tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3733068276391089692024-02-07T16:35:15.245-08:00Melbourne Tram DriverFollow me on twitter @MelbTramDriverUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-26290243486524021152013-09-17T20:04:00.002-07:002013-09-17T20:04:56.611-07:00Topical indeedAbout a week ago, @Nordette99 asked me a question via twitter<br />
<br />
"This might seem like an odd question, but why aren't there more female tram drivers? From the sounds of it, the job is well paid, pretty secure, etc... Just keen to hear your thoughts."<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In light of recent federal events, it's a good question. While I'll attempt to answer it as best as possible, I know some people may get offended by the very mention of gender. I'm not trying to piss anyone off, further an agenda or indulge in some sort of post-modern, women-hating commentary. The fact may well be that there are fewer female applicants to the job for whatever reason. I'm basing this on the premise that recruitment is done based on merit, as opposed to "we need more chicks". Oh, and the whole "gender/sex" argument has no place here. I'm using the word "gender", so deal with it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For starters, the transport industry traditionally has been male-dominated. Upwards of 90% of bus drivers in Europe are male (<a href="http://www.internationaltransportforum.org/jtrc/DiscussionPapers/DP201111.pdf">http://www.internationaltransportforum.org/jtrc/DiscussionPapers/DP201111.pdf</a> , p. 12. Yes, I'm citing shit). The same article cites bias in recruitment testing (that tends towards "male" characteristics) and a number of other issues. It's an interesting read, especially considering that Australia is a member of the International Transport Forum (p. 2). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Why would a woman chose to work in public transport, particularly Melbourne? Well, as @Nordette99 identifies, the position is secure, well-remunerated and with good conditions. What's not to like? Well, here's a list.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1. Working hours are shit. Yes, they are. But so are a number of customer service roles that seem to attract women, so this really isn't a valid reason. Think nurses. Besides, the job can be very taxing on anyone in terms of trying to score the right type of shifts. Most transport companies pretend to be family friendly, but that's bullshit. Longer shifts, longer hours, more time on the road and less pay. That should be enough to put people off regardless of gender. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2. Actual security. All those drunken scumbag passengers, who happen to be mostly male, don't tend to hit on male staff. In my experience, anyway. Now and then, drivers need to leave the cabin to change points or change ends. The idea of a group of drunks harassing anyone's wife, daughter or partner would be enough to make me talk them out of it. I've heard horror stories from female staff involving stalkers and all sorts of shit, so before you call me on my stereotyping, this actually happens. If you're a woman who's traveled on public transport, you probably understand what I'm talking about.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
3. If you see an industry that's mostly filled with men, you may chose not to work in that industry based on the amount of harassment you might encounter from colleagues. Yes, there are pieces of shit in any industry who will treat women poorly, and public transport is not immune. However, considering it's a "man's industry", why take the risk? Public Transport has an international history of being male-dominated. You could change conditions to make it appeal to more women, but that would cost money/reduce dividends. Having part-time staff was a thing of the past and these staff would only work between 6am and 6pm. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
4. 1975 was the year when women were "allowed" to drive trams (<a href="http://www.yarratrams.com.au/about-us/our-history/trams-in-melbourne/">http://www.yarratrams.com.au/about-us/our-history/trams-in-melbourne/</a>) . Yes, a whopping thirty-eight years ago. And this was after <i>decades </i>of fighting against it. The women who pushed for this put up with all sorts of shit. Yes, much of that can be put down as society at the time, but in an industry that lives on the mantra "that's the way it's always been done", you have to ask yourself how welcoming they might be. Granted, staff and policies have changed, but how many times have change been attempted, only to be thwarted by someone else because of that mantra? Oh, and as a reference point, Federation in 1901 gave women the right to vote (<a href="http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/the-history-of-parliament/womens-suffrage-petition">http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/the-history-of-parliament/womens-suffrage-petition</a>). One hundred and twelve years ago.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So aside from taking on the physical burden of shift work (that shortens your life), dealing with the public, driving in traffic, shitty government department and company policies, lack of state/federal government support and dealing with a company who considers you an expensive number, would you want to take on the challenges of a male-dominated industry?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The women I work with are for the most part wonderful people. They put up with even more shit that I do, but still manage to front up to work. They put up with some different cultural expectations from colleagues, as well as the usual stares and whispers men indulge in. If you're friends with a woman, you must be sleeping with her - that's the sort of attitude that sadly prevails in many sectors.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you're pissed at some of the things I've said, please understand that I've had to consider the experiences of women I know who work in the industry. I'm not actually a woman, so forgive me if I've got something very wrong. If you feel these are outdated views, you need to consider the industry and the lack of change throughout the years. If you live in 2013, try to picture 1984-5 and you should have some sort of idea.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Feel free to comment here, especially if you're a woman who's considered working in the tramways. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-60317050706197036452013-02-23T18:48:00.002-08:002013-02-23T18:48:22.741-08:00PSO WTF?<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recently there's been a bit of a debate surrounding PSOs arresting drunk people on public transport. I've been quietly amused by it, considering the role of the PSO is fairly limited to train stations. There's been no mention of that role expanding, so the generalisation is actually quite false. Yes, trains are public transport, but so are buses and trams. Wouldn't it be better to have them roaming the entire network, as @mttb123 suggested? Sure, keep them at the trouble spots, but quiet stations could free up PSOs to move about. Yes, great idea. But then it got me thinking about the current arrangements.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At the moment, there are now three groups of people who are used on public transport for the nitty-gritty law and order stuff. There are Transit Police. Horribly under-funded, rare to see yet amazing when they respond, they are cops. Police. Real police in a specialised unit. There are about 230 of them (according to lawstuff.org.au, that still lists Connex as an operator). I dare say this number would include managers, supervisors and admin staff who might not get out on the beat. Either way, if you take into account RDOs, leave and other such things, there aren't many of them considering the size of the network. I've met one in my entire driving career who managed to get a douchebag off the tram. He was awesome.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Next is Authorised Officers. Once again, lawstuff.org.au cites around 600 of them. While their powers are somewhat different compared with police (and yes, people tend to listen more when the person speaking is armed), their jobs are similar, though with less emphasis on investigation. RDOs, leave, etc can also errode the number "on the beat". I've had AOs on my tram off and on. I can go for months without seeing them, then have them every day for a fortnight. They tend to end up wasting a heap of time with paperwork though.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Finally, the new kids on the block are PSOs. They've been around for a while, but the decision to employ them at train stations saw 940 of them recruited. The decision to staff each and every train station from first to last was contentious. While it drew praise for having a uniformed presence on trains, it also exposed limitations. Could they provide assistance with regard to bus replacement services? What could they do? Were they really police? The same <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/do-we-really-want-semiautomatic-firearms-in-the-hands-of-train-patrol-officers-20110408-1d7mx.html">Age article</a> where I got the 940 from says that of the two-hundred stations, 45% of assaults occur in ten of them. One hundred and sixteen stations reported no assaults. While this narrow view (assaults are but one crime in the veritable buffet that happens on public transport) does suggest a targeted response would be better value, having such staff provides security for travellers across the system. It's more than just a matter of surgical strikes, but it's tough convincing today's bean-counters that old-fashioned customer service should include protection from rape, assault and robbery.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The point of this blog entry is this: why do we need (and pay for) three arms of service to effectively do the same job? You have nearly 1,800 staff. This will include managers, supervisors, payroll and all the other features that are duplicated in each arm. Each section will also have reems of associated legislation, legal teams, codes of practice, uniforms and everything else that adds up to a large chunk of cash that could be better spent. It seems wasteful that such finite resources (ie public transport funding) be diluted when one simple, understandable organisation can be established. I know the idea of having such a logical approach to public transport runs against the grain (what, with PTV, metlink, PTSV, Yarra Trams, Metro, numerous bus operators and so on), but as myki roll out has reminded us, keeping it simple and easy is a whole lot better than making it difficult, complex and having to teach each and everyone how to use it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And just a reminder - PSOs won't be arresting drunks on public transport. Trains and train stations, maybe, but don't let facts get in the way of a media beat up.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-58632284086999068262012-12-29T13:48:00.001-08:002012-12-29T13:48:36.108-08:00Happy New Year<div style="text-align: justify;">
Every year, a bunch of absolute bastards get together and squeeze blood out of a stone in order to get services running overnight for New Year's Eve. Rules are truly thrown out the window in order to accommodate such a massive demand. I will tell you now - every shift is absolute shit. Starting at all hours of the day and night with <em>every</em> driver rostered to work isn't nice. Working on a stinking hot night with squillions of passengers isn't fun either. Failing to learn from mistakes in the past doesn't help the situation either, but that's not as bad as it used to be.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, working on the trams sucks everything on NYE. When turning up to work, every driver checks out their shift to see if they're in the city at ground zero when the fireworks finish. Some years, a Matrix-style bullet dodge happens, but with most years you seem to end up in the shit with everyone else. Here's what often goes wrong:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1. As soon as the last firework finished, everyone runs to that first tram like it's a life raft on the Titanic. Why? Because nobody wants to get stuck with that massive crowd. But this is silly because trams are running all night. If you relax, take your time and wait 30-60 minutes, the crowds tend to disappear quite quickly. Yes, we all want to go home, but unless you want to crush yourself with a tram full of desperados, give it some time. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2. Due to the loading, doors malfunction and trams can break down. I've had the pleasure of having a door become defective on a trip out of town and yes, it's never the front door. Depending on how drivers approach it, you can get abuse or support. If you end up causing door problems, you can catch the tram behind. We're running all night long, and very frequently for a good period of time after NYE. Having repair crews who are only able to fix certain classes of trams posted at key points shared by many classes of trams is pretty shitty, too. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
3. Ground staff who haven't worked late with large crowds for 12 months can make or break a night. While most of the support staff can be awesome, there are a few who just aren't suited to the task. They lack patience and skill. We often see staff all yellow-vested up who we've never seen before, which is always a thrill. And posting huge numbers of staff at quiet areas is just plain stupid. Staff need to be able to move around and go to where the work is required. This comes down to inadequate supervision.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
4. After the event, drivers need to inform their managers what was great and what failed on the night. It's the only way to do something about it. Bitching about it to fellow drivers won't magically solve the problem (in fact, it makes it worse). Write a report about the good and the bad, and suggest some solutions. The same goes for members of the public. If something could be improved, let the company know. Fire off an email, give them a call, but do something. Same goes if something was awesome. It's nice to know our efforts to make it smooth go noticed (We usually get a stock letter from the CEO saying well done, but it's always the same).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While I'm sure everyone has their own stories of NYE hell, there are plenty of things that can be done to make the last night of the year bearable. If I don't see or speak to any of you on the night, have a safe New Year's Eve and all the best for 2013. If the myki apocalypse doesn't kill us before.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-20418049574157719262012-11-23T04:29:00.000-08:002012-11-23T04:29:02.510-08:00Lutte contre les feral<div style="text-align: justify;">
First off the bat, you'll be pleased to know that police have caught up with two of the lovely specimens who threatened the lady on the bus. Being fans of public transport, I'm sure you've already seen the footage. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_TadGjZZHN0pR9kLgT4Q0hJp7i5_0QfnCbPDGWRqTwV5lVZibySRZyB0l6gJFnHuc_rh0mfmb8UeBeSCHnYI5tzYiFddTeEPnrFGO8K33BXbmDoaYI5aMeOdISnfsLaMmE0HMfa8n6Y/s1600/ranters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_TadGjZZHN0pR9kLgT4Q0hJp7i5_0QfnCbPDGWRqTwV5lVZibySRZyB0l6gJFnHuc_rh0mfmb8UeBeSCHnYI5tzYiFddTeEPnrFGO8K33BXbmDoaYI5aMeOdISnfsLaMmE0HMfa8n6Y/s320/ranters.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Unfortunately, if you've been using public transport recently in the post-PM peak times, you've probably seen stuff like this. Eight hours in the cabin, I know I've seen it. Drunk, aggressive behaviour, usually targeting people who won't fight back (something that real men don't seem to bother with) and being so aggressive that people fear intervening. I've seen it both on and off-duty and the thing that seems to bother me is the fact that these people seem entitled to abuse others openly and without fear of anything. I've stopped my tram before to address passengers similar to these. I've refused to move until they're off. The tough part is that very rarely do I get support from other passengers. I don't blame them though - at least I'm getting paid to do it. However, the sad thing is that if I don't do anything, these people would waste no time complaining. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If stuff happens, coming forward as a witness helps so much, as it has in the bus case. Leaving your details with staff bolsters the case against the offenders. Don't be afraid to call 000 if things look like they might get ugly. I've called on my mobile regarding a vandal scrawling on my tram and the cops appeared right away, no questions asked. If they can turn up to Mr Texta Douchebag's crimespree, don't be afraid to do it. In fact, <strong>I encourage it</strong>. The only real way to improve safety on PT is to boost those stats that pollies and cops live and die by. Letting this stuff slide is not only condoning it, but it sends a message to Spring St that everything is OK on public transport and no further action is required. Or worse, our stats are down from last year, let's shit-can the PSOs. Not only do we want ferals off public transport, but we also want our public servants to know what happens on buses, trams and trains. If they actually used public transport, this might not be needed as much.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you're going to report things to the police, vehicles may have to be stopped and doors opened as part of procedure. If things get violent, people have a means to escape and the police have a pin-pointed position to attend. Yes, offenders can escape, but they usually do so on foot. MAKE SURE YOU GET A DESCRIPTION. This includes age, height, clothing, hair, manner, (hell, even if he/she touched off might help). You can supply the vehicle number and notifying the driver that you've called the police would be helpful (as he/she can contact Fleet Operations who can then contact the police - two calls are better than one). It's up to all of us to start fighting back against these social cancers and let them know that we're a decent society that doesn't tolerate racism or threats.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Let me ask you this:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What happens if that girl was you? Being sworn at, abused and threatened. If more people stood up to these bastards, took their photos or video and reported these things to the police, they wouldn't be able to strut around as though the world owes them something. If you were that girl, you would want someone to help you out. Mind you, the person there that needs the most help is the occupant of the pram.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-11229974630930405892012-11-07T18:51:00.000-08:002012-11-07T18:51:02.183-08:00Public Holiday ServicesFirstly, sorry. I've been slack and haven't had any entries here for about six months. Yep, pathetic. Well, I'm sneaking in a window, so make this count.<br />
<br />
