13 Dec 2007: SEQ - Call for a free weekend of Citytrain travel before Christmas

[ozbob]

Media Release 13 December 2007

SEQ:  Call for a free weekend of Citytrain travel before Christmas

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport has called for a free weekend of Citytrain travel on the weekend proceeding Christmas.  There has been much disruption for all Citytrain passengers this year, culminating in a difficult time this week on the Caboolture line, and such a gesture would be very welcome and useful for people doing their last minute shopping and other social activities.

Robert Dow said:

?RAIL Back On Track appreciates the ongoing efforts of all public transport staff (reference 1).

?There has been a lot of short or no notice service cancellations on all lines this year. This has been due to a lack of staff and equipment and we have been advised that steps have been taken to address these shortfalls. This is good news.

?For some passengers though, these cancellations have had some financial implications and have lead to extra personal costs such as child care fees, or taxis.

?Additionally there has been much disruption due to necessary maintenance and construction activities.

?I am sure the rail commuter community would appreciate the opportunity to have a weekend of free rail travel. After all, they have been very patient and accommodating all year,? said Robert Dow, spokesman for RAIL Back On Track.

Reference:

1.    http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=267.0

Contact:

Robert Dow

Administration
admin@backontrack.org RAIL Back On Track
http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

From Quest Citynews click here!


Patience wears thin for angry rail commuters

Patience wears thin for angry rail commuters

BRISBANE, December 20: ABOUT 100 new train crew have been hired in a bid to provide a more reliable, on-time rail service.

Commuters say it is not enough and have demanded Queensland Rail give all passengers a weekend of free rail travel before Christmas.

Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said commuters had been ?patient and accommodating? all year.

?There has been much disruption for all Citytrain passengers this year; there has been a lot of short or no notice service cancellations on all lines,? he said.

?For some passengers though, these cancellations have had some financial implications and have lead to extra personal costs such as child care fees, or taxis.?

Transport Minister John Mickel ruled out any free rail travel but demanded QR speed up the employment of new staff.

He said 24 new guards and 24 new drivers would start work before the new year, with another 48 guards being fast-tracked to be ready early in 2008.

?I am appalled by the number of trains that are either running late or being cancelled due to a shortage of guards,? Mr Mickel said.

?If we are going to get people out of their cars and onto public transport, it has to be reliable, accessible and affordable.?

He also instructed QR to make urgent changes to the way it informs and looks after passengers when unavoidable delays occur.

?If there are disruptions, passengers will be provided with the best possible alternative transport, at not cost to them, whether it?s a replacement train or free buses and, if necessary, taxis.
?QR will also begin shifting guards from low patronage to peak services, which I am assured will have an immediate impact on reliability of train services.??