Some O405NH buses (including regional) have been retired and will be replaced by Volvo buses. In this case, we will see more Volvo buses being delivered. This will mean that older natural gas powered buses (o405nh & oc500le) being retired. These newer buses will meet euro 6 emission standards.
1 Like
This strike (of sorts) is indeed on.
No myki checks and fare gates to be left open on Monday 12 and 19 August, with drivers refusing to comply with requests to short shunt trains and skip the City Loop between Monday 12 and Sunday 18 August.
1 Like
A few years ago TransLink wanted to overhaul some bus routes in Brisbane and provide extra services to areas that donāt have many services out of peak hours . Brisbane City Council/Brisbane Transport wouldnāt co-operate.
Anyone rode these Austral Denning Volvoās in Brisbane before they were retired years ago? Most of the WA ones have been converted to one door to increase capacity and even had the seats replaced with coach-style ones. The one pictured is actually a two door with its original seats retained though.
2 Likes
Have had a few rides on the Metro XāTrapolis trains in the last week or so. Previously I had only had short rides but have been travelling longer distances on them. Their suspension seems pretty poor as they bounce up and down a lot, the ride is certainly not comfortable for the newest trains in the fleet.
Several times as both a passenger and driver. Itās a shame they had to be retired. They were magic machines.
2 Likes
I remember those buses
1 Like
Both private operators picked poor replacements for the Comeng fleet - the XāTraps with their awful suspension and a cab position which required signals to be relocated and replaced; or the graffiti-filled Siemens Nexas units. At least the faulty breaks have been fixed!
1 Like
Maybe itās just them being a novelty as I rarely travel on them, but I like the Siemens ones better than the XāTrapolis trains. Being able to walk all the way through the carriage is nice, and I prefer the seats.
3 Likes
We called them B10 Lemons. We were not sad to see them go 
1 Like
I quite like the Siemens sets! I find them very comfortable and quiet, they thankfully seem to be cleaner now as well.
Has anyone here been on the public transport in Melbourne that goes down south? I am heading to Portland in December for a couple days so I have been doing some research, and I have to take the train early in the morning and then get a bus from Waramool (i think thatās what its cold) to Portland, Iām looking at at least a dayās journey. Has anyone done this and can tell me what itās like?
I am hoping i get a window seat 
aww I like look out the scenery. hah.
2 Likes
I stayed down in Port Fairy the other weekend, which is about 20mins from Warnambool, and it took a good 3-3.5 hours from Melbourne to drive there directly. Portland is a little bit further so Iām not surprised public transport might be a bit of a task getting there. I would probably recommend hiring a car if you can? It would save you a lot of time and once you get to Portland it might be hard getting around without one.
2 Likes
Go first class on the train, end up facing the right way and likely a double seat to yourselfnfor not much more. If you have the time, VLine do take the Great Ocean Rd route if you want that option.
Warnambool to Portland is mostly countryside, try and get a window seat.
1 Like
Ive done the train from Geelong to Warrnambool, its not bad but nowhere as scenic as the Great Ocean Road, First Class is the way to go, much quieter and more comfortable.
Thanks for the tips guys.
Iām pretty much keen on train ride. Never done a long one before. Iāll have a look at the websites to see how much cost for a first class ticket.
So I worked out I would need to get to southern cross station early in the am to catching the morning bird, should get to Portland just after 3 in the afternoon. Spending two days there and I donāt mind walking around. 
Unless I cab it further out, so will have extra cash for that too.
Thanks for being helpful guys. Iāll keep you posted on what i decide and the routes.
How big are these vline trains?
1 Like
For or five carriages, one first class and one with a snack bar. Locomotive hauled on that route
Donāt forget some warm clothing as well- Portland enjoys the coolest summer temperatures in mainland Oz outside of the Alps (and roughly comparable to northern Tassie on average). In December the ocean will still be chilly. Of course when the wind is northerly it will be warm-hot as with most places in VIC.
Iāve never done the āWally Railā but itās on the to do list when Iām next down that way. Itās actually doable as a day return trip from Melbourne, if you are a fan of long train trips.
1 Like
On a Monday Wednesday or Friday you can do Melb to Geelong train then coaches on great ocean road to Warrnambool (with a swap at Apollo Bay) then the evening train back to Melbourne