1st July 2010: Queensland Rail takes over!

[ClintonL94]

QueenslandRail

and

QR National

[tronixstuff]

http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/RailServices/Traveltrain/AlterationsDisruptions/Pages/TheWestlanderEastboundCharlevilletoBrisbane09Jul10.aspx

Train replaced by couch service. Sounds comfy.

[WTN]

Oh dear, that new logo and website looks a lot worse than the old. I can't believe they come up with something so yucky. Even the colour scheme is terrible.

[Arnz]

RIP "Citytrain" (QRPassenger) as a brand

Welcome: 'Queensland Rail - City' as the new brand of suburban services.

[ozbob]

Yes, that is it.  Changes minimal to save major rebranding costs.

Indeed  Welcome Queensland Rail!

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

1st July 2010

Welcome Queensland Rail!

Today sees the effective formation of Queensland Rail, charged with all passenger train operations and network responsibility for south-east Queensland and other parts of the passenger network.

A glimpse of the new look for Queensland Rail can found at the new website -->  http://www.queenslandrail.com.au

The integration of network and operations we believe will lead to significant gains for passenger services.

We look forward to the continued high standard of customer focus set in train by Queensland Rail Passenger.   Now is the time to move forwards with a sustainable transport future for our state. Queensland Rail is going to be a major player in the years to come.

Congratulations to all staff at Queensland Rail from all members at RAIL Back On Track.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
01/07/2010

Welcome to the new Queensland Rail

Today marks the beginning of a new era for transport in Queensland with the launch of the new Queensland Rail.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said the new government owned corporation would be focussed on passenger services and maintaining its vast regional rail network covering more than 8000 kilometres of track.

"145 years ago the then Queensland Government Railways started with the purpose of opening up the new colony and connecting people across vast distances. The new entity will restore focus to that core purpose," Ms Nolan said.

The first service carried school children and dignitaries on the new narrow gauge line from Ipswich to Grandchester - none of those passengers could have ever imagined that from those humble beginnings Queensland Rail would carry more than 60 million passengers a year.

"Queensland Rail has a tremendous history and an exciting future. Today marks a new beginning to refocus on providing passenger rail transport and travel services right across our state," Ms Nolan said.

"The new beginning means passenger services no longer compete with freight trains and coal tracks for Government funding."

Ms Nolan said South-east Queensland's two busiest train lines will receive a 9000 seat boost next month with the introduction of four new peak services.

New peak services on the Caboolture line will roll out with new services on the Ipswich line to follow.

"Queensland Rail will also overhaul the Citytrain timetable as the current timetable has evolved in an ad hoc manner since 1997," she said.

"The current expansion of capacity between Corinda and Darra combined with the new Richlands line opening next year creates an opportunity to fix the timetable - creating more efficiency and more seat capacity for commuters.

"Community consultation on the new timetables will take place later this year with the aim to implement the timetable in the first half of 2011 with timetable reviews on other lines to follow.

"Currently, there's an average of 170,000 passengers journeys on the Queensland Rail network every day, so we need to make sure that those passengers get to where they need to go in the best and most efficient way possible.

"There will be renewed focus on meeting timetables, reliability and customer service.

Ms Nolan said the new organisation would kick-off with a $200 million makeover of a third of its train stations - the most intensive station upgrade program in the organisation's long history.

"We are serious about making Queensland's public transport system world class which is why we are investing heavily in new trains and in improving station facilities.

"This funding injection is in addition to the $30 billion being spent by the Queensland Government to plan and build a better rail network."

Queensland Rail will today unveil new trains, new livery and new staff uniforms at various stations across the network.

Queensland Rail Interim CEO Paul Scurrah said the organisation's 6500 employees would be focussed on customer service and safety for its passengers and staff.

"Today our team has been given the rare and exciting opportunity to start a new company," Mr Scurrah said.

"There has been a lot of hard work to build this new government owned corporation, to bring our new team together for this historic occasion, and I am proud of the work we have done.

