JessamyConnex and its discriminatory ways
March 22nd 2008 04:05
Connex is a discriminatory organisation. (Yes, I know those are two bigs words in an opening sentence, but deal with it people. Just deal.)
I know of this after my extensive travel on the public transport network. For those not in the know (and that is basically anyone outside of Melbourne, Australia), Connex is the train branch of Melbourne's fiiiine public transport system. Dang, it's fine. It's so fine, I think I'll pronounce it fione, just like I'm in the Bronx, NY.
Regardless of how fione Connex is (see; it actually isn't), it is an organisation I haven't really had issues with. Mostly because, lucky me, I'm living along the Belgrave/Lilydale line, which is blessed by having trains that usually run on time, and not an excessive amount of cancelled 'services', as they call them (A service, I ask? A service is not a train, it's a skanky hooker you pick up in order to 'service' you. Actually, that's not a bad comparison).
But, yesterday I caught the train in from Reservoir, along the Epping line. And two stations in, suddenly, bam, there they were- the carriage was swamped by the spawn of Satan, aka Connex ticket checkers. Five or six of them all swooped upon my carriage, and proceeded to dish out fines to two people, one of them a young hoodlum girl from the 'burbs.
Now, I'm not saying this in itself is an act of discrimination. It's not. Connex is perfectly allowed to check tickets, and fine people-I hate fare evaders as much as your average law-abiding citizen. However, I'd like to give you some data of my own I have guesstimated, in order to prove my claims.
Firstly, I would travel on public transport two-three times a week, along the Belgrave/Lilydale line. Mostly during the day (for all you stalkers), and always going into the city and back out. So that averages out 3 times a week (let's be generous), over about 35 weeks a year that I'm living in Melbourne. About 105 trips a year, back and forward, plus let's say another 10 trips for the month this year that I've moved back to Melbourne. So in total, about 115 trips, plus the occasional venture along the Glen Waverly, Pakenham, Cragieburn and Hurstbridge line. Never once, in my entire frolicas around Melbourne, have I encountered a ticket checker. Never. Not once. Zip. Zero. Zilch.
But there it was, bam, first time on the el cheapo, Northern Suburbs Epping line, and I got checked. Connex targets, and I say deliberately targets, the poor souls on the Epping line. Probably in the vague hope that they can't afford the fare, unlike the apparently wealthy Eastern Suburbs people.
I dread to think how much the poor folks from Werribee get checked.
Also, a footnote. I actually went and had a browse of the Connex website, trying to find some info on just how badly my particular station sucks at getting trains on time. However, I got distracted by a quote concerning why some trains are only three carriages long, as opposed to the usual six:
"We appreciate this may inconvenience our customers, however, please be assured it is an option we turn to only as a last resort."
They....appreciate...the...in conveniance...of customers?
How? Do they sit aroudn with popcorn and watch frustrated communters waiting on platforms and trying to fit into overcrowded trains? Place bets on whether the old lady will get a seat? Cackel with glee as the young man trips and falls in the aisle?
Oh, I see straight through you Connex, you sick, masochistic bastards.
I know of this after my extensive travel on the public transport network. For those not in the know (and that is basically anyone outside of Melbourne, Australia), Connex is the train branch of Melbourne's fiiiine public transport system. Dang, it's fine. It's so fine, I think I'll pronounce it fione, just like I'm in the Bronx, NY.
Regardless of how fione Connex is (see; it actually isn't), it is an organisation I haven't really had issues with. Mostly because, lucky me, I'm living along the Belgrave/Lilydale line, which is blessed by having trains that usually run on time, and not an excessive amount of cancelled 'services', as they call them (A service, I ask? A service is not a train, it's a skanky hooker you pick up in order to 'service' you. Actually, that's not a bad comparison).
But, yesterday I caught the train in from Reservoir, along the Epping line. And two stations in, suddenly, bam, there they were- the carriage was swamped by the spawn of Satan, aka Connex ticket checkers. Five or six of them all swooped upon my carriage, and proceeded to dish out fines to two people, one of them a young hoodlum girl from the 'burbs.
