anyone else getting unscheduled stops on express services?

[justanotheruser]

recently I have noticed an increase in the number of express trains stopping to let QR staff of the train at stations train does not stop at. In peak hour often there is another train five minutes later. I lodged a complaint with QR and got the following response

Dear Mr Star

Please see information provided by Traincrew management in regards to your concerns:

Due to new signalling and track in the area all Traincrew are not compliant with changes and require Pilots to escort them through the area to ensure on time running and conduct tuition on the route prior to assessments being carried out. The tuition is between Sherwood and Wacol and therefore this is the reason for the unscheduled stops for Pilots.

This is why all trains would stop in both directions to pick up and drop off the route Tutors/Pilots.

Under this circumstance it is a requirement for Tuition purposes.


QR       Wendy Johnston CUSTOMER RELATIONS OFFICER
QR PASSENGER

Just wondering if this is happening on any lines other than ipswich?

[Mozz]

Yep I have been on a few express services into the CBD from Oxley and unscheduled stop at Sherwood to let staff hope off.

[ozbob]

Yes pilots have been on the trains for a month or so now.  Many changes with track and signalling Sherwood to Wacol.

[Derwan]

What a great response!  (No I'm not being sarcastic!)  It directly answers the question and puts to rest any concern that drivers are just helping out their mates!

Why can't TransLink provide simple, honest responses like this??!?!?

[ozbob]

Indeed, goes with International Customer Service Standard accreditation    

--> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4032.0

[Derwan]

Just wondering if this is happening on any lines other than ipswich?

We occasionally have drivers accidentally stopping.  Sometimes the guard reminds the driver by either doing the double-bell before the train stops - or allowing the stop to happen and then notifying the driver afterwards. (I only assume that the latter is the case as we run express after that.)

Sometimes both driver and guard stuff up.  One time we stopped all stations - and when we got to the valley, the guard announced that he just realised that we should've run express and apologised.

I haven't witnessed any deliberate stops to pick up or drop off staff.

[STB]

Just wondering if this is happening on any lines other than ipswich?

We occasionally have drivers accidentally stopping.  Sometimes the guard reminds the driver by either doing the double-bell before the train stops - or allowing the stop to happen and then notifying the driver afterwards. (I only assume that the latter is the case as we run express after that.)

Sometimes both driver and guard stuff up.  One time we stopped all stations - and when we got to the valley, the guard announced that he just realised that we should've run express and apologised.

I haven't witnessed any deliberate stops to pick up or drop off staff.

And every now and then you get the opposite, the driver runs express by accident instead of stopping.  Allowing for an interesting view of confused looks on passengers.

[justanotheruser]

Yep I have been on a few express services into the CBD from Oxley and unscheduled stop at Sherwood to let staff hope off.

maybe you catch the same train as me!

[WTN]

I've once heard a passenger who asked station staff to stop an express service (Nambour) for them - because their all stations connecting service didn't turn up. And the station staff were kind enough to do that.

[Fridge]

I've once heard a passenger who asked station staff to stop an express service (Nambour) for them - because their all stations connecting service didn't turn up. And the station staff were kind enough to do that.

I've had that done a few times when I went to uni on the Sunshine Coast, it prevented the need to WAIT 2 HOURS FOR THE NEXT SERVICE NORTH that meets the bus connections at Landsborough.

[Derwan]

I've once heard a passenger who asked station staff to stop an express service (Nambour) for them - because their all stations connecting service didn't turn up. And the station staff were kind enough to do that.

This reminded me - one time I was on a Nambour service that made an unscheduled stop at Eagle Junction.  (This was particularly frustrating as I was catching the 7:28 service that usually overtakes the Shorncliffe train that I'd just missed - before it gets to Northgate.)

After a minute or two, another down service arrived on platform 3 (up main) and a single passenger alighted and was escorted through the guard's door into our service.

I dare say that it was a Bowen Hills terminator that they ran to EJ especially for the passenger.  That 2-hour wait would've been so annoying if they hadn't done that for her!