"We are ready for the new challenge and look forward to getting on with the job of providing a world class rail network for the people of Queensland - not only our customers in the south east, but also to our passengers and industries in regional Queensland."

Mr Scurrah said Queensland Rail has recently been awarded the International Customer Service Standard certificate in recognition of its commitment to customer service.

"We'll continue to listen to what customers want and today all Queensland Rail senior executives will be on platforms talking to commuters about what they want to see from the new organisation," he said.

==============================================================

Ms Nolan said South-east Queensland's two busiest train lines will receive a 9000 seat boost next month with the introduction of four new peak services.

New peak services on the Caboolture line will roll out with new services on the Ipswich line to follow.

"Queensland Rail will also overhaul the Citytrain timetable as the current timetable has evolved in an ad hoc manner since 1997," she said.

"The current expansion of capacity between Corinda and Darra combined with the new Richlands line opening next year creates an opportunity to fix the timetable - creating more efficiency and more seat capacity for commuters.

"Community consultation on the new timetables will take place later this year with the aim to implement the timetable in the first half of 2011 with timetable reviews on other lines to follow.

[ozbob]

Media Release 1st July 2010

Australia:  Queensland Rail achieves International Customer Service accreditation

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has congratulated Queensland Rail on achieving International Customer Service accreditation (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Queensland Rail has recently achieved International Customer Service accreditation. This is an exceptional achievement for a passenger rail operation."

"Queensland Rail operating previously as Queensland Rail Passenger has endeared a cultural shift from just a train operator to a customer service provider in the true sense!"

"As we move forward today with our new passenger rail entity; Queensland Rail, this outstanding achievement in gaining the accreditation deserves to be highlighted.  This would be one of the first passenger rail operations in the world to achieve this benchmark!  Well done Queensland Rail!"

Reference:

1. http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/AboutUs/Pages/AboutUs.aspx

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Noted red polo shirt on staff on the way to Graceville.  Red logo is fine, red not normally a colour for rail uniforms though.  Might be just for the day ...

[ozbob]

The 7.57am service from Ipswich to Shorncliffe today might be a train in  the new livery ... (ed: yes, SMU278/277  ... )

I am at Graceville rail, due here at 8.35am

The express down services on Main are impressive as they fly through ... nice juxtaposition with road traffic ...



Regular special station announcements on the launch of Queensland Rail and enjoy free breakfasts at Central and Roma St stations.

SMU222/221 just cruised through on the main down ...

[stephenk]

Ms Nolan said South-east Queensland's two busiest train lines will receive a 9000 seat boost next month with the introduction of four new peak services.

New peak services on the Caboolture line will roll out with new services on the Ipswich line to follow.

"Queensland Rail will also overhaul the Citytrain timetable as the current timetable has evolved in an ad hoc manner since 1997," she said.

"The current expansion of capacity between Corinda and Darra combined with the new Richlands line opening next year creates an opportunity to fix the timetable - creating more efficiency and more seat capacity for commuters.

"Community consultation on the new timetables will take place later this year with the aim to implement the timetable in the first half of 2011 with timetable reviews on other lines to follow.

Potentially good news for Ipswich & Caboolture Line, but not for the other lines where service gaps urgently need to be filled before more passengers head back to their cars.

Community consultation is good, although I hope that they have a good cross-section of users. For example, I can guess that people in Ferny Grove would just want more expresses to the detriment of other stations on line. Now if QR were able to consult those passengers that they've lost in the last year, and who would like to use rail but drive instead, then they may be onto something good.

[Derwan]

"Queensland Rail will also overhaul the Citytrain timetable..."

"...timetable reviews on other lines to follow."

It's not an "overhaul" if only one or two lines are being reviewed.   

How many more years do we have to wait for a true "overhaul" to bring services in line with current peak patterns?

[ozbob]

Some photographs from this morning

The first revenue service in the new livery arriving at Graceville





Shortly before departure from Graceville



Guess who is on board?



