RAIL - Back On Track Forum

I will add to this list during the today/night

Source https://railbot.info/forum/index.php?topic=209.0 which is derived from https://twitter.com/Translink_QLD

Ipswich region Monday 20th June 2022 bus service cancellations

Time of notification, details:

1.  5:26am Translink_QLD: The 5.42am route 515 to Warwick Rd bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next 515 route to Warwick Rd bus departs Workshops St near Tunstall Pl, Brassall at 6.12am.  #TLAlert #TL500s

2.  6:19am Translink_QLD: The 6.40am route 503 to Bell Street bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 503 to Bell Street bus departs Bundamba at 7.16am.  #TLAlert #TL500s

3.  6:44am Translink_QLD: The 7.29am route 531 to Yamanto bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 531 to Yamanto bus departs Orion Springfield Central at 8.32am.  #TLAlert #TL500s

4.  6:54am Translink_QLD: The 7.36am route 526 to Redbank station bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 526 to Redbank station bus departs Orion Springfield Central at 8.06am.  #TLAlert #TL500s

5.  7:08am Translink_QLD: The 8.20am route 526 to Orion Springfield Central bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 526 to Orion Springfield Central bus departs Redbank station at 8.50am.  #TLAlert #TL500s

6.  7:09am Translink_QLD: The 8.21am route 531 to Orion Springfield Central bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 531 to Orion Springfield Central bus departs Yamanto at 9.25am.  #TLAlert #TL500s

7.  7:33am Translink_QLD: The 8.42am route 502 to Bundamba bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 502 to Bundamba bus departs RiverLink Shopping Centre at 9.12am.  #TLAlert #TL500s

8.  8:02am Translink_QLD: The 9.16am route 503 to RiverLink Shopping Centre bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 503 to RiverLink Shopping Centre bus departs Bundamba at 10.16am.  #TLAlert #TL500s

9.  8:38am Translink_QLD: The 10.54am route 503 to Bundamba bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 503 to Bundamba bus departs RiverLink Shopping Centre at 11.54am.  #TLAlert #TL500s

10.  9:18am Translink_QLD: The 11.48am route 502 to RiverLink Shopping Centre bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 502 to RiverLink Shopping Centre bus departs Bundamba at 12.48pm.  #TLAlert #TL500s

11.  11:12am Translink_QLD: The 12.31pm route 512 to Brassall bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 512 to Brassall bus departs RiverLink Shopping Centre at 1.31pm.  #TLAlert #TL500s

12.  11:12am Translink_QLD: The 1.09pm route 512 to RiverLink Shopping Centre bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 512 to RiverLink Shopping Centre bus departs Brassall at 2.09pm.  #TLAlert #TL500s

13.  11:42am Translink_QLD: The 11.26am route 509 to Yamanto bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 509 to Yamanto bus departs RiverLink Shopping Centre at 12.26pm.  #TLAlert #TL500s

14.  11:48am Translink_QLD: The 12.01pm route 509 to RiverLink Shopping Centre bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 509 to RiverLink Shopping Centre bus departs Yamanto at 1.01pm.  #TLAlert #TL500s

15.  11:48am Translink_QLD: The 12.42pm route 502 to Bundamba bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 502 to Bundamba bus departs RiverLink Shopping Centre at 1.42pm.  #TLAlert #TL500s

16.  12:15pm Translink_QLD: The 1.16pm route 503 to RiverLink Shopping Centre bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 503 to RiverLink Shopping Centre bus departs Bundamba at 2.16pm.  #TLAlert #TL500s

17.  1:07pm  Translink_QLD: The 2.47pm route 503 to Bundamba bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 503 to Bundamba bus departs RiverLink Shopping Centre at 3.17pm.  #TLAlert #TL500s

18.  2:02pm  Translink_QLD: The 2.02pm route 524 to Goodna station bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 524 to Goodna station bus departs Redbank Plains Town Square at 3.02pm.  #TLAlert #TL500s

19.  3:23pm Translink_QLD: The 3.36pm route 502 to Bundamba bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 502 to Bundamba bus departs RiverLink Shopping Centre at 4.12pm.  #TLAlert #TL500s

