Easter 2017

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2017/4/1/easter-train-timetable-to-ensure-reliability-for-commuters

Media Statements
Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Jackie Trad
Saturday, April 01, 2017

Easter train timetable to ensure reliability for commuters

Queensland Rail has today released its Easter timetable, which has been designed to ensure reliability across the network over the holiday period.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport Jackie Trad said that while there would be some reductions in services on the weekends, they would cater for lower patronage on the network over the holiday period

"We want people to be able to plan ahead with certainty, especially as people are moving across SEQ to visit family and friends over the holiday," Ms Trad said.

"We know that fewer people travel on the rail network during the holidays, with almost 70 percent fewer people travelling by rail over the Easter long weekend.

"We are determined to fix the trains and get Queensland Rail back on track which is why we have prioritised delivering a reliable Easter timetable.

"This timetable will ensure that Queenslanders can plan ahead and get where they need to go.

"There will be four major sporting events happening over the Easter long weekend so we have planned 120 additional services to ensure fans can get to and from these games as quickly as possible.

"There will also be extra customer service staff working at stations over the holidays to assist commuters if they need it."

Chair of the Queensland Rail Board Phillip Strachan said that services over the period would be reliable, a core recommendation of his Commission of Inquiry.

"As we train more drivers and move towards a robust and sustainable timetable changes like this are essential," Mr Strachan said.

"We are giving commuters advance notice of these service changes, so they can plan their trips ahead of time.

"This includes some critical work between Park Road and Kuraby on the Gold Coast line in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games."

"All Easter service information will go live on the TransLink Journey Planner, so I strongly encourage all commuters to take a few minutes to plan their journey early."

Changes over the weekend of the 8 & 9 April and the Easter long weekend are:

    Hourly services on most lines, two hourly on the Sunshine Coast line

    The Airport line will run half hourly to cater for travellers

    From Good Friday through to Easter Sunday night, buses will replace trains, running half hourly, between Park Road and Kuraby on the Beenleigh and Gold Coast line so essential works can be completed ahead of the Commonwealth Games

    120 additional services will be provided before and after four major sporting events scheduled at Suncorp Stadium and the Gabba during this period

To plan ahead, visit translink.com.au (external site) or call 13 12 30.

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/121051

Easter and school holiday weekend train timetable

There will be changes to train timetables over the Easter and school holiday weekends to ensure service reliability on the network.

Services will run hourly on most lines with some exceptions, please check below for details.

Timetables will be affected on the following weekends:

    Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 April
    Friday 14 to Monday 17 April (Easter long weekend).

All other days are unaffected and will operate to the normal train timetable.

View the timetables below or use our journey planner to plan your journey. PDF timetables will be available soon.

Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 April services

Services will run hourly on most lines, with the following exceptions.

Hourly timetable times are different to regular Sunday or public holiday times so please be sure to plan your journey.

Train line    Level of service

Airport    Every 30 minutes.

Nambour    

Every 2 hours, with extra early morning and late night services.

There will be a 6 minute connection to/from city services at Caboolture station.

Nambour to city express services will operate in the morning and evening.

Doomben    Every 60 minutes between Doomben and Park Road from mid-morning to mid-evening.

Gold Coast/Beenleigh    Gold Coast line services will stop at Yeeronpilly for the Davis Cup.

[ozbob]

With one hour frequency (2 hour on Sunny Coast), a cancellation due to an ' operational issue ' will mean even longer waits for the battlers ...

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

1st April 2017

Easter 2017 rail timetable, and the weekend 8-9th April 2017

Good Afternoon,

The Deputy Premier has released a statement:  Easter train timetable to ensure reliability for commuters
http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2017/4/1/easter-train-timetable-to-ensure-reliability-for-commuters

TransLink: Easter and school holiday weekend train timetable > https://translink.com.au/service-updates/121051

For Easter and the preceding weekend there are reduced rail services on all lines.