Roma St















Photographs R Dow 1st July 2010

[somebody]

Honestly dudes, how can you whinge about the Ipswich-Caboolture lines being the first to be overhauled?

It is clear that the Caboolture line is in desperate need of an off peak frequency upgrade.  Also, isn't the Ipswich and Caboolture lines more crowded in peak than all the other lines on the average?  There are a few services on other lines which are very overcrowded though.

If the Caboolture line isn't improved, then "The Caboolture line is a bigger priority" would trump any complaining about service on other lines IMO.

"Queensland Rail will also overhaul the Citytrain timetable..."

"...timetable reviews on other lines to follow."

It's not an "overhaul" if only one or two lines are being reviewed.   

The comments you quote rebutt your own statement.

[#Metro]

Why does this remind me of metro trains melbourne?



Those external wrappings may actually deter graffiti and vandalism. The whole train could be wrapped in attractive livery, it would cost more though, but this has to be weighed against the train's image being improved, and that in turn attracting more passengers (if they can fit on in peak hour).

[ozbob]

Yes, that was my first reaction TT.  I thought similar to Metro in some respects.  But I like the scheme for QR.  It is bright and suits here.  The metro one suits Melbourne too I think.

:bi

[ClintonL94]

Here's the very first service for the new livery, Departed Ipswich at 7:57am all stations to Shorncliffe, I was in a rush so quickly took what I could..
http://photosbyclinton.fotopic.net/p65669594.html
http://photosbyclinton.fotopic.net/p65669595.html
and arriving at Central.

There are also new station signs throughout the network. I spotted them at Central, Roma Street, Milton, Toowong, Indooroopilly, Corinda, Riverview, Dinmore, Ipswich, South Brisbane, South Bank, Coopers Plains and Beenleigh.

[ClintonL94]

Noted red polo shirt on staff on the way to Graceville.  Red logo is fine, red not normally a colour for rail uniforms though.  Might be just for the day ...

I was told the QR Employees have to return their uniforms after today's shift.

[Derwan]

Honestly dudes, how can you whinge about the Ipswich-Caboolture lines being the first to be overhauled?

I don't think anyone is.  I think the concern is that they ALL need to be overhauled, which is what we were hoping for with the 2011 timetable.

The comments you quote rebutt your own statement.

No they don't.  The quote indicated QR would "overhaul the Citytrain timetable" which suggests a complete rewrite.  But the "overhaul" they describe is simply a review for the Ipswich and Caboolture lines.  Sometime after this (i.e. after mid-2011), they'll look at the other lines.

We basically get the following:

• 4 Additional services from next month for the Ipswich/Caboolture lines.  (This is desperately needed.)
• A new timetable only for the Ipswich/Caboolture lines - planned for implementation in the first half of 2011.
• Timetables for other lines to be "reviewed" AFTER this.  Who knows when we'll get new services!

[somebody]

Which means there will eventually be the re-write for the "other" lines.  I suppose it is possible that the "other" lines + Ipswich-Caboolture doesn't include all lines.

What is upsetting is that all lines were supposed to be reviewed in 2010, starting with Ipswich-Caboolture, then it was IPS-CAB in 2010 with others in 2011, now it is IPS-CAB in 2011 with no time line on the others. 

[somebody]

The first service carried school children and dignitaries on the new narrow gauge line from Ipswich to Grandchester - none of those passengers could have ever imagined that from those humble beginnings Queensland Rail would carry more than 60 million passengers a year.

60 million annual trips is a pretty humble patronage in a city with 2 million people, and also service to the Gold Coast with a further half million.

Sydney gets almost a million a week day, so that probably works out in the 250-300m/year range.  Melbourne is 213.9m in 2008/9.

Perth's 175 000/day * 365 days/year is in the same ball park as Brisbane, but their system was electrified later and I think it is also less expansive.

[STB]

Noted red polo shirt on staff on the way to Graceville.  Red logo is fine, red not normally a colour for rail uniforms though.  Might be just for the day ...

I was told the QR Employees have to return their uniforms after today's shift.

