RAIL - Back On Track Forum

The Advertiser --> Transport department proposes 'transition arrangement' when Keolis Downer takes over Adelaide rail network

QuoteKeolis Downer won't have enough staff to maintain service levels when it takes over Adelaide's train network, documents reveal.

Private operator Keolis Downer will not have enough staff members to maintain current service levels when it takes over Adelaide's train network next month, an internal memo says.

The transport department confirmed some Adelaide Metro drivers may be forced to operate trains beyond the takeover date of January 31, while staying on the government payroll.

An internal "fact sheet" sent to Rail Commissioner employees this week – and supplied to The Advertiser by the Opposition – reveals "some critical roles" will remain vacant when the private operator is due to take over the network.

The memo proposes a "transitional workforce arrangement" that would see government train drivers, passenger service assistants, signal maintenance fitters and network controllers helping Keolis Downer operate the network until the company can find enough of their own staff.

This process could take up to 18 months – but the arrangements would be reviewed every three months.

The memo says workers with critical roles must be part of the proposed "transitional workforce". ...

^

I'd just assumed they would have all shown up to work on Monday in their new uniforms, ie they where to just change employers but not roles.

Rail Express --> Staff arrangements mark next step in Adelaide rail hand-over

QuoteThe South Australian government has confirmed that 83 staff drivers will take up an employment offer from Keolis Downer to drive trains once Keolis Downer begins operating the Adelaide passenger network at the end of January.

To ensure passengers have access to the same number of services, the South Australian government will make 57 train drivers available to Keolis Downer for up to 18 months to boost staff numbers during the transition period.

The 57 additional drivers will remain employed by the government and their costs will be reimbursed by Keolis Downer.

The South Australian government estimates that having Keolis Downer operate the network will save $118 million over 12 years.

"We are committed to ensuring South Australians enjoy better train services through an improved system that, ultimately, increases public transport patronage," said SA Treasurer Rob Lucas.

Keolis Downer was awarded the contract to operate Adelaide's heavy rail passenger network in September 2020. ...

It's interesting that staff will be fewer. Maybe the pay is less, prompting some to leave? Just speculating here.

With two private opposite operators, MTR and Keolis, it's only a matter of time before Perth and Brisbane follow.

Quote9News revealed tonight that almost a third of the network's drivers aren't yet willing to work for the new French operator.

https://www.9news.com.au/national/adelaide-trains-privatisation-train-drivers-refuse-to-work-for-keolis-downer/8fd25a4f-aa0b-4b82-ab92-c6721d97de74

https://twitter.com/abcnews/status/1350667848130064385

In the article it says Labor plans to reverse the privatisation if they are elected next year. Surely that would be incredibly costly. Wouldn't they have to pay out the full $2.1bn contract??

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

They still haven't explained why only public servants should be allowed to drive trains.

Rail Express --> SA Transport Minister confirms January 31 handover date for train services

QuoteSouth Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard has confirmed that Keolis Downer will begin operating the Adelaide's heavy rail network as of January 31.

With the exception of the Gawler Line where electrification work is continuing, Keolis Downer is on schedule to begin operations by the end of January, a spokesperson for the operator reiterated. ...

Bus service changes

Many Adelaide Metro bus services will have timetable changes from Tuesday 26 January.

These changes are adjustments to the travel times of services only, with most services having their overall journey time reduced to provide faster trips for passengers, with less waiting at timing points.

There are no reductions to any services however some timing stops have been amended.

https://adelaidemetro.com.au/Announcements2/Service-updates/Bus-service-changes

Rail Express --> ONRSR approves Keolis Downer's safety accreditation for Adelaide train services

QuoteThe National Rail Safety Regular has accredited Keolis Downer as an operator of heavy rail services, ahead of the handover of Adelaide Metro train services to the private operator on January 31.

The accreditation paves the way for operations to begin on schedule, said Sandra Wilson-Ryke, Keolis Downer's HSQE director. ...

ABC News --> Adelaide Metro public transport complaints increase amid changes to train system

QuoteKey points:

Complaints about Adelaide public transport have increased

The number of commuters is down since the coronavirus pandemic

Substitute buses replacing trains on the closed Gawler line could be behind the rise  ...