Due to the debacle at Queensland Rail this is sadly necessary but the impact on the travelling public will be profound, and it will force even more people onto dangerous and often congested roads sadly.

When services are a one hour (or in the case of the Sunshine Coast 2 hour) frequency, a service cancellation will mean very long waits for the next service.

We really doubt that the fact a reduced service timetable will actually ensure reliability.

When the inevitable service cancellations occur can the Deputy Premier please authorise Queensland Rail staff at staffed stations to order taxis for people please?

As most of the stations are not staffed can intending rail passengers please be provided with a telephone number they can call to get transport organised please?

Thank you!

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Media: Easter 2017 rail timetable, and the weekend 8-9th April 2017
> https://t.co/KaPKHwthRt#qldpol@jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP #calledit pic.twitter.com/MS4GI5vRCK

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 1, 2017

[ozbob]

 

[BrizCommuter]

Absolute f******g disgrace. QR have sunk to a new low. 1 week notice for hourly weekend services. Blog post coming...

[BrizCommuter]

BrizCommuter - QR Spoils Easter for SE Queensland
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2017/04/qr-spoils-easter-for-se-queensland.html

[#Metro]

Absolute f******g disgrace. QR have sunk to a new low. 1 week notice for hourly weekend services. Blog post coming...

How ironic this notice is released on 01 April 2017. Happy April Fools!

And people still want to defend this operator? Really?

I note that the QR board and Executive Team are still largely intact -- after almost eight months -- how does that happen?

A new reply to this thread has been posted in the CT Thread ---> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12563.msg190271;topicseen#msg190271

[James]

This really has to be the last straw. Slashing weekend services over the holiday period to 1 hour - at exactly the time when people will be using services the most to travel to see family, friends, attend events etc. - is a disgrace.

QR, you are the weakest link, goodbye!

[#Metro]

Isn't it time train operations in SEQ got a touch of reality?

Nine train operators battle it out, only one will be the winner.

So you don't want to hear...

[Gazza]

And people still want to defend this operator? Really?

Who's defending them?

[#Metro]

BrizCommuter has just had to cancel a restaurant reservation in Brisbane's CBD on Easter Saturday, as he can't face up to a 59 minute wait for a train home. Also, at the time of writing, TransLink have failed to update the journey planner, or publish the timetables.

Why don't you get an Uber or Taxi? Surely you don't need to cancel that. Worst case, couldn't you hire a car?

QR's worsening #RailFail begs quite a few questions:

Are there going to be any more cutbacks to the "2017 timetable" that we were told would be in place for the whole of 2017? Are more weekends going to see hourly services?
Do QR realise the damage this will cause businesses and events?
Do QR understand the further reputational damage this will cause to Brisbane and SE Queensland?
What is the point of the seemingly useless Citytrain Response Unit, if it does not prevent further service cuts?

^^ This is my point in the QR Customer Charter and contract between TransLink and QR essentially being a no-penalty and unenforceable document in practice.

I keep pointing out that there are no consequences for non-performance. What is the Government going to do - fire the new CEO Nick Easy or anyone else who takes his position every time there is a non-compliance event?

What on earth is the CityTrain Response Unit (CRU) going to do when there is a non-compliance event? Slap people on the wrist with wet and limp lettuce leaves? They cannot do anything other than write reports. And the simple fact that most of the board and executive have been retained has sent a powerful message that within QR you can pretty much do whatever you want and you don't need to worry - you will still have your job.

It is completely toothless.

And if you don't want to generate a non-compliance event regarding OTP or cancellations, the goalposts will move for you so that the timetable is reduced to a level that does comply with the OTP and cancellations. Hopeless!

If you want change you need to get change - fire the operator and get a new one. At the very minimum, clear out the management.

[SurfRail]

Sack the bastards.

Sack them all.

Sack them yesterday.

No more excuses.

[techblitz]

And people still want to defend this operator? Really?

