Does Australia have a good rail system?

Is there a good train system in Australia?

Ugh, Australia’s trains. A total mess outside the big cities, right? Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne – yeah, okay, decent enough there. But get outside that triangle? Forget it.

Driving’s faster. Seriously. And cheaper than flying, most times, too. Who needs a train then? Waste of time and money.

I tried taking the train from Adelaide to Darwin once. Never again. Took forever! The scenery was okay, I guess. But the delays were insane. Should have flown.

• Long travel times: Absolutely ridiculous outside the main corridor.
• Expensive: Often more costly than flying, which is insane.
• Infrequent services: Trains are few and far between in many areas.
• Poor infrastructure: The whole thing needs a massive overhaul. I’m telling ya!

My cousin tried the Perth to Kalgoorlie line last year. Said it was a nightmare. He’s still complaining about it.

Maybe they’ll improve things eventually? Probably not. People are obsessed with cars, you know?

Thinking about my trip to Uluru…Definitely flying. No chance I’m wasting my time on a train for that. It’s 2024, after all – we should have better transport by now! The government really needs to prioritize this.

Does Australia have a good transport system?

Does Australia have a good transport system?

Australia’s public transport? Well, let’s just say it’s less Mad Max, more mildly inconvenienced kangaroo. Clean? Sure, relatively speaking. Safe? Safer than wrestling a crocodile for your morning coffee, that’s for darn sure.

Think of it like this: Australian public transport is regulated with the iron fist of a particularly organized koala. A fluffy, sleepy iron fist, granted, but iron nonetheless.

You can generally rely on things being of a certain standard. Depends if you are happy with the standard.

Let’s break it down, cobber:

• Trains: Expect delays, especially if a gum leaf dares to fall on the tracks. Also, prepare for the “mystery smell,” never identified, always present.
• Buses: Usually on time, unless there’s a cricket match or a particularly compelling cloud formation.
• Trams: Exclusively in Melbourne, and they’re always right in the middle of everything! Prepare for the “ding ding” soundtrack to your existence.
• Ferries: Glorious, until you realize you’re sharing the deck with a flock of seagulls plotting world domination.

High standards? Yeah, if your standards involve relatively clean seats and a driver who mostly knows where they’re going. Which, tbh, is a pretty high bar these days.

The secret? Pack a good book, noise-canceling headphones, and a healthy dose of Aussie humor. You’ll be right, mate.

Also, I miss the Bicentennial train that vanished from the rail network, where it went no one knows, it probably still works.

Is it worth taking the train in Australia?

Train travel in Australia: Worth it? Depends.

Space: Trains win. Significantly more legroom. Buses? Cramped. My experience on the Indian Pacific line in 2023 confirms this.

Comfort: Smoother ride. Less jarring. Sleep easier. Buses are… less pleasant.

Scenery: Train wins again, usually. Better views. Depends on the route, of course. The Ghan is iconic.

Cost: Generally higher. But comfort has a price. Budget carefully.

Ease of travel: Bookings straightforward. Stations generally well-located. Not always convenient, though. My trip from Adelaide to Perth last year required a taxi to the station.

Disadvantages:

• Slower. Much slower than flying.
• Less frequent services than buses on some routes.
• Ticket prices fluctuate wildly.

My opinion: For long distances, the train’s superior comfort outweighs the extra cost and time. Short hops? Bus might be better. It’s a personal choice. Prioritize comfort over speed.

How fast do Australian trains go?

Aussie trains? Holy moly, they’re fast, like a kangaroo on caffeine! The XPT, that’s the one, hits 160 km/h, a speed faster than my grandma on her scooter… downhill.

Top Speed: 160 km/h (Think a cheetah with a mild limp).

Theoretical Top Speed: A whopping 200 km/h! (Faster than my escape from my aunt’s prize-winning chihuahua).

But wait, there’s more! It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Apparently, some safety stuff holds them back. Think rusty old signal boxes and stuff.

Problems, problems, problems. I’m telling ya. It’s like trying to herd cats on roller skates!

• Signal problems: Outdated tech, causing delays. Like waiting for a dial-up connection in 2024.
• Safety concerns: Stuff’s gotta be fixed. It’s not like they’re racing go-karts!

So yeah, 200 km/h is the dream. 160 km/h is the reality. Unless, you know, they upgrade things. That’ll never happen, though. My neighbor’s cat has a better chance of winning the lottery.

What is the best train network in Australia?

Australia’s rail landscape? It’s a mixed bag.

• Sydney’s rail network really steals the show. Seems comprehensive, right?

• The Sydney Metro is quite modern; a driverless system. Automation, wow.

• Sydney Light Rail adds to the urban transit.

• Parramatta Light Rail; expanding the reach further west.

• Then there’s NSW TrainLink. It connects Sydney to the regions, which is pretty crucial. It almost feels like a web, doesn’t it? Newcastle is included, too.

Different strokes, you know? It really depends on your needs. What are you after, precisely? Convenience? Coverage? Each system has its strengths. I prefer the Sydney Metro because it’s quick and efficient.

Which Australian city has the best public transport?

Okay, so, like, you wanna know which Aussie city has the best public transpo?

Well, Sydney’s kinda it, right? It’s got, like, the most people usin’ it. More than anywhere else in Aus, for sure.

It’s the winner winner chicken dinner in public transport, hands down, at least when you count it.

• Lots of ppl use it in Sydney. Like, a lot.
• The most trips are done on public transport.
• It’s the way most folk get to work.

Think about it: the trains, the buses, the ferries going to Manly, that light rail thingy… Sydney is just a big system. It goes everywhere. I mean, sure, it gets packed, like, especially during peak hour when you are trying to get home after work. The crowds are terrible, but I take a bus from Parramatta to work and its kinda reliable. I mean, its usually on time.

Now, someone’s gonna complain about the delays or that one time the train broke down, and it can be pricey if you do not have Opal card, but I think it is the best.