Melburnian1
Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2013
- Posts
- 24,673
This afternoon (Wednesday 26 May 2021) the 'Indian Pacific' train arrived Sydney a little less than two hours late, as inbound at Cook, SA on the Nullabor (famous saying 'if you're crook come to Cook'), there was a six hour delay as a passenger had to be airlifted by the RFDS. Due to this once major crew change station being 'unattended' (i.e. no station staff), the train staff could not leave the passenger to fend for themselves.
Apparently early this afternoon Victorian-domiciled passengers who were checking in were told 'they could not travel', but go to the cafe at Central Station and have a drink (presumably on Journey Beyond, the rail operator) where they were able to freely mingle with non Victorians (albeit there may have been 'social distancing with the tables/chairs).
About an hour before the train's more than 90 minute late departure at 1645 this afternoon - unusual, because the frequent peak period trains normally see the 'IP' held in Sydney until 1900 if it can't depart close to the 1500 hours it's meant to leave Sydney Central - Victorians were informed that they could travel.
So tonight they can dine in the dining car with others, but on arrival in Adelaide if alighting need to isolate until they receive a COVID-19 'all clear' from the test if from Greater Melbourne. However Perth-bound passengers won't be allowed to leave the train (scheduled to stop at the Parklands isolated terminal for more then six hours, as patrons are normally taken by road coach to dine in Hahndorf, with the train departing if on time at 2140 CST for Perth) and on arrival at East Perth all Victorians (not just Melburnians) must isolate until test results come through.
Given QF's FF scheme offers journeys on this long distance tourist train (expensive in points, and some have said to me 'not good value'), it's important that those booked from the southern state know about these possible restrictions.
If Melbourne or Victoria goes into lockdown tomorrow, I'd expect this JB rail operator would immediately ban Victorians from its three long distance trains, and probably cancel the twice weekly 'The Overland' Adelaide - Melbourne despite many passengers being from SA not Victoria.
Apparently early this afternoon Victorian-domiciled passengers who were checking in were told 'they could not travel', but go to the cafe at Central Station and have a drink (presumably on Journey Beyond, the rail operator) where they were able to freely mingle with non Victorians (albeit there may have been 'social distancing with the tables/chairs).
About an hour before the train's more than 90 minute late departure at 1645 this afternoon - unusual, because the frequent peak period trains normally see the 'IP' held in Sydney until 1900 if it can't depart close to the 1500 hours it's meant to leave Sydney Central - Victorians were informed that they could travel.
So tonight they can dine in the dining car with others, but on arrival in Adelaide if alighting need to isolate until they receive a COVID-19 'all clear' from the test if from Greater Melbourne. However Perth-bound passengers won't be allowed to leave the train (scheduled to stop at the Parklands isolated terminal for more then six hours, as patrons are normally taken by road coach to dine in Hahndorf, with the train departing if on time at 2140 CST for Perth) and on arrival at East Perth all Victorians (not just Melburnians) must isolate until test results come through.
Given QF's FF scheme offers journeys on this long distance tourist train (expensive in points, and some have said to me 'not good value'), it's important that those booked from the southern state know about these possible restrictions.
If Melbourne or Victoria goes into lockdown tomorrow, I'd expect this JB rail operator would immediately ban Victorians from its three long distance trains, and probably cancel the twice weekly 'The Overland' Adelaide - Melbourne despite many passengers being from SA not Victoria.