<b>Public Holiday Services</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A common and consistent complaint about public transport services is the lack of service on public holidays (and some major events). Staff, vehicles, whatever. It can cause long delays and added frustration, particular in the summer months, where a shandy or two can shrink fuses considerably.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As a general rule, most public holidays are treated equally. They end up running a Saturday or Sunday roster based on a rather flimsy assumption that demand will be around that level. Sometimes extra services are run. Often you'll see on the trams that the first tram will operate as per normal weekday, with the following tram kicking in at the usual time for Sat/Sun. However, experience in the real world will tell you that not all public holidays or services are created equal. Melbourne Cup is a classic example, where services from the city to the course might have extra services, but elsewhere they may be running to a Sunday schedule. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But why not run extra services? Well, the main deterrent is price. Staff working on public holidays are paid at double time and a half, which can work out to be a very pricey exercise. Before you scream at union injustices and the like, consider that I've worked almost every Christmas Day for over a decade and every staff works New Years Eve. I can tell you now, 2.5 times my wages isn't enough to make up for the lost family time/additional drunken moron exposure). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Maintenance and other ground support staff are often skeletal as well, so any problems can get blown out of proportion very quickly. So next time there's a delay on a public holiday, try to bear this in mind.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rostering can also be a problem, with staff cooped up in an air-conditioned office coming up with marvelous schedules that look great on a screen, but suck on computer. We might get less running time in some parts due to the assumption that there's no passengers or traffic, or too much. For example, Saturday afternoon on Chapel St would normally see bumper to bumper traffic with plenty of time given to go from end to end. However, as it's a cross-city service, the number using it on, say Christmas Day, might be much less. So trams can end up with huge amounts of time, and little or no obstacles (passengers or vehicles on the road).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
False Rage is a phenomenon where passengers waiting for a regular service become angry because trams operating on a special timetable or running out of service turn up and can't be used. While the regular timetable might be running perfectly, the mere sight of an empty tram running on tracks (regardless of destination) is enough to break out the pitchforks and torches. Just ask passengers waiting for a #70 tram next to Rod Laver Arena during the football. Hundreds of trams running backwards and forwards to the city, but nothing for Wattle Park bar the usual services. Often, trams returning to the depot will run out of service (as per instructions), so depots on that side of the city like Camberwell can cop abuse. This isn't really a public holiday issue, but it can appear if there's a large delay between services, and along I come moving a tram from depot to depot.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So what to do? I often submit reports about public holiday events. I include the good, the bad and the ugly. Forms get submitted and I'll never hear about them again. Recently, I've actually given up. I don't want any accolades - I just want an acknowledgement that the feedback has been received. More effort goes into following up a complaint from a member of the public. That might be something worth considering next time you have dramas on the road. Just remember to submit them to Yarra Trams via their <a href="http://yarratrams.com.au/contact-us/getting-in-touch/customer-feedback/">website</a>. Please note the time, date, route, tram number and any additional information that would help.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The shit thing is that these public holidays happen every year. Yes, issues like first-time myki users might blow out problems now, but Anzac Day, Australia Day and New Year's Day happen every year (even though some passengers find this a shock). It feels like every year the same stone is wheeled out and from it a wheel is supposed to be invented. The lessons from previous years don't often seem to have been learned, let alone incorporated into a constantly-improving service. Now there's a novel concept!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-37082038071576600002012-05-16T20:09:00.001-07:002012-05-16T20:09:14.434-07:00BitchingNow and then I'll check out #yarratrams and see what the general mood is across the twitter PT network. Usually it's bad, but this morning something caught my eye. It happens to come from George Salpigtidis (@salheraldsun), the Sports Photographer for the Herald Sun.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Shouldn't @yarratrams indicate b4 stopping. Not when doors open? Why can't ALL stops be painted #visibility #notrocketscience #safety 1st"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Cue a rather brief discussion where I bet the author had been driving and failed to stop, using his tweet to mask blaming someone else in the name of "safety". My response did include "If you don't like driving with trams, buy a Melways". This is my response to anyone who bitches about being stuck behind or held up by them. If we drove down every street, these complaints would actually make sense. Instead, it's just a lazy motorist having a moan. I can't confirm if the author is a motorist or a tram passenger, but either way he's brought up an interesting point. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There is no obligation for trams to let cars know they are stopping. In fact, as far as I know, no vehicle is subject to this requirement. It should be patently obvious a tram is about to stop, as it will SLOW DOWN. Tram stop or not, a tram slowing down is a pretty decent indicator that there is someone using the tram, or there's a reason to stop up ahead. Most motorists don't need anything more than this to let them know what's going on, although we've all seen the special cases where one person in a car is willing to risk the lives of others in order to pass.</div>
<div>
That said, as I driver I'm one of those who activate my hazard lights as I'm slowing down to let others know I'm stopping. This is COURTESY, not road law. For our indicators to be activated in this way, it has to be done manually. Many drivers don't bother, because a slowing tram SHOULD mean slowing cars behind. When the tram stops and the doors open, the hazard lights are activated automatically. By this stage, vehicles behind have stopped. That is, the drivers who are awake and attentive to their environment.</div>
<div>
It has been requested numerous times that hazard lights should be connected to the "Next Stop" light/button to help motorists out. This is a great idea, as it's easier to see those boarding than those alighting. But there's the rub: the presence of pedestrians is the greatest reminder to those less intelligent that they must stop. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The requirement to stop is completely up to the motorist, and as a good rule, if the trams slows down, so should the other vehicles. If that's simply too complicated or demanding on the small-minded, selfish motorists out there, they are free to use the millions of kilometers of roads out there that don't have trams on them.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Over the years, I've got out of my tram and given a dose to cars that don't stop. I've had time to get out of the cabin and slap their windows as they pass - yes, they're that stupid. I don't do any of this anymore, as it's not company policy, nor have any passengers backed me up. Reports to police need witnesses, and I can do the right thing and make the tram late by getting details, or I can stay on time. I can stay behind after work and complete the paperwork during unpaid overtime, or I can leave the job of traffic enforcement up to the police themselves. In short, the system we have as tram drivers is designed to deter reporting at every stage.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One common defense is ignorance of the law (Queensland don't have too many trams). To a certain point it's fair enough, however if you go tear-assing past a stationary tram, surely you would expect people to be around. Do they slow down? No, very rarely.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Back to the author. The question of all stops being painted is an interesting one. Various attempts across the system to make things consistent and safe have failed over the years. Looking along Sydney Rd, Brunswick, you will see red paint on the road where there are tram stops, indicating to cars that this is a stop. Why wasn't this adopted across the entire system? It's true- some tram stops are poorly signed. However, going back to my earlier statement, a tram slowing down should be the only indication that's needed that something is going to happen. But then what about an incident between stops? Yep, covered. A TRAM SLOWING DOWN IS ALL YOU NEED TO HELP YOU. If you need more than this, you probably shouldn't be operating a motor vehicle. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Finally, I'm quite used to the Herald Sun making assumptions about things, especially public transport. If you're going to use your employer's name in your twitter name, it's difficult to defend your tweets as "your own". Making assumptions about public transport and then bitching about it is not the sign of an educated person. Next time, try ASKING why things happen: you'll find that many of us are much more helpful. If you're still wondering why I dislike the Herald Sun, feel free to read up some of my earlier posts about Andy Blume. What he did was wrong, but the process of his dismissal and the poor standard of "journalism" displayed was far worse.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>SPECIAL THANKS: @JohnDonegan1826 for adding his voice of reason to our little discussion. You accusation about the author's post-retirement activities was spot on and made my day.</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-34421966888865492512012-02-28T19:45:00.000-08:002012-02-28T19:45:49.408-08:00Roster Red*<div style="text-align: justify;">In response to a question by @chapzboy, I'm posting a brief blog here about rostering. I don't know a hell of a lot about it, but I had posted an article in <a href="http://m.theage.com.au/victoria/train-drivers-warn-on-computergenerated-rostering-20120220-1tjo6.html">The Age about Train drivers getting upset about a new system</a>. My beef was that the Tram division of the RTBU made no noise at all when the tram system turned to the modern age of computing in order to roster. Now that a similar, if not identical process is being used on the trains, the RTBU decides that train drivers are far more worthy of fighting for than us lowly tram drivers. Where was the anger and protest when Yarra Trams moved to <a href="http://www.giro.ca/en/products/hastus/index.htm">HASTUS</a> years ago? I happen to be supportive of the union movement, but it's been a membership of continual disappointment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Drivers on standby? Driver shortage? Who can I believe?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Years ago, the tram driver system underwent a major change, involving a move away from a manual timetabling of services to computer-based. Yes, it might sound silly being dragged into the 20th century (yes, the twentieth), but as you might know, PT world moves at a much slower rate than the real world. So what happened?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. "As Instructed" virtually disappeared from the roster. As Instructed, or AI, refers to a period of time where the driver is essentially on stand-by at the depot if something goes wrong or trams need moving, etc. If a driver is running late to work, you can grab someone AI and get them to start the shift and sort it out when the late driver arrives. Hours and hours of this time was removed from rosters because the thought of someone actually sitting around the depot doing nothing (even if it was waiting for a problem) seemed to irk people who use KPIs in place of real-world experiences.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. "Spares" followed a similar path. A Spare driver is someone who is AI for an entire shift. If someone doesn't turn up, they're there to get the shift done. They can work a whole shift, or bits and pieces. The good old days would have sometimes up to 6 spares. These days, you're lucky if you see two. Reason? Same as before - you simply can't have people sitting around "doing nothing". Too bad if your tram becomes defective and there's no staff available to get another. You just have to suck it up and wait.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As a consequence of these changes, more drivers were spending more time on the road doing more work. That might appear to be a win for passengers, and in the short term it is. Long term, drivers miss out on a chance for a break. Head office don't seem to realize that spending all day on the mean streets of Melbourne is pretty tough, especially in Summer when that sun belts it in. Add to this the problem of when things go wrong and there's not enough staff to cover the work, it becomes problematic at best. Let's look at a scenario:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's after the evening peak. You want to get home. The tram you're on develops a problem and has to get back to the depot to get changed over. Unfortunately, there's no spare staff, so the driver has to boot you off, berth the tram, find another, prepare it (ten minutes if they go by the book) and bring it out. By this stage, you're wet, pissed and probably on the tram that was behind your original. Yarra looks bad because we can't seem to organize a beer in the pub. However, the loss of time, inconvenience to passengers and fines for late running are apparently not half as important as saving the cost of having someone around. Yes, the depot starter can try to bait a driver on meal to help out with some overtime, but if you're working longer on the road, the temptation to say no is overwhelming. Even before the starter offers you 15 minutes and this magically gets cut to 5 on payday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yarra will argue that Spares and AI still exist, however the number of spares has been reduced to the point where it can take one driver off sick to lose that spare for the entire shift. And AI? It's a joke. What the hell am I supposed to do in two minutes before my meal break begins?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now I don't deny that using technology with a problem like rostering is a good idea. Hell, even just thinking about writing up a timetable for one line makes my head hurt. However, when you employ technology to rationalise the system to the point HASTUS has, you're beginning to edge into causing problems of your own. And who has to put up with these problems? Yep, frontline staff and passengers. So next time you're tram doesn't turn up, feel free to consider that this may have caused it. Oh, and feel free to send a letter to the RTBU tram division and ask them why this wasn't worth fighting years ago, but the train division feel so strongly about it now.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">*There's a fleet operator who makes announcements now and then over the PA system. He has trouble with the word "Rostered". It ends up sounding like "Roster Red". Feel free to tweet me if you know this!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-8740766486190591562012-01-10T23:28:00.000-08:002012-01-10T23:28:13.748-08:00Fare Increases - The Confusion Continues<div style="text-align: justify;">I trust everyone's had a great time over the past few weeks, what with work holidays, kids off school and all that other stuff. Drivers had a fair amount to contend with, including the sad <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/national/obituaries/the-last-of-the-old-trammies-a-legend-20120101-1pgzn.html">passing of Lenny Bates</a>, a legendary driver whose career spanned longer than most people live. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, I've been hearing plenty of complaints about the recent rise in ticket prices and it seems like it's a bit of an annual bitch and moan. I hate the rises mainly because they often get treated like some sort of political tool. It always makes the news and it's never good. The party in power always blames the previous party and so on. Well, it's time to put on those cabin-like glasses and have a look at it from another angle.<br />
<br />
Trams use electricity to run. The price rises in electricity are something trams are not immune to, so there's an increased cost right off the bat. And if you're wondering, the power bills we get run into the millions of dollars. Various other things increase in cost, such as spare parts (which are becoming more and more like "sparse" parts for the older trams). Then there's also the spares for newer trams ($6000 windscreen anyone?). Already this is an expensive process before we include other issues such as human resources (yes, we get pay rises too, but the RTBU is not always clear about what it's in exchange for until it's all been signed and sealed). Sadly, public utilities such as power and public transport must be run at a profit by private companies, so there is that added to it as well. However in the case of PT, are these profits generated directly from fare increases? Or are the punctuality bonuses part of it too? With Metro, the train operator, these bonuses have been few and far between, so my bet is that fare increases across the board would be a factor, the size of which I can only speculate.<br />
<br />
As for the rises themselves, who is behind it all? Back in the ignorant days, MX seemed to think that Connex was behind each and every rise. Depending on the source, various places reported rises in such a way that it portrayed the operators as behind it. I find it difficult to recall a bus being used as footage for a news item, as buses aren't really the attention-grabbing hot potato that trams and trains are.<br />
Anyway, it's not obviously clear, but the <a href="http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/pt/management/transport-ticketing-authority">Transport Ticketing Authority</a> seems like the culprit. The government minister and Department of Transport would also be involved, but if you read any articles relating to this issue, you see classic political public transport role-playing. For example, <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/baillieus-sting-on-commuters-20111205-1ofne.html">this article</a> involves both Liberals and Labor and the buck passing begins. "It's the last mob" "No, we budgeted for it" and this goes on for about a day until the media lose interest. Sure, the Transport Minister appears to be taking a hit, but this disappears when the specter of "cutting services and maintenance" rears it's head. Useless comments as these are bound by contracts between the government and operators and would be super-expensive to break or even vary. However, it's classic PT buck-passing - "I was forced to do this by (insert variable here) and we have no choice". Bullshit. Bull. Shit.<br />
