RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Sent 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

Facebook ...

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1538636542079832064

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

Just found this effective from last Friday. Three PM 463s cancelled in a row, leaving no 463 to Forest Lake between 1:35pm and 4:09pm...

Ipswich area bus service disruptions

From Friday 17 June until Friday 24 June, some weekday bus services will be reduced due to driver availability.

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

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1538692471500460032

Sent 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

Gold Coast has had 11 bus service cancellations due ' staff availability ' today so far ..

https://railbot.info/forum/index.php?topic=207.0

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

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1538955019177066498

Just completed an interview with 7 News re bus service cancellations.

Bus service disruptions due to ' staff availability ' have eased a little.

Amazing what a bit of  can do ...

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

Sent 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

Meanwhile in Brisbane, massive delays across the Victoria Birdge as we speak (due to a 'Signalling Issue' according to the Translink update). Has taken me 24 mins to get from King George Square to Cultural Centre on a 345, even running via the snake and skipping ahead of a few buses. Inbound buses are pretty much banked all the way up to the platforms at South Bank!

^

https://twitter.com/Translink_QLD/status/1539375354686611460

There is next to no bus priority in the CBD, so why is any of this surprising?

It's often faster for me to walk from Wharf St to George St in peak hour.

I wonder if this will change with their idea of making Mary and Adelaide streets bus priority corridors?

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

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1540724104625475585

Reduced services for Ippy & Redland:

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

QuoteReduced bus timetable due to driver illness
Last reviewed: Tuesday 5 Jul 2022 at 1.29pm
From Monday 11 July until further notice, there will be some services removed as we're experiencing higher than usual driver absences due to influenza and COVID-19.

We've worked closely with our delivery partners to minimise customer impacts as much as possible, including prioritising school services, to provide a stable timetable and reduce last minute cancellations.

The below services have been removed from the journey planner and stop timetables, so the best way to find out how to get around will be to replan your trip before you travel.

We thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

Affected services from Monday 11 July
The below routes and services will not operate until further notice.

Route 251 to Brisbane City
Route 273 to Brisbane City
Route 275 to Brisbane City
Route 279 to Brisbane City
Route 463
Route 506
Route 509
Route 512
Route 515

Note, not all of these services are cancelled. You'll have to click on the URL to see which are.

Reduced service timetable for Ipswich region.

515 frequency halved.

Other routes here and there.

Better to know up front.

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

Facebook ...

Brisbanetimes --> TransLink cuts bus services as flu, COVID compound driver shortage

QuoteTransLink will cut bus services from next week due to a driver shortage created by flu, COVID-19, and problems attracting and retaining drivers.

Five inbound and outbound routes in Ipswich will run on a reduced frequency, while four early morning inbound services in Redland City will be cut. ...

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1544385728129695744

The 524 bus battles on ...



Photograph R Dow 6th July 2022

Sent to all outlets:

Reduced bus timetable Ipswich and Redlands buses from 11 July 2022

6 July 2022

Good Morning,

Been publicly announced there will be a reduced bus service timetable for Ipswich  - major impact,

and Redlands - minor impact, from Monday 11th July 2022.

Full details > https://translink.com.au/updates/124826

Ipswich bus region significant service reductions for routes:

463, 506, 509, 512 & 515. The 515 is Ipswich's only high frequency bus route.  This will be low frequency from the 11th July 2022

Redlands bus region some minor service reductions for routes:

251, 273, 275 & 279

This is very disappointing of course but understandable. As the DDG Translink commented " .. bus driver shortages were created by absences due to seasonal illness, influenza, COVID-19, as well as difficulty in attracting and retaining bus drivers. "

It is much better to have a reduced service timetable than leave intending passengers stranded out on the network with ever escalating random service cancellations. For this reason we do support the implementation of the reduced service timetable, however we trust that full service will be returned as soon as driver numbers allow it.

Additionally the State Government should consider a campaign to attract more bus drivers for our operators.  The State has the resources to do that and needs to step up.

The Ipswich bus network is a low frequency network, most buses running 30 minute to an hour, some 2 hour intervals.  The exception is the 515 (normally 15 minute frequency).  A service cancelled has a profound impact on the passengers intending to use that service. It usually means a long wait for the next service, missed appointments and connections.  Every bus route in Ipswich connects to rail,  the bus service is important to get passengers to and from railway stations, as well as getting around Ipswich to access activity centres - shopping, medical, employment and social needs.

Disappointed, but not defeated!

Regards,

Robert

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

ABC News --> Reduced bus timetable for south-east Queensland commuters as driver shortage bites

Some services in Toowoomba cancelled as well.

904: 8.09am from Toowoomba bus station

905: 6.59am from Westbrook

906: 3.22pm from Airport Estate to Toowoomba Plaza

906: 4.36pm from Toowoomba Plaza to Airport Estate

And Logan

541: 3.11pm from Browns Plains station to Greenbank

541: 3.33pm from Greenbank to Browns Plains station

542: 2:34pm from Park Ridge park 'n' ride towards Browns Plains station

545: 6.32am from Browns Plains station to Garden City

545: 7:36am from Garden City to Browns Plains station


Full details > https://translink.com.au/updates/124826

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1545581251327049729

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1547773505328271360

^

Ipswich Tribune --> Driver shortage causes bus timetable upheaval $

QuoteA bus chief says bus driver absenteeism because of flu and COVID are to blame for urgent changes to Ipswich bus timetables.

The timetable alterations came into effect on Monday when school bus drivers, who had replaced sick drivers on the urban network during school holidays, returned to their duties for the start of term.

TransLink Deputy Director General Sally Stannard said the changed timetable would remain for the duration of Term 3. ...

Updated:

Reduced bus timetable due to driver illness

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

I understand reduced bus service timetables for Ipswich will continue to January 2023 ( at least )
which begs the question why should punters continue to pay fares?  Make it free.
Fares are optional in any case in some minds . People are getting p%ssed  off.

Reduced bus timetable due to driver illness
Last reviewed: Monday 22 Aug 2022 at 8.10am

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

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1561729255792586757

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1570881809432576000

MyCityLogan September 13 Edition

https://mycitylogan.com.au/read-the-full-september-13-edition-of-mycity-logan/

Bus commuters' world of hurt

MyCityLogan https://online.fliphtml5.com/lprjc/oddw/
Edition 99 20-26 September 2022





The correct caption should read 1018 disruptions throughout Queensland.

I think part of this is that wages have gone up in competing industries such as warehousing etc and this has vacuumed out the labour.

Is TransLink going to pay the bus company more so wages at the bus operator can meet the new, higher market clearing rates?