Comments on: Sydney’s Metro Line goes down the gurgler http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/10/31/sydneys-metro-line-goes-down-the-gurgler/ now with extra source Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:48:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: John M http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/10/31/sydneys-metro-line-goes-down-the-gurgler/#comment-15936 John M Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-15936 i live in the north west of Sydney, fortunately close enough to the Richmond line so that I can catch trains. The North West metro was always a silly idea. It's bad enough having to change trains without having to change modes of transport, in fact, I have spent longer waiting for a connecting train than it takes me to drive to work.<br />I don't think either side of NSW politics can cover themselves in glory over Sydney trains, remember Barry O'Farrell was secretary to the then transport minister when the restrictive M2 agreement was drawn up.<br />The Parramatta-Chatswood link was a really good idea, giving trains from the west another way to the city, and giving an alternative to the M2 carpark. Unfortunately, Dr Evil cancelled the Parramatta-Epping part of the link, partly to appease those who wanted to protect Parramatta Park. This part of Parramatta park is a paddock. Parramatta station has been redeveloped minus the necessary platforms. Another group prevented the Epping-Chatswood part of the link using a bridge over the Lane Cove river to protect an overgrown tennis court. Result? 2 stations not being built and track too steep for most trains to climb. What are we getting? OSCAR interurban trains running a shuttle Chatswood -Epping. Its like running Greyhound buses from Circular Quay to Central. i live in the north west of Sydney, fortunately close enough to the Richmond line so that I can catch trains. The North West metro was always a silly idea. It’s bad enough having to change trains without having to change modes of transport, in fact, I have spent longer waiting for a connecting train than it takes me to drive to work.
I don’t think either side of NSW politics can cover themselves in glory over Sydney trains, remember Barry O’Farrell was secretary to the then transport minister when the restrictive M2 agreement was drawn up.
The Parramatta-Chatswood link was a really good idea, giving trains from the west another way to the city, and giving an alternative to the M2 carpark. Unfortunately, Dr Evil cancelled the Parramatta-Epping part of the link, partly to appease those who wanted to protect Parramatta Park. This part of Parramatta park is a paddock. Parramatta station has been redeveloped minus the necessary platforms. Another group prevented the Epping-Chatswood part of the link using a bridge over the Lane Cove river to protect an overgrown tennis court. Result? 2 stations not being built and track too steep for most trains to climb. What are we getting? OSCAR interurban trains running a shuttle Chatswood -Epping. Its like running Greyhound buses from Circular Quay to Central.

]]> By: Tom McLoughlin http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/10/31/sydneys-metro-line-goes-down-the-gurgler/#comment-15937 Tom McLoughlin Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-15937 Mmm, John M, you quite know your stuff by the reading. I know about the 2 stations and bridge at Lane Cove River. Tennis court, ouch! <br /><br />Reaching back to the M2 signing (upon which construction site I was arrested for peaceful protests around 1996) is excellent stuff. Do comment more often! Mmm, John M, you quite know your stuff by the reading. I know about the 2 stations and bridge at Lane Cove River. Tennis court, ouch!

Reaching back to the M2 signing (upon which construction site I was arrested for peaceful protests around 1996) is excellent stuff. Do comment more often!

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