<br />
The other aspect is the type of whinging PT fare increases seem to bring out of the woodwork. Apparently many people think that PT fare rises should automatically bring about a similar increase in services, improvement of vehicles, or miraculously friendlier staff. Using this same, painfully ignorant logic and applying it to my power points at home leads me to a rather pointless argument with am outsourced call centre operator. It's unreasonable to demand 8.6% more electricity (or 8.6% <i>improved</i> electricity, whatever the hell that is), so why does this logic only really seem to apply to PT?<br />
The rage against PT fare increases and the expectation that services will rise at a similar level has only really existed during privatisation. The fact that fares on trams and trains appear to be "voluntary" doesn't help, but I'd say much of this can be blamed on the process of privatisation. We were promised so much in terms of service improvements. In some sort of ideological orgasm, the free-market was going to be forced onto a profitless public transport system that held no place for "competition" as such. Conductors and station staff would go, along with their horrendous wage bill. Never mind that they were the collectors of fares. I digress.<br />
<br />
Over the years, the evils of private public transport have become painfully obvious and on the whole, the general public are much better educated about who does what. However, when it comes to fare increases, the buck well and truly stops with the government in power at the time and in particular, the Transport Minister. If you want to complain to anyone, I suggest you send an email to this guy:<br />
<br />
<a href="mailto:terence.mulder@parliament.vic.gov.au">terence.mulder@parliament.vic.gov.au</a><br />
<br />
Oh, and he also happens to be Minister for Roads as well as Minister for Public Transport. I'm sure that works out just fine.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-73169799221062419262011-12-12T14:35:00.000-08:002011-12-12T14:35:45.598-08:0024 Hour Public Transport in Melbourne?<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/kennett-calls-for-allnight-public-transport-20111212-1oq9c.html?comments=65#comments">This article reports that the former premier Jeff Kennett</a> has come out with the brilliant idea of public transport running 24hrs on weekends during the Christmas season. The proposal is hardly newsworthy, as it's been floated around for years but never implemented. There are many issues involved and there are plenty of self-serving groups out there who would rather keep it how it is. I'm going to explore some of the problems that the proposal faces, but before I do, I must state that a 24hr service sounds like a great idea on paper. Let's take it off and slap it with some reality.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>1. Safety</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is usually the first concern by both staff and passengers when the issue of 24hrs is brought up. Many passengers would know how bad things are during the bad periods and the not-so-friendly areas of town, so it's no surprise that people would question this. Given that public transport is famous for being RE-active instead of PRO-active, I think they would have to demonstrate early on that more effort would be made for patrols and response times. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sidenote: If you're having any trouble on public transport, contact 000 yourself. Don't rely on the driver to always be able to spot things and know exactly what's going on, because operating a tram takes a fair amount of concentration. Do let the driver know if you can if there's a problem (often we don't know until someone comes up and tells us as they're getting off the tram), but don't expect each and every one of us to leap into superhero mode - we aren't bouncers, hostage negotiators, police or wrestlers. We have kids and families to go home to, as well as OH&S issues to consider. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">So what needs to be done? PSOs are being posted around the rail system at every station and this is IN RESPONSE to concerns about train safety. This is great, but there are dozens of stations that don't experience problems, so why not funnel these officers into the rest of the system? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>2. Costs</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Not quite Christmas, but the Grinch is here already. It will cost a lot of money to run a 24hr service. Due to the continual stretching of work, trying to get the current staff to cover the additional time would be like trying to wear a sock as pants. So that means extra staff will need to be hired and trained. Then there's the wage bill. Working that late attracts some serious penalties and while the money might be good, I have never heard of any drivers being enthusiastic about all night services, regardless of cost.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Damage to vehicles is pretty extensive every Friday and Saturday night. Windows, seats, machines, you name it. How is this going to get paid for?</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The question for this is "Where does this extra money come from?"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>3. The dregs</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The drunks, the drug-users, the ferals, the chromers and every other anti-social dimwit you can think of will be out there. Barely a week goes by that I don't hear about various tales of people passed out on the trams, getting carted backwards and forwards across town. They vomit, piss, leave rubbish behind, play their shitty playlists loudly for their mates, and so on. These are the people, whom after years of presence, have become an accepted part of the PT landscape. Having an all night service on weekends will only increase the problem.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>4. Staff</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It would be nice if we were asked "This is what we're proposing. What would you think is a good way for this to work so you're safe and happy to work at these times?" What will happen in real life is the Union will come to some sort of agreement where for a tiny payrise, we will get lumped with this. If you asked any driver about the whole 24hrs thing, you will be lucky to find one who would look forward to it. Yes, it's a good idea on paper, but after experiencing the worst of Melbourne's nightlife, I certainly would make it a mission in life to avoid those shifts, as would almost every other driver. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">As for Authorised Officers and other staff, more would need to be recruited in order to cover the gap. Given what they have to deal with (the spitting and punching), I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't want it either.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>5. Fare evasion</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Is pretty damn common on weekends. Why pay for a taxi when you can jump on a tram for free? Ticket inspectors, contrary to popular belief and press releases, are rare on Fridays and Saturdays when they are needed most. Why would you pay for a Nightrider bus (how late do they run again?) when you can jump on a tram and risk it for free? This issue goes nicely with that of Safety.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In closing, I think Kennett hasn't done this with the public in mind. It takes a minimum of one month to train a driver after recruitment has occurred. Add to this the time it would take to develop a timetable, run it by the Department of Transport and the usual channels, and you have a process that takes months. The article is dated December 12th, so this can't possibly happen this year. Given the cycle of media these days, you have to wonder what the agenda here was and why he didn't think of it earlier. A decade earlier perhaps? Most PT staff hate what he did back in the 1990s regarding staff and services. It's difficult to work out why someone with a Liberal background and reputation for decimating public utilities has come around to this conclusion. What interest does Jeff have in this? </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Broadly, the Liberals don't seem to be performing all that well with public transport. Sure, there are projects that have crossed over from the previous government, but I've yet to see anything that either separates them from their adversaries or anything that makes me confident in their abilities. And one should always be reminded that the pace of public transport is glacial (thanks to the ongoing fragmentation of the process that remains adversarial). Things that are happening now have taken years of work. It's no wonder many politicians hate public transport - it's taking a gamble for them at almost every step of the way. I'll have faith in the system when I see any public transport minister taking a ride around at 3am on Saturday night without police or entourage. And I'm not holding my breath.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-63177197168363244362011-11-06T17:56:00.000-08:002011-11-06T17:56:20.866-08:00Why do trams drive slowly?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Recently I got a message from @drbuttocks about trams running slowly and I thought it might be worth exploring. The tram issue more than the buttocks. While I can’t promise an answer to every occasion when a tram runs slower than normal, I hope I might be able to expand on some of the reasons why this happens. These are in no particular order!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">1. The most obvious reason for a tram driving slowly is early running, and this is a pretty big one. A tram that runs early does the following:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">a. Stuffs up the driver behind, who picks up passengers who should have been on the earlier tram, but missed it and found that the “2:45pm” didn’t turn up. They aren’t usually the happy and forgiving kind, either. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">b. The company loses through penalties, of which early running is a major culprit. However, for a tram to “run early” in terms of the penalty system, it has to pass a specific point and not just any old stop. What happens in between these specific points can be interesting.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">c. When a roster review comes around, the powers that be can identify that a tram has taken less time between two points and if enough trams do that, the timetable is tightened. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">2. Sometimes trams can suffer from faults that can cause problems with movement. There are hundreds of different things that can go wrong on a tram, and when you don’t have a steering wheel, driving slowly can be very effective. However, if a tram does have to drive slowly because of a fault, passengers should be removed. Yes, it sucks, but if my brakes are causing issues, I’m not about to use passengers as crash test dummies. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">3. Drivers themselves can have an impact on going slow. I have certain spots on the network where I’ve had awful accidents and I naturally go a little slower. There are also areas that have frequent accidents (and much less frequent attention). Sometimes there are track issues, where due to infrastructure, trams need to drive slowly. Sometimes a tram that’s been involved in a minor accident can remain in service. If that occurs, a slow driver should come as no real surprise.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">4. Some drivers, when running early, drive slowly. Others get to a point where they can stop without blocking traffic and just wait it out.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">5. Periods of the year can also impact on our timetables. School holidays can make certain trips, especially around 3pm, seem much longer without the little bundles of joy. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">6. Some drivers are pricks and are looking for the short shunt. This doesn’t happen as often as it seems, but there are some drivers who drive slowly so they don’t have to go all the way. They usually get sorted out back at the depot for stuffing us up.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">7. There are some older drivers out there. Older people tend to drive a little slower than younger people. It’s because they don’t have the reflexes they once had, or they’ve seen what happens to their mates who are in a rush. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">8. We are trained to drive at a safe speed and to have the tram under control at all times. If conditions are crappy, such as rain or lots of pedestrians, speeding isn’t really an option. There are also protocols for tram movements, especially in the city.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">9. Sometimes we are instructed to go slowly. We might need to swap drivers with another tram (to get the journey back on time without turning a tram around). Sometimes there might be drunks on the tracks somewhere. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">10. If a passenger is talking to us up front, you can’t expect us to keep our feet planted. While there are notices up telling passengers not to do this, most people seem to think they’re the exception.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">11. Conditions can dictate our speed. If there’s a tram in front with a problem/slow driver, obviously the tram cannot overtake. Safe gaps need to exist between trams, and if you’re right up the back of a packed tram, you might not always see what’s in front.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">12. It’s easier and smoother to stop a tram travelling slowly than one travelling faster. Less chance of a passenger getting injured and less chance for other injuries and damage. It would be wonderful if we could get out there and drive faster, but due to the nature of the poorly-policed roads, especially the tram system, we can’t. There’s simply too many dickheads and not enough hours in the fortnight for the appropriate paperwork that would follow.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">13. The driver’s being a dick and using his or her phone/reading the paper while they drive. Yes, this does happen unfortunately. I’m not one to do so – I only whip out the phone when I’m not driving. As per the rules. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBFaufD2_JvPiKIRwx840VhuZeaBoqYcxONkvTm2h1QlPyX7DSpc8sBpqeDSDrHoBc1X-XLNQ4BWB0SRtTOPhgExYFif_RttDB1x-nqUbRJgay0rxnVRwfq4NYWZ4ApuqAx4a05RoVwg/s1600/Jackie+Chan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBFaufD2_JvPiKIRwx840VhuZeaBoqYcxONkvTm2h1QlPyX7DSpc8sBpqeDSDrHoBc1X-XLNQ4BWB0SRtTOPhgExYFif_RttDB1x-nqUbRJgay0rxnVRwfq4NYWZ4ApuqAx4a05RoVwg/s320/Jackie+Chan.png" width="320" /></a></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">If it helps at all, my shift won’t finish any faster if I put my foot down. If it says I’m finishing at 2147hrs, that’s when I’ll be finishing. We don’t get home early if we race, and it usually ends in tears when we do. It also works the same the other way – why on earth would we drive slowly to piss off our passengers? I do it for safety and punctuality (<u>definitely</u> in that order). The last thing I want while operating a heavy vehicle without a steering wheel is someone in my ear about how they left it to the last moment before leaving for their appointment.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">It’s actually much more stressful to try and stick to the timetable than it used to be, so plenty of drivers have adopted the “fuck this shit, I’m going to do what’s comfortable” mentality. I’m one of those. It seems as though the company has reached the conclusion that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tram drivers don’t need their lay up time at the end of the line, and if they run late, we don’t get fined as much as when they run early. If we can make them run late all the time, they can never run early</i>. So while many drivers might respond to this by driving faster to keep up, there are plenty of us who have done the opposite. In terms of “thinking like a passenger”, I’d rather have a relaxed driver turn up a few minutes late than have some stress-ball race up on time and make me fear for my life. If you get the chance to ask any driver about this, please do. Working for almost 5 hours at a time without a decent break like we used to have is bullshit. Yes, we can leave the terminus later and have a bit of a breather, but we get called in and harassed by managers if we do. We also cop abuse from passengers, many of whom find it easier to yell at us than to make it formal – which counts against the company in the government’s eyes. I wonder what long-term issues this so-called policy will have? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(Disclaimer: this is not some sort of union-backed “go-slow” campaign, as claimed by some that exists in the train system when union bashing comes in and out of fashion. It’s a simple way of dealing with a very stressful occupation. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Here’s an example if you need it.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I leave the terminus on time. Throughout the journey, I run later, and later, and later because the time between two points has been set so I don’t run early. I have ten minutes at the other end, but I get there twelve minutes late. Not late enough for a short shunt, but late enough that when I change ends to go back, I’m already late. This snowballs and places us under a lot of pressure. Naturally, all the passenger sees is a late tram, perhaps a driver under the pump if they look a little closer. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">@drbuttocks and others, I hope this clears up some of the reasons why trams go slowly. Yes, it can be very shitty and annoying, especially if you’re running late, but please keep an open mind. Most of us are doing our best to keep things moving and we appreciate your patience and tolerance!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-67248043070299544722011-10-26T01:21:00.000-07:002011-10-26T01:21:53.665-07:00Why working on the trams is awesome<div style="text-align: justify;">I know. It's been two weeks since my last posting. I've been pretty busy. My tweets have slowed a little too. I'm tired, but I'm still here. You know how when radio "personalities" go on holidays, they drag out the "best of" highlights because they're too cheap and scared to try anything different? Well, I've got some posts here I wrote a while ago. One of my followers suggested that I post the highs and lows of being a tram driver. Seeing as the Queen is here, I think I might start with the highs.<br />
<br />
