CRG's return in 2012: Dates shown below for all lines

[Fares_Fair]

Good morning,

Queensland Rail's Community Engagement team wishes to thank you for your ongoing support and contribution in Queensland Rails Community Reference Group (CRG) program for 2011.  We would also like to thank you again for your participation and valued input in our CRG survey for 2011. 

The 2011 CRG survey findings have demonstrated valuable to us to improve our overall delivery through ongoing consultation with our customers and communities via the CRG program.  In our first round of CRG meetings in 2012 we aim to review Queensland Rail's outcomes for 2011 and discuss our future plans for 2012.   

The first round of meeting dates are as follows:
Ipswich - Tuesday 7 Feb 2012
Ferny Grove - Tuesday 14 Feb 2012
Cleveland - Tuesday 21 Feb 2012
North Coast – Monday 5 Mar 2012
Shorncliffe/Doomben - Wednesday 7 Mar 2012
Caboolture - Tuesday 13 Mar 2012
Beenleigh/Gold Coast - Wednesday 14 Mar 2012

Queensland Rail recognises that customer feedback is one of the most important contributions our customers can make to the growth, development and future of our business.

We look forward to your continued involvement in our CRG program in 2012 and will be sending out Invitations for the first round of CRG's shortly. 

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[O_128]

Out of curiosity do translink reps attend these and if not why not!

[Fares_Fair]

Out of curiosity do translink reps attend these and if not why not!

No, never have yet, despite being invited on numerous occassions, according to our CRG facilitator.
The last excuse given for non-attendance by TL was that they were considering their own CRG type meetings.
Haven't heard or seen anything since, so not sure of the veracity of it.

The only meeting they ever attended was the Nambour forum back in December 2010, when the June 6 draft timetable 'feedback' was on.
Needless to say that feedback was ignored and the predictions made by commuters came true.

Lets hope for a sea change under their new CEO, Mr Neil Scales.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Derwan]

Community Reference Groups are a great initiative of Queensland Rail and provides insight into their day-to-day workings.  It really give you an appreciation for what they do and have to deal with every day.

I would encourage all Rail BOT members to consider becoming members of their line's CRG.  To nominate, head to the QR website here:  http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/Community/Pages/CampaignsPrograms.aspx

[somebody]

Community Reference Groups are a great initiative of Queensland Rail and provides insight into their day-to-day workings.  It really give you an appreciation for what they do and have to deal with every day.

I would encourage all Rail BOT members to consider becoming members of their line's CRG.  To nominate, head to the QR website here:  http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/Community/Pages/CampaignsPrograms.aspx

What if you don't live on a railway line any more?

[ozbob]

Twice, I recall at the Ipswich CRG TransLink personnel were present.

They don't normally attend. I have oft suggested that TransLink should model the QR CRG process for the bus regions,   and I continue to press that. Mr Scales?

[Gazza]

Will miss the first one due to being in Singapore.

But I'll be on the MRT so 

[Stillwater]

What happened at the all-lines CRG meeting on Thursday night -- anything interesting?

[Gazza]

What happened at the all-lines CRG meeting on Thursday night -- anything interesting?

^Platform heights at Darra, Indooroopilly etc gets discussed at all CRG meetings, and tonight was no different.

Other things included.

-Station upgrade program.
-The Ettiquite program.
-Kids at Goodna Primary writing an awesome rail safety song.
-The new level crossing campaign: http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/Safety/Pages/Levelcrossings.aspx
-Stage 2 timetables...delayed because of the 15 min frequency to FG promise.

[Fares_Fair]

Asked where the ICE trains were as none had been seen for a number of weeks.
ICE trains undergoing major overhaul due to continuing reliability issues, other QR sources suggested the doors and the toilets were an issue with them.

[Stillwater]

Will the ICE trains go back into service Nambour-Gympie?  (Any timetable given?)

What's being upgraded on them?

Are some bits of one train being cannibalised to replace parts in others?

[Fares_Fair]

Will the ICE trains go back into service Nambour-Gympie?  (Any timetable given?)

What's being upgraded on them?

Are some bits of one train being cannibalised to replace parts in others?

No timetable given for their return. No further information disclosed.
I had to leave early at 6:55pm to catch the 7:04pm train home - it was that or wait another hour for the next train.
As it was I didn't get home until almost 9pm.

[Gazza]

^I did the run to Nambour and beyond yesterday.
Nice views, but too slow due to the curves.

