The train fiasco.

The New South Wales government must he cringing at the reaction from it's political heartland - Wollongong - over the transport service that it has the temerity to call a " railway ".
For various reasons - including having to withdraw rolling stock because of rust problems, failed delivery date for new carriages - and vandalism of existing carriages - the rail service connecting this city to Sydney has descended into farce.
Commuters face at least a ninety minute trip - and often two hours when delays along the way extend the journey - with carriages packed like sardine cans - and in most cases without toilets. Many trains were designed for short, inner city trips and have been forced into inter-city use and those carriages with toilets are usually out of service. Locked because of vandalism - or too filthy to use.
There are many instances of passengers suffering severe embarrassment when they have wet themselves. There have also been cases of humilitation when people have been seen urinating in desperation in the tween carriage walkways - and sometimes in the corner of carriages.
The end is in sight - when the new OSCARS designed for inter-city travel come on line, but that will be midyear at the earliest.
There also seems to be complete indifference to the needs of Wollongong people on the part of the railway planners. January 26 was Australia day and the celebrations in Sydney were well advertised. It should not have taken Nostradamus to predict a huge surge of Wollongong people heading to Darling Harbour to participate - but the railways provided the normal times four carriage set. As a result, it was packed like sardines and many people were left on the platforms. Many failed to even get to the Sydney Australia day celebrations.
The government minister says " sorry ". But he is not as sorry as the harassed commuters who have put up with third world rail conditions for many years - and now have trains running to a steam age timetable because this enables the government to claim better " running on time " performance figures.
Next month this state will have an election. If " heartland " voters continue to put their tick against government candidates on the ballot paper it will simple reinforce the conception that has held back this area for decades. The Labor party does not spend money here because the " mugs " vote for them anyway - and when the Liberals are in office they don't spend money here because for them it is a " no win " area anyway !