Article: Queensland Rail remains on track to improve train service

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Queensland Rail remains on track to improve train service

Queensland Rail remains on track to improve train service
Kathy Sundstrom 5th Sep 2013 7:21 AM

ONLY one toilet per month is out of order on Sunshine Coast trains to Brisbane and most routes are running on time as Queensland Rail remains on track to improve service.

Regular rail commuter Jeff Addison has praised the rail service for listening to the 2000 commuters who travel between the Coast and the city each week.

But the main request still remains for the return of the express train which significantly cuts the time of the two-hour journey.

"Every Sunshine Coast commuter I talk to says they want a train to run express from Elimbah or Caboolture to Bowen Hills (and return) like the good old days of pre-June 2011," Mr Addison said.

A meeting with new Queensland Rail CEO, Glen Dawe, provided some hope.

Mr Addison said Mr Dawe was "keenly aware" commuters were hoping for the return of the express train.

"He said Queensland Rail was 'comprehensively reviewing this matter' and would respond once the review was finished," Mr Addison said.

Mr Addison also raised concerns about the condition of the some of the older, intercity express trains, used on the Sunshine Coast route.

"These trains are the second oldest in the QR fleet, having begun service in 1988," Mr Addison said.

"I have received numerous comments about the cleanliness of these trains with many commuters stating that the upholstery felt like it hadn't been cleaned in years.

"There were also numerous reports of the seat bases being loose and sliding around with the movement of the train."

Mr Dawe promised at the August 15 meeting to look into the issue with a corrective maintenance plan.

The results were quick with a commuter tweeting days later the train "definitely had a clean".

The "infamous" three-carriage, 3.30pm train from Roma St to Caboolture is also being addressed to alleviate crowding issues.

The Sunshine Coast Daily has been highlighting rail commuters' concerns since January, with many results achieved in the short time span.

[Stillwater]

Good to see the ICE trains getting a steam clean and a bit of shampoo rinsed through the carpet.  We can look forward to:

(1) the seat bases being fixed (many come out and some roll around as the train is in motion)
(2) the fabric tears being darned and the seat recliner mechanisms fixed
(3) maybe a paint job in the toilets
(4) leaks fixed so that water doesn't get in between the dual panes of window glass
(5) the operating mechanisms for the blinds between the sheets of glass also addressed.

[Fares_Fair]

Good to see the ICE trains getting a steam clean and a bit of shampoo rinsed through the carpet.  We can look forward to:

(1) the seat bases being fixed (many come out and some roll around as the train is in motion)
(2) the fabric tears being darned and the seat recliner mechanisms fixed
(3) maybe a paint job in the toilets
(4) leaks fixed so that water doesn't get in between the dual panes of window glass
(5) the operating mechanisms for the blinds between the sheets of glass also addressed.

I miss our ICE trains but recognise that they are more manifestly needed on the Gympie North runs.
With regards to point 4, we loved the seats by the windows with what we termed the ocean views.
Watching the water splosh back and forth, and the ripples as we went up hill or down, was quite calming.
We would even envision adding some fish ...