Journalists, Photographers, TRANSLink and Trespassing

[Fares_Fair]

I undertstand that a journalist and a cameraman from a local newspaper on the Sunshine Coast
were this morning interviewing commuters and taking photographs for a story about the draft 2011 timetable.
It took place at Landsborough station this morning at approx. 6:50am.

Apparently some TRANSLink transit officers came along and ordered them off the Landsborough platform.

I would have thought that it is public space.
TRANSLink obviously do not think so !

Does anyone know the legal technicalities here ?

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[#Metro]

As I understand it you need a licence or permission to film and photograph QR property and some bureaucratic papers from the marketing/PR dept they have. You know for "safety" (read: bad publicity) reasons.

[#Metro]

What's needed is ACA and Today Tonight up on Sunshine Coast. That's what's what's needed.

[Fares_Fair]

It really was pathetic, there is no real reason for them to act that way except for a fear of the truth being made known.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Stillwater]

How was it then that Channel 7 had access to the Landsborough station platform the other day to interview commuters, our own Fares Fair and Andrell Powell MP, the Member for Glass House, about the same issue?  Did someone 'higher up' object to an Opposition MP criticising the government against the visual backdrop of a goodly crowd of commuters squeezing onto a Brisbane-bound train?

[p858snake]

I would have thought that it is public space.
TRANSLink obviously do not think so !

Actually, It's not. Just because something is accessible to the public doesn't make it a "public space", the same as shopping centers and such.

You would need to look up the actual laws and such, but I think you will find since QR is a corporation (even though owned by the government) it will make it private property.

What I would of done if I was them, was to leave the property and start interviewing people on the footpath directly outside of the station in a true public place.

[Stillwater]

Has there been any article published in the Sunshine Coast Daily subsequently?

[Fares_Fair]

Has there been any article published in the Sunshine Coast Daily subsequently?

No, but there will be an article in the Caloundra Journal this coming week.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[bretto82]

this is on the queensland rail web site conditions of travel hope it helps to answer this one

Conditions of Travel



It is every person's right to feel safe and comfortable when using Queensland Rail services.

Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994, the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 and the Transport Infrastructure (Rail) Regulation 2006 stipulates standards for the purchase of tickets and behaviour on trains and at stations.

On the spot fines can also be issued by TransLink Transit Officers to reduce fare evasion and anti social behaviour on the network.
Offence    Fine
Fare Evasion    $200
Failure to produce a ticket on request by an authorised person    $200
Create a disturbance or nuisance on a railway    $400
Interfering with a vehicle or equipment    $400
Crossing of railway tracks other than a railway crossing    $200
Consumption of food or drink on train    $200
Placing feet on seat of train    $200
Bringing onto a train designated for passengers a sizeable object that cannot be put (a) under a seat (b) in an overhead rack (c) in a designated storage area    $200
Smoking on a railway    $200
Playing a musical instrument or operating sound equipment at a level likely to be a nuisance    $200
Allowing an animal onto a railway (other than guide dog, hearing dog and other assistance animals )    $200
Selling, seeking business or conducting a survey on a railway    $200
Leaving litter on a railway, other than in a container provided for that purpose    $100
Consumption of alcohol on a railway

[STB]

I undertstand that a journalist and a cameraman from a local newspaper on the Sunshine Coast
were this morning interviewing commuters and taking photographs for a story about the draft 2011 timetable.
It took place at Landsborough station this morning at approx. 6:50am.

Apparently some TRANSLink transit officers came along and ordered them off the Landsborough platform.

I would have thought that it is public space.
TRANSLink obviously do not think so !

Does anyone know the legal technicalities here ?

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

Fare's Fair,

See this...

Access to Queensland Rail Premises


At Queensland Rail, we often receive requests for access to our premises. Information is provided below.
Media Requests

Please direct all media requests for access to Queensland Rail property (ie trains, stations, freight forwarding facilities, Infrastructure Depots, railway tracks and sites) to the Manager, Corporate Affairs at Queensland Rail.
Filming and Photography requests

Queensland Rail stations and properties are regularly featured in news stories, television series, documentaries, newspaper & magazine articles, advertisements and TV commercials.

We welcome requests from film crews and photographers and consider each request on an individual basis.

We do ask that you understand that we are running an operational railway and can only grant requests if they fall within our safety guidelines.

Filming rates vary. For further information regarding filming on Queensland Rail Property please send an email to filming@qr.com.au.
Rail Enthusiasts and Amateur Photography Requests

The Queensland Rail interurban network extends from the centre of Brisbane, south to Beenleigh and Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast, north to Ferny Grove, Shorncliffe, Caboolture and Gympie, east to Cleveland and west to Ipswich and Rosewood. The QR interurban network covers over 300 kilometres of track and includes 144 stations. Queenslanders make an estimated 65 million passenger journeys per year with QR, with a daily average of 170,000 journeys.

The following guidelines have been developed to enable all rail enthusiasts and amateur photographers to pursue their hobby in a safe and enjoyable manner. These guidelines apply only to publicly accessible areas controlled by Queensland Rail's Passenger Services (PS). Airtrain is a privately owned railway and permission to film or photograph on the Domestic Terminal and International Terminal Stations must be sought from Airtrain City Link Ltd.

It is the priority of Queensland Rail operations to ensure the safety of Queensland Rail employees, passengers and visitors on Queensland Rail property.

When entering an attended station, make yourself known to a member of station staff. This will ensure that they are aware of your presence and what you are doing at their station. A valid TransLink ticket is required to gain access to inner city station precincts.

