Month completed: June 2008

I can officially say that the achieving of this goal has been fantastic for a few reasons:

1. Goal 141 is now achieved;

2. The benefits of public transport have been pushed into the public eye, at least for one day, which is important as the price of petrol continues to skyrocket;

3. Others have been inspired to start their own lists – click here to see the site for someone has started their own list to do before turning 30;

4. Project 183 has now had its 15 minutes of mainstream media fame!

Apart from achieving the goal, I learnt that there seems to be a strong interest in positive news stories. In separate posts, I will include samples of the TV, radio and newspaper articles done on Project 183.

To summarise the trip and the interest that followed, here is my 7-point summary:

1. Trains tend to run pretty much on time, shown by the fact that I arrived at the end when I said I would

2. Toilet stops and a big breakfast are vital

3. So is an iPod full of music

4. Oakleigh and Alamein are my two favourite stations

5. Werribee is the most scenic line

6. There are lots of people who want to give the trip a go

7. And an equal number that have already done it

My trip highlight? Riding in the driver’s carriage for about 5 stops. Not something everyone can say they have done. Here is me in the front carriage.

To finish with, two final points require some clarification:

1. No, I didn’t do the Stony Point section or the Showgrounds and Flemington Racecourse stations. The latter stations are only open on certain days of the year, making it hard to include them, and the Stony Point part is a diesel service. But the challenge is open to anyone to complete the network PLUS these lines. If you can do it, I take my hat off to you.

2. Connex confirmed that since the Craigieburn line started operation in September last year, no one has come forward to claim that they have done the whole network, until I did it on Tuesday. That’s why Connex made the claim that I was the first. Not that being the first was ever my objective. I just wanted to do it. In fact, if other people have already done it, that’s awesome.

Thanks again to everyone for your interest in Project 183, and I hope that you can all stay in touch and cheer me on to keep achieving. Maybe you have even been inspired to start your own list, in which case I say best of luck.

Thanks to Connex for putting out the media release that generated all the media interest, and to Telstra for the phone and laptop I used on the day.

And thanks to Nat, the love of my life, for putting up with the craziness the last week has been.