Who's defending them?

lets start with the premier and deputy premier...

[ozbob]

BrizCommuter - QR Spoils Easter for SE Queensland
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2017/04/qr-spoils-easter-for-se-queensland.html

Sent to all outlets.

[ozbob]

RED HOT:
QR Spoils Easter for SE Queenslandhttps://t.co/TlxPkROlTs#qldpol
BrizCommuter states the case!@jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP pic.twitter.com/i3nXSttMmz

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 1, 2017

[ozbob]

Sack the bastards.

Sack them all.

Sack them yesterday.

No more excuses.

+ 1

[ozbob]

Meanwhile ...

[ozbob]

It is not a good look to announce sad things on 1 April 2017 ..

FUKING sad

OK ..

[#Metro]

QR cancels Christmas AND Easter.   

What a great train operator. Enjoy!!

[STB]

The timetables are now on the web, and I've just noticed there is at least a 61min wait between Beenleigh and Cleveland trains at Park Road station on that weekend if you can't make it in time with the transfer! Wow!  TransLink's standards for transfers are at least 5mins between services to be classed as a transfer.

[BrizCommuter]

BrizCommuter has just had to cancel a restaurant reservation in Brisbane's CBD on Easter Saturday, as he can't face up to a 59 minute wait for a train home. Also, at the time of writing, TransLink have failed to update the journey planner, or publish the timetables.

Why don't you get an Uber or Taxi? Surely you don't need to cancel that. Worst case, couldn't you hire a car?

Uber, Taxi, and Parking in the CBD are not exactly cheap. Might as well take my trade to somewhere within walking distance where I don't need to use Brisbane's p%ss poor public transport.

[Gazza]

You're on the FGY line right? That means there are several BT routes that should get you to the CBD in parallel right?

[ozbob]

Sunday Mail 2nd April 2017 page 4

Reduced rail holiday service

[ozbob]

Remember when @QueenslandRail used to put on extra services for Easter? Now forced onto dangerous roads.#qldpol
> https://t.co/gwMraj0fLr

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 1, 2017

[ozbob]

This really has to be the last straw. Slashing weekend services over the holiday period to 1 hour - at exactly the time when people will be using services the most to travel to see family, friends, attend events etc. - is a disgrace.

QR, you are the weakest link, goodbye!

I would not be surprised if they keep the reduced services on weekends after Easter.

Shafting SEQ in the process and guaranteeing election defeat for our failed state government.  I will actively campaign against them.

[ozbob]

Reduced frequency will also impact on connections and wait time too.  Many people will not bother I expect, and only those who really do not have an alternate will persist.   This a devastating outcome for SEQ.  It has put public transport back decades.  I doubt very much now if CRR has any chance at all.  The damage bill for the floods and cyclone will be massive, and in any case does anyone think the Feds will cough up $$.  No chance.

[achiruel]

I doubt very much now if CRR has any chance at all.  The damage bill for the floods and cyclone will be massive, and in any case does anyone think the Feds will cough up $$.  No chance.

But of course there will still be $$$ for M1 expansion, right? 

Shafting SEQ in the process and guaranteeing election defeat for our failed state government.  I will actively campaign against them.

Who will you campaign for, then? LNP introduced the policies that got us into this mess in the first place; ONP doesn't seem to have a public transport policy at all. That really leaves only the Greens. They have a policy which I largely agree with, but it is short on detail re: funding.

[ozbob]

Probably Independents if there are any decent candidates that get public transport.

LNP will promise the world, as will ALP.  But they are both failures.  It really is time that new thinking and doing happened in Government.

[ozbob]

 

@robert_dow Thank you. Looks to be an error when looking at the timetable for Saturday. I've sent this to the web team with ref #1447778 -J

— TransLink (@TransLinkSEQ) April 2, 2017

[ozbob]

I doubt very much now if CRR has any chance at all.  The damage bill for the floods and cyclone will be massive, and in any case does anyone think the Feds will cough up $$.  No chance.

