commuting: the shape of things to come" (Advertisement). The Sun Herald, January 17: 88.
Sydney's Tulloch carriages were the first double decker carriages to operate in 1964 on the rail network. They could also be integrated with the "red rattler" carriages.
A train comprising of only double decker carriages was still a decade away when this article about double decker trains was published in The Sun Herald in 1962. The first Tulloch carriages were intended to be on the rail network in 1963, but had to wait a little longer.
Reporter Bob Johnson visited the workshops at Rhodes and was shown around a concept model. As you read through the article, he presented a positive review of what Sydney rail commuters were expecting. Compared to double decker buses, navigating the stairs to either the upper or lower deck was never going to be a challenge.
And it was seen as addressing overcrowding and capacity constraints on the existing rail network, though studies in recent times suggest single deck trains have lower dwell times and henceforth, more trains can operate.
Most of the article from The Sun Herald (September 30, 1962) can be read below:
I will return to my series on the evolution of Westfield Miranda next week. Below is a CityRail (Sydney Trains) advertisement from 1990 that offered free travel on Sydney trains upon presentation of their drivers licence after 9am on February 8, 1990.
Source: CityRail. 1990. "On Thursday After 9am Travel Free Anywhere On This Page Just By Showing Your Drivers Licence. The Daily Telegraph, February 6: 12.
Fare evasion on Sydney trains has always been a constant problem. Below is a 1991 advertisement from Cityrail warning commuters if they cannot be bothered buying a ticket, Cityrail will give one out for you (which would be more expensive than the ticket you were meant to buy).
Even with Opal Cards, the message is still relevant in 2018. It is still fairly easy to evade, especially where a station has no ticket barriers. However, it is pleasing to note that ticket inspectors are on the trains more regularly than they were in previous years, which makes evading a fare a little harder.
Source. CityRail. 1991. "If you can't be bothered buying a ticket, we'll give you one" (Advertisement). The Sunday Telegraph, September 13: 131.
Above: How The Daily Telegraph reported on the strike in its second afternoon (Final) edition on September 29, 1999.
Sydney dodged a bullet several weeks ago when rail workers decided to pursue industrial action to demand a 6 % pay rise. It didn't occur as the Fair Work Commission ruled that the strike would hinder the ability of essential workers e.g. firefighters and teachers from attending work.
The current offer by the NSW Government is for a 4.6% increase in annual pay, $1000 bonus and free public transport.
Had the strike occurred, it would have been the first since 1999.
Let's look back at what happened, and for younger readers, an idea of what to expect should it collapse or if they simply want to walk off the job. Older readers would remember when strikes were normal during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
Above: Page 1 of The Sydney Morning Herald on September 30, 1999.
When did it happen September 29 1999 (Wednesday). This was a wildcat strike that was announced at 5pm, the day before giving people little notice to make alternative arrangements. Who was in government in 1999?
The Labor party, led by Premier Bob Carr was in government.
Why?
It was in response to plans to cut 300 station staff. There was a partial shutdown on September 24, 1999, which led to reduced or delayed services. Some lines had no services at all. Station staff did not report to work.
What was the impact?
Above: Coverage from the September 30, 1999 edition of The Daily Telegraph.
Cost the NSW economy approximately $1.5bn in lost productivity. Media reports for the intended January 2018 strike were $100 million, far below that of 1999. A rail strike today would definitely cost at least $2bn in lost productivity.
Retailers and offices were forced to close. Trade in city stores was well below normal.
The impact extended to Melbourne, where travelers were left stranded at Spencer Street (Southern Cross) Station.
Petrol Prices were reported to have increased.
Overcrowding on city buses.
Congestion on Sydney roads.
Source: Pearce, R. 1999. "Untitled" (photograph). The Sydney Morning Herald, September 30, 5.
The Sydney Morning Herald in its editorial of September 30 argued that while the NSW Government needed to justify the job cuts to station staff and supported public concerns over customer service, the strike was "unnecessary" it actually caused harm to the cause. Calling a wildcat strike only generated disruption but also didn't give commuters and businesses time to plan for the strike. How can one muster support if they intend to abruptly withdraw their services? Some will not accept strikes in any form because they feel that they have been punished in order to advance an individuals cause or because it ruins their routine.
Source: Anon. 1999. "Unnecessary rail strike" (editorial). The Sydney Morning Herald, September 30, 14.
Doesn't punishing the Government through a work ban or fare-free days seem fairer to muster the cause like they have a number of times in recent years. Services continue but the Government loses revenue?
Above: Coverage of the strike from the September 30, 1999 edition of The Sydney Morning Herald (Pages 4 and 5).
Source: State Rail. 1987. "It's Coming...Sydney's 21st Century train will be here for Christmas!" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, December 16: 39.
This year, Sydney's Tangara Trains turn 30.
Introduced into service on Sydney's rail network in 1988, they are the third generation of electric trains to enter into service.
At present, there are 447 carriages in service, more than any other model on the network. The fleet servicing the Illawarra and Eastern Suburbs Rail Line (T4) are virtually Tangara's.
The Wran Government announced in 1984 that they would purchase 450 new carriages to operate on the rail network. At the time, Barrie Unsworth was Transport Minister. Designs for the train were finalised the following year. Capacity would be approximately 2 200, compared with 2 050 on existing double decker trains.
Source: State Rail. 1988. "A ticket to the 21st Century" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, January 11: 6.
