Smart state transport related successes current and recent

[ozbob]

Only fair ...



1. Integrated ticketing - including go card

2. Busways

3. Caboolture to Beerburrum duplication (yes I know, but at least it has been done ..)

4. BUZ buses

5. Queensland made trains

6. Track amplifications

7. QR Passenger CRGs (now Queensland Rail CRGs)

8. The weekday 6.35am Darra to Bowen Hills sweeper

more?

[Derwan]

Improvements to the TransLink website, including the mobile journey planner.  (Slowly but surely.  Still a long way to go.)

The production of "Connecting SEQ 2031".

The Quiet Car.  (Responding to customer suggestions.)

Graffiti reduction programs (including Positive pARTnerships and tree-planting)

[#Metro]

* Setting up TransLink and taking planning off operator's hands (though I suspect resistance in some quarters!!!)
* Cultural Centre reconstruction
* Sudden patronage increase post 2004 and continuing
* Introduction of NightLink buses (took Brisbane out of the dark ages) and more innovatively, the introduction of Flat-Fare taxis.
* Security guards on all night trains
* Merging QR Passenger/QR network etc back together again
* Constructive relations with RailBOT...

* SEQ 2031 plan, trouts road corridor, go between bridge buses, kippa ring to be built... (partial success as not completed project yet)

* New "busway style" train station designs

[Stillwater]

CTV installation -- making travel safer
extra parking at stations
current round of station upgrades
facilities for people with disabilities and mums with prams
big plus for integrated ticketing and go-card
catering to passenger movements around big events, such as Riverfire

[Golliwog]

Changing the no dogs on trains rule so that guide and assistance dogs can ride the train.
Roll out of LED/LCD displays for next train at most(?) stations.
Bike lanes being included in most new Main Road reconstructions.
Customer service from QR (lost and found, etc).
Consultation on major infrastructure work (CRR, Keperra to FG duplication, Connecting SEQ, etc).
The steam train driver training Ipswich to Shorncliffe runs.
Route 77 and 66.
Green Bridge.

[WTN]

Air conditioned buses (much needed in summer!)
CityCats
New SMUs/IMUs
QR mobile customer care representatives
Richlands branch
Busway connection at Roma St station
Signage and staff to assist bustitution

[Golliwog]

Busway connecting at Park Rd station.

[Sunbus610]

A simplified three digit bus (route) numbering was successfully rolled out post TL for each SEQ region outside Brisbane metro area. Sadly not all of the GC region (Surfside routes) have been finalised yet.

[colinw]

- High level platforms at new & re-developed stations.
- Airport line (qualified success, but a valuable facility & well worth having).
- Busway to Rail interchanges, particularly the good connection to UQ from Park Road.

[somebody]

3. Caboolture to Beerburrum duplication (yes I know, but at least it has been done ..)
5. Queensland made trains
6. Track amplifications
7. QR Passenger CRGs (now Queensland Rail CRGs)
8. The weekday 6.35am Darra to Bowen Hills sweeper

Who cares about the above points?  Specifically:
3: Didn't result in any service improvement
5: I don't care where they are made
6: Again, didn't result in service improvement
7: Didn't result in service improvement
8: The whole approach to timetabling in QLD is something they should be seriously embarrassed about.

[ozbob]

I do, that is why I posted them thanks.  It is worthwhile to acknowledge the gains as well.

3.  The line is there waiting to be properly utilised, better than not being there.

5.  The Queensland made trains are good product and important for the local economy.  

6.  Without track amplifications we get nowhere much.

7.  CRGs these have been an outstanding success IMHO. Why don't you join one if not already?

8.   The sweeper was an important service.  It was the first real action to help address a major overloading issue and started a slow change in thinking.

Timetabling is progressing.  We will have our opportunity for consultation shortly (November).

Some more background on the sweeper

Media Release 8 March 2008

SEQ:  Congestion 'crushing' commuters

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and advocate for public transport commuters has said the congestion on the Translink QR Suburban rail network has now reached a crisis point.  Short and long term strategies must be enacted immediately in the interests of safety and well being of passengers and crew. The recently announced increases in trains and timetable changes are not even enough to match growth in the last three years let alone meet future demands.

Robert Dow said:

"This week I assisted a school girl who had fainted on an overloaded suburban train as it arrived at Roma St (1).  We have also had reports of commuters being forced to actually terminate their journey and leave trains due to them being unable to tolerate the cramped conditions.  I have also observed many instances of intending passengers standing back at stations as it is obvious there is no more room on the train for them."

"As the fuel crisis starts to bite, more and more citizens will turn to our public transport. There is no more room on many peak services. This week I monitored passenger numbers on the 6.44am train (Monday to Friday service) Oxley to the city.  Monday to Thursday the train is arriving at Roma St with anywhere from 1100 to 1200 passenger or more (2).  The design limit for these trains in a 6 car configuration is 1000 passengers (3). Similar loadings are being experienced on the other lines such as the Caboolture line and Beenleigh/Gold Coast."