But of course there will still be $$$ for M1 expansion, right? 

Yes, and for the Bi-articulated bus ' metro '.  I think they will not fund CRR, particularly with a rail operator that cannot even deliver basic services.  It is that serious.

Feds look at Queensland and think what a mob of utter clowns.  Cannot run a railway, cannot even order new trains without stuffing it up.
CRR is not going happen I am afraid.

[Gazza]

They might defer it again like they did in the wake of the 2011 floods.

[ozbob]

They might defer it again like they did in the wake of the 2011 floods.

Yes, it is effectively dead now.  Just being realistic.

[ozbob]

Trains depart Rosewood on the hour on this reduced weekend timetable, through Goodna at 41 minutes.  Services normal 27 and 57 minutes.

UP trains through Goodna normally 7 and 37 minutes.  Under the reduced weekend timetable this is now 40 minutes.

These changes will catch a lot out, and will ratsh%t any timed bus / rail connections and the like.

Appalling treatment of the public.  Absolutely appalling stuff.

[ozbob]

Amazing to ponder that the clowns who set up this rail fail mess are largely still employed, with cash bonuses.

It is the travelling public of SEQ that is being punished for their failure - perverse.   The entire ELT and Board should have been sacked months ago.

They bumble on ...  creating even more resentment and anger. 

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

2nd April 2017

More contempt for rail passengers in SEQ

Greetings,

What is really very disappointing is that the reduced service weekend and Easter timetable has time changes from the normal clock face patterns.

For example. Trains depart Rosewood on the hour on this reduced weekend timetable, through Goodna at 41 minutes past the hour.  Services normally 27 and 57 minutes past the hour.

UP (outbound) trains through Goodna normally  at 7 and 37 minutes past the hour.  Under the reduced weekend timetable this is now 40 minutes past the hour.

These changes will catch a lot of passengers out, and will mean missing any timed bus / rail connections and the like, and as a result journey times may well be extended by hours.

It is appalling treatment of the travelling public.  Appalling.  Queensland Rail couldn't even stick to the normal clockface times.

With the new CEO of Queensland Rail commencing duties tomorrow, perhaps he could explain why this mediocre reduced service timetable is such a mess please?

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

1st April 2017

Easter 2017 rail timetable, and the weekend 8-9th April 2017

Good Afternoon,

The Deputy Premier has released a statement:  Easter train timetable to ensure reliability for commuters
http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2017/4/1/easter-train-timetable-to-ensure-reliability-for-commuters

TransLink: Easter and school holiday weekend train timetable > https://translink.com.au/service-updates/121051

For Easter and the preceding weekend there are reduced rail services on all lines.

Due to the debacle at Queensland Rail this is sadly necessary but the impact on the travelling public will be profound, and it will force even more people onto dangerous and often congested roads sadly.

When services are a one hour (or in the case of the Sunshine Coast 2 hour) frequency, a service cancellation will mean very long waits for the next service.

We really doubt that the fact a reduced service timetable will actually ensure reliability.

When the inevitable service cancellations occur can the Deputy Premier please authorise Queensland Rail staff at staffed stations to order taxis for people please?

As most of the stations are not staffed can intending rail passengers please be provided with a telephone number they can call to get transport organised please?

Thank you!

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Latest media: ' More contempt for rail passengers in SEQ '
> https://t.co/zEmDTXaDJC#qldpol #railfail@jackietrad @QueenslandRail pic.twitter.com/6WUapOeU23

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 2, 2017

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland Rail to slash services next weekend and over Easter

South-east Queensland rail services will be cut over the next two weekends, with Sunshine Coast commuters to be the worst affected.

Most lines, with the exception of airport trains, would see services reduced from half-hourly to hourly next weekend and over the four-day Easter long weekend.