Tangara (Aboriginal word for "to go") promised 21st-century features and a number of firsts for Sydney Trains including:
Electronic Final Destination Indicators (eventually installed on S set trains).
Security Cameras
Air conditioning
Vandal Resistant features e.g. fixed seating which was not popular with commuters.
Better Seating and legroom
Bigger Windows
Reduced Noise inside and outside.
Smoother Acceleration and Breaking.
Above: Advertisement promoting the Tangara. Date unknown.
Some Tangara's were configured for intercity services providing toilets, reversible seating and luggage racks. However, when Tangara's were confined to suburban services in recent years, toilets were removed.
The Tangara made its first appearance on December 20, 1987, at Central Station. By now, Unsworth was Premier.
Source: Russell, M. 1987. "Transport on track for next century". The Daily Telegraph, December 21: 5.
On January 28, 1988 it made its first trip from Rockdale to Oatley.
Source: Nicholson, N. 1988. "Voters' express: tickets, please". The Daily Telegraph, January 29: 5.
It must be noted that Rockdale was in Unsworth's electorate of the same name and the most marginal seat for Labor in NSW. Oatley was in the margnial seat of Georges River held by Housing Minister Frank Walker. It was a good political ploy with a State Election weeks away.
Source: Anon. 1988. "Commuters give train thumbs-up". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, February 2: 5.
Sadly for Unsworth, Tangara's would not operate on timetabled services until just after the 1988 State Election which saw the end of 12 years of Labor Government in NSW. According to The Daily Telegraph, they commenced operating on timetabled services on April 12, 1988.
Source: Clark, S. 1988. "Tangara proves it's on the right track". The Daily Telegraph, July 20: page unknown.
The rollout of Tangara carriages continued until 1995.
Younger generations like mine (Generation Y) are accustomed to using late night bus services to get home from the city after a night out.
In the 1980s trains services did operate after midnight in Sydney. In 1989, the NSW Government made a controversial decision to replace late night rail services with Nightride Buses. It was in response to concerns over violence on trains at night but also to reduce operating costs.
Source: Nicholson, L. "All stations go for travellers: Buses to run taxi service". The Daily Telegraph, May 26: 5.
It was phased in two stages with a trial implemented on the Illawarra, East Hills and Bankstown Lines during June and July. By July, late night rail services on those lines ceased.
Source: Ministry for Transport (NSW). 1989. "Midnight to Dawn Services: Nightride" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, July 21: 19.
Below is a timetable that was published in The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader.
Source: Ministry for Transport (NSW). 1989. "Midnight to Dawn Transport Services: Night-Ride"(Advertisement). The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, July 25, 30.
Source: . Anon. 1989. "Night Trains replaced". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, June 6: 7.
The opposition were not too impressed. Shadow Transport Minister Brian Langton (ALP, Kogarah) raised concerns that buses would not cope with demand
Source: Philpott, P. 1989. "Nightride bus claim refuted by minister". The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, July 6, 2.
When initially announced, the reaction from late night commuters was not positive citing that buses added extra travel time, safety concerns and would be forced to travel in taxi's for some or all of their journeys. The article above highlighted a weakness in the Nightride System - Many stations missed out on Nighride services altogether. Note that Penshurst, Mortdale and Gymea have since been added to the Nightride Bus Network.
Those that were happy claimed that they felt safer on buses (research shows that you are less likely to be a victim of crime on a bus than a train).
By the end of the year, it had been introduced on remaining lines.
Source: Ministry for Transport (NSW). 1989. "Midnight to Dawn Transport Service: Nightride". The Daily Telegraph, October 27: 14.
One advantage of the Nightride Network was the ability for buses to serve suburbs without rail stations including Sylvania and the Parramatta Road corridor. Some suburbs with rail stations ended up having non station stops.
Fast forward three decades later, the Nightride Network has expanded. Services now operate from Town Hall to Richmond (N71) and Carlingford (N61) along with Railway Square to Bondi Junction (N100)
On February 23, 1970, the Indian Pacific Train went into operation and for the first time allowed for uninterrupted rail travel between Sydney, Adelaide, and Perth. Before 1970, one had to take five trains just to cross the country (and via Melbourne) on various gauges. The line completed a century-long vision to construct a rail line to link the eastern and western coasts of the continent. A lavish ceremony was held to mark the commencement of services at Central Station.
Source: Anon.1970. "On the first train to Perth: Indian-Pacific's big send off". The Daily Telegraph: February 24: 3.
Four days later, the train arrived to a big welcome in Perth with 10000 gathering at Perth Station for its arrival.
It has survived the jet age due to the experience that it is offered to travelers. While one can fly from Sydney to Perth in four and a half hours, a journey by rail allows one to see the many landscapes that shape our nation. The hospitality on board makes the journey a holiday in itself and has become regarded as one of the world's great rail journeys.
Today the NSW State Government announced plans to accquire 65 new trains to run on intercity routes serving the regions surrounding Sydney. The Unsworth Government (ALP) in 1988 announced that new "supertrains" were due to come into service by the end of that year. It never happened.
Source: Comeng. 1988. "Comeng to Supply Hi-Tech Inter-city Super-Train!" (Advertisement).The Daily Telegraph, March 3 :13.
Six years later we got modified outer suburban versions of the Tangara train with higher seats which could bend, luggage racks near the doors and toilets. They were merely scaled down from what was proposed. 2007 saw the introduction of OSCARS, which were really millennium trains modified again for outer suburban travel.