If you went by the media, working in public transport is some sort of awful, faceless nightmare of never-ending failure, abuse, violence, waste and political meddling. Rarely are there any "good" stories - perhaps a singing tram driver or something similar, perhaps even a political stunt here or there. However, after several followers expressing an interest in the industry and a lack of positive posts here, I thought it would be time to let you know what gets me out of bed each day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The pay</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yes, the job pays well, and even though you don't say it during interviews, the pay is good. For a job that requires a license and a month's training, it pays very well. This is a reason why you have a lot of diversity amongst drivers - it beats driving a taxi hands down. We still have penalty rates for Saturdays (time and a half), Sunday (double time) and the epic public holidays (double time and a half - yes, 8 hours becomes 20 - half a week's work in one day). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Conditions</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Plenty of annual leave and RDOs. There's also the flexibility of the roster. First sign on is after 4am usually and the last tram rolls in around 2:30am on Fri/Sat, so there's plenty of different start times. Also, we have 2 days off out of 7, except it's not always Mon-Fri. Sometimes you can have Sat Wed off. Our weekend begins on Sundays for some reason that's never been made clear to me. We have special diaries made to account for this. It's weird.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Boss?</div><div style="text-align: justify;">When you're out there on the road, you don't have a supervisor lurking over your shoulder. Yes, the vehicle is monitored and each passenger could be a potential complaint, but you're effectively your own master. However, with this freedom comes responsibility. The only time you really see a manager is when you're in trouble or they want something. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Job Security</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yes, it's a secure job. One of the often-told stories is that you can only sack yourself. There is a strong union presence and while at times it feels like a closed shop to the extent that it's almost extortive, it's good to know there's a certain level of security. Transport Ministers come and go, companies running the system might come and go, but drivers are always there. You can work there for a year, or fifty. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unique Icon</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yes, it's a unique skill set that's pretty useless outside of inner-Melbourne, but each day you come to work, you get the chance to drive a major tourist icon. The locals might think it's terrible, but the tourists can often make your day. And don't forget to wave at the kids who always seem captivated by trams. In case you've been living under a rock, public transport is big news. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The stories</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Every day you hear them. About the car that flipped in the city. The taxi that almost hit alighting passengers. The junkies arguing over bills. The bum who smelled like death. The football crowds. The collisions. The dramas. The protests. The delays. Every driver has a bunch of stories that would fill a book. You see stuff that people won't believe.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Leave that shit at the gate</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Once you've finished that shift, that's it. No work to take home. If you want to work on your day off for a bit of extra cash, you can if you want. If you want to work overtime, you can if you want. You can chase the cash or do the minimum. Either way, it ends at the gate. Unpaid overtime doesn't exist.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Helping people<br />
It gives me a real buzz being able to help people out. The locals tend to take this for granted, but if you've ever been a passenger helping out a tourist, you'll know what I mean. Announcing a requested stop can bring out all sorts of appreciation and it makes my day. Knowing a few words of some different languages can also surprise people.<br />
<br />
Seeing Police dealing with Dickheads<br />
There's something special about seeing the thin blue line catch a douchebag. Given that we deal with so many of them on the road, there's little sympathy from us when some idiot has been pulled over. Sometimes I play a little game I like to call "guess the offence". Sometimes I make them up. It's all fun and hope that the lesson's been learned.<br />
<br />
The Kids<br />
Yep, kids get on and they think you're the shit. They wave at you from mum's arms like you're Santa. Yes, some dogs bark, but every single kid loves trams and I always try to wave back at them. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-72113351920700845332011-10-13T04:31:00.000-07:002011-10-13T04:31:59.480-07:00What They Don't Tell You During Training Part 3<div style="text-align: justify;">OK, last post I got a little upset and ranty. Now and then I, like most passengers, get pushed to the point where I lose my trolley. One tweeter suggested I take a holiday (I would if I could right now!), but I stepped back and took a deep breath. I've decided to return with the last installment of the magical knowledge you don't find out until you've spent some time on the rails. I've got some drafts of various issues and other such stuff waiting to get posted, but if you have a question or issue that you want explored, tweet me or leave a message here.<br />
<br />
Take care out there! <br />
<br />
41. Every second you've been able to make up while you're running late will be taken away several times over by the accident around the corner, the glacial light sequence you've complained about for four years, the slow tram you've caught up, the rubbish truck, the genius who sends out the track cleaning car during evening peak, the horse-drawn carts, some random protest, a broken down car, the emergency vehicles parked 1.6cm over the yellow line and anything else that can happen. It sucks, but it's not a race. Drive calm, in control and claim the overtime.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">42. Emergency people such as police, ambos and firefighters are awesome. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">43. There are douchebags working at every depot. You can transfer as much as you want, but you'll always find them. More to the point, they'll always find you. They're the ones that always beat your cool stories, try and take your good shifts, won't stop talking, steal food from the fridges, steal anything that's not nailed down and treat passengers like shit. They make life difficult for everyone and every workplace has them. Don't ever help them with their computer problems, otherwise you'll be popular with everyone who's not "a genius with solving computer problems". </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
44. The only good thing Jeff Kennett ever did for trams was to paint taxis yellow - makes them easier to see. And the people who buy second-hand taxis drive them like they're taxi drivers. Oh, and if you're wondering about the good taxi drivers in Melbourne, all three of them always seem to be on holidays.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">45. "Baby On Board" means "I put other lives at risk because I drive like a shithead". It's true, and the reason? Many late nights taking care of junior. It makes sense, but it doesn't absolve them from being responsible or thinking twice before getting behind the wheel. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">46. The vast majority of accidents are the fault of motorists. If you're involved in one and the motorist says they didn't see you, hide your disdain and anger with a facade of knowing and understanding. Put it down on the accident report though.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">47. You will learn to hate people using iPods and iPhones. For some reason, their conversations and playlists are supposed to protect them from physics and make the rest of the world look out for them. Oh, and when it comes to emergency announcements, they will expect you to cater for their willing decision to exclude themselves from the world around them. Blame these people for Steve Jobs getting cancer. And subsequently dying.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">48. The ultimate contraceptive device is driving a tram full of school kids. If you could somehow bottle and market this little slice of hell, you could make billions. And the Pope would approve.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">49. People who are beautiful aren't always smart. People who dress smartly aren't always either. Don't be fooled by this camouflage.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">50. You will notice that Stop and Give Way signs are used for decoration on side streets. Gong a car breaking the law here and alert them to a potential accident, and they'll slow down, give you the finger, then put their phone down to put their seatbelt on. You'll also notice that you are the only person on the road who sees speed limit signs. However, you will laugh at every piece of shit the police manage to pull over.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">51. Any major entity, be it the company, VicRoads, State Government or Department of Transport has the power to screw something up in no time. Try to get it rectified, and you'll have several birthdays before anyone even looks at it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">52. You will soon learn to predict the behavior of motorists based on the stickers on their rear windscreens. Or the business their vehicle belongs to. You will feel like Keanu Reeves in The Matrix discovering his amazing powers. Only it's not so amazing and the soundtrack is much worse. You will curse the day you learn this magic and they won't make sequels about it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">53. If things get too serious, I recommend a regular visit to <a href="http://epicfail.com/">epicfail.com</a>, <a href="http://failblog.org/">failblog.org</a> and search "fail compilation" in youtube. You'll feel much better seeing other people fail.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">54. The moment you work out that weird smell is actually vomit from up the back of the tram is the same moment it goes from mildly unpleasant to "I'm about to add to that". You will also encounter all manner of liquids that get on seats and floors. Treat it like the blood from "Alien".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">55. You will find new shoe boxes on your tram. You will find old shoes in them. You will work out what has happened and wonder why these lazy idiots can't find a bin, or even bother to keep a spare pair of old shoes in the house in case. It's because they're dicks.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">56. You will get out and offer to help for every pram, suitcase and shopping jeep and the passengers will appreciate it. The one day when you wake up with a shit back from a bad sleeping position is the same day they turn on you like some dodgy workers comp story on a current affairs show. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">57. You will drive for hours and hours before anyone comes up to let you know the ticket machine is broken. Thank them and report it. However, the second someone claims to have been shortchanged, they will spend the next twenty minutes bitching about the ten cents change they didn't get as if you stole it from their grandparents.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">58. If you happen to smoke, you will smell things at 1/10th of their true smell and the smells will be truly awful. When you quit smoking, you will wonder how the bowels of hell managed to fit in your tram and you will return to nicotine with open and loving arms.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">59. There is no massive shortage of indicator lights across Melbourne. The city is just plagued by lazy dickheads.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">60. If you get bored, play a game called "guess the offence". You see a car pulled over, try to think of the most amusing, yet plausible reason for that to happen. Maybe the guy's driving an awful car or having a Ray Martin "pink business shirt" poor choice of fashion day. Either way, it's one small straw to keep insanity off your back. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-49629647499380058722011-10-05T18:00:00.000-07:002011-10-05T19:04:17.695-07:00Lies, Damn Lies, Statistics and Public Transport<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>There's been some interesting articles in the news of late regarding fare evasion on trams. Firstly, there was </b><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/drop-in-inspections-of-tram-tickets-20111004-1l7b8.html"><b>this article</b></a><b> relating to the chances of getting your ticket checked on trams. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Apparently the Transport Minister has "expressed his frustration at Yarra Trams about the loss of millions of dollars in revenue through high fare evasion...". This appears to be some sort of code for "we've spent millions of dollars and years preparing your contracts using very expensive lawyers which monitor trams down to the second, but we don't actually have any solid rules relating to the rate of inspection, so I'll just wag my finger at you in the media and do what every Transport Minister is expert at- pass the buck". This also adds to the confusion to the public, who now may think that either Yarra Trams runs the ticketing system or is trying to cut staff who inspect tickets (neither of which are true, but the subtlety of it all is from years of this crap).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">You might notice over time that the various authorities, namely Metlink, are experts at campaigns to clamp down on fare evasion. If one were to perform a cost-benefit analysis on their work over the years, one would arrive at the conclusion that while we spend money, fare evasion is increasing. For an industry where money for basic infrastructure is sparse, it's amazing how much gets sucked into useless campaigns which make the suits and media types happy with the free lunch at the launch, but have not seen any impact. It would be interesting to go back over the years and see exactly how much money Metlink have spent on these campaigns and compare them with the rates of evasion. </div><br />
Then there are the questionable statistics. Apparently fare evasion can be monitored down to 0.1% accuracy, as there's been reports over the years about the rates decreasing.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/inspectors-to-target-fare-evaders-20110410-1d9dn.html">Here</a>, back in April 2011, it was 13% and Metlink Chief Dale Larkin said "inspectors would be checking as many tickets as possible from this week".<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/no-more-mr-nice-myki-warns-metlink-20101006-167g9.html">Here</a>, October last year, yet another warning about a crackdown.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/evade-away-brumby-20100914-15ay2.html">Here</a>, in September last year, Metlink estimates fare evasion at 10%.<br />
<br />
Back in July 2008, <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/national/connie-comeback-may-solve-citys-transport-woes-20080712-3e6g.html">this article</a> seemed hopeful. However, note the Metlink stats of fare evasion: 1996: 1.7%, 2000: 25%, 2006: 14.2%, 2008: 10.1%. The classic line in the article however comes from the Metlink Chief:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>"...the return of tram conductors would not cut fare evasion to its previous levels because around 20% of the fleet's trams are now several metres longer than the older models"</i></span><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Excuse me? Longer trams cause fare evasion? There's no explanation as to how this truly scientific method actually works or where this has been proven. It's just the usual "dodge, duck, dodge, duck" method of dealing with the media. Just looking at those basic stats over just a short period of time, you can see that fare evasion is climbing, especially in the last six months. 13%-20% is a huge leap worth millions of dollars. If I was responsible for a campaign to turn this around and in charge of millions of dollars of advertising and education and this was the result, would I expect to retain my job? No. But Even before Andrew Bolt and GASP, the Bolt Syndrome* has been perfected by public transport over many years.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*recently Andrew Bolt was found publicly guilty of racism, however his various employers are retaining him. Obviously this is condoning his illegal acts. If a regular person was found guilty of racism at their workplace, would their employer show such support? Same goes with GASP "customer service". This is the Bolt Syndrome: retaining and in some cases defending the actions of an employee which, to the ordinary person, has acted in a manner which would usually require termination.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, it seems interesting that they can measure fare evasion at such accurate amounts. Or is it? There are no counters on every tram, so right off the bat, the numbers are a guess. Those people you see sometimes at major stops with clipboards only operate during restricted hours, so again, take a guess. The rate of booking fare evaders is hardly scientific, as you get many runners as well as those who require the presence of a uniform to "remember" their ticket. At some point, in order to come up with these magical stats, the kind that managers and politicians rely on to make policies and spend money, someone has had to guess or make an estimate. This same logic is applied to patronage across the system, too. What a waste of time and money all this is.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another interesting section of this article is the response from a Yarra Trams spokesman:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>"A Yarra Trams spokesman said it had stepped up the number of inspections recently in line with Metlink's fare evasion crackdown - but did not say why fewer tickets were checked this year. Metlink said the crackdown was effective because monthly fines had increased across the network by more than 50 per cent."</i></span><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The number of inspections has been stepped up recently? So what was happening before? As a tax payer and tram driver, I'm pissed. As a tax payer, the government is supposed to oversee this sort of thing and ensure that money handed over to private companies in this manner is accounted for and well-spent. As a driver, my working day is documented down to the minute. We get fifty seconds deviation at timing points and are under constant scrutiny. Our tables have been cut and chopped up so much that any recover time at the end of the line is almost always chewed up by late running. We literally spend hours and hours working non-stop in traffic. It would be nice if this performance was expected of everyone else working in the industry, including our union, the RTBU.