Now, I'm not saying this in itself is an act of discrimination. It's not. Connex is perfectly allowed to check tickets, and fine people-I hate fare evaders as much as your average law-abiding citizen. However, I'd like to give you some data of my own I have guesstimated, in order to prove my claims.
Firstly, I would travel on public transport two-three times a week, along the Belgrave/Lilydale line. Mostly during the day (for all you stalkers), and always going into the city and back out. So that averages out 3 times a week (let's be generous), over about 35 weeks a year that I'm living in Melbourne. About 105 trips a year, back and forward, plus let's say another 10 trips for the month this year that I've moved back to Melbourne. So in total, about 115 trips, plus the occasional venture along the Glen Waverly, Pakenham, Cragieburn and Hurstbridge line. Never once, in my entire frolicas around Melbourne, have I encountered a ticket checker. Never. Not once. Zip. Zero. Zilch.
But there it was, bam, first time on the el cheapo, Northern Suburbs Epping line, and I got checked. Connex targets, and I say deliberately targets, the poor souls on the Epping line. Probably in the vague hope that they can't afford the fare, unlike the apparently wealthy Eastern Suburbs people.
I dread to think how much the poor folks from Werribee get checked.
Also, a footnote. I actually went and had a browse of the Connex website, trying to find some info on just how badly my particular station sucks at getting trains on time. However, I got distracted by a quote concerning why some trains are only three carriages long, as opposed to the usual six:
"We appreciate this may inconvenience our customers, however, please be assured it is an option we turn to only as a last resort."
They....appreciate...the...in conveniance...of customers?
How? Do they sit aroudn with popcorn and watch frustrated communters waiting on platforms and trying to fit into overcrowded trains? Place bets on whether the old lady will get a seat? Cackel with glee as the young man trips and falls in the aisle?
Oh, I see straight through you Connex, you sick, masochistic bastards.
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Comment by swanston1
Justice for all?
Breaking the cycle.
mmappmusic
You have won me. I drove trams for ten years, the public transport system is corrupt and very dodgey. We call ticker checkers glorifie police officers, mnay ticket checkers are ex tram drivers who are out on amission to make people pay for years of public abuse. Most checkers do have an axe to grind and do have issues and really believe that they are higher than the law itself. Beyond all of that, injured passengers would never get a cent if in an accident...why?? because they are supposed to know the riskes of travelling ewhn entering a public transport vehicle of any type. This is tru and has happened to many people. It is not only the ticket checkers, the entire system reeks of dodginess...For instance when I was made redundant, their excuse was, "Union Dissatisfaction" Yes, thats right, they said I lost my job ebcause I was dissatisfied with the union, ha, I was $5.25 in credit on my last day..All I can say is "Bad place here!!"
Rock on
Sarah
Comment by Jessamy
That's Pretty Intense
That's insane! I didn't realise that we were supposed to 'know of the risks' of public transport. I mean, I realise that no public transport system is 100% fool proof, but obvious things like the recent report that V line is worst rail service in Australia, and the fact that Connex seems to be constantly delayed...
The only thing I can think of of is when that poor girl was trapped udner a train at Melb Central on the 1st of Feb this year...wonder if she was allowed to sue, or if it was her own fault?
Anyway, thanks for enlightening me further about the public transport system! And p.s.-I've found that Yarra trams people are somewhat nicer (so maybe 5% nicer) than Connex....but then again, I've onyl been asked twice by the trams people.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Jessamy
That's Pretty Intense
I have thought of the actual staff, seeing as I posted it as "connex is a discrimanatory organisation". Not the individual staff-they follow their orders, just like anyone else. You've missed my point entirely about the discrimination occuring on certain lines. Nothing to do with walking in anyone else's shoes-I have a shitty enough job as it is, probably equal to connex, dealing with drug addicts, drunks, and other general idiots. So, firstly, don't do anoymous posts, and secondly, maybe read through properly next time?