Sunshine Coast services, meanwhile, were set to be cut to one train every two hours

Transport Minister Jackie Trad announced the changes on Saturday, the timing of which raised the ire of the Liberal National Party opposition and public transport lobbyist Robert Dow.

Mr Dow, from advocacy group Rail: Back on Track, said the changes were a "new low in customer service" and were announced at a time when the news cycle was "saturated with the post Cyclone Debbie natural disaster".

"Due to the debacle at Queensland Rail this is sadly necessary but the impact on the travelling public will be profound, and it will force even more people onto dangerous and often congested roads sadly," he said.

"When services are a one-hour or, in the case of the Sunshine Coast, two-hour frequency, a service cancellation will mean very long waits for the next service.

"We really doubt that the fact a reduced service timetable will actually ensure reliability."

Ms Trad said almost 70 per cent fewer people would travel by rail over the Easter long weekend.

"We are determined to fix the trains and get Queensland Rail back on track which is why we have prioritised delivering a reliable Easter timetable," she said.

"This timetable will ensure that Queenslanders can plan ahead and get where they need to go."

Queensland Rail chairman Philip Strachan said there was no choice but to slash the services.

"As we train more drivers and move towards a robust and sustainable timetable changes like this are essential," he said.

"We are giving commuters advance notice of these service changes, so they can plan their trips ahead of time.

"This includes some critical work between Park Road and Kuraby on the Gold Coast line in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games.

"All Easter service information will go live on the TransLink Journey Planner, so I strongly encourage all commuters to take a few minutes to plan their journey early."

Opposition transport spokesman Andrew Powell said the announcement was made "in the middle of the cyclone and flood crisis" and said printable versions of the new timetable needed to be released.

"Passengers will only be confident in which services are supposed to show up when it's printed in black and white," he said.

Service changes were available to be searched on the Translink website.

"That's why Jackie Trad needs to release PDF and hard copy timetables immediately.

"It's unacceptable that Sunshine Coast passengers will only have one train every two hours while Gold Coast services will be replaced by buses for a significant section of the line.

"During a time when families get together, go out and enjoy school holiday activities, hourly services at best doesn't encourage public transport use."

Ms Trad said 120 additional services would be provided before and after four sporting events at Suncorp Stadium and the Gabba.

"There will also be extra customer service staff working at stations over the holidays to assist commuters if they need it," she said.

[STB]

Just been having a quick look at some of the key bus routes that currently connect with trains in the Redlands, and looks like all connections are gone during that time.

Examples include:

Route 272 - Cleveland to Victoria Point servicing Redland Hospitals
On the inbound route 272 arrives at :32 on the hour, the train will depart at :31 on the hour, meaning the bus has missed the train by 1min
On the outbound the train arrives at Cleveland at :04 on the hour with route 272 departing at :25 on the hour meaning a 21min wait.

Route 274 - Cleveland to Victoria Point Jetty
On the inbound route 274 arrives at :30 on the hour with the train departing at :31 on the hour, meaning you only get 1min to transfer between bus and train with an hour wait if you miss that connection.
On the outbound route 274 departs at :05 on the hour with the train arriving at Cleveland at :04 on the hour which means a 1min connection (unlikely as it takes at least 2mins to reach the bus stop depending on how fast you walk it and get through the Go Card gates).

Route 250 - Carindale to Redland Bay Marina via Capalaba, Cleveland and Victoria Point
On the inbound route 250 arrives at :06 on the hour with the train departing at :31 on the hour, which is a 25min wait.
On the outbound route 250 departs Cleveland station at :24 on the hour with the train arriving :04 on the hour which is a 20min wait.

Route 255 - Cleveland to Birkdale
On the inbound route 255 arrives at :13 every second hour (7:13; 9:13 etc) - Saturday only, with the train departing Birkdale for the city at :39 on the hour - a 26min wait.
On the outbound route 255 departs at :20 every second hour (7:20; 9:20 etc) - Saturday only, with the train arriving Birkdale at :56 on the hour - a 24min wait.