20.  3:23pm Translink_QLD: The 3.24pm route 527 to Goodna Shopping Centre bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 527 to Goodna Shopping Centre bus departs Orion Springfield Central at 3.55pm.  #TLAlert #TL500s

21.  3:41pm Translink_QLD: The 4.16pm and 4.46pm route 503 to RiverLink Shopping Centre buses are cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 503 to RiverLink Shopping Centre bus departs Bundamba at 5.16pm. For more information:  #TLAlert #TL500s

22.  3:41pm Translink_QLD: The 4.12pm route 502 to Bundamba bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 502 to Bundamba bus departs RiverLink Shopping Centre at 4.42pm.  #TLAlert #TL500s

23.  3:41pm Translink_QLD: The 4.10pm route 527 to Orion Springfield Central bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 527 to Orion Springfield Central bus departs Goodna Shopping Centre at 4.40pm.  #TLAlert #TL500s

24.  3:41pm Translink_QLD: The 4.01pm route 509 to RiverLink Shopping Centre bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 509 to RiverLink Shopping Centre bus departs Yamanto at 4.42pm.  #TLAlert #TL500s

25.  3:55pm Translink_QLD: The 4.55pm route 527 to Goodna station bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 527 to Goodna station bus departs Orion Springfield Central at 5.28pm.  #TLAlert #TL500s

26.  4:42pm Translink_QLD: The 5.17pm and 5.47pm route 503 to Bundamba buses are cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 503 to Bundamba bus departs RiverLink Shopping Centre at 6.17pm. #TLAlert #TL500s

27.  4:51pm Translink_QLD: The 7.21pm route 500 to Redbank station bus is cancelled due to staff availability. Please check the journey planner to find your next best travel option.  #TLAlert #TL500s

28.  4:52pm Translink_QLD: The 6.11pm & 6.44pm route 502 to RiverLink Shopping Centre buses are cancelled due to staff availability. The next route 502 to RiverLink Shopping Centre bus departs Bundamba at 7.11pm. For more information:  #TLAlert #TL500s

^

This doesn't reflect actuality, does it? 

Ipswich area bus service disruptions

https://translink.com.au/updates/123041

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1538780105459531776

 

Updated.  31 reported bus service cancellations for the day (Monday 20th June 2022).

Sent to all outlets:

Update Re: Bus service cancellations widespread

21st June 2022

Good Morning,

Bus service cancellations continue throughout Queensland due to driver shortages.
All reported disruptions (all modes) are recorded here > https://railbot.info/forum/index.php?board=11.0
I set this up at my own expense because I care what happens to public transport passengers in Queensland.

Yesterday (20th June 2022) in the Ipswich bus region there were 31 reported bus service cancellations  (not including the 463 bus)( see https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=14703.0 ).  According to the Translink service disruption ' Ipswich area bus service disruptions ' https://translink.com.au/updates/123041 there were to be 15 (not including the 463 bus). A very significant difference.  We understand and are empathetic with respect to our bus operators who have many drivers on sick leave due to covid and or flu.  No doubt hurried on by a lack of proper public health restrictions and their enforcement.  However the public playing bus stop ' no show ' bingo need to be warned, they need to be informed in an accurate and timely manner.  There is immense damage being done to the confidence of passengers with respect to our public transport network performance with the poor communication of service cancellations.

It is very disappointing that there has been a lack of proactive communication by Translink with respect to the ongoing bus cancellations due to ' staff availability ' (this really means that staff - drivers, are not available to drive the buses).

Why isn't there a link to a statement from the home page on the Translink website alerting intending passengers of the problems?

Where is the leadership?  Public transport in Queensland is drowning in a sea of mediocrity.  Leadership starts at the top.

You all need to do much better.  You are paid big dollars to deliver outcomes.  Not hide behind firewalls and post selfies all day.

Thank you.

Best wishes,

Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org alternate theozbob@gmail.com
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Quote from: ozbob on June 20, 2022, 12:10:22 PMSent to all outlets:

Re: Bus service cancellations widespread

Greetings,

Hidden away on the Translink web site at https://translink.com.au/updates/123041

Ipswich area bus service disruptions



It is in effect a reduced service timetable.  Why isn't it linked to the main site so people can pick it up?
Anyway, good to see and least it gives some certainty as to the services being cancelled.