I asked one of the QueenslandRail managers about the red polo shirts (I've nicknamed them strawberries).  They are only for today for promo purposes.  New uniforms are still under internal consulatation.  I doubt they would be all red as the promo shirts are due to safety reasons (could be mistaken as a red signal by drivers from a distance).

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane mX 1st July 2010

Time to change

[stephenk]

Which means there will eventually be the re-write for the "other" lines. 

But how many more passengers will the rail system bleed before this eventuality?


Enoggera has the rebranded signs this morning (as well as the great fence of Enoggera, but that is another story). It also had quite a few QR survey staff, so as you can guess I told them a few issues I have with the Ferny Grove Line! Apparently I wasn't the only person complaining about the removal of express services from Enoggera and Gaythorne.

[somebody]

But how many more passengers will the rail system bleed before this eventuality?

Hopefully as few as possible.

Shouldn't press for things which are achievable, rather than shooting for the moon?  In the short term, that means additional peak services for Ipswich, Caboolture, Ferny Grove and Shorncliffe, with a timeline on a timetable revamp for the other lines, and delivery of the new Ipswich-Caboolture timetable this year as originally planned?

[stephenk]

But how many more passengers will the rail system bleed before this eventuality?

Hopefully as few as possible.

Shouldn't press for things which are achievable, rather than shooting for the moon?  In the short term, that means additional peak services for Ipswich, Caboolture, Ferny Grove and Shorncliffe, with a timeline on a timetable revamp for the other lines, and delivery of the new Ipswich-Caboolture timetable this year as originally planned?

Given that there is likely to be another huge fare increase between now and any service improvements to some lines, then I can only see another loss of patronage. All lines were originally planned to have a new timetable in 2010, the delaying of this to 2011 is a disgrace.

[Mozz]

Given that there is likely to be another huge fare increase between now and any service improvements to some lines, then I can only see another loss of patronage. All lines were originally planned to have a new timetable in 2010, the delaying of this to 2011 is a disgrace.

Agree 100% with the above, given the denials, spin and the press opportunity versus the actual ability of Translink to deliver I strongly believe that the "new" timetable won't appear in the first half of 2011 as indicated but sometime later in the calendar year. This will be well past the next HUGE fare increase on public transport. One of the forums regulars posted recently with something that I also support and that's with a 20-45% increase in fares should have resulted in a similar increase in services .... but come 1 jan 2011 fares will jump again and it will be a long long time between that fare increase and the new timetable...... I hope this isn't the case but I am not in any way convinced due to the past experience.

[brad C]

One shouldn't get too carried away with the spin from today.
Local Caboolture rag contains a 'press release' from "yes Minister" about the new 'peak' services on the Caboolture line to 'commence at a still to be determined date in August'.
There will be an additional service departing Caboolture at 0632hrs reaching the CBD circa 0729 and an new PM peak service departing Central at 1548hrs and arriving PETRIE (NOTE NOT Caboolture) circa 1630hrs.

These services do little if anything to alleviate crowded services later in the respective peak hours nor to alleviate the chronic lack of intervening services post 1800hrs which are urgently required and yet so easy to fix.
'Yes Minister' also cites 1997 as the date when the last serious timetable change was made to the network.
I have consulted my archives and can report that the last time peak services in the section between Dakabin and Morayfield were increased was October 1988 when the post expo 88 timetable actually provided a half hour off peak service to Caboolture (yes remember that when Caboolture went electric in July '86 there was anly an hour service off peak) and extended a couple of Petrie terminators in the afternoon peak to Caboolture.
Sure there has been an increase in the Nambour runs that also serve Caboolture commuters, but the large number of troops in the Narangba, Burpengary and Morayfield areas still wait for genuine increases particularly in the PM peak.
Is this genuine pro-active adjustment or rather politically inspired reaction to the embarrassing figures released from the latest load survey??

