[publictransport] Thanks everyone

[eve.merton at dcu.ie]

Thanks everyone for getting behind this campaign. It's really opened up my
eyes and given me faith in having some ability to make change happen.

Unfortunately two days ago, I was not allowed to board the express from Castlemaine
in the morning. There were already about 10 people standing by the time the
train got to Castlemaine (from Bendigo) and, because we are generally polite
and considerate and get on last, we (4) cyclists were not allowed to board
-- even though there were no bikes in the luggage area (only a pusher that
could have been collapsed and stored elsewhere).

When I pointed out that the pusher could be moved, I was told that the train
was already overloaded and we would not be allowed to board anyway. This
is obviously frustrating and unfair. I have been sitting on the floor or
standing nearly every trip for about 3 months now -- all because I am polite
and get on last with my bike so I don't inconvenience other travellers.

I liked someone's point that the luggage area that is designated for 'oversized'
luggage on V'Locity trains could really be kept for oversized luggage --
meaning that the conductors could ask that other luggage be stored overhead
or in the other luggage areas. I can't see this happening though if having
a bike can be used as a convenient excuse to stop people boarding already
overloaded trains.

Don't get me wrong -- I also have two children, one of whom needs a pusher,
which I take on the train when we travel. I store it by collapsing it and
putting it overhead, behaind seats or in the non-oversized luggage areas.
I would be very keen to be involved in drafting a code of practice for all
train travellers.