Article: Rail Back on Track calls for Caboolture rail line fix ...

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail Quest click here!

Rail Back on Track calls for Caboolture rail line fix or commuter compensation from Queensland Rail

Rail Back on Track calls for Caboolture rail line fix or commuter compensation from Queensland Rail

    by: Jessica Taylor, Northern Times
    From: Quest Newspapers
    November 23, 2012 12:00AM

Rail Back on Track is calling for a better back-up system to eliminate signal faults which have regularly caused delays on the Caboolture railway line in recent weeks.

The call comes as commuter anger grows over a spate of delays.

Some residents have abandoned public transport and opted to travel to Brisbane by car instead.

Commuters were stuck on trains for periods up to an hour last Tuesday and Wednesday  when there was a signal fault between Strathpine and Bald Hills.

A Queensland Rail spokeswoman said the faulty Processor Based Interlocking equipment which guaranteed the safe movement of trains had a "complex issue'' and was fixed on the Wednesday night.

Rail Back on Track administrator Robert Dow said it was a recurring problem which caused the delays.

"It was quite a complicated problem. They ended up replacing the whole system (at Strathpine),'' he said. "Engineers had a lot of difficulty  isolating the fault.''

He said commuters were frustrated, with complaints including being late for work, increased charges for parents dropping children late to daycare and students who had missed exams.

"Most people are prepared to put up with one problem, but not time and time again.''

He said some commuters had resorted to driving in fear that they would again be caught in the chaos.

Mr Dow  suggested a review of the system be carried out.

"I think there needs to be more redundancies built into the signalling system so if it fails there is another part that takes over.''

The Queensland Rail spokeswoman said: "A strategy to improve the reliability of the signalling system, including redundancy in the system, has been developed.

"It is being rolled out across the network addressing critical locations first as investment is prioritised.

"Queensland Rail will seek to rollout a similar strategy across the entire network as time and funding allows.''

There were also delays on Friday when a part of the track buckled at Narangba and on Monday due to flooding caused by severe weather across the weekend.

Angry commuters vented their frustrations on the Caboolture Shire Herald Facebook page.

Karina Thomas said: "I spent four hours getting work one day and two hours the next (normal journey is 45 minutes). This happens almost every week.''

... The Queensland Rail spokeswoman said: "A strategy to improve the reliability of the signalling system, including redundancy in the system, has been developed.

"It is being rolled out across the network addressing critical locations first as investment is prioritised. ...

Excellent, this article has been very useful!

[Stillwater]

"Queensland Rail will seek to rollout a similar strategy across the entire network as time and funding allows.''

The get-out clause.  Plan to fund.  Congestion tax anyone?  The choice is simple - drive a car to the city in peak period and pay a tax that will go to PT upgrades.  You pay the tax or you catch the train/bus and not pay the tax.

[Fares_Fair]

It would be good to know the order, location and timetable of the proposed signalling improvement works.

[ozbob]

Obviously the core sections of the network would be the first priority I would guess, eg Bowen Hills to Roma St and then work out progressively from there.

[HappyTrainGuy]

"Queensland Rail will seek to rollout a similar strategy across the entire network as time and funding allows.''

The get-out clause.  Plan to fund.  Congestion tax anyone?  The choice is simple - drive a car to the city in peak period and pay a tax that will go to PT upgrades.  You pay the tax or you catch the train/bus and not pay the tax.

Too bad all the roads in Brisbane go to the city to cross the river.

[Stillwater]

Use some of the congestion tax to build some more bridges that don't go through the city.

[somebody]

Too bad all the roads in Brisbane go to the city to cross the river.

*cough* Gateway Bridge *cough*

[HappyTrainGuy]

Too bad all the roads in Brisbane go to the city to cross the river.

*cough* Gateway Bridge *cough*

*cough* Toll bridge *cough* *cough* toll tunnel *cough*

[Golliwog]

Western Freeway and/or Indooroopilly Bridge.

[Stillwater]

.... as funding allows etc.  It is time to bite the bullet and allocate the funding ... not just expect that the ongoing maintenance budget will get around to the problem 'in the fullness of time'.  Yes, any problem is going to float to the surface as the No.1 priority in the same way as a niggly tooth becomes a priority when it becomes an infected abscess.  The funding priority scenario must follow the adage of a stitch in time saves nine.