What about the Ferny Grove line

[kinematic]

Hi everyone,
I make this comment from a position that is not particuarly enthused about rail travel, only about getting to work cheaply and effeciently.

I don't take the train to work anymore because the ferny grove line is simply too busy. It's overcrowded beyond belief and borders on dangerous. I start work at 8 am it's still impossible to get something to hold on to, let alone somewhere to sit. Provided the train runs on time in the first place (my experience shows that the trains only run to the timetable about half the time)

I'm interested to hear if the other lines are like that (I know the beenleigh line is relatively vacant in the mornings, from experience) and if QR have any position on the passenger levels on the Ferny Grove line

[ozbob]

Welcome Kinematic,

Thanks for comments.  All lines are experiencing varying degrees of congestion during peaks.  The Ferny Grove line has gaps in the timetable, parking issues and serious congestion problems.

Here are some interesting figures:

Translink has advised that Citytrain passenger demand has increased by 9.1 % across SEQ during morning peak periods between 2006 and 2007. During this time there has been a 6.1% increase in patronage on the Gold Coast line, 9.3% on the Ipswich line, 7.2% on the Ferny Grove line, 6.5 % on the Cleveland line, 13.5 % on the Caboolture line and 7.8 % on the Sunshine Coast line.

RAIL Back On Track has been consistently identifying problems and suggesting timetable improvements.

The major issue being lack of crew and trains.  More crew are being trained at the moment, and the new trains are progressively being rolled out.  We have had advice that the next major timetable change will be March 2008.

The basic timetable that trains are running to is from 1993!  There have been some minor tweaks but with the changes in work and life styles, and new housing etc. the service is not coping, particularly at peak.  Peak is now earlier than before, as folks further out and others work different hours.

It is appalling that the service was allowed to get to this point of congestion, and in fact is now turning away potential passengers.  We will continue to seek service improvements, particularly increased frequency at peak and during the day. 

RAIL Back On Track has called on the Minister of Transport and Main Roads to outline in detail what is going to be done now, in the short, medium and long term to sort out this mess.  We are still waiting ..

There is also need for matching special services to certain events, eg. sporting games, entertainment concerts and so forth, with connecting services.

Regards
Ozbob

[ozbob]

Feedback received, thanks Meredith!

I do catch that train sometimes and like most of the trains at FG it is pretty full (the 7.05 am Ed.). It is one of the worst however for 2 reasons:

1. there is such a long time from the previous train at 6.37, and

2. the car park at FG is full by about 7.15 on a bad day. As the next train is at 7.17 anyone who has to drive to the station and park in the 'normal' car park as opposed to the street or the long one behind the tavern will be getting there to catch the 7.05.

There is a big gap at FG in between the 6.37 and the 7.05 - 28 minutes in peak hour is not good enough if you ask me. There are a few gaps in the FG service and  where there a a few trains close together running empty and then long gaps between services. The 7.34 from FG originally ran at 7.42 so was better for the gap to the next train at 7.56. It was sifted to 7.37 and just recently to 7.34 however now it is always too early at Keperra and sits waiting for the crossover! I know with the single line it is difficult to schedule but it just seems crazy sometimes. This change was also not advertised on the list of changes - I missed the train several times and couldn't figure it out until I got a new timetable which had the change on it. Okay I have had my whinge for the day. Have a good one!

Meredith Smith

[ozbob]

Some more feedback received on the Ferny Grove line, thanks! 

I catch the 7:05 from FG, and if it is not standing only when it leaves FG, it definitely is by Mitchy.

One day the end carriage was locked off, and people gave up getting on after Mitchy.

Another observation is the 5:05 from South Bank to Ferny Grove, is listed as not running during school holidays.  I as yet have never had this happen. But it is always a dark cloud that QR can use if they need to.

1. Why should a 5:05 train be affected by school holidays, I never see any school kids on this train.

2. If it is listed as not running during school holidays, yet to date it has always run, why not change the timetable and remove the ?Sch? label? (Quote: School service operated during school term.  Park Road to South Brisbnane.)

[kinematic]

Hi Bob,

I'm relieved and alarmed at the same time. It's obvious that there are some issues with the lines, particularly in peak. I see now why RAIL: Back on Track was created. I also consider the service to be appalling, but refrained from using the term on purpose, as I believe you must know what you are talking about before knocking something.

To be fair, 10% is a massive increase, however one feels that the boom in population (Mr. Beattie and Ms. Bligh don't mind telling us every second day how much we've expanded) was not accurately reflected in (State) governmental development. Perhaps organisations such as RAIL: Back on Track are needed to remind the governments whose really in charge of the state, the people.