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/how-fare-evasion-can-pay-on-melbournes-trams-20111003-1l5e5.html">second article</a> is similar, but there are some rather interesting points if you read between lines here, folks. Bear with me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The article states that the rate of evasion across the entire network of trams is 20.3%. Again, nice to have such a specific number. Twenty point three. However, the most interesting point comes at the bottom of the article, where the Yarra Trams spokesman makes some rather tasty information:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>"Yarra Trams spokesman Colin Tyrus said the government was responsible for ticket inspector numbers on the network, with about 165 currently patrolling trams.</i></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>He said plain-clothes patrols had recently been increased, and announcements warning passengers of routes being targeted had been introduced. ''The vast majority of commuters … know they have to have a valid ticket and they do and they don't gamble on whether or not they'll be checked.''</i></span></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Firstly, there's the famous "buck-pass", stating the government was responsible for ticket inspector numbers on the network. Wait, didn't we have the Transport Minister the day before wagging a finger at Yarra Trams for the rates of fare evasion? Who is responsible here? Don't bother wasting your time with such an important question, as this is standard operating procedure for public transport news. Here's how it works:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. Newspaper digs up something unsavory, usually via FOI. If not, it gets released by whomever just in time to make Sunday's paper - the day with the least circulation. It's deliberate.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. Comments are gathered from various sources, such as Government, Metlink, Yarra Trams, Public Transport Users Assoc. and RTBU.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. At some point, someone will "pass the buck", blaming one of several targets: the previous government, the water-tight contracts (which, by the way, appear to contain very little about ticket inspectors!), the union, the staff. It's very rare that someone will respond directly or someone actually be named, as these "threats" are nothing of the sort. See below:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">4. If the issue lasts longer than a day (which it usually doesn't), the buck may be passed again, but only in a way in which nobody directly is blamed. It's careful, well-crafted, and no more dangerous than the paper it's written on. Nobody gets hurt, the public are tricked into believing there's "conflict" and everyone wins. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The second interesting point is the increase in plain clothes patrols. This IS news, but it's another one of those shitty tricks. When the recent version of Yarra Trams came into power, some genius saw plain clothes inspectors as damaging to the brand and had them removed. Everyone wore uniforms. Low and behold, fare evasion has increased and millions of dollars have been lost because of it. Fucking genius. If I pulled a move like that and cost the company millions of dollars, would I still be employed? No. Anyway, this "increase in plain clothes patrols" is not really an increase, it's just things going back to how they used to be. A bit like re-inventing the wheel - something which public transport is so expert at doing. This increase is the same as me taking out all of your teeth, giving them back, then telling you that you now have more teeth. And you can't claim it on Medicare.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The sad part about all this is that these clowns are all paid very well for their efforts. They will happily slurp from the trough of tax-payers and watch as the system is slowly ruined at a glacial rate: slow enough for nobody to really notice. Millions, if not billions of dollars are pissed away on re-branding, re-negotiating contracts, re-franchising, and so on. In this great system, everyone gets paid and nobody's accountable or responsible. The running of the system is fragmented into so many pieces, there is nobody there to oversee it, not even the Transport Minister. Each have their own narrow little world which they take care of, and that's it. The people who lose out? Front-line staff, the travelling public and tax-payers. This system, with the way it's been set up, cannot be changed from outside, and will not be changed from the inside.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-46709303414289024922011-09-29T03:31:00.000-07:002011-09-29T03:31:08.622-07:00Why does wet weather stuff the trams up?<div style="text-align: justify;">When it rains or the weather turns sour, there's usually an increase in the number of complaints about the service. There are several things that aren't usually explained to passengers for whatever reason, and it's only been after people asking that they've discovered the reasons why rain can stuff up the service. I'm not excusing the performance of drivers here or making up bullshit to excuse the company. This is what happens out there.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Firstly, wet weather makes gripping much more difficult. Metal wheels on metal tracks can become quite lubricated with water and this can be compounded by things on the road, such as leaves and oil. I've you've spent time near some track or been up close to a cabin, you might have seen the SAND button or sand around the tracks. The button used to deploy sand in front of the wheels to help increase adhesion. This works great until you're on a curve and the tubes no longer line up with the tracks! If you even look carefully enough, you will find windows just above the floor on some trams indicating the level of sand in that chute. If you live near a depot, about once a week a large truck comes to deliver sand to an upright silo. Yep - sand. And this isn't just dug up from the beach stuff. It's a specific grade that reduces clogging in the tubes and is reclaimed as much as possible. The EPA is aware of this and so long as it's used sparingly, the impact is minimal. You will often find sand around stops on hills or around stops near trees. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Secondly, there are usually additional cars on the road because people don't want to ride/motorbike/walk/catch public transport when it's raining. Compounding this problem is that people tend to drive at speeds without regard for the rain or slippery surfaces, hence the increase in any accidents on wet days (another issue that can stuff things up - two crashed cars blocking tram tracks). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thirdly, we drive slower to account for the slippery track and additional traffic. All the anger and impatience in the world doesn't mean shit to any decent driver if it's wet and dangerous. If we can't brake with the same adhesion as dry weather, we're going to slow down and take it easy. It's better to get there late than not get there at all.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fourth, points can get silted up. With sand, dirt and all sorts of crap that gets on the road, points can get clogged up and may fail, leading to drivers having to get out and change them manually. Sure, this isn't a huge issue, but miss a set of lights because of it, and it's no help to an already crappy situation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fifth, the entire tram can get held up by one person attempting to open or close their umbrella on the step. Not only is this slowing trams down, but it's also rude at best and dangerous at worst. If you can't handle just a tiny bit of rain on your head as you walk the 2.5 metres to the tram door from the shelter (yes, I've seen people pop the umbrella out to do this), don't read the following:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">THE HUMAN BODY IS ABOUT 60% WATER. Yep. Not worth it.<br />
<br />
I can understand some people who aren't under shelter, but do you have to wait until you almost get on board before you attempt to close it? Or try to open it when you're not even out the door? One drop of water will not hurt you!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sixth, some people decide that as they left their umbrella at home, they're going to jump on a tram for a stop or two instead. Fare-evader or not, this can slow things down, especially in busy areas such as the city. It's silly though, because in the city there are eaves that shelter most of the footpaths from rain. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Seven, while designed not to clog and using sand that tries not to, sometimes sand pipes get blocked. And funnily enough, sometimes electrical equipment (yes, trams too) can fail when exposed to water. Trams can and do break down and this can sometimes lead to a shortage of rolling stock. During peak times, most depots are empty and there's not always trams or staff lying around on the off chance something goes wrong (privatisation yay!). So if a tram or two come off the road due to rain-related defects, this can cause other issues around the system, particularly if one of those trams were supposed to be in front of the one I'm driving.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are a number of different things that can mess up the system during wet weather and many of these can also impact on trains. Yes, it's uber shit when trams don't arrive on time, but we can't control the weather, loading or the traffic. Those passengers who are patient and understanding are much appreciated!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-46291993885691334672011-09-18T03:15:00.000-07:002011-09-18T03:15:18.990-07:00Things they don't tell you during training Pt 2<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Yes, it's time for Part 2 of the epic lessons I've learned.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">21. Some passengers think there's some sort of magical place where extra trams, buses and staff wait on mass standby for the slightest interruption. Like some sort of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lasseter%27s_Reef">Lasseter's Reef</a>, the fact that it doesn't exist will not prevent them from demanding it appear right before their eyes (Truth is, bus replacements aren't usually arranged unless the delay will last a long time AND the bus companies can spare drivers and buses). They also expect that every tram driver be able to communicate with every bus driver. If soldiers are still getting killed by friendly fire, you know they're expecting too much.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">22. Don't be rude to passengers. One of them might just be the Transport Minister. Whoever that is this week.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">23. You might complain and belly-ache about the most dangerous place on the system for years and see hundreds of near-misses, but someone at VicRoads in an air-conditioned office earning four times your salary can knock it back in a split second because nobody actually gets killed or injured. Any normal person finds this</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">24. Pedestrians and motorists will try all sorts of crazy shit in front of a 30 tonne tram. Replace it with a 30 tonne truck that has steering, and they won't go near it because it's "dangerous". The tonne of feathers/tonne of lead riddle still hasn't penetrated.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">25. Allowing a car to turn from a side street into your lane will see it stop shortly up ahead and hold you up to turn right or practice reverse parking. For what feels like an eternity. No good deed goes unpunished. Cars with no idea what's in front of you will wildly attempt to overtake you and hit the anchors when they realise it's not you holding them up - it's the cars in front of you. They're dicks. Nothing you can do can ever change this. It's just like physics, the class that most of these motoring morons skipped.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">26. The same people who stand and block doorways are fully aware of the dangers of cholesterol and engage in diet and exercise, yet fail to appreciate their efforts on hardening the tram's arteries. </div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">27. Every year the same things happen for specific events, such as Anzac Day, Moomba, etc. Notices will go up on trams, at stops, in papers, online, but passengers will forget this and it will be all your fault. Similarly, there is a strong positive correlation between the complexity of what you're about to ask your passengers and the time since they last used public transport.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">28. Passengers from out of town will love you for being courteous, informed and well-presented. The passengers who live here and see you every day want you to die.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">29. The louder, longer and more inane the mobile conversation, the closer they will stand to the cabin. They struggle with their conversation and the task of finding their stop. This in itself is evidence to ban their use in cars. Don't think it has anything to do with them wanting to be obnoxious dickheads. It will make you long for the days of really short and expensive calls.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">30. A woman applying makeup on your tram as you move is perhaps the highest unsaid compliment you can ever get. Don't be an arse and test the emergency brakes. However, feel free to screw up the day of someone using nail clippers on the tram.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">31. Appreciate the fact that this is a rare job where gorgeous people will chase after you and thank you for stopping. However when things go wrong, all these beauties will become ugly as all hell faster than you can say "bad news".</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">32. Pedestrians on the road will step into the path of a 30,000kg tram to avoid a 900kg car travelling at the same speed. Similarly, a car turning into traffic will let the 900kg car go only to cut off the 30,000kg tram once again travelling at the same speed. The single most terrifying aspect of this is that these people are required by law to vote in elections. This will explain quite a bit.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">33. You think the lights will change to red, so you wait it out like a good driver and it stays green forever. Touch the accelerator and it'll change from orange to red literally at the speed of light. The same law applies to doors - leave them open and there'll be no passengers and the light will stay red longer. Close them, and like Tony Montana at the end of Scarface, you'll be fighting them off. And you won't have a little friend there to make your defeat look cool.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">34. Passengers will reward your display of landing a tram smoothly with the front door right at their feet by waiting for it to open and then promptly walking to the next door. Or the door after that. On an empty tram. And then they'll come down to the cabin and have a go at you for running late.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">35. By all means be grateful if passengers approach you to pay a compliment. However, be prepared to grit your teeth when it's something like "It's so easy to understand you. Much better than those foreigners" or "Great to see an Aussie doing your job". They don't seem to understand that "those foreigners" are your mates. Or that every tram driver happens to be "an Aussie".</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">36. Sunday's paper is great for public transport news, but not so great for circulation figures. And yes, those two facts are related.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">37. Whenever there's trouble, AOs will be waiting precisely two stops down the line after the troublemakers have alighted. Also, AOs are rare as hen's teeth on Saturday night when there's the most problems with drunks and trouble. Come Sunday morning, when it's double time for pay and the biggest threat is the church-goers, you need to fend them off with sticks.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">38. The company has a list of problems. The union has a list of problems. Drivers have a list of problems. These lists are like Swanston, Elizabeth and Spencer - always full and slow moving, but never meeting up.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">39. The less important the message, the louder and more frequently the "bionic bitch" will make on-board announcements. The very important messages won't even get mentioned.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">40. If you drive on a a route shared by another depot, they will never announce disruptions to that line on your tram over the radio. The only way you will find out if there's a problem is when you pull up at the stop and passengers have found torches and pitchforks.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-91739645151430786452011-09-12T20:22:00.000-07:002011-09-12T20:22:13.461-07:00I See Red!<div style="text-align: justify;">While it might appear that we have scant regard for red lights, it also appears people are willing to apply the same laws of physics to a tram that they do to a car (which is often 5% of less the weight!). These people include those who design the timing of lights between the orange and the red. It's a common complaint and without actually driving a tram, it is rather difficult to appreciate what's going on.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'll knock out the basics. In some intersections, T-lights are separate to the traditional light sequences. Sometimes you get the three signals (white, orange and red) and other times you get a white 'T' that flashes up briefly during the sequence. These can function independently of the traditional vehicle lights, so while a tram might appear to be going through a red light, it is in fact using a separate light. Most drivers gong before moving off, as it might be a surprise for jaywalkers, etc. If I was breaking the law in a massive vehicle like a tram, I doubt drawing attention to the fact by gonging would help! Some signals have been around forever, and some have been installed under the <a href="http://www.thinktram.vic.gov.au/">Think Tram</a> program to help get trams moving. For the most part it works very well, but can suffer from:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. Cars blocking the intersection.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. Jaywalkers (especially intending passengers running in front, who probably moan about late trams or grumpy drivers on Twitter afterwards).</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. Not enough space on the opposite side to clear the intersection.</div>4. Defective lantern (the light's blown).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">One rather major problem with this design is that the tram has to be stationary long enough for the sensor to pick it up. That, and the fact that sometimes they appear to work randomly and are often biased towards traffic exiting the city. Sometimes they don't even work at all during certain hours in certain directions. I'm sure VicRoads could answer plenty of questions, but I digress.