Whilst Transdev is not exactly a glowing exemplar of a transport operator, it should be pointed out that it also provides operations under contract in other states including WA and NSW with no apparent problems that I know of, at least in the bus field (i.e. trams in Sydney excepted). I think the problem lies more with the quality of governance by PTV and various Victorian state governments over time.

Incidentally, I just discovered rather belatedly that Perth also provides free travel on all trains and buses within its defined city central area (not just on the CAT buses), like Melbourne. It doesn't seem to have the overcrowding problem that Melbourne has, being an operation in a completely different league of proficiency to any of the eastern state systems.

Tony P
---InTramsDownUnder@..., <mcloughlin.dj@...> wrote :

Greg Sutherland linked from The Age:

>Transdev is at the halfway mark of a seven-year contract that Public Transport Victoria said would usher in a "generational transformation" of Melbourne's under-utilised buses, with better and more reliable services and increased passenger satisfaction.Instead, it has mostly failed to meet the performance benchmarks in its contract,

Ahuh. I wonder why?

> while its key proposal for improving performance – a new bus network with redrawn routes and timetables http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/hundreds-of-bus-services-in-melbournes-west-and-north-face-being-cut-to-service-citys-east-20150413-1mk1no.html – has been blocked by the Andrews government.

Well, well,well, well. Fascinating to find that gem buried in the story.

And no I am not being party political. After several premiers since I left Melbourne, I honestly don't know who Andrews is or what party he/she is from. I'm closer to Sydney matters these days.

david the dunce in Wellington, where Gladys was on the wireless this morning