I get on at the station after Mitchelton (Enoggera) and I concur that another train around 7.15/7.30 am would be a godsend.... just let someone else organise which line we are going to steal drivers/trains off and I'll be fine with it

Thanks for reducing the number of topics I appear to be ignorant on
Keep up the good work guys.
Paul

[ozbob]

Howdy Paul,

The new trains progressively being rolled out (5 already in service) will offer significant opportunities for increased service frequency on all lines.  I hope to go for a ride on the 7.05am from FG next week to see it first hand. 

We will be highlighting the problems on the FG line in future communications.

Thanks for your comments, RAIL Back On Track believes commuter input is an important part of improved public transport outcomes.

Regards
Bob

[ozbob]

Media Release August 18th Brisbane: Ferny Grove Line Passenger Congestion

Click here --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=197.0

Regards
Ozbob

[ozbob]

This will be of interest to commuters on the Ferny Grove line.  Re closure for maintenance 1st and 2nd September.

---> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=83.msg574#msg574



Ed: updated forum link

[ozbob]

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22333830-952,00.html

QR under fire over festival
Article from: MX
Cameron Atfield of mX

August 30, 2007 03:03pm

Queensland Rail has come under fire for scheduling track maintenance on a suburban line during this weekend's Riverfire festival.

The Ferny Grove line will be closed all weekend to allow work on a rail duplication project,
with all trains between Ferny Grove and Bowen Hills replaced by buses.

Robert Dow, spokesman for commuter group Rail Back on Track, said while the work was
necessary, it should not occur on what is arguably the busiest weekend for Brisbane?s public
transport network.

??This is one weekend where all public transport should be serviceable,?? he said.

TransLink has recommended commuters allow for delays of up to 30 minutes and urged
them to ??allow extra time if travelling to any of the Riverfestival events??.

Dow said although QR had notified commuters through its website and other advertising,
many would still be unaware of the closure until it was too late.

??People will go to the stations, realise the trains are not running and be delayed on the
buses,?? he said.

??There won?t be enough buses and people are going to be running late ? it just causes
a lot of angst.??

QR was approached for interview this morning, but instead chose to offer mX a written
statement.

??QR regrets any inconvenience to passengers, but is very confident that the bus services
being organised to transport passengers, including those attending Riverfire, will be more
than adequate,?? a spokeswoman said.

??QR aims to minimise disruption on its network, but says it is very important that
upgrading on the Ferny Grove line continues on schedule to benefit all passengers into the
future.??

[ozbob]

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22342601-3102,00.html


Riverfire attendees derailed
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Tristan Swanwick

September 01, 2007 12:00am

QUEENSLAND Rail is determined to close the line between Bowen Hills and Ferny Grove stations this weekend, despite huge crowds for Riverfire.

The line will be closed all weekend to allow work on a rail duplication project, with all trains between Ferny Grove and Bowen Hills replaced by buses.

Commuter group Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said while the work was necessary, it should not occur on what was arguably the busiest weekend for Brisbane's public transport network.

"This is one weekend where all public transport should be serviceable," he said.

Citytrain general manager Dave McMah said delaying work on the duplication project was not an option.

"With the growth that's occurring in southeast Queensland we certainly didn't want to do anything that was going to delay the opportunity to improve and upgrade services across our rail network," Mr McMah said.

Passenger Services Group general manager Mike Scanlan, pictured, said QR regretted the disruption to commuters.

"This weekend's closure is critical to enable us to install the new second track across the level crossing at Grovely and perform necessary maintenance and bridge improvements on other sections of the line," Mr Scanlan said.

He said line closures would continue for the next few years.

Meanwhile, Roma St in central Brisbane will be closed between Ann and Turbot streets from 3am tomorrow until 6am on Monday for construction work for the inner Northern Busway.

The work involves the installation of escalators for access from the Ann St entry to the King George Square busway station.

Brisbane motorists are advised to avoid the area.

[ozbob]

Correspondence sent to all Queensland Members of Parliament.

2nd September 2007

Dear Hon. Members,

Further to our previous correspondence.

This past weekend was the highlight of the River Festival in Brisbane, the Riverfire Fireworks spectacular on Saturday evening. The Ferny Grove railway line was closed this weekend to allow work on the duplication project.  This caused considerable inconvenience to citizens who would have otherwise used the Citytrain service to attend the celebrations.

