Anyone that uses Sydney’s CityRail network knows it’s crap. Trains run late, get canceled, change stops, become delayed in the rain etc. You name it, it probably happens.

The problem is that the NSW state government hasn’t been developing infrastructure to match the population growth. The rail network has remained relatively unchanged in decades whilst the number of commuters has skyrocketed.

The problems are compounded with bad road traffic, increased tolls and mumors of closing down private traffic in the city CBD which only increase the users of public transport.

In a grab for money the ticket prices increase yearly, without significant improvement on the quality of the service. I would also like to question why the travel pass cost of going to the north shore skips a tier of pricing and is hence twice what a similar commute is from other areas of Sydney. Because I live in a “richer” part of Sydney I should have to pay more for my public transport?

I have a bittersweet feeling on the new CityRail penguin posters informing commuters to use common sense when catching the train. Half of me congratulates them on teaching what seems to be every idiot that standing in front of a newly arrived train is stupid, as no one can get off the train. I would publicly warn all morons that do this to avoid that 6’1 guy with a pissed look on his face, that’s probably me, and I will knock you out of the way and it will hurt you more than me. Moral: let people off the train, don’t try and rush on before everyone is off. Also telling people to move evenly along the platform to avoid congestion, this is good but is more a reflection of how overcrowded and crap our service is.

Peak hour trains should be arriving every 5 minutes. Please goto London and experience the Tube. While not the most pleasant train network, it runs on time.

I’m now going to be late for work. Thanks CityRail.

Ps I like how the new trains inform school kids to give up their seats for fare paying passengers. I used to do it, why can’t they do it now?