"The 44 new three car trains will only increase capacity by 30% when all are in service.  The last three years has seen at least a 30% increase in patronage alone.  It is little wonder then that congestion is out of control."

"Long term, RAIL Back On Track believes that a further additional 44 three car trains will be required to be in service no later than 2012 to provide the capacity that will be required."

"In the short term some smart thinking and actions are required.  For a start, it is possible with the Go Card to allow people who travel outside the traditional peak times a significant discount on their travel to help to reduce peak congestion.  Melbourne has recently expanded the free travel before 7am trial from two lines to all lines of their suburban rail network, such was the response by commuters (4)."

"We would suggest that an immediate action would be to give free travel on all modes of public transport, not just rail, Monday to Friday if commuters touch on before 6.30am.  This would help relieve some of the morning peak congestion and help uptake of the Go card as well."

"A commuter education program as to the tips for a comfortable journey on congested services needs to be rolled out. For example, active encouragement to move down the aisles. RAIL Back on Track has suggested such campaigns before (5)."

"QR and Translink need to consider running intermediate sweeper services running a few minutes before heavily loaded long haul services. For example, the train that leaves Ipswich Monday to Friday at 6.14am which is the 6.44am service from Oxley is overloaded by about Indooroopilly.  If a service Darra to Bowen Hills left Darra at 6.35am this would sweep up the short haul commuters and leave the 6.44am service from Oxley under the design limit. Similar strategies can be done on the northern and southern lines."

"The massive expenditure on roads needs to directed to sustainable transport solutions for the future now to ensure the capacity is available today and tomorrow." said Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track.

References:

1.   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=143.msg2288#msg2288

2.   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=585.0

3.   http://www.citytrain.com.au/about/fleet/emu/emu.asp

4.   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=599.0

5.   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=96.msg187#msg187

Contact:

Robert  Dow


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

[somebody]

I do, that is why I posted them thanks.

Ok, fair enough.

[Derwan]

7. QR Passenger CRGs (now Queensland Rail CRGs)

Who cares about the above points?  Specifically:
7: Didn't result in service improvement

You're obviously not a CRG member.  CRG's are a great initiative and have provided invaluable two-way communication between QR and passengers.

[somebody]

You're obviously not a CRG member.  CRG's are a great initiative and have provided invaluable two-way communication between QR and passengers.

True.  Since I use the buses much more than the trains, I haven't bothered until now.  I did have some hesitation in bashing the CRGs, but since they haven't resulted in a reasonable timetable, I put it in.  I suppose initiatives such as Quiet Car could have come out of them.

[somebody]

I would say that the successes are (in this order):
1. BUZ routes
2. Eleanor Schonell bridge
3. Integrated ticketing
4. Busways
5. Gold Coast line

[mufreight]

- High level platforms at new & re-developed stations.

Where?
The platforms at Indooroopilly were not raised nor were platforms 1 and 2 at Oxley and the new 3 platform is well below carriage floor height.
The new platform 1 at Darra has been built to a low level and platforms 2 and 3 which were complete rebuilds also were left at the original levels with a 16cm + step in to carriages as is the case with the rebuilt platform 4 whivh has a 17 cm step up at the Oxley end.
The new platform at Richlands is the only platform on the Western lines where they have raised the platforms despite having spent millions to do half a job, so much for passenger comfort, convenience and SAFETY when these platforms could and should have been raised during construction and rebuilding.
With all due respect I think Colin that you got that one wrong.

[colinw]

All Gold Coast Stations.  Also Coopers Plains to Kuraby inclusive (except one platform at Altandi).

I did not know Darra & Oxley had been left at the old level.  That is disgraceful.  Indooroopilly is worse, the gap there can be quite intimidating.

I guess amend what I said previously to "Salisbury to Kuraby stations rebuilt with full height platforms".

[somebody]

I did not know Darra & Oxley had been left at the old level.  That is disgraceful.  Indooroopilly is worse, the gap there can be quite intimidating.

They lowered the tracks at Indro one weekend several months ago and it isn't as bad now.  I think they may have reduced cant too.

[Golliwog]

At least they are doing it in some places though. I took a picture of the RER in Paris at the airport where the train actually has a step on the outside to get you up to carriage floor height from the platform. I also don't think they have ramps to assist wheelchair users onto trains like we do either, so yes we're not perfect, but we're a heck of a lot better than some places that always get held up as the best there is.

[colinw]

I hear you about that.  The gap on some of the Bakerloo line stations in London springs to mind.  The famous "mind the gap" announcement is very much justified in those.

[ozbob]

Any more?

[david]

Queensland Rail and their new customer service focussed way of conducting business...makes the train ride home that little more comfortable