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Transport Minister pledges four extra train services

Transport Minister pledges four extra train services

    * by Ursula Heger
    * From: The Courier-Mail
    * July 01, 2010 11:00PM

AN overhaul of the southeast's CityTrain timetable is on track to squeeze extra services on to the network.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said the newly divided Queensland Rail would improve services for commuters, with a focus on fixing overcrowding and poor frequency on the network.

She said four new services would be rolled out on the Ipswich and Caboolture lines next month, while $200 million would be spent improving almost a third of the 211 train stations across the southeast.

"For too long passenger services had to compete with coal freight services for investment and for, frankly, attention in a very big organisation," she said.

"Now for the first time passengers and the maintenance of 8000km of track will be QR's one and only focus and I think the people of Queensland, as passengers of QR, will see a better service."

Ms Nolan said the timetable overhaul, to be implemented in the first half of 2011, might free up space on the busy Gold Coast and Beenleigh lines.

"We are nearing capacity on that Gold Coast and Beenleigh line," she said. "That's why I'm announcing a timetable review to see how many extra trains we can fit through those lines and it is why we are currently planning Cross River Rail."

QR National, the coal freight arm, was yesterday permanently separated from the state-owned corporation ahead of the public float this year.

Ms Nolan said the State Government was still planning the public float of QR National, despite a $4.85 billion bid for the coal freight assets by coal companies earlier this year.

QR Limited, which will remain in public hands, will spend $200 million on upgrading stations across the network, while passenger trains will be given a new paint job.

QR interim chief executive officer Paul Scurrah said regional passenger services between Brisbane, Cairns and Longreach may have to pay fees to use parts of the track now owned by QR National.

"There's still negotiations going on in regards to our trains accessing parts of the network," he said. "There are arrangements both ways (and) they will continue to use the 80 per cent of the track that we own."

Meanwhile Brisbane City Council yesterday also launched their 16th CityCat, providing eight extra services.

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said the 17th CityCat would be delivered by the end of the year, with 19 to be rolled out by March 2012.

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times click here!

Makeover for new QR

Makeover for new QR

Zane Jackson | 2nd July 2010

IPSWICH rail commuters were promised a more customer focused passenger service after the official split of Queensland Rail yesterday.

QR National, the new name for Queensland Rail's coal and freight haulage operations, will be privatised by the State Government at the end of the year.

The new passenger arm, which was launched with a train from Ipswich to Brisbane yesterday, will retain the Queensland Rail name but will be run differently to the previous passenger model.

Sporting a new logo and livery for its trains, it will remain a government-owned corporation.

Transport Minster and Ipswich MP Rachel Nolan said the new Queensland Rail (QR) would run both the trains and tracks on the passenger network – a responsibility that was formerly run by separate bodies.

"For much too long passenger services have been lost in a really enormous corporation," she said.

"From today we can say that this organisation is totally focused on customer service and maintaining the track network."

Robert Dow from commuter advocacy group Rail Back on Track agreed the new structure would lead to better customer service for train passengers.

Mr Dow also said two new peak hour services on the Ipswich line – specifically a service departing Central station, Brisbane, at 4.28pm and arriving at Ipswich at 5.22pm – was a huge win for commuters. But Rail Tram and Bus Union state secretary Owen Doogan said yesterday's split was bad news for workers at the now workshops at Redbank.

"There's been a reorganisation of a government-owned company, but it's still all in government hands, and we'll fight to keep it that way," Mr Doogan said.

"We'll be organising activities to protest against the decision to privatise parts of QR."

The new service departing Central at 4.28pm is one we have suggested for over 3 years ....   not across the detail of the others yet.

[ozbob]

Stand at Roma St station



Photograph R Dow 2nd July 2010

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

New peak train services for busiest lines

New peak train services for busiest lines
COURTNEY TRENWITH
July 2, 2010 - 7:00AM

New peak services will soon be added to south-east Queensland's busiest train lines.

The changes come ahead of an overhaul of the entire network's timetable, the state government has announced.

Four new services, providing a total of 9000 extra seats, will be added to the Caboolture and Ipswich lines next month.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said the boost was made possible following Queensland Rail's split into two companies yesterday.

