8 May 2014: SEQ: Timetable Fat: 'Health' Check-up Required!

[ozbob]

Media release 8th May 2014



SEQ: Timetable Fat: 'Health' Check-up Required!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has said it is time to audit bus and train speeds on the network.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The slow degradation of speeds on the rail network over a number of years is a concern (1, 2). Slower trains suggest increased costs of train operation across the whole rail network because more staff time needs to be consumed for the same operation."

"Under a fixed budget, this contributes both to lower frequency and higher fares for all."

"The introduction of Automatic Train Protection (ATP) is likely to solve both the speed decay issue and the high cost staffing inefficiencies while also increasing public safety on a network that is expected to handle even more rail services."

"It seems to us that there is waste galore in the Transport Portfolio. High cost trains, high cost buses! No wonder fares have exploded."

In our opinion, very large savings can be made by solving fixing issues:

(a)  Sort 'Legacy Routing' on the bus network, particularly the BCC bus network
(b)  Increase bus speed (rationalised bus stop spacing and placement, network wide) put in place bus priority on key arterial roads
(c)  The phased and orderly conversion of train guards into train drivers after ATP installation

"Both buses and trains need to be subjected to a speed audit to determine how services have degraded over the past 30 years, where and why? Degradation of service speeds are a direct cost to the Queensland Government because more time consumed means increased staff labour consumption, and in the case of trains, reduced theoretical line capacity."

"We are paying some of the world's highest fares; if we are charged premium fares then we expect premium service from both bus and train operators."

Contact:

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

References:

1. http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2014/05/why-timetable-padding-leads-to-bored-train-drivers-and-traffic-congestion.html

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10702.0

[ozbob]

Discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10702.msg141905#msg141905

[#Metro]

Fat!!



(Left: New timetable, Right: Old timetable)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fatmouse.jpg

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

8th May 2014

Greetings,

Who removed bus lanes on Coronation Drive?  Up to 2 hours delays ... crikey.  I suggested to TransLink they advise pax to get the train.  TransLink indicated they would do that.

Queenslander!

Have a great day now ..

Best wishes

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


http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/12696/details

Delays up to 120 minutes inbound, Coronation Drive

Last updated: 6.52pm Wednesday 7 May 2014

Buses travelling inbound on Coronation Drive, Toowong are delayed up to 60 minutes due to a traffic incident on the Pacific Motorway. Buses travelling in the CBD area may also experience short delays as a result.

Buses travelling on the Western Freeway and Coronation Drive to/from University of Queensland, St Lucia are delayed up to 120 minutes.


Affected services
Buses

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Media release 8th May 2014



SEQ: Timetable Fat: 'Health' Check-up Required!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has said it is time to audit bus and train speeds on the network.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The slow degradation of speeds on the rail network over a number of years is a concern (1, 2). Slower trains suggest increased costs of train operation across the whole rail network because more staff time needs to be consumed for the same operation."

"Under a fixed budget, this contributes both to lower frequency and higher fares for all."

"The introduction of Automatic Train Protection (ATP) is likely to solve both the speed decay issue and the high cost staffing inefficiencies while also increasing public safety on a network that is expected to handle even more rail services."

"It seems to us that there is waste galore in the Transport Portfolio. High cost trains, high cost buses! No wonder fares have exploded."

In our opinion, very large savings can be made by solving fixing issues:

(a)  Sort 'Legacy Routing' on the bus network, particularly the BCC bus network
(b)  Increase bus speed (rationalised bus stop spacing and placement, network wide) put in place bus priority on key arterial roads
(c)  The phased and orderly conversion of train guards into train drivers after ATP installation

"Both buses and trains need to be subjected to a speed audit to determine how services have degraded over the past 30 years, where and why? Degradation of service speeds are a direct cost to the Queensland Government because more time consumed means increased staff labour consumption, and in the case of trains, reduced theoretical line capacity."

"We are paying some of the world's highest fares; if we are charged premium fares then we expect premium service from both bus and train operators."

Contact:

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

References:

1. http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2014/05/why-timetable-padding-leads-to-bored-train-drivers-and-traffic-congestion.html

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10702.0

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

9th May 2014

Greetings

Re: Train Journeys Slower Than In 1980s

Rail Back on Track welcomes the media article featuring leading rail expert Mr. Larry Matters.

The transport minister claims:

"We have more trains on the [rail] system and we have to leave 2.5 to 3 minutes between trains for safety reasons," Mr Emerson said.

A quick test of this claim is to look at off peak services, when the interval between trains is 15 or 30 minutes, an order of magnitude greater than the "two to three minutes" claimed for 'safety' fat.

For example, the 11.58 am train ex Central arrives at Ipswich at 12.56 pm, or 58 minutes during the weekday off peak. This is approximately 9 minutes longer running time than in 1980.

A more stringent test is to look at the Sunday timetables when far fewer trains operate, and patronage is just a fraction of what it is on a weekday: Our quick test shows that it also takes 58 minutes, far longer than it did in 1980, and thus off-peak and weekend services, where it is impossible to claim high passenger numbers or safety reasons, have also been slowed down significantly.

We find it hard to believe.  Spin doesn't cut it, honesty and true facts does.

Both buses and trains need to be subjected to a speed audit to determine how services have degraded over the past 30 years, where and why. Has bus stop spacing and location network wide been reviewed, or has this never ever been done? Degraded bus speeds cost more money to run and lose passengers.

We are paying some of the world's highest fares; if we are charged premium fares then we expect premium service from both bus and train operators.

We have a fare affordability crisis on the public transport network in SEQ.  Mediocre fare policy, a failure to support TransLink with sensible bus changes, constant spin and blame to others, one wonders if the present transport authorities are up to the task.

Best wishes
Robert

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


References:

1. Brisbane train journeys slower than in 1980, says rail veteran http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-train-journeys-slower-than-in-1980-says-rail-veteran-20140508-zr6dl.html

2. Commonsense Approaches for Improving Transit Bus Speeds (TRB) in How to make buses more useful, http://www.humantransit.org/2014/04/how-to-make-buses-more-useful.html

Media release 8th May 2014



SEQ: Timetable Fat: 'Health' Check-up Required!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has said it is time to audit bus and train speeds on the network.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The slow degradation of speeds on the rail network over a number of years is a concern (1, 2). Slower trains suggest increased costs of train operation across the whole rail network because more staff time needs to be consumed for the same operation."

"Under a fixed budget, this contributes both to lower frequency and higher fares for all."

"The introduction of Automatic Train Protection (ATP) is likely to solve both the speed decay issue and the high cost staffing inefficiencies while also increasing public safety on a network that is expected to handle even more rail services."

"It seems to us that there is waste galore in the Transport Portfolio. High cost trains, high cost buses! No wonder fares have exploded."

In our opinion, very large savings can be made by solving fixing issues:

(a)  Sort 'Legacy Routing' on the bus network, particularly the BCC bus network
(b)  Increase bus speed (rationalised bus stop spacing and placement, network wide) put in place bus priority on key arterial roads
(c)  The phased and orderly conversion of train guards into train drivers after ATP installation

"Both buses and trains need to be subjected to a speed audit to determine how services have degraded over the past 30 years, where and why? Degradation of service speeds are a direct cost to the Queensland Government because more time consumed means increased staff labour consumption, and in the case of trains, reduced theoretical line capacity."

"We are paying some of the world's highest fares; if we are charged premium fares then we expect premium service from both bus and train operators."

Contact:

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

References:

1. http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2014/05/why-timetable-padding-leads-to-bored-train-drivers-and-traffic-congestion.html

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10702.0