Number of stations skipped should be reported

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

12th May 2015

Number of stations skipped should be reported

Greetings,

Almost every day, SEQ trains are altered from their normal stopping pattern to bring the train concerned back on timetable.  This sometimes means that passengers waiting at stations that are bypassed may miss their normal train service.

It is reasonable to do this as it helps avoid massive follow on disruption.  However to include such altered services in the assessment of ontime performance without qualification is misleading.  Although the train might arrive on time at Central station, this has meant that a variable number of stations normally serviced have been bypassed.

We have asked previously requested  that the number of services altered each peak be reported.  This gives a better overall assessment of performance.

Victoria has now moved to publish the number of stations skipped by metropolitan trains:

Labor Government Moves To Curb Station Skipping

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/labor-government-moves-to-curb-station-skipping

"The number of stations skipped by metropolitan trains will be published each month as part of a push by the Andrews Labor Government to further reduce the practice.

From today, Public Transport Victoria's monthly Track Record report of service punctuality and delivery across the public transport network will include data on station skipping ... "

Public transport data transparency in Queensland is an illusion.   Time to do the right thing.

Best wishes,

Robert

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

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/labor-government-moves-to-curb-station-skipping

Labor Government Moves To Curb Station Skipping

Friday 08 May 2015

The number of stations skipped by metropolitan trains will be published each month as part of a push by the Andrews Labor Government to further reduce the practice.

From today, Public Transport Victoria's monthly Track Record report of service punctuality and delivery across the public transport network will include data on station skipping.

It will show the number and proportion of overall services that run express when they were not timetabled to, as well as historical data, so trends in station skipping can be monitored.

Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, said that while the Labor Government's strong opposition to the practice before the election has seen a fall in station skipping from 0.5 per cent of services to 0.2 per cent, it was still a serious concern for many passengers.

This month's Track Record report showed 97 Metro services ran as unplanned express, out of the more than 60,000 scheduled services.

Ms Allan said greater transparency would give passengers the accountability they deserve and help to improve train punctuality.

The Labor Government has already had discussions with PTV and Metro about how this practice can be reduced within the current contractual arrangements, and will ensure the issue is addressed in future contract negotiations.

The track record report is published each month at ptv.vic.gov.au/trackrecord

Comments attributable to Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan

"While the previous Liberal Government defended station skipping, Labor is taking a strong stand against it."

"Passengers need a train system that actually works and we're delivering it."

"By publishing the data, passengers will get the transparency they deserve. If Victorian's don't like what they see, then more will need to be done to put an end to the practice."

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Metro station skipping in the spotlight as government releases figures

[ozbob]

This is how it is reported in Victoria:
http://ptv.vic.gov.au/about-ptv/ptv-data-and-reports/track-record-2/

2014 Services altered as unplanned express
   2014
Apr    May    Jun    Jul    Aug    Sep    Oct    Nov    Dec
Percentage of total services    0.4    0.5    0.4    0.3    0.5    0.3    0.1    0.1    0.2
Number of express run services    246    322    222    192    305    220    81    47    117
Total number of timetabled services    59,095    63,179    60,295    64,711    63,944    63,145    65,284    60,779    63,817


2015 Services altered as unplanned express
   2015
Jan    Feb    Mar    Apr
Percentage of total services    0.1    0.1    0.2    0.2
Number of express run services    64    56    150    97
Total number of timetabled services    63,496    58,504    63,886    60,671

[BrizCommuter]

A train that skips stations is effectively a cancelled train for those affected, and this needs to be reflected in the statistics.

Additionally, QR should also reveal stats on trains that run early. This is a chronic issue during the off-peak.

[ozbob]

Letter to the editor Queensland Times published 13th May 2015 page 15

Call for transparency in public transport data

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1005121900257763328