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Regular traffic lights present a rather unique set of problems for Tram Drivers. Off the bat, the lights are designed for other vehicles, cars mainly. T-light sequences are usually longer as they take into account the different speed of trams. The best way to communicate this is perhaps by using gas and electric cooking as an example. They both cook, but gas heats up much faster than electricity. Then there's the weight difference. The lightest tram without passengers is almost 20 tonnes. Yes, 20,000kg. Put this up against your average 900-1100kg car, and you can see why we're a little slower. Unlike cars, we have can have a large number of unrestrained passengers, some standing. We need to consider our load (something @96tram does more often on Twitter I think. If you don't follow, do it now). And now this is where it gets mildly technical, but bear with me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The massive tram network is broken down into sections and these are separated by section insulators. These are essentially points where the massive circuit can be broken without shutting down the whole network. Say a truck hits an overhead pole at Flinders and Swanston. Trams throughout the city and along most of those routes can still continue. Anyway, the actual section insulators are "dead" zones in the overhead without power and as we cross them, we need to stop accelerating. Ever see those large flashes of light at intersections in the city? Yep, that's them. Even if we burn them or stop accelerating to drift under them, we lose power. Due to the intersections, many of them are placed at either side of the middle, so just as we're speeding up from a stop, we have to ease up. This, added to all the other issues that trams face, contributes to our lack of success at sometimes making across the intersection in time.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oh, and there's a final reason that is usually the one most passengers and pedestrians think of when trams run lights - we're in a hurry. I've seen trams go through reds before and not just by a whisker either, so I know it happens. It could be fatigue, impatience, late running, any number of things. I know I've a couple of close calls and I'm going to do an entry on fatigue issues later on that might explain that we're not all impatient shits. If you're on a tram and the driver is running the reds (and not using white Ts instead), get in touch with Yarra Trams on the website. It gives us all problems, with rostering issues and other fun things. And besides, it's always nice to know legitimate discipline works - not just that initiated by tabloid newspapers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So what does a professional tram driver like me do to avoid such danger and embarrassment? My trainer taught me that as soon as the red man starts flashing, sit back and relax for the next set. So far that's worked well, except for the abusive set who see green with no tram moving and then see red. Yes, you're going to be late for your train/bus/brain transplant/yum cha/pilates session, but leaving things so late that a single change of lights can make or break your day is not anyone's fault but your own.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some things to remember as a pedestrian when you're around trams:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. We're big, heavy and have plenty of blind spots. You don't ever want to find out where they are.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. Even if the green man is up, it's not some magical protective shield that stops the laws of physics. If you're lying on the slab down at the coroner's office or eating food through a straw for the rest of your life, knowing whose fault it was or who broke the law won't change a thing. Always look where you're going! This goes for all kinds of traffic and is not some sort of threat. There are plenty of dipshits out there on drugs, raging against talkback radio, tired, sleepy, angry, in a rush, drunk and just plain dumb. They speed, can't read, fail to indicate, run lights and do all sorts of stuff. They may or may not have licenses, registered, serviced or roadworthy vehicles, insurance or the balls to stop after an accident. It might be stolen. They might be old, frail, blind, deaf. They might hit the accelerator instead of the brakes, they might get hit from behind, they might have a pregnant woman on board. The truth is even if you know or are related to that person driving the vehicle, how can you ever be 100% about it? How on earth does a parent reverse over their own child? Shit happens, and the important thing is to have your wits about you when it does to avoid getting stained or to avoid it all in the first place.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-51427850174555590922011-09-05T23:36:00.000-07:002011-09-06T17:38:46.057-07:00Things they don't tell you during training Pt 1<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I've been quiet for a while. Part of that is being busy and another part has been constructing some cardinal rules of tram driving. It's a list (so far quite large) of stuff they don't tell you when you're being trained and it's from a driver's perspective, so don't get crabby if you feel left out - you can leave a passengers perspective in the comments section if you feel that way inclined! If you can imagine a conversation between the new recruit and the battle-hardened sergeant in a war movie before the newbie gets killed.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1. There is a strong, positive correlation between passenger loading and the distance from the cabin to the defective door that won't open or close.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2. Accidents and delays will occur during the following periods</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(a) On your very last trip before finishing.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(b) On your last trip before lunchtime.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(c) When all that coffee you drank catches up with you.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(d) Right next to the only parked car for miles, causing all those lovely patient cars to remind you of your occupation, instead of reminding them they're tools for driving on tramlines.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(e) The tram in question will be followed by fifteen of the laziest, most stubborn and surly tram drivers who would rather wait for mechanics than get out and see if they can help.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(f) When you have a collision, there will be an overwhelming temptation to snot the passenger who asks how long it will be without even asking if you're ok or offering help. Don't do it.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(g) Hit the brakes to avoid an accident, and passengers will abuse you for stopping too quickly. Vomit in front of them from the shock and they still won't be convinced. Crash, and they'll get stuck into you for making them late.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">3. When you need to make up time, traffic will magically appear and every stop will be in demand. When you need to lose time, these same cars and passengers will magically vanish.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">4. The smaller the gap between you and the parked car, the faster and riskier they will drive to make it through. And just to prove to the world beyond a reasonable doubt they are morons, only after they risk life and limb will they put their seatbelt on.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">5. A line of perfectly patient, waiting cars will be turned into utter chaos as every car behind the appearing tram tries to cut it off. Those cutting in, even faced with an empty lane hundreds of metres long, will still cut the tram off (that has massive blind spots and can't steer) instead of going up further and risking the ire of fellow motorists.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">6. The van turning right in front of you will always here your gong perfectly and take it personally. Unlike the taxi speeding past your open doors and narrowly avoiding the alighting passengers whom you were aiming it at.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">7. You have not "seen it all".</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">8. When you make plans for your day off, the depot starter will wake you at 4am begging you to come in and work because all hell's broken loose. When you have no plans at all and are first on the list, everyone will turn up to work, everything will function properly and the phone will remain silent.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">9. Everyone turns up to work on a day off and drives the wrong way by mistake. Limit it to once of each, and you won't stand out.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">10. The busier the traffic traveling in the more lanes available, the more stupid moves the intending passengers will pull to make the tram.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">11. The frequency of the trams will matter not to the suicidal passengers who have to be on THAT tram. The following tram could be one 30 minutes away or right up your clacker - they will run at you like it's life and death (which they make it). Parents will drag their kids through danger as well.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">12. When cars stuff you up, you just have to wait it out. When trams stuff up motorists, they sometimes have to be cut out. Remember this.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">13. When your tram develops a defect, you will look for the most complicated issue and solution. It's never the case, but you'll waste 10 minutes before you realise this, but so long as you look like you know what you're doing, nobody else knows this little secret.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">14. School holidays suck when they're on because we have to try and lose time. They suck when they go back because of more passengers/traffic/angry 4WDs. There is no win.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">15. That drunk, with breath like Old Spice, will eventually get up the front and talk to you, the trapped captive audience who now has to pretend to care so as to avoid "angry drunk Old Spice guy", who is nowhere near as cool or verbally proficient as "Old Spice Guy".</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">16. You will cop abuse from passengers. You might stop the tram to save kids from the burning orphanage, but there'll always be someone who sees past your second-degree burns and demands to know why the tram isn't moving. You can't change this.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">17. If someone insults your weight (yes, sitting down all day tends to make you fat), don't ever say it's because their mother/father bakes them cookies after you have intimate relations with her/him. It will only sound awesome to you. The manager and other passengers won't think the same.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">18. Passengers will sometimes ask what you consider to be "The Stupidest Questions in the History of Stupid Questions". Now you know how your trainer felt. However unlike you or your trainer, passengers don't spend all day on the trams. Remember this.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">19. Passengers running for the tram think you waiting is fantastic. Those already on board think you suck for holding up their trip.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">20. Yarra Trams is not responsible for every car accident, truck/bridge crash, burst water main, freeway closure, roadworks delay, wayside collision/fatality or event that can impact a service that uses the middle of the road. Somehow, after over 100 years of electric trams, this concept manages to elude thousands of people.</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-87775959591323919762011-08-27T01:43:00.000-07:002011-08-27T01:45:00.506-07:00Message to @Yarratrams<div style="text-align: justify;">Dear Yarra,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> I just want to make it crystal clear why I'm doing this blog. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">If I hated you so much, I wouldn't work for you. I'd find work elsewhere. I enjoy my job.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">If I hated passengers so much, I wouldn't treat them with respect and intelligence by using social media to communicate with them (cop that @yarratrams!). I'd also find a job where I don't have to deal with them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">If I sound like I dislike you, that's because sometimes you do things that irritate me. You treat me as if I don't exist until there's a problem and you rarely seek me out for consultation. When you need me, I'm there. However when I need you it's not quite the same.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The reason I started this blog and my twitter account is because there was a rather massive gap between us and our passengers that you have failed to bridge for so long. I'm talking years. When you do communicate with them, you are robotic and it never seems genuine. There are plenty of people out there who are curious about how and why stuff happens and I've found that if you explain things, they're usually more understanding and accommodating. I try this on angry passengers and it seems to work out very well. I'm not about to reveal any eleven secret herbs and spices about our relationship as company and employee, but if this blog results in one person pausing and considering the situation instead of abusing the driver our of ignorance, then the job here is done. I often get the distinct feeling that some of the people working for you don't even know what we really do or where the eight depots are located. I'd like to be convinced that we're all on the same team, but you need to put in some more effort there I'm afraid.<br />
<br />
Unless I'm talking about serious issues such as accidents, please don't expect me to be too formal or serious and I'm not always going to be able to pick the side I want to in certain situations and discussions (including lengthy monologues regarding the use of sand as an adhesive)<br />
<br />
I do keep an eye out for things that you do well, such as the Good Friday Appeal and other things. I hate being overly critical without providing anything constructive, but sometimes I have no choice when it comes to some of the things you do. This isn't some sort of blackmail or hateblog - I'm just one driver trying to let people know that we're not all arseholes and many drivers understand that the system can be shit. I know having someone else talk about you might raise your hackles, but I'm on your side. I wear your name on my uniform. I'm not about to shit all over the hand that feeds me, but I will fart at you now and then. My fear is that there is so much opportunity to tackle important issues and deal with real and ongoing problems, but this is pissed away on things like a brand new uniform. The public also tend see it this way and while they often don't understand the complex contracts between you and the state, they aren't all idiots. After all, without them, both you and I wouldn't even be here. They often think that because you don't post anything on @yarratrams, you don't care or are somehow afraid to get in amongst it all. I know that's not true, but truth and perception are two very different things as you can read <a href="http://melbournetramdriver.blogspot.com/2011/08/herald-sun-vs-andy-blume.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
In all honesty, if I write something that's grossly incorrect, downright false or misleading, please feel free to add a comment and correct me. This goes for both Yarra Trams and other readers. I will make every effort to sort out my facts before hand, but sometimes I don't have all the fact and I'll go with what I've got. I don't claim to speak on your behalf, nor do I claim that you endorse or condone my work. I'm just someone who likes their job enough to do this.<br />
<br />
Tram drivers need a bit of a face and a bit of representation out there, especially when it comes to some of the things people say about you on the internet. If you thought Andy Blume's comments about passengers and accidents were rough, I'd suggest not reading anything in #yarratrams. Some people hate you! And while I don't try to convert everyone out there with a beef, I do try to explain things from a driver's perspective. I try to be reasonable about it and I even suggest passengers report bad drivers instead of complaining to twitter.<br />
<br />
Finally, more often than not I'll write my posts for both here and Twitter in a draft format. That way I can hold on to them until I feel like publishing them and within a few seconds of deciding, they're up. Don't bother trying to match up my post times with my hours of duty, because they won't correlate and I'm sure you have better things to do. In fact I know you have better things to do. I can post at home, changing ends of the tram or whenever. Oh, and apparently you do have a social media policy. That's one publication that might be worth putting around the depots, especially in light of recent events. Some of us are interested.<br />
<br />
I DON'T TWEET OR USE MY PHONE WHILE I'M DRIVING.<br />
<br />
Your humble and loyal employee,<br />
<br />
@MelbTramDriver<br />
<br />
