What do we do about Connex? (Part One)

Its not hard to appreciate the immense fustration of train travellers in Melbourne right now. I'm lucky in that I use trams, which are an excellent mode of transport, and have got a lot better since privatisation.

Its quite grating to hear me write that - that something could get better since privatisation, but in the case of Melbourne's trains and trams this is the case. Figures published in The Age today (not avilable online) show that since 1998-99, the last year of public operation of the system, reliability and cancellations have improved.

For trams, the difference is marked, with relibaility up from 67.3% to 83.9%. Cancellations are down from 1.5% to 0.2%. In trains the performance is more mixed. Reliability has remained the same 94% compared with 93.9%, though train cancellations down from 1% to 0.5%.

On almost all measures the operators Yarra Trams and Connex have exceeded the benchmarks acheived by the old Public Transport Commission.

Only in one benchmark has the syetem not improved - public transport is costing us more that in 1998-99 then today. The former Kennett Government model of privatisation promised a decreasing subsidy, the gap which would be met by the companies (then four) improving patronage and services. This was flawed and by 2002 the syetm pretty much collapsed financially when National Express, who operated M>Train and M>Tram, pulled out.

The model of privatisation was then completely re-worked. Indeed what happened next could be construed as nationalisation. V>Line was taken back into public hands. Control over timetabling, ownership of rolling stock, planning of services, extensions and new initiatives was taken back into government control. The Government then contracted out the operation of the system to two companies, Yarra (who runs the trams) and Connex (who run's trains).

More realistic subsidies have been offered, services have been increased and a common network wide branding managed by a new body, Metlink Melbourne, has been established.

But like all, the Government and the operators have been stung by history. It is to the sharp end of history's bite that the next part will turn to.