The Advertiser --> Fast bus network not light rail the answer to Adelaide's traffic woes, study finds $

QuoteA rapid public bus system that services passengers using dedicated lanes and platforms in the middle of major roads would be a cheaper and more effective alternative to extending light rail in Adelaide, a study has found.

Flinders University researcher Michael McGreevy has suggested that Adelaide adopt a "Bus Rapid Transit" system – modelled on one in the Brazilian city of Curitiba – to build on the existing bus fleet, which carries three-quarters of the city's public transport passengers.

Under Curitiba's BRT network, buses use 60km of priority lanes separated from commuter traffic. Passengers wait for buses in covered platforms in the middle of streets.

Dr McGreevy compared running BRT, heavy rail and trams on Adelaide's east-west corridor, from Rosslyn Park to Henley Beach through the city via The Parade and Henley Beach Rd. He also analysed the potential to operate feeder roots along perpendicular roads, such as Portrush Rd, and to Adelaide Airport. ...

It would be interesting to have a copy of his report.

Quote from: #Metro on June 14, 2021, 06:02:03 AM
It would be interesting to have a copy of his report.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348453187_Cost_Reliability_Convenience_Equity_or_Image_The_cases_for_and_against_the_introduction_of_light_rail_and_bus_rapid_transit_in_inners_suburban_Adelaide_South_Australia

I have requested a copy of the article.

Researchgate has filed his article under Birds - Rails 

Quote from: #Metro on June 14, 2021, 07:33:01 AM
Researchgate has filed his article under Birds - Rails 

Yo.  Hard to get good help these days ...   

Found a downloadable version

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213624X21000018

https://twitter.com/theTiser/status/1406020729959632897

The Advertiser --> Adelaide train drivers told to skip stations to make up time, parliamentary inquiry hears $

QuoteTrain drivers are being instructed to skip railway stations, leaving commuters stranded on platforms, in a bid to reach their final destination on time, a parliamentary inquiry has heard.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union SA secretary Darren Phillips told a parliamentary committee on Monday that some train drivers had been told by rail operator Keolis Downer to bypass scheduled stops in order to complete their journey on-time.

Keolis Downer, which took over the operation of Adelaide's passenger rail network in January, can be financially penalised for trains running late under its contract with the state government.

"We are aware that on-time running has been achieved on occasions by Keolis Downer having trains skipping stations to have the train arrive at the destination on time," Mr Phillips said.

"This leaves customers stranded and left to fend for themselves."

Mr Phillips said this practice had happened in Victoria "and there was a fear with privatisation that that may occur here". ...

^ This is just about contract design. Remember when the government fined itself by penalising QR for lack of on time running?

The Advertiser --> Bus drivers' union says most assaults go unreported as Adelaide's most dangerous bus routes are revealed $

QuoteUrgent safety reforms are needed to protect South Australian bus drivers, the union says, as the number of drivers attacked over the last two years is revealed.

The Advertiser can reveal, through Freedom of Information documents, there were a reported 41 assaults on bus drivers in April 2020-21, compared with 47 in the same time frame the previous year.

But the Transport Workers Union warns the true number is much higher.

"There are probably hundreds (of assaults) going unaccounted because drivers ... don't feel like their voice is being heard," TWU SA branch secretary Ian Smith said.

"Actual figures that we have ... that's about a drop in the ocean of what's actually happening.

TOP SEVEN MOST DANGEROUS ADELAIDE BUS ROUTES
1 G10 Marion Interchange-Blair Athol: 6

2 721 Noarlunga Centre Interchange-City: 5

3 228 Smithfield-City: 4

4 230 Port Adelaide Interchange-City: 3

5 506 Tea Tree Plaza Interchange-City: 3

6 452 Munno Para-Elizabeth: 3

7 J2 Greenwith-Adelaide Airport: 3 ...

The Advertiser --> Knife incidents double on Adelaide's trains, FOI documents reveal $

QuoteThe number of violent weapon offences on Adelaide's train network has more than doubled over the past two years, Freedom of Information documents reveal.

The Opposition has obtained data from the Transport Department that shows the number of knife incidents on metropolitan trains has risen from four in 2018 to 10 in 2020.

In 2019, there were two incidents involving a gun, and a person was stabbed with a syringe.

Last year two people were stabbed with an unknown weapon.