PS I am open to bribery. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-20360595991191564442011-08-22T05:32:00.000-07:002011-08-22T05:32:08.116-07:00The Herald Sun vs Andy Blume<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">First of all, wow. Yes, wow. I've been pretty quiet these past few days owing to the uproar surrounding one of my co-workers. Obviously the company radar will be dusted down and time, effort and money will be consumed either gather further evidence or looking for similar acts. No doubt this account will get glanced at and while they might not like the fact that I bypass the company propaganda mill and tell things straight up, they won't find much in the way of a smoking gun. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">I'm not about to come out representing the accused or to defend his actions. I've spent some time going over his blog and having a look around, and it's very much a case of "if it's not your cup of tea, don't boil the kettle". What this entire situation appears to be is more an orchestrated attempt at character assassination. I noticed that numerous times the individual has been critical of the Herald Sun, which provides them with a certain motivation. But before we get too involved, let's look at the timeline.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">On August 18th, the story was posted revealing:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"><b>"The 33-year-old faced a disciplinary hearing last month for using his phone to take pictures while at the controls of his tram and posting them online. He was not stood down"</b></span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="color: black; font-family: "\0027Times New Roman\0027"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Reading</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: black; font-family: "\0027Times New Roman\0027"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> that implies that not only is he guilty, but the company was reluctant to punish him. If it was written "he faced a disciplinary hearing last month for XXXX and there was insufficient evidence for XXXX/the accused admitted guilt and agreed to cease", it would at least have the air of due process. It's also a rather strange situation, as I would have thought that one's record of employment with a private company would fall under the Privacy Act, or at least be without relevance as there appears to be no punishment. How did the Herald Sun get such information? And given the recent issue of phone hacking, if I were running a newspaper owned by Rupert Murdoch, I'd want to be a little clearer about how I obtained such personal information.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Looking at the writing of the articles, I can't help but see that unless you visited the blog and other sites, you wouldn't know that the paper is cherry picking the most sensational aspects of this person's internet identity and "reporting" it in such a way as to paint him in the worst light possible. "Pornographic images"? I saw some rather unattractive naked women, but apart from that, I get worse stuff in my spam box. As for taking photos of sleeping passengers and making fun of them, I think if you fall asleep on a tram in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Melbourne</st1:place></st1:city> and that's the worst thing that happens to you, you're bloody lucky. Yes, it's unprofessional, but hardly dismissable offences as the person has fallen asleep in a public place and what the accused uploads to his website in terms of naked ladies is hardly an issue for the company (unless he's doing it on the company's time/bandwidth or under their name, but it appears that the truth here might be interfering with the story). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">The comments and the pictures regarding crashes are somewhat disturbing, but if this person truly took such joy out of accidents, he wouldn't have lasted ten years, let alone get voted for an OH&S role. It's clearly a coping strategy or at the very least a way of sharing what is always a traumatic event. I'd be curious to see if the company has or will offer him counselling, as it might be needed. The Herald Sun has neglected exploring this avenue for some reason. I've had accidents in the past (as have the vast majority of drivers) and the expectation is that unless you're injured physically or the tram damaged seriously, you continue your trip and the rest of your shift. You might get someone asking you how you are, but it never comes across as being company policy. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">It seems as though much of the things he writes are designed to offend and shock. It might be designed to get your attention (sounds like something a newspaper might do) and leave little space for middle ground or differing points of view as it hits extreme from the first words. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">On the same day, there was a small editorial that summarised the article and called for the accused's dismissal. The editorial expands a little, claiming that he "boasts of causing accidents with his tram". Interesting, as this is a pretty serious development. Once again, to last in the job ten years while taking such joy in causing accidents doesn't quite add up. If he was that keen on causing accidents, there would be ample evidence of this on his record as it's not as though we're starved of opportunity (I have roughly 4-5 near misses per half, all cars and pedestrians).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">As far as the accusations of sexist and racist comments being posted online go, it appears that the news writers for the Herald Sun don't spend much time talking to the moderators of the online comments section. I find what the accused says about the gender of accident drivers a little unsavory, and in my experience there's pretty much a gender balance when it comes to bumping into the large beasts. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">In an article on Yahoo7, Yarra Trams says that in light of the pornography and racist comments, it will take quick and decisive action. Unless the porn relates to his activities at work, they will probably find that what an employee does in his or her spare time that isn't related to work is their own business. The link here is rather weak and I'd be interested to see if it even gets a mention at his "meeting". As for racism, I doubt this will be the real issue either, as his views are being expressed outside of his workplace.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Phil Altieri also chimed in here in the article. Instead of keeping quiet as it appears that an investigation is either occurring or beginning, he talks about how the rest of us workers get tainted with the same brush. Wow. Someone who's effectively your own industrial lawyer when it comes to issues of discipline has publicly come out and said you're the bad paint on that brush, before you've had a chance to defend yourself or even face a formal inquiry at work regarding the "new" evidence.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Another aspect of note was that the comments section, under the articles relating to Mr Blume, while present on the page, have no comments posted. I've read on twitter that it appears to be disabled as people have complained about not being able to post. While this might simply be a case of software failure, it seems a little odd that an article skewering someone about online comments being posted would have their own comments not working (deliberate or otherwise). The argument that perhaps nobody’s commented is null and void, as regardless of the issue, there’s always some sad sack linking any current news to the glory of the Howard years or how much they hate Julia Gillard.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Another rather curious issue here is the complete lack of any comments what so ever in the letters to the editor section of the paper on any day since the original article. Not one. Either <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Melbourne</st1:place></st1:city> has stopped caring about public transport altogether, or the Herald Sun is not posting comments. Once again, it seems rather one-sided and impossible to believe that not one single Herald Sun reader has used this incident as a platform to complain about the latest football coach sacking.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">One aspect I cannot let pass is the use of a mobile phone while operating a vehicle, and it should be known that this practice is dangerous and the company does have strict rules relating to the use of electrical equipment while driving the tram (ie don't do it). Seeing as this offence was dealt with a month and the punishment was not to stand the driver down, it would be easy to arrive at the conclusion that there was not enough evidence for dismissal. In order for there to be enough evidence, you would have to have a reliable witness (yes, we get plenty of dobbers complaining) or proof that those pictures were in fact taken by the driver. Just because I put a picture on my website doesn't mean I actually took it - it merely means I have sourced it. The article clearly implies, without proof, that these photographs were taken by the accused in contradiction to the Road Safety Act as well as the company rules. To use images to imply someone's guilt as opposed to establishing or prove it is not exactly the height of journalism.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Let's have a look at the sequence of events through a different light:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">The accused is somehow caught using his camera while at the controls of his tram (note the absence of the word "moving" or even "occupied"). He fronts up to a panel, agrees not to do it again and, as per the instructions, doesn't do that again. If this was such a serious matter, why was this not referred to Victoria Police?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Someone at the Herald Sun catches wind of this and as they know he hates the paper via his blog, sets out to bring down this "rogue tram driver". They manage to "discover" photographs and blog entries that are, in some cases, many years old. There is no reference to any "new" blog entries or photographs submitted after the panel a month ago. Is he continuing to offend? Or has the Herald Sun simply dug a little deeper than Yarra Trams did? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">He's on leave for a week, which means the media cycle will have enough time to chew him up and spit him out before he's back at work. Thousands of people will have made up their mind before the investigation has started and given the Herald Sun has made Yarra Trams look ignorant, I'm thinking they already have the result of the panel arranged as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">He can't comment or defend himself online as these are serious charges that may have legal implications. Not only that, but what if, as part of his work punishment, he had to assure them he wasn't to post anything else work-related? That would make his situation impossible. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">And all of this stems from a panel a month ago which did result in the accused not being stood down. Why wasn't the evidence, that's been online for years, brought up then? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">In order for a bit of balance, it would be interesting to find out who was actually responsible for the "best collision I ever had". This happened in <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Collins St</st1:address></st1:street> several years ago (I remember as it was on the news). The context, while initially abhorrent, can be up for interpretation. Without the benefit of facts, we can only assume by the Herald Sun that Mr Blume's a horrible person. As the twitter feed is now private and I can't find the photo anywhere else, so readers have no idea if Mr Blume's best accident is because he enjoyed hitting a car breaking the law in a tram-only lane or, perhaps, Mr Blume's best accident was because there so much damage and nobody got killed. It's this sort of "journalism" that, without context or some line of proof, that is simply there to help paint the worst picture. It's this sort of "reasonable doubt" that exists in court and while as I said earlier I'm not out to defend Mr Blume, I am merely trying to illustrate that this article is poor journalism at best.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">I will repeat what I said earlier so it's clear to my followers and anyone from Yarra Trams: While I don't agree with many of the posts and find them distasteful, I find the sequence of events in this situation far more disturbing than the offences, proven or otherwise. I find the fact that the company appears to be taking it's employee discipline cues from a tabloid newspaper very concerning, especially considering the amount of information they're managed to get in reference to his panel, his OH&S position, his place of work, etc. Employee history, let alone a copy of an expired work travel pass, is hardly public domain and I'd like to know where that ID card photo came from. While I can't possibly believe it's a conspiracy, it certainly seems like a very cosy group of people circling around one employee who just so happens to be on leave during the week the story "breaks" and a month after the panel. Herald Sun readers might be this easily fooled, but there are plenty of sceptics out there like me who look past the pictures and look for the sorts of things that aren't written, instead of simply lapping up this second-rate garbage as "journalism".<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Oh, and finally I'd like to congratulate the Herald Sun, Yarra Trams, Transport Minister Terry Mulder and the Rail Tram and Bus Union for not letting an issue such as the 594 accidents between cars and trams this year get in the way of dealing with a single disgruntled tram driver. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage, injuries, interruptions to the service, costs in fines, stress to staff, etc. That statistic of 594 collisions was posted in the company's staff newsletter "The Wire" on August 16th. Two days before Mr Blume made page three.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-23549369096690723272011-08-08T03:38:00.000-07:002011-08-08T03:38:35.310-07:00Why You Got Left Behind (or "Hey! You're Early For The Next One!")<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One of the single greatest complaints that those poor devils at the Customer Relations Office (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1800 800 166 6am-Midnight every day) have to put up with is Tram Drivers failing to pick up passengers. Now right off the bat, I'm going to come out and say that I've accidentally missed the odd passengers or two over the years, but I can count these on my fingers. Dark clothes, hiding behind a pole/shelter, arm comes up at the last moment, etc. However, looking at the sheer volume of complaints and the sorts of things I see on the road, I'm wondering how this situation is getting worse, especially when people are becoming more educated about public transport. Anyway, Here's a list of reasons why I've left people behind and please remember - they aren't personal. I don't wake up wanting to piss people off - I leave that up to Transport Ministers.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Before I start, I should state that according to our rules and regulations, Drivers must always be on the alert for intending passengers at termini and at stops. This makes sense and I can see plenty of passengers using this as ammunition. However, when you mix this with the timetable we're supposed to be running to, it can (and often does) cause a bit of conflict. Please bear in mind that we need to find some sort of balance between the needs of passengers on board as well, and this isn't always easy.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. You're Not At The Stop</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You're running like Carl Lewis and I'm running late for whatever reason. If you aren't at the stop when I'm due there, what makes you think I'm going to sit there and wait while you get to the stop when I've got passengers on board? It might sound harsh, but we're not a taxi service. Oh, and putting it into perspective - imagine if you were on the late tram and the driver stopped for <i>each</i> and <i>every</i> person who looked like they might want the tram? If I'm running on time, I try to wait, but I can't do it all the time. That's why there's other trams. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. Freeze Frame!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm approaching a stop, there's someone standing there. Not moving a muscle. No eye contact, no movement, nothing (no guide dog, cane, helper, or evidence to suggest they might need help!). I ring the gong, and still nothing. Finally, just as I pass the stop, the person springs into action, waving like they're drowning. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If your tram is coming, make eye contact, extend your arm and <i>hail</i> us. Just like a taxi isn't going to be able to read your mind, don't expect us to.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. Bus Stop/Tram Stop</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There is a difference. Bus are orange, tram are green. Don't find this out the hard way. Lots of money was spent here.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. I'm On The Other Line</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You're on the phone or listening to music, don't expect anyone on public transport to give a shit. I've pulled up at lights, watched, nothing. Lights change, I move off, then all of a sudden the important phone call can wait. Like he did. For the next tram.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. Jaywalkers</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I try not to swear, but these twits take the cake. My light's green, my doors are shut, I'm moving off. What fucked up sense of entitlement allows these idiots to run in front of traffic because they want that tram? I don't know what it is, but I let them think about it as they wait for the next tram. I'm doing my job and driving safely, while these morons break the law and get pissy when they don't get what they want. Once again, people take this personally, but if I waited for everyone who wanted the tram, I'd never leave the city. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6. Destination.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Read them. I've been transporting trams around depots and have "Sorry Not In Service" up before I leave the gate. If I'm out when there's plenty of people around, I slow down and if they see me point at the desto, they usually work it out. Of course then there's the smart-arse who thinks that somehow, after over a decade of privatisation, the company is willing to pay someone to simply drive an empty tram around for hours just to piss people off. These types bash at the door, can't take no for an answer and expect for you to know why the seat at Clifton Hill station still hasn't been fixed yet.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7. Special Events</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When the football is on, trams are commandeered from every depot and sent to do the football. This pretty much involves running between Flinders St and the appropriate ground before and after the match to carry the crowds. I'd love to know who pays for it, because it's certainly not done for the fare-payers! Anyway, trams run out of service from the depot to the run and out of service when returning to the depot. This can often upset plenty of people, especially those who happen to forget that it is a religion in this city. My tram's been kicked, I've been spat at and my parents marriage status questioned, all for the sake of carting around yobbos, some of which barrack for Collingwood. While you might see hundreds of trams on short runs, the usual service still runs. However, like Punt Rd, don't expect it to be immune from the masses.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8. Multiple Lines</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">On some routes, numerous tram lines run. Think St Kilda Rd heading away from the city, for example. If a tram is running late on a line shared with others, it's unreasonable to expect each and every tram to stop for each and every passenger. That's why intending passengers need to signal. But what about blind people? Any decently trained driver will be able to recognise somebody whose vision is impaired, and that's not just keeping an eye out for dogs or canes. A good driver will slow down, sound the gong, and stop if somebody signals. If nobody signals or there's an absence of body language (not picking up your bag does tend to send me a signal), why should we stop everyone on the tram from getting home?