Today is an important anniversary.
21 years ago, August 29, 1999, Victoria's trains and Melbourne's trams were franchised to international operators. It took over two years to happen after it was announced in 1997. Then the PTC was dismantled and the trains and trams split into separate business units in preparation for franchising. As a precursor Met Buses were franchised out a few years previously in two tranches.
National Express was the biggest operator, taking over V/Line, Bayside Trains and Swanston Trams.
The other half of of metropolitan trains was Connex while the other half of the trams was Yarra Trams.
I won't go into too much detail but will leave you with these links and accounts.
Archived Connex website https://web.archive.org/web/20040601000000*/connexmelbourne.com.au
Hillside Trains website before that (still going!) http://www.buslines.com.au/hillsidetrains/index2.html
Archived Connex website https://web.archive.org/web/20040601000000*/connexmelbourne.com.au
Hillside Trains website before that (still going!) http://www.buslines.com.au/hillsidetrains/index2.html
Web history of public transport in Melbourne https://melbourneontransit.blogspot.com/2020/05/a-tangled-web-internet-history-of.html
Histories and accounts
My item on the National Express pull-out
PTUA history of it https://www.ptua.org.au/campaigns/govern/priv-1999/
My item on the National Express pull-out
PTUA history of it https://www.ptua.org.au/campaigns/govern/priv-1999/
Paul Mees' screed on how privatisation didn't deliver the hoped for benefits. https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/documents/council/Select_Committees/Trains/Submissions/SCTS_18_Att_3.pdf
Institute of Public Affairs thing on how it did https://ipa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/archive/1179188058_document_allsop_transport.pdf
Favourable account of privatisation from one of those behind it http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p89991/pdf/9-3-A-4.pdf
Analysis by Prof Graeme Hodge https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-buck-stops-here-20090901-f6ym.html
School of Government case study from the early years https://www.anzsog.edu.au/preview-documents/case-study-level-1/49-privatisation-of-melbourne-public-transport-the-a-2004-3-1/file
Favourable account of privatisation from one of those behind it http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p89991/pdf/9-3-A-4.pdf
Analysis by Prof Graeme Hodge https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-buck-stops-here-20090901-f6ym.html
School of Government case study from the early years https://www.anzsog.edu.au/preview-documents/case-study-level-1/49-privatisation-of-melbourne-public-transport-the-a-2004-3-1/file
Support from minister Lynne Kosky for privatisation https://www.smh.com.au/national/kosky-stands-by-privatised-trains-20090123-7ors.html
Overall the above is much ado about nothing. There are bad public systems and there are good public systems. There are good private systems and bad private systems. Other matters, such as planning, oversight, maintenance and overall funding are more important determinants of whether a system is good.
However some aspects of it in Melbourne were clearly botched, particularly the operational splitting of the network (with initially incompatible trains being ordered), the highly fragmented information and the ever-changing branding that wasted everyone's time. Not to mention the original contracts that were based on financial moonshine due to a mixture of greed and wishful thinking by both parties. These rewarded conniving carpetbagging managers, consultants and lawyers who made a motza while being personally unaccountable for bad advice, decisions or judgment.
However some aspects of it in Melbourne were clearly botched, particularly the operational splitting of the network (with initially incompatible trains being ordered), the highly fragmented information and the ever-changing branding that wasted everyone's time. Not to mention the original contracts that were based on financial moonshine due to a mixture of greed and wishful thinking by both parties. These rewarded conniving carpetbagging managers, consultants and lawyers who made a motza while being personally unaccountable for bad advice, decisions or judgment.
Recordings from National Express managers
Hear from National Express managers here in these staff videos.
Hear from National Express managers here in these staff videos.
Melbourne on Transit bookshop
Favourably reviewed books about transport and cities. Purchases via these links support this blog and its independent reporting (at no extra cost to you).
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