Dear Mr Fish
Thank you for your email regarding trackwork to be undertaken during October 2012.
Ongoing rail maintenance is essential to ensure the safe and reliable operation of trains.
To limit its impact on our customers, we endeavour to carry out the majority of this maintenance work in off-peak periods such as weekends or at night. *In the case of major works programs or essential upgrading, it is sometimes necessary to carry out track work on weekdays.
On most occasions, we are able to provide at least a basic train service. *However, on some occasions, the nature or location of work requires the complete replacement of the train services by buses to by-pass the work site. *
While noting your views, the requirement to accommodate essential maintenance work on an ongoing basis means that it can be difficult to avoid occasionally coinciding with one of the many special events that take place in various parts of Sydney throughout the year.
Additionally, the engagement of contractors and implementation of bussing rosters means that we have to plan trackwork well in advance to ensure that alternative transport arrangements can be made while trains are out of service. Consequently, cancelling scheduled trackwork, even three months before it is due to commence, is not possible.
I am sorry that I was not able to respond in more positive terms. Thank you for taking the time to contact us.
Yours sincerely
Zoran
Customer Relations Officer
RailCorp