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In Melbourne at least it seems like the system is run exactly at capacity. If one train has to stop at a platform for 3 minutes extra because of a signal fault

In Melbourne at least it seems like the system is run exactly at capacity. If one train has to stop at a platform for 3 minutes extra because of a signal fault or a sick passenger, every train on that line (and probably 2 other lines) for the next 3 hours is critically fucked. It seems like there's no leeway in the timetables to make up lost time, and no extra trains parked in the outer suburbs (morning) or CBD (afternoon) to make up services.

toomanybeersies 8y ago
The other day my train had to wait for 5 minutes just outside Flinders St station because didn't have a platform to park the train at. Flinders is a real bottleneck, if the flow starts to stutter there, everything falls to bits. Upon saying that, Melbourne's trains are usually pretty good, over 90% on time. It's the buses here that I have issues with. The timetable at the stop is completely useless, and the app is not much better. Sometimes the PTV app says the bus will arrive in 1 minute, and it arrives 5 minutes later.
- wavegeek 8y ago
  > over 90% on time While true, this is a factoid. 1. Some trains never run. For the commuter this is like a very late train. You need to add the "did not run" numbers to the late trains to get a total effective lateness figure. 2. Some trains run but are so full you cannot get on them. Try catching a train from Prahran to the city at 8am. Nonetheless, this counts as an on time service. 3.On time is defined as anywhere from 1 minute early to 5:59 late. To me six minutes late is not on time. 4. The fraction of late trains is much higher in peak hour, when more people are affected. So the effective late % is higher than it looks at face value.
  - nazgul17 8y ago
    Anecdotal, sure, but I find about 9 in 10 trains are online and boardable. Frankston and Werribee lines, off peak. I hope the new lines that will bypass the city will help decongestion the network.
- sumedh 8y ago
  > It's the buses here that I have issues with. There are the famous phantom buses, the App says it will arrive and then at the last moment it just disappears.

toomanybeersies 8y ago

The other day my train had to wait for 5 minutes just outside Flinders St station because didn't have a platform to park the train at. Flinders is a real bottleneck, if the flow starts to stutter there, everything falls to bits. Upon saying that, Melbourne's trains are usually pretty good, over 90% on time. It's the buses here that I have issues with. The timetable at the stop is completely useless, and the app is not much better. Sometimes the PTV app says the bus will arrive in 1 minute, and it arrives 5 minutes later.

wavegeek 8y ago
> over 90% on time While true, this is a factoid. 1. Some trains never run. For the commuter this is like a very late train. You need to add the "did not run" numbers to the late trains to get a total effective lateness figure. 2. Some trains run but are so full you cannot get on them. Try catching a train from Prahran to the city at 8am. Nonetheless, this counts as an on time service. 3.On time is defined as anywhere from 1 minute early to 5:59 late. To me six minutes late is not on time. 4. The fraction of late trains is much higher in peak hour, when more people are affected. So the effective late % is higher than it looks at face value.
- nazgul17 8y ago
  Anecdotal, sure, but I find about 9 in 10 trains are online and boardable. Frankston and Werribee lines, off peak. I hope the new lines that will bypass the city will help decongestion the network.
sumedh 8y ago
> It's the buses here that I have issues with. There are the famous phantom buses, the App says it will arrive and then at the last moment it just disappears.