Could there be any clearer demonstration of precisely why the State Government refused to take the train network back from private operators? They’re there for one primary reason, and that is, as someone to blame:
Yesterday the Premier was less enthusiastic. ”They need to lift their performance,” he said. ”They have got an agreement with the government and that agreement is set out in writing and I believe they should be meeting it.”
Mr Brumby said Metro had to be given ”a chance to settle in and get on top of the job. But they’ve had, what, four months now and they are not meeting their performance targets.”
You hired them. The buck stops with you. Want more control in order to solve these problems? Take responsibility again. Stop hiding behind private companies.
I hope the travelling public doesn’t buy the deflection. It’s your fault, and your fault alone.
Moved On 
Yep it is time to recycle the blame list. Most of the Connex staff transfered to Metro so nothing was going to change quickly.
” It’s your fault, and your fault alone.”
nah. some credit has to go to the CEO of Metro, Andrew Lezala. previously he ran a rail company in Britain, which collapsed owing $1 billion. it was a huge scandal, taxpayers bailed it out, its all hush hush in australia though…
bankrupting public transport, or blowing out costs, is very profitable for certain people.. and with Andrews credentials, we can expect to see a lot more mismanagement and “incompetence”
Don’t agree – Brumby is in charge. He’s effectively subcontracted Metro to do his government’s job; when they fail he bears ultimate responsibility.
The government could always take it back over and do it properly itself.
I wouldn’t mind betting that the privately run public transport costs Victorians more than when it was in govt hands.
100% agree with your post Jeremy.
Of course they’ll buy it. Why? Well, do the public call their local member when their regular train is delayed/cancelled/whatever, or go berko at the lady or gent at the ticket window/standing on the platform (if their station has one)?
“go berko at the lady or gent at the ticket window”
What’s a ticket window?
““go berko at the lady or gent at the ticket window””
People vote with their feet, they just use different methods of getting to work if PT doesn’t serve their needs (if they have a choice) I work in Mulgrave, I live in footscray, there’s no way knowing I’d catch PT unless it was my only option, when they build the Footscray to Caufield link I may well become a PT user again, I’m a fan of good PT.
Don’t forget: Now that the train network is a FOR PROFIT private business, Metro has to pay taxes.
TO THE GOVERNMENT.
And people wonder why states try to privatise absolutely everything.
maybe Brumby could learn from Rudd and make a few phony statements of contrition…but why bother when there’s a convenient whipping boy
What else would you expect from Brumby — a man who was unable to attain the office of Premier on his own merits and is only there because the job was handed to him by his mate.
I only wish that there was some sort of even barely credible opposition — anyone would do — so Victorians could have an alternative to this imposter and his corrupt government.
Unfortuneately as it stands we are likely to see him get another term because the Libs are worse than hopeless.
“a man who was unable to attain the office of Premier on his own merits ”
I’m no fan but the reason Brumby wasn’t leader was all about looks and personality which doesn’t say much for the electorate, he was always the brains behind Bracks who had the look and the friendly personality.
“I only wish that there was some sort of even barely credible opposition — anyone would do — so Victorians could have an alternative to this imposter and his corrupt government.”
I’ll be voting Green but I may put Liberals above Labor as a protest, don’t worry, they’ll both be well down my ballot, just ahead of racists, fundies and other nut cases.
“I’ll be voting Green but I may put Liberals above Labor as a protest, ”
I’m not sure who I’ll be voting for this time around — I don’t like any of them….Maybe an independent if we have any, otherwise the donkey vote is looking good 😛
Although it doesn’t really matter much in my electorate — safe labour seat for many years now.