A key priority for train and station operations is to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. You may be asked by station staff to move to another part of the station. Station staff will be happy to explain why this is necessary and if you are travelling by Queensland Rail they may advise you to remain in the normal waiting areas with other passengers. If this occurs, please do so with goodwill as staff have many things to consider including the safety and security of all passengers.

Rail Enthusiast and Amateur Photography Guidelines 2011

Accepted Filming And Photographic Equipment
Flash photography and video camera equipment using additional lighting on platforms in the direction of oncoming trains is not permitted. Flash photography and lighting poses a hazard to train drivers and Queensland Rail staff.

Following is a list of approved photographic equipment:

   * Camera phones
   * SLR Camera
   * Hand held digital camera (video or still)
   * Ordinary video camera
   * Tri-pods – must be kept behind the yellow safety line at all times and are not to impede passenger traffic flows on platforms, overhead bridges, subways etc.


Flash photography and video camera equipment using additional lighting on platforms in the direction of oncoming trains is not permitted. Flash photography and lighting poses a hazard to train drivers and QR staff.
Accepted Filming And Photographic Locations

Rail enthusiasts and amateur photographers are only permitted to access Queensland Rail property which is normally accessed by passengers and the general public. This includes platforms, station buildings (as accessed by the public), public access ways, over head bridges and underpasses. Taking photos in public areas, including station platforms is permitted provided it is for personal use. For any commercial photography prior permission must be obtained by contacting Queensland Promotions & Events.

Rail enthusiasts and amateur photographers are not permitted to film during peak periods and/or at busy stations and may be asked by Queensland Rail staff to vacate the premises.

Passengers with physical impairments require un-obstructed access to certain platform areas such as tactile tiles and wheelchair access points. These areas must not be obstructed and all instructions from QR staff regarding these locations must be followed.

Photography of Closed Circuit TV Cameras, security related equipment and/or graffiti is not permitted. This means that these subjects are not permitted to be the primary content of the photography.
Our Expectations Of You

   * Obey the direction of Queensland Rail staff such as Station Masters, Station Officers, Porters, Transit Officers/Ticket Inspectors, Rail Squad and Track Protection Officers at all times. Please be aware Transit Officers are authorised under the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994 to request a person to leave Queensland Rail Property and use reasonable force if required.
   * Act safely and sensibly at all times.
   * Lead by example on rail safety and stay clear of the platform edge and remain behind the yellow safety line at all times. Your equipment must remain below the yellow safety line at all times.
   * Do not trespass onto any area of Queensland Rail property that is not open to the public ie. rail corridor, rail workshops and do not climb on any structure such as signals, over head wiring structures etc.
   * Do not obstruct any signalling equipment or signs that are vital to the safe running of the railway.
   * Avoid congregating at busy areas of the station and platform or where you may interfere with the regular passenger traffic flow.
   * You should not wear safety vests or similar high visibility clothing as there is no need for this in public areas. Green, red and yellow clothing should also be avoided near signals.
   * Use of a tripod may cause a dangerous obstruction to passengers and you may be asked not to use one. When they are being used, tripod legs must be kept behind the yellow line at all times.

Security Considerations

Be aware of your surroundings as your presence at the station can be a positive security benefit. We ask you to take note of anything unusual and report anything suspicious to a member of station staff.

Queensland Rail has rigorous measures in place to provide for the security and safety for its employees, passengers and visitors. Our staff remain vigilant and are trained to report any suspicious activity in and around our businesses.

Commonwealth departments have advised Queensland Rail that terrorist attack planners often engage in pre-attack reconnaissance. This may include taking pictures of likely targets and consequently you should be aware of the perception you may create. For this reason it is important that you comply with the above request to make yourself known to Queensland Rail staff.

Additionally, it is likely that terrorist or criminal elements use the internet as a tool to receive information and photographs of sites to conduct their planning. This may include criminal activity such as vandalism or graffiti. Investigations of such incidents will include internet sites and persons who have made such information available.

It is therefore advised that people taking photography or filming Queensland Rail assets in accordance with these guidelines do not make this information available to the public or on the internet. This will ensure that any images taken are not misused and rail enthusiasts can continue to enjoy their hobby.

For further information regarding filming on Queensland Rail Property please send an email to filming@qr.com.au.
Disclaimer/Exclusion Of Liability

Rail Enthusiasts and Amateur photographers enter Queensland Rail premises solely at their own risk. Queensland Rail accepts no responsibility for any damage or injury (whether to persons or property) to these entrants (or caused by the entrants) in connection with their presence on Queensland Rail premises.
Training

It is Queensland Rail's requirement that all persons entering Queensland Rail property for the purposes of work be instructed in basic rail safety. Where necessary ALL persons must complete applicable Queensland Rail basic electrical and trackside safety awareness courses. Participants are charged a fee for attending these courses. Details are available from Contractors / Suppliers.

http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/AllStations/Pages/AccesstoQueenslandRailPremises.aspx

EDIT: Technically a railway station isn't public space, it's Queensland Rail property and one must obey the rules and conditions of entering that property.  In the case above, I suspect the media didn't get the right authorization to film on that particular day.  They could've contacted the Media section at Qld Rail to gain permission and move those TOs away.

[Stillwater]

Looking forward to the Caloundra Journal that's due to appear this Friday.

[Stillwater]

Paper may be viewed electronically here: http://caloundra-journal.whereilive.com.au/