....Also, have you not travelled on connex lately? It's still laregly terrible, nice staff or not.
Comment by CharlieMerlyn
However, for the first time, well, ever, I was traveling home on my dear old Glen Waverly line on a Saturday morning at around 6.30am. Needless to say I'd had a pretty brutal Friday night and after not getting much sleep at all, I figured the train ride home would be the perfect opportunity.
As expected, I was the only one in my carriage for the whole trip, spare one guy who'd gotten on at Gardiner (the Glen Waverly line is pretty tame, see, we get old Cantonese ladies going to the end of the line - not kids from Frankston on Crystal Meth). Feeling pretty dazed and exhausted, I figured putting my brand new, stark white shoes on the seat wouldn't harm the one passenger sitting a few seats behind me, so I turned on my mp3 player, rested my feet on the seat and began drifting in and out of sleep.
Suddenly I hear an array of voices and as I open my eyes I jump at the sudden gang of people surrounding me in this empty carriage, all clad in casual attire. As I fumble to take my earphones out a lady in her mid-thirties tells me to get my feet off the seat before demanding to see my ticket. Of course, embarrassed and confused at the sudden intrusion, I put my feet down and flash my monthly ticket and concession card. Meanwhile two other officers are watching, and another one is fining the poor guy behind me who doesn't appear to have a ticket. He was only going two stops.
The female officer begins to interrogate me in an overly formal and rather irritating fashion, a pen and notebook in her hand,
'Tell me the reason you had your feet on the seats, please?'
'Uh,' I stutter croakily, 'because I was tired?'
'Is that the only reason?'
Because it's more comfortable, you twit, I thought. 'Er, I guess,' I said.
'Well, you didn't even bother to take your shoes off. I'm going to write you up now, which is basically a fine, but you can contend it in writing if you wish. May I have a piece of identification?'
I didn't say another word, but just handed her my ID and stared out the window, my eyes beginning to brim with angry tears. I know it was a lame thing to get teary over, but I was mighty pissed off and didn't think there was any point in arguing.
I mean, the one time I put my feet up on the seats, at the most unlikely time I'd ever be traveling on a train, when there was probably about four people on the entire train AT ALL, and there are like, five undercover Connex officers raiding the carriages for rule-breakers - it was just so unlikely and so unnecessary. As I got off at my station, they all crowded behind me with the other young guy who'd apparently done something wrong, and they were questioning him as I hurried away.
So today, after about a month, I just received my very angry looking TRANSPORT INFRINGEMENT NOTICE which says underneath in big, bold, italicized letters Do not ignore this notice. They want me to pay $167 for having shoes on the seat of an empty train at 6.30 in the morning.
COME ON. As other students will know, we just don't have that kind of money to give away to the multi-millionaires that run Connex, not in the least for such petty crimes as putting your feet up. I mean, it's a public train, not a classroom, and the Connex officers are just power-hungry people in large coats, not policemen. I get why the rule is there, I get that no-one wants muddy, smelly shoes all over the seats, but surely that kind of thing deserves a warning for the first time before such a hefty fine is ensued?
Sorry about the essay, I just needed to rant, and I know I won't be able to rant in my letter of contention which I'm about to send off to the Department of Transport - because very unhappily, I am going to have to be very polite and understanding of how officers have every right to fine those breaching Connex laws, and that of course I won't ever do such a horrendous thing such as putting up my feet ever ever again.
It just bugs me that Connex officers are on the train at 6.30am waiting to fine unsuspecting passengers, yet when it's 11pm and there are drunks abusing people and trying to chat up girls, they're no where to be seen.
Whatever happened to real justice, eh?
Comment by Jessamy
That's Pretty Intense
The only happy thing I can see in this, imagine if you had the job that the undercover Connex lady did, getting on a glen waverly train at 6am in the morning. What an excitin lifestyle she must lead!