Thank you.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Quote from: ozbob on June 20, 2022, 07:21:25 AMSent to all outlets:

Bus service cancellations widespread

20th June 2022

Good Morning,

Well, it is not a great morning out on the bus networks of SEQ.

Ipswich bus region particularly has had a catastrophic week of service cancellations.

Today the Couriermail Quest has published an article highlighting the worsening situation.  Thank you.

Hundreds of buses in Ipswich, Logan cancelled as flu, Covid trigger driver shortage

https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/logan/hundreds-of-buses-in-ipswich-logan-cancelled-as-flu-covid-trigger-driver-shortage/news-story/03b790faaeac5ef682db24124ab51e01

I first wrote to our transport authorities (Minister and TransLink) late March about our concerns with the service delivery in the Western bus region (Ipswich).  Since then it is gotten progressively worse, to the point that it is very difficult for people to do any time sensitive travel on the bus network now.  Ipswich and Logan bus networks are important for local transport to and from activity centres, and for transport to and from railway stations.  All of the Ipswich bus routes connect to rail somewhere on their routes.

Clearly something needs to happen. I suggest bringing in a temporary reduced service timetable that can be reliably delivered.  Leave first and last services intact and half service frequency between those first and last daily runs.  A timetable reliably delivered is preferable at present, to the random chaos being experienced out on the networks.

A temporary reduced service timetable has been done before.  After the Redcliffe Peninsula railway line opening and the Queensland Rail service shortfall, temporary reduced service timetables were introduced.  More recently Mackay bus services were put on a temporary reduced service timetables to cover an issue in that jurisdiction.

We cannot leave people abandoned  at bus stops for hours.  These people depend on the buses for so many things.

Please act.

Thank you.

Best wishes,

Robert

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

Quote from: ozbob on June 21, 2022, 00:48:39 AM31 reported

Reported being the second key part here.

^ yep.  Based on previous reporting practises it is reasonable to conclude the number was greater than that!

 

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1539168632290549760

For the record 21st June 2022 Ipswich bus region had 14 reported service cancellations ' staff availability '.

22nd June 2022

31 bus service cancellations ' staff availability ' as at 3.30pm.

This service update is meaningless ...

> https://translink.com.au/updates/123041



Ipswich area bus service disruptions

Last reviewed: Sunday 19 Jun 2022 at 6.37am
From Friday 17 June until Friday 24 June, some weekday bus services will be reduced due to driver availability.

If your service is listed below, please replan your journey before you travel.

Route   Destination   Service not running - morning   Service not running- afternoon
463   to Forest Lake Village   n/a   2.35pm, 3.07pm, 3.37pm
to Goodna station   n/a   4.07pm
500   to Riverlink Shopping Centre   7.12am   n/a
502   to Riverlink Shopping Centre   8.18am   2.48pm
503   to Riverlink Shopping Centre   6.40am   n/a
to Ipswich TAFE, Bundamba   7.29am   n/a
509   to Jacaranda Drive, Yamanto   7.57am   3.26pm
to Riverlink Shopping Centre   8.27am   n/a
526   to Redbank station   6.10am   n/a
to Orion Springfield Central   6.50am   n/a
528   to Springfield station   7.34am   2.34pm, 4pm
to Orion Springfield Central   8.27am   3.22pm

New update > https://translink.com.au/updates/124826

Westside bus services disruptions
Last reviewed: Wednesday 22 Jun 2022 at 8.26am
Some buses will not run due to driver availability until Friday 24 June.

If your service is shown below, please replan your journey before you travel.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.

Morning services
Route   From   Times
500   Redbank station   7:12am
502   Bundamba   8:18am
503   Bundamba   6:40am
    Bell Street, Ipswich   7:29am
509   Bell Street, Ipswich   7:57am
    Yamanto   8:27am
526   Springfield Central station   6:10am
    Redbank station   6:50am
528   Springfield Central station   7:34am
    Springfield station   8:27am
Afternoon services
Route   From   Times
463   Goodna   2:35pm, 3:37pm
    Forest Lake   3:07pm, 4:07pm
502   Bundamba   2:48pm
509   Riverlink   3:26pm
528   Springfield Central station   2:34pm, 4pm
    Springfield station   3:22

Sent to all outlets:

Ipswich bus cancellations - the ongoing saga

23rd June 2022

Good Morning,

Translink updated service disruptions for ' Westside bus services disruptions ' at 8.26am on Wednesday 22 Jun 2022 with a further update at https://translink.com.au/updates/124826

This indicated a reduced service timetable  with 18 planned service cancellation reductions daily until Friday 24th June 2022 due to driver availability.