QR has cancelled planned closures many times because of inclement weather. Deadlines are not that exacting as 'spin' response to objections to the Ferny Grove closure would suggest. It would have not mattered much in the overall context of the project to have kept the Ferny Grove line open, on perhaps the busiest weekend for public transport in South East Queensland.  The work could have been scheduled next weekend or later,  and by doing that goodwill with the public would be maintained.

People have had enough of the 'couldn't care less' attitude by transport authorities. They have been battered for months and months by unannounced service cancellations, chronic congestion and overloading, left standing at bus stops as full bus after full bus passes on by, left stranded at ferry and River Catamaran  embarkation points.  The constant weekend rail track closures are also testing the patience of many.  A positive response to the calls to maintain rail services on the Ferny Grove line this weekend would have gone a long way with the public, and perhaps would help build some goodwill for the further disruptions to come.

Further more on Smart card.  An article appeared in the Courier Mail on Friday.

The author, Sweetman made an interesting comment  "The smartcard ticketing project is a managerial disaster, a political disgrace and a public scandal." http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22333602-5012447,00.html

Seems RAIL Back On Track is not alone in their concerns.

Best wishes

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track
http://backontrack.org

[Derwan]

So how did the bus services go?

Here's an interesting conspiracy theory:

QR scheduled additional rail services to cater for the masses of people attending Riverfire.  As we all know, QR is plagued by "operational issues" (i.e. driver shortages).  We have seen in the past, during a particular football match where additional services were required, the cancellation of all services on the Shorncliffe and Doomben lines.

Could it be that, without the cancellation of services on a particular line, there wouldn't be enough drivers to cater for the additional services?  Could the "coincidence" that infrastructure works were scheduled for the same weekend as Riverfire actually be clever planning - so that it wouldn't be so obvious that QR was still plagued by staff shortages?

[ozbob]

Excellent question you raise Derwan ...   

Time the truth came out perhaps ...

Regards
Ozbob

[ozbob]

Feedback received, thanks!

My sister lives at Dayboro and attended the AFL on Saturday night with 2 little kids

Dayboro to Ferny Grove by car
Ferny Grove to Bowen Hills by Bus
Bowen Hills to Roma St by Train
Roma St to Gabba by Bus

These people only use a car because they live at Dayboro and are not public transport savy.

This event turned them off public transport.

[ozbob]

The North West News has published it's lead story on the congestion issues Ferny Grove line today (September 5).  Thanks for the support!

http://www.questnews.com.au/article/2007/09/04/20111_latest_news.html

Crush hour

COMMUTERS sick of the morning "crush hour" are demanding extra trains along the Ferny Grove line.
Citytrain figures show morning demand on the line has risen by 7.2 per cent in the last year alone, while services have not changed.

A Citytrain timetable review is due in March next year, while work installing dual lines from Mitchelton continues.

RAIL-Back on Track website administrator Robert Dow said at least two more trains were needed immediately.

"There?s no reason why they can?t slip in a lot more trains to Ferny Grove, particularly between 6.37-7.05am and 7.34-7.56am,? Mr Dow said. ?Trains can and do run with a seven-minute window, but they don?t for all the morning rush hour.

"Besides the parking problems at stations, commuters are now finding it difficult to actually get on board congested services.

"This is simply not good enough."

Ferny Grove commuter Eric Klokman said overcrowding was worsening.

"I used to catch this train 10 years ago and you wouldn't struggle to get a seat. But now it's chock-a-block.

"They're not keeping up with demand.''

At Mitchelton, city worker Julie Clark said regular cancellations compounded carriage overcrowding. "When they cancel the 7.21am at Mitchelton it's just a nightmare,'' she said.

A spokeswoman for Queensland Rail said additional services, where possible, would come in after the review.

"We will deliver new timetables in March and September next year,'' she said.

"Duplication of the track between Mitchelton and Keperra is set to be completed late this year. When the new track and rollingstock become available, seating capacity will be boosted on the Ferny Grove line.''

[ozbob]

At last!   

Brisbane mX 20 Feb 2008

Extra services will begin running on the Ferny Grove from Monday.

The increased services are part of a $46 million track and station upgrade between Mitchelton and Keperra that will see 1525 seats on the line by the end of March.

All three-carriage trains during peak hour will be upgraded to six-carriage trains, and an extra morning and afternoon peak hour service will be added - taking the number of morning peak services to 14 and afternoon peak service to 16.

Express services will also run from Mitchelton to Bowen Hills instead of from Enoggera to Bowen Hills.

As part of the upgrade, improvements were being made to the Grovely and Oxford Park stations and would completed by April, transport Minister John Mickel said.