Great Western Coffee Shop

Hi everyone, been away for a few weeks and as part of my time I spent a week or so in Sydney, NSW. All the newspapers and TV news forever hammering the poor state of the trains but as an outsider I couldnt help but make the followig observations.

NSW trains consist of a city and suburban network which merges fairly seamlessly into the country and interstate network.

1. Trains departing on time to the second over most of the suburban network.
2. typical fares to the suburbs of A$6 return (^3) for a 30min/30km journey, uncrowded off peak, crowded during the 5-6pm peak, all trains AC seemed to work. Whilst trains not particually fast much faster then driving.
3, Some fantastic sunday walkup fares, A$2.50 per person for a family fun day ticket to include al buses, ferries and trains in the network....we did a bus/ferry and 2 hour train up into the Blue mountains for a day trip. Regular trains well into the evening despite being a sunday.
4. In the inner city part of the nework trains every 10min or better, in the suburbs every 30min or better offpeak, every 15min or better during peak.
5. Simple highly visible fare structure which works well with very efficient ticket machines.
6. All electric and very quiet. Additional lines stil being opened.

7. Much lower population. ;)

8. MUCH higher subsidies    ;)