QR's bulk haulage network, QR National, is to be sold off from the state-owned corporation later this year.

Ms Nolan said the move also allowed for $200 million to be spent upgrading one-third of the state's stations, which she said was the most intensive station upgrade program in the QR's history.

"The new beginning means passenger services no longer compete with freight trains and coal tracks for Government funding," Ms Nolan said.

''Queensland Rail will also overhaul the Citytrain timetable as the current timetable has evolved in an ad hoc manner since 1997.

"The current expansion of capacity between Corinda and Darra combined with the new Richlands line opening next year creates an opportunity to fix the timetable – creating more efficiency and more seat capacity for commuters.''

Community consultation on the new timetables would take place later this year with the aim to implement the timetable in the first half of 2011, Ms Nolan said.

"Currently, there's an average of 170,000 passengers journeys on the Queensland Rail network every day, so we need to make sure that those passengers get to where they need to go in the best and most efficient way possible,'' she said.

"There will be renewed focus on meeting timetables, reliability and customer service.''

In other changes to QR, new trains and staff uniforms at some stations have been introduced.

Ms Nolan confirmed QR National would be publicly floated this year despite fierce opposition from unions and the Opposition.

It will also go ahead despite a court finding two weeks ago that QR breached workplace agreements by failing to consult with staff about future employment arrangements and restructuring ahead of the sell off.

QR intends to appeal an order to pay $660,000.

- with AAP

[somebody]

I strongly believe that the "new" timetable won't appear in the first half of 2011 as indicated but sometime later in the calendar year.

You are more optimistic than me.

One of the forums regulars posted recently with something that I also support and that's with a 20-45% increase in fares should have resulted in a similar increase in services ....

Hmm.  All govt depts have had their funding squeezed.  I do not see how you can expect a 20-45% increase in government funding to match the increase in fares, and especially when fares except for short distances were coming off a low base.

Back on topic, a real positive I see out of this is that QR appear to have their own complaints/feedback process, so no longer do we need to go through Translink.

[stephenk]

Back on topic, a real positive I see out of this is that QR appear to have their own complaints/feedback process, so no longer do we need to go through Translink.

Whilst this is good for QR related matters, many of QR's shortcomings are affected by TransLink - in particular the funding side of things. Thus many complaints will still need to be directed at TransLink. 

[somebody]

Back on topic, a real positive I see out of this is that QR appear to have their own complaints/feedback process, so no longer do we need to go through Translink.

Whilst this is good for QR related matters, many of QR's shortcomings are affected by TransLink - in particular the funding side of things. Thus many complaints will still need to be directed at TransLink. 

This structure really needs to be changed.  QR need to be independant of Translink.

[Jon Bryant]

QR are a service provider to Translink and that is the way it should remain.  The issue is to fix Translink not change the structure.  Translink style arrangements have been extremely successful overseas.

[mufreight]

Sorry Jonno but the fact remains that we would be far better off with Translink only as a co-ordination body only rather that a bureaucratic black hole attempting to micro manage public transport with an excessively wasteful duplication of effort.  A few less seat polishers attempting to justify their existence would simplify things considerably and save a big slice of funds better expended on service provision rather than on obfuscation.
Translink did not manage to finalise the financial operating agreement for QR for last year which greatly restricted initiatives that QR would have liked to and could have rolled out at less cost than the mismanagement by Translink and it would be most interesting to see if the arrangements with QR for this financial year 2010 - 2011 have yet been signed off on.

[Jon Bryant]

The issue is to fix Translink not change the structure.  Translink style arrangements have been extremely successful overseas.

[awotam]

"Queensland Rail takes over!"
Same staff operating same services using same trains on same tracks.. just with a different colour scheme.. so what's actually changing? 
Smacks of the emperor's new clothes.

[Golliwog]

Kinda, but the whole company is purely focused on passenger train services now. Under the old QR, QR Passenger was just one arm of many arms, many of which didn't seem to co-operate together well.