[Golliwog]

What happened at the all-lines CRG meeting on Thursday night -- anything interesting?

-Stage 2 timetables...delayed because of the 15 min frequency to FG promise.

Dale Shuttleworth (Member for Ferny Grove) was also there. Queried possible changes to the peak timetable (extend Mitchelton starters, make expresses no longer express) occuring at the same time. This appears to be a no go, though he may at least query it. He did try and tell us that there wasn't any gap bigger than 12 minutes in peak currently. On the other hand, it did come out that these appear to be scheduled to start in October.

Given how the station upgrade is currently progressing, my guess is that these services will be introduced to conincide with the station upgrade finishing, though theres really not much left with that as far as I can see.

[BrizCommuter]

What happened at the all-lines CRG meeting on Thursday night -- anything interesting?

-Stage 2 timetables...delayed because of the 15 min frequency to FG promise.

Dale Shuttleworth (Member for Ferny Grove) was also there. Queried possible changes to the peak timetable (extend Mitchelton starters, make expresses no longer express) occuring at the same time. This appears to be a no go, though he may at least query it. He did try and tell us that there wasn't any gap bigger than 12 minutes in peak currently. On the other hand, it did come out that these appear to be scheduled to start in October.

Given how the station upgrade is currently progressing, my guess is that these services will be introduced to conincide with the station upgrade finishing, though theres really not much left with that as far as I can see.

Mr Shuttleworth does seem to be a bit misguided on Ferny Grove Line peak frequency gaps. There are multiple 20 minute+ gaps in the peak fare period. Failure to fix the peak service in October will be a bad PR exercise for QR and the new government.

[#Metro]

-Stage 2 timetables...delayed because of the 15 min frequency to FG promise.

Say what?!

[Golliwog]

-Stage 2 timetables...delayed because of the 15 min frequency to FG promise.

Say what?!

They only have so many rail timetablers to work with was my understanding.

[Arnz]

^I did the run to Nambour and beyond yesterday.
Nice views, but too slow due to the curves.

Speaking from a regular's viewpoint, Caboolture - Beerburrum and Glasshouse - Landsborough isn't that bad.  120km/h to 140km/h speed boards for the commuter MUs, tilt train speed boards vary from 140km/h to 160km/h.

It's the Beerburrum-Glasshouse and Landsborough-Nambour sections that needs re-alignment

[Gazza]

Speaking from a regular's viewpoint, Caboolture - Beerburrum and Glasshouse - Landsborough isn't that bad.  120km/h to 140km/h speed boards for the commuter MUs, tilt train speed boards vary from 140km/h to 160km/h.

It opened up in a couple of sections north of Nambour too, which was nice.

[ozbob]

I have decided to no longer attend Queensland Rail CRG meetings.  After 8 years or so I have had enough.

They have on balance been rather pointless IMHO.

Good luck to those who still attend.

[Stillwater]

QR seeks to control the agenda.  Whereas members of the group want to talk about meaningful stuff, the agenda item is 'cleanliness of station toilets' or 'artwork at stations'.

[#Metro]

Good luck to those who are tasked with rewriting the QR " customer charter ".

If I had my way, I'd write in " we will hand over the entire operations to another competent operator if we do not perform."

Standards must be enforced, or they are just words!

[SurfRail]

I agree with ozbob.

TransLink should be the one running this process, not its contractors.  They should exist for each region of the network and not be limited to rail or any particular line.  Needs to be much more open and oriented on engagement, not massaging customer expectations.

[#Metro]

I agree with ozbob.

TransLink should be the one running this process, not its contractors.  They should exist for each region of the network and not be limited to rail or any particular line.  Needs to be much more open and oriented on engagement, not massaging customer expectations.

Perhaps abolish CRGs and replace them with local TUGs - Transit User Groups. These would be a single user group in a local area covering all modes of PT (North, South, East, West etc) that provide feedback directly to TransLink.

Why just have one just for rail?

I think that is a better, more integrated approach. It is, after all, supposed to be "one network".

[ozbob]

Believe or not I did actually try a number of times to do just that Mr Metro.

That is, get TransLink to organise TUGs (as you have very appropriately have named them).  People used to look at me with glazed eyes when I raised this possibility. Once or twice TransLink staff did actually attend a QR CRG I was at, but very rarely. 

It is basically a lost cause PT in SEQ under this structure of silos of mediocrity and replication.  It is not working.  Time for PTQ!!