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">9. No Room At The Inn</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">On occasion, usually during the peaks, trams get so full that people can't get on. Yes, it sucks, but when this happens we end up running later and later, pissing more and more people off. If it gets to this point, and we stop for more people, it often wastes more and more time as you run from door to door looking for room that simply isn't there. Under certain conditions, full trams can leave passengers behind at the stop (as long as there's another following). Drivers are supposed to clearly signal that there's a tram not far behind. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">I never feel great about leaving people behind. Never. Why? Because I've had the chance to change someone's opinion about public transport and to do something good. That might be their last straw, and the next day they might be that dickhead who's driving their car in the tram lane. In all my years as a driver, I've never enjoyed it because like passengers, we're humans. Yes, there are some bad eggs who will scrub stops to make up time, but these ones cheat us both:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">a) Rostering looks at the run times and notices that trams can make it through this section at this time taking less time than usual. So they cut time. Yay.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">b) The passenger may well let the next driver have it, as though we're all connected. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">If you have any dramas with any drivers, don't hesitate to report them. Take the time, location, tram route, destination, tram number, that sort of thing. Yarra Trams is obliged to follow complaints up and I've had a few over time (Dickheads who run in front of the tram mostly). We have some bastards who need to be kept honest. Every time we get notices around the depots about customer complaints, they always proudly point out that a majority of complaints are caused by the same few drivers. They never seem to do anything about them though...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Maintain the rage against shit Tram Drivers though!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Anyway, if you're enjoying this stuff let me know. I need inspiration though, so if you can come up with any issues you want exploring, drop me a note here or hit me up on twitter (@melbtramdriver). </span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-82812529724066617852011-07-28T04:07:00.000-07:002011-07-28T04:09:17.247-07:00The Short Shunt<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Often on the #yarratrams stream I see people upset at being kicked off the tram short of the terminus for it to turn around. I even have to do just that very thing, however in this post I will attempt to explain the logic behind it, how it should work, and what drivers should be doing to make sure it's explained to their passengers. This move is called a "short shunt".</span></div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Throughout a route there are shunts located at various intervals (a shunt is where a tram "turns around" for those who haven't heard of this archaic yet accurate term). For anyone who's seen the Flinders St super stop heading along St Kilda Rd, there is one located on the south side of Flinders St intersection. Anyway, I digress.</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A journey from terminus to terminus is supposed to go for a certain period of time. However, owing to real world interference, trams actually run late. We share the roads for a start, and the list goes on, from poor decisions by VicRoads or the Transport Minister, down to the lady with the shopping jeep who can't decide which door suits her disposition better. When a tram runs late, it creates a bit of a snowball and if it runs late enough, it can end up <i>picking up passengers that would otherwise be on the tram behind</i>. And the tram behind, denied the pleasures of regular stopping, often runs early which further causes problems, not just in terms of fines and passenger service, but also for the poor bugger behind <i>him. </i>In short, it can get very messy and quite drawn out. The media refers to this as a "knock on", but for us it's just another shitty day at the office.</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">For a tram to get short shunted, it must be running a certain amount of time late and this all depends on numerous factors. The tram must be late enough to have used up the journey time from the shunt to the terminus, the recovery time at the terminus, and the return journey time from the terminus to the shunt. If a tram is running this late, they may get a short shunt. If the tram in front got short shunted, they (they being Fleet Control) might get the following to go all the way to keep the service running, even if it's late. Check out the awesome diagram I worked on for about 30 seconds:</div><div><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv8PHTh-r29dTRhlA5UNDrij_bJH_BF5Kk9yprrzTI4ecFnzlE2SqcpsNXlgVKFNJ03C23dOB25u2GsXWgAWbAHXI4bORaOUZC4DZjZoPG8Vw7IkKD6UKftu-VOK2_nqc8Cj7WqtE5jI/s1600/short+shunt.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631034504783611010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv8PHTh-r29dTRhlA5UNDrij_bJH_BF5Kk9yprrzTI4ecFnzlE2SqcpsNXlgVKFNJ03C23dOB25u2GsXWgAWbAHXI4bORaOUZC4DZjZoPG8Vw7IkKD6UKftu-VOK2_nqc8Cj7WqtE5jI/s400/short+shunt.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Usually late at night, short shunts are avoided owing to the reduction in services. In a perfect world, when a tram is late, the following tram has caught up and the driver can point this out to the passengers instead of showing them the door.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Some drivers, ever mindful of the clock (in particular their meal break or shift end) will call up and request a short shunt. Personally I wait for them to call me because a) They're paid to monitor the service and b) they know the bigger picture.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Sometimes it can go a bit pear-shaped though. The technology used to monitor trams is so old (yep, it would struggle to run Pacman), that <i>they don't know exactly where you are</i>. Yes, in the 21st century with GPS and anything else post 1981, they can call me up and tell me to shunt when I'm several blocks beyond. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">So what should drivers be doing? While it's not always possible, change the destination as early as possible. That way, the two people who a<i>ctually bother to read them</i> will at least have heads up. This isn't always possible, as the equipment can sometimes be at one end of the tram. Let the passengers know and when you do, try to give them alternatives! Also, let them know if it's just a single tram turning around, or if there's a bigger issue and no services are going through. </span></span></div><div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I can't emphasise enough that these decisions are made above the driver and while it might be an inconvenience for the passenger trying to get to the end, it is done with the bigger picture in mind. They can let that tram run late all night, creating a nightmare for both drivers and passengers, as well as a mountain of fines, or they can cut their losses and inconvenience the smaller number of people. The greater good. I should also add that fines for short shunting are the second-greatest on the list (the greatest being not running that tram at all, which is what it will feel like for those missing one that's been short shunted). These fines are weighted based on the estimated number of passengers (who says validating is pointless...) traveling, so short shunts during peak hours attract the greater penalties.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Solution?</span></span></b></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">One solution that's been trialled on various routes at various times is a Block Car. Here's how the magic works:</span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">A tram is running late to the terminus. At the terminus, a second tram and driver are waiting. The driver gets the call and departs on time. When it reaches the struggling tram, the drivers swap and the tram making it to the terminus now becomes the new Block Car. It's brilliant in it's simplicity and when employed properly, can be wonderful.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Several problems arise here. First, it's difficult to have a tram sitting with a driver at the end of the line when there's often a shortage of trams in the first place (almost every depot is calibrated so that during the peaks the sheds are empty). Secondly, paying a driver to sit at the terminus can often be more expensive that short shunting, especially if everything runs smoothly (which it does often enough). Like Metro, we don't have access to a whole bunch of staff and vehicles at the faint smell of problems. Years of private running have ensured that any "fat" has been well and truly trimmed</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> and any flexibility thoroughly amputated. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-89562141709639518272011-07-17T02:08:00.000-07:002011-07-17T02:41:24.678-07:00No steering wheel!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgern0Qn6yvlN0YOgVsr1Z5rtaxvxDoEYRVmzUJjJh9YyNvfYf9-EkKl-gLFMY1DtNaUzBqC-wqmTvCMfS6Aut2BPMe_usuCqaSmtyGSw6T_Yqr71UXmpaaliXj2qldDYH-WDIAaC_aTRw/s1600/SCJ2+mod.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: justify;">A question was asked this week by @levis517 about how tram track switches work. It's frequently a question asked by passengers, especially tourists, who seem to quite calmly point out the lack of a steering wheel. Anyway, I've decided to delay (yes, PT puns thick and fast) the article on Short Shunts and instead answer this rather not-so-modern mystery.</div><div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are 2 basic types of points - The first are Manual, where you see us get out with the giant tuna tin openers (called Point Bars) and click them over. The second are Automatic or Electronic. The system is set up in such a way that if electronic points fail, we can always get out and change them manually. Anyway, check out the picture below:</div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvc99-wJFbtM_FkqKg2t9mWLbL_shpZsA89SJgn21ejcf8y1XvxOxkdAW0D0Es6KvTkbPpt55GJSf4WbHtYvWyr5OWtBttjUATa2_t9P1pB-eLh4fr4F6QntMr0ly0MQsGy8kiOTNqsQ/s1600/kewjunction1+mod.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvc99-wJFbtM_FkqKg2t9mWLbL_shpZsA89SJgn21ejcf8y1XvxOxkdAW0D0Es6KvTkbPpt55GJSf4WbHtYvWyr5OWtBttjUATa2_t9P1pB-eLh4fr4F6QntMr0ly0MQsGy8kiOTNqsQ/s400/kewjunction1+mod.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630247216639288914" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">You should notice (if you squint), there are some white dots on the road inside the oblong. One, two, then three. The circle shows a lantern (or set of traffic lights) that indicates the direction the points are set to. In the case of Kew Junction here, if I was a #109 and wanted to turn up Cotham Rd, I would twist the points switch on the console as I approached the first dot. Between the first and second set of dots, there is a transponder that picks up the signal and switches the tracks. If I was a #48 continuing along High St, I would simply not touch the switch, as the default signal is "straight".</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL1Ym9lET8TtuIcLY2BmTPWKkXIBgXxxMz5U80jLWcpVlc0emkkXvzV4KfhWrqIQzcpqyzU2eWBiWf6nRP4P-qceR5m5C1XmmiKDDtPv2v8Jg1_Q8hJnK57iIFWJSShHap2GRzR1sJ18/s400/kewjunction2+mod.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630249532077711666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">This second picture shows the lantern closer and while I have highlighted the opposite set of points, it does give you some idea of how the direction changes. This next pair of photos is a better set:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOE9SdahbvB9PHMNyiGImb9JtnU9FVT0vYNFpXWuUbE-bvfPVb2bzL7nI1SpYFEZ-hjr_fgjymMZF7cf6ggO8iMdLaI0207BCB6EKV3osrff8Ipe2YG119KDp9o2Cn76eGJVbaFwSpjBo/s1600/SCJ1+mod.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOE9SdahbvB9PHMNyiGImb9JtnU9FVT0vYNFpXWuUbE-bvfPVb2bzL7nI1SpYFEZ-hjr_fgjymMZF7cf6ggO8iMdLaI0207BCB6EKV3osrff8Ipe2YG119KDp9o2Cn76eGJVbaFwSpjBo/s400/SCJ1+mod.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630250549945260082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">This shows the approach to Balaclava Rd from Hawthorn Rd. This is a unique junction in the system (and one of only two on the planet) in that a tram can turn in any direction from every direction. You can see the white dots and the lantern on the left indicating the points are currently set for a right turn. If I wanted to go straight, I would simply approach this without touching the switch, and as I pass over the gap between the first dot and the second set, the points would switch over. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Final photo shows the points are indeed set for the right:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgern0Qn6yvlN0YOgVsr1Z5rtaxvxDoEYRVmzUJjJh9YyNvfYf9-EkKl-gLFMY1DtNaUzBqC-wqmTvCMfS6Aut2BPMe_usuCqaSmtyGSw6T_Yqr71UXmpaaliXj2qldDYH-WDIAaC_aTRw/s1600/SCJ2+mod.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgern0Qn6yvlN0YOgVsr1Z5rtaxvxDoEYRVmzUJjJh9YyNvfYf9-EkKl-gLFMY1DtNaUzBqC-wqmTvCMfS6Aut2BPMe_usuCqaSmtyGSw6T_Yqr71UXmpaaliXj2qldDYH-WDIAaC_aTRw/s400/SCJ2+mod.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630251453592284082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a>That little lantern on the left in this picture indicates that priority turning lights can be activated at this location, but more on those another time.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOE9SdahbvB9PHMNyiGImb9JtnU9FVT0vYNFpXWuUbE-bvfPVb2bzL7nI1SpYFEZ-hjr_fgjymMZF7cf6ggO8iMdLaI0207BCB6EKV3osrff8Ipe2YG119KDp9o2Cn76eGJVbaFwSpjBo/s1600/SCJ1+mod.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">I hope this clarifies any questions about trams turning. It's a fairly old technology and does have a habit of breaking down (electrics + outdoors + "wait till it breaks" = problems), but on the most part they are quite reliable. Only once have I had a real fright and that was when the points failed to change. I got out with the point bar to change it manually and just as I slipped it into the hole, BOOM! They flicked over. Usually if they fail, a horizontal bar appears. Oh, and if a tram behind comes up too close before the first one has cleared, the points remain set. I should say "usually" because part of our training is that if something can go wrong, it usually does when you're on your last run.<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">LEGAL BULLSHIT</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">YES, I'VE USED GOOGLEMAPS AND USED TWO EXAMPLES OF AUTOMATIC POINTS. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT I COME FROM ANY OF THE DEPOTS WHO USE THESE ROUTES. I USED THEM FOR SIMPLICITY AND INTEREST. I HAVE NOT REVEALED ANYTHING BEYOND WHAT ANY DECENT DRIVER WOULD DO IF ASKED BY A PASSENGER. IF YOU'RE TRAWLING THE INTERNET LOOKING FOR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE POTENTIALLY CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE COMPANY OR THE GOVERNMENT, I SUGGEST YOU FIND SOMETHING MORE PRODUCTIVE TO DO. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-373306827639108969.post-87601284803927859172011-07-14T15:47:00.001-07:002011-07-14T16:33:16.204-07:00First Post.<div style="text-align: justify;">Hi, this is Melbourne Tram Driver starting up a blog to help answer some of the questions I've seen on Twitter. Unfortunately Twitter lacks the space to cover certain issues completely and it's difficult to explain complex issues in such a limited space. Hence, this blog is born. Before we get to the interesting stuff, there are some issues that I need to deal with first.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In no way is this blog or my tweets supported or endorsed by Yarra Trams. My goal here is to fill the numerous gaps between what goes on in the real world vs what goes on in tramland. I will share my frustrations with both the travelling public and the running of the system. I don't always tow the company line and, as in the past, I have often suggested people lodge complaints with either Yarra Trams or the PT Ombudsman. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the end, I'd ask that everyone bear in mind a couple of things:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. Staff are human and, like passengers, we make mistakes and aren't perfect. When I'm wrong, I apologise right away. Tram drivers have a difficult task. Those vehicles <i>start</i> at 19 tonnes and don't have steering wheels. It can be very stressful dealing with pedestrians/cars who don't know or care about this, not to mention exhausting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. We know that most of you pay for tickets and there's a reasonable expectation that a service be provided. If things go wrong, you should be informed (hello? anyone at @yarratrams?). However, please also bear in mind that the service provided suffers from everything the public and government throws at it. It's far from a champagne service. If you need a comparison, take the daily fare to the taxi rank and see what happens.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. We can't see everything on board or outside the tram. If something's happening, for the love of God, come up and tell us. In addition, we don't know everything. A little bit of homework prior to travelling goes a long way, even if it's just a nearby main road or landmark. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">4. Complaints are sometimes warranted and I've sent in my fair share. However, make sure they're targeted at the right people and contain accurate information. If you missed the last tram last night because it didn't run, staff at the Herald Sun comments section won't care or be able to do anything, so don't waste more of your time. Please don't expect me to gather all the problems of the tram system and email them to my boss. There are people whose job is to sort this out and they are the ones that can act on it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">5. In the end, I'm here to help out, as are the vast majority of employees. I enjoy helping people and a quiet, smooth day is what I love as well. If I hated people, I wouldn't be putting myself in a job where I see <i>thousands</i> of them every day. If you want to pick a fight with the driver for whatever reason, save your breath or don't endanger your safety or those of other passengers. Take down details, get yourself home and submit a complaint. And yes, they do get followed up.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">6. Don't be afraid to ask questions about how and why stuff happens!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'll try to post as often a I can, but please don't expect specific information about which lines I work, when I work or who I am. There are many people in this industry who would sacrifice aging parents for a cup of coffee, and I'm not about to put my hand up for that. They're usually the same ones who are shit drivers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My next post will be about short shunts, something which often causes plenty of grief on the road, but nobody quite understands why.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2