Today the adventure begins. My experience thus far has
considerably dampened my initial enthusiasm and I feel significant nervousness
as I commence the journey. Despite my uneasiness, at the concessional cost of
over $600 per person, per night, I have very high expectations for an
exceptional three day experience on the Indian Pacific.
Our wheelchair accessible taxi transfer to the airport this
morning was (thankfully) on time and stress-free. The flight to Sydney was
(mercifully) uneventful. A wheelchair accessible taxi from the airport
transported us to Central Station (relatively easily) and after enquiries to
ascertain where/when/how to join the Indian Pacific, my friend (who has agreed
to be my travel companion) and I enjoyed lunch in the central railway station
while we waited for my prearranged meeting with the train manager.
The train manager was very professional and welcoming. He
escorted me (on scooter) to our carriage and via a ramp, on-board and then to
our cabin. He ascertained the accommodation was suitable and the bathroom
appropriately accessible. He then accompanied me (on scooter) to the Lounge
Carriage to ensure I could negotiate between the carriages on my scooter.
Traversing from one carriage to another on my scooter was tricky but doable.
All was going swimmingly until we tried to continue (on scooter) to the Dining
Carriage. Despite my most skilful manoeuvres, my small electric travel scooter
would not fit around a very tight corner before exiting the Lounge Carriage in
order to cross to the Dining Carriage. An easy solution to this minor obstacle
is found; In the Lounge, I will transfer to GSR’s on-board push chair in order
to cross to the Dining Carriage for meals. I’m overjoyed and hugely relieved
the train manager has agreed to allow me to use my own motorised travel scooter
on-board!
All aboard……… I’m happy and excited.
Although our room is relatively spacious (as depicted in the
floor plan below) on closer observation, my impression is that the cabin is
dated and tired. The imitation timber-look wall panelling is peeling, the seat
upholstery is faded and some maintenance is required. The magnetic closure on a
cupboard door doesn’t work, so the door swings open. We use tissues to jam it
closed. The plastic doorstop, behind our main entry door, is broken. We use a
luggage strap, tied to the handle, to prop the door open. By contrast, our bathroom is small yet modern.
We pull out of Central Station. We are on our way. Passing
through Sydney’s suburbs, the view is interesting and the journey up and over
the Blue Mountains is picturesque. However, the ride is quite erratic and
rocky. Luckily, I’m firmly seated on my electric travel scooter!
As daylight fades into night, we make plans to go to dinner.
We are very tired and it’s late. We were offered the last dining sitting as all
earlier sitting were taken. To minimise fuss, I decide to transfer to the
on-board pushchair in our room and aided by my friend, be pushed through the
Lounge car to the Dining car. We quickly discover the pushchair is impossible
for my travel companion to manoeuvre. Similar to a shopping trolley, all four
wheels are spinning and pointing in different directions, making it a gruelling
challenge to push. We ask for assistance from the Restaurant Manager. Despite GSR’s
written advice dated 15 May 2015 stating “on-train staff are able to provide
direct assistance in the movement of the push-chair during transit” the
restaurant manager refuses to assist or allow other staff to render assistance.
She agrees the push-chair is antiquated and unwieldy. Her advice is we should
make a complaint on the feedback form at the completion of our journey. Feeling
deflated and simply too tired to argue, I reluctantly comply with her
suggestion to take our meal in the lounge carriage where she would arrange to
have a table set for us.
We proceed to the lounge car. We feel conspicuous and
uncomfortable seated here for dinner. I’m disappointed with my meal. The soup
is cold and my main course meat is overcooked and dry.
We return to our cabin. The train’s infrastructure dictates
the back of the seats used by day are folded down and beds are lowered from the
wall and positioned over the seats, for night. The beds are consequently, very
high and narrow. It is abundantly clear that, if for no other reason, this
would make it impossible for me, or anyone confined to a wheelchair, to travel
solo on the Indian Pacific.
Day 1 of my Indian Pacific train journey has provided as many
highs and lows as a rollercoaster. Overall, with the exception of the excellent
customer service extended by the train manager, and the assistance and friendliness
of other staff, I’m sorry to say, my first day on the Indian Pacific train has
been a little disappointing.
Ever hopeful, I’m optimistic tomorrow will be far better……
No comments:
Post a Comment