Labor says the increase in "observed or threatened" knife incidents coincides with the state government's decision to axe regular nightly security guard patrols on the Belair, Tonsley and Grange train lines in 2019.

Opposition transport spokesman Tom Koutsantonis said everyone who caught trains in Adelaide "rightly expects they will be safe". ...

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1416047376280657921

https://twitter.com/AdelaideMetroSA/status/1416570937206611975

Delays to Adelaide train line

Work to upgrade Adelaide's Gawler train line has been delayed.

> https://www.9news.com.au/videos/national/delays-to-adelaide-train-line/ckrvtz012001k0gphc1g0ss4j

The Advertiser --> Hundreds of safety incidents, dozens of drug breaches on Gawler line electrification project $

QuoteMore than 200 incidents and 23 drug test fails on the Gawler rail electrification project have prompted a safety crackdown.

Transport Minister Corey Wingard said while most workers were "doing the right thing", he was concerned that 23 workers had tested positive to a range of illicit drugs, especially considering 209 safety incidents had been recorded so far on the project.

"The department is taking a hard-line approach to safety on this project, ensuring all workers know what the rules and punishments are for potentially dangerous behaviour," he said.

"The electrification of a rail line is inherently dangerous work and the department routinely undertakes independent safety audits on site to ensure it's a safe environment to work." ...

https://twitter.com/AussieWirraway/status/1441512118692368385

https://twitter.com/9NewsAdel/status/1441307202531196928

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1464610861276753928

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1478372997367017477

https://twitter.com/AussieWirraway/status/1486265123916627981

Free public transport to CBD Midday Friday to Midnight Sunday
18 Feb - 19 Mar 2022

https://twitter.com/marshall_steven/status/1487230700801576962

https://twitter.com/AussieWirraway/status/1488403634765598721

https://twitter.com/PMalinauskasMP/status/1510086126387666945

ABC News --> Free substitute buses on Adelaide's Gawler train line as delays to electrification work revealed

QuoteSouth Australia's new Transport Minister says a commuter rail project originally promised to be finished in 2020 will now be completed in June.

Key points:
The Gawler train line will reopen on June 30
Substitute buses will be free until then
The project has already suffered repeated delays and cost blowouts

Tom Koutsantonis described the project as a "hot mess" under the former Liberal government's management.

He said it knew the Gawler line electrification would not be completed this month, as it had said in the lead-up to last month's state election.

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport's website continues to say electric trains will start taking passengers in April 2022.

Mr Koutsantonis today announced fares for passengers using substitute buses for the train service to Adelaide's northern suburbs would be free from Monday. ...

The Advertiser --> $900m electric railway line from Adelaide to Gawler on schedule to open in late June $

QuoteIt has taken 14 years but finally the countdown is on for the opening of the new $900m Gawler to Adelaide electric rail line, with drivers receiving their final training.

Commuter trains have changed considerably since a young Mark Gregory starting driving rail cars from Gawler to Adelaide in the 1990s.

The South Australian-built Red Hens were notorious for their lack of airconditioning and heating, with passengers either sitting beside open sliding doors in extreme heat or huddling under blankets during winter.

On Sunday, Mr Gregory became one of the first people to drive a train on the newly electrified line between South Australia's oldest country town and the city.

The tuition of 171 train drivers largely involves learning to approach and depart from the 25 stops on the 42km stretch of railway under electric power, rather than diesel.

Drivers also are being familiarised with new signals along the track, which also features upgraded platforms, pedestrian "maze" entrances and perimeter fencing. ...

$50 million train line at Port Adelaide set to be revealed in SA budget
7 News 1st June 2022

Strange. Port Adelaide already has a railway station next to a shopping centre. This is just going to split frequency and service along the line to put a train station within 400 m of an existing one.

The only way I would be supporting this is if it involved upgrading the timetable to provide for:

- 15 minute all stations service to Port Dock.
- 15 minute limited stations service to Alberton, then all stations to Outer Harbor.  The stops would be:
-- Bowden (transfer to the tram)
-- Woodville (transfer to the Grange line, which I would have operating as a shuttle)
-- St Clair (TOD site)
-- Alberton (last stop before the 2 services diverge)

Maybe if they get some more EMUs for Seaford, Flinders and Gawler they will have enough DEMUs to deliver this.