Yesterday, 22nd June 2022 there were in fact 36 reported service cancellations due to driver availability, 3 were later reversed.

We accept that it is difficult to predict what will actually occur in advance with the present bus driver shortages.  However the communication of these disruptions is still poor. On the Translink QLD home page ( https://translink.com.au ) there is no upfront message that Ipswich buses have a reduced service timetable.  The only way it can be found is if an user clicks on the bus tag under service updates and sees the notices for:

1. Ipswich area bus service disruptions
2. Westside bus services disruptions

(screen shot below)


Confusing that the same bus region is showing two different names.  Not all users would understand that Ipswich and Westside are the same bus region.

Seriously, this is basic web programming 101.  An upfront message on main page " Ipswich bus services reduced " linked through to a combined list of the service disruptions, and a warning to check what services are running prior to travelling, is what should be done.  Others have also expressed concerns about the poor communication.

Can it be improved please?

Thank you.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Quote from: ozbob on June 22, 2022, 05:00:09 AMSent to all outlets:

Thank you 7 News - bus service cancellations

22nd June 2022

Good Morning,

Thank you 7 News for following up on the bus cancellations due to ' staff availability '.

Story can be found here > https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=7539480266126156

There is in fact a reduced service timetable in use around Ipswich bus region until Friday 24th June 2022 according to this service disruption notice https://translink.com.au/updates/123041

Thank you to the DDG Translink Ms. Stannard for advising that Translink will be monitoring the situation.  We appreciate the driver shortfall will be eased during the school holiday period but we remain concerned what will happen when school bus services resume after the holidays.  School bus services must be the priority, so there still might be the need to consider some further reduced timetables.
Let's hope not.

A reminder that public transport fare increases are planned for July 2022 ( https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/94229 ).
This might not be to popular in the present  bus stop ' bingo ' world out west and elsewhere.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Attached:  https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=259659

^ onboard the 524 after a session at the Goodna Razzle Dazzle ... 

In general, TransLink seem to have abandoned providing useful information to people.

"Check the journey planner".

They are in a world of delusion. 

Most punters waiting at bus stops out here are not checking the real time bus movements on their smart phones.  They look at the bus stop timetable (providing it is still readable), check the time and hope the bus actually shows up.

ICC is getting very concerned about this meltdown as well. Massive damage is being done to passenger confidence.

I think when the situation gets back to usual with service delivery, they should give Ipswich punters a few weeks of free bus travel.  There are some routes I haven't been on yet ... 

Any merit in having ICC run buses?

https://translink.com.au/updates/124826

Ipswich area bus service disruptions

Last reviewed: Thursday 23 Jun 2022 at 12.17pm

Some buses will not run due to driver availability until Friday 24 June.

If your service is shown below, please replan your journey before you travel.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.

Morning services

Route    From    Times
500    Redbank station    7:12am
502    Bundamba    8:18am
503    Bundamba    6:40am
    Bell Street, Ipswich    7:29am
509    Bell Street, Ipswich    7:57am
    Yamanto    8:27am
526    Springfield Central station    6:10am
    Redbank station    6:50am
528    Springfield Central station    7:34am
    Springfield station    8:27am

Afternoon services

Route    From    Times
463    Goodna    2:35pm, 3:37pm
    Forest Lake    3:07pm, 4:07pm
502    Bundamba    2:48pm
509    Riverlink    3:26pm
528    Springfield Central station    2:34pm, 4pm
    Springfield station    3:22

Well, there is now one service disruption notice as above.

Still hidden away ...   

23rd June 2022 there were 28 reported service cancellations ' staff availability ' Ipswich buses.

 

24th June 2022 there were 25 reported service cancellations ' staff availability ' Ipswich buses.

With school holidays for the next two weeks, hopefully the cancellations will drop off for now.

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1544216237810810881