Do you want the bad news or the good news?

[ozbob]

It is true all right.  I don't make untrue statements like that, be assured.  And I have the documentary evidence to support the advice.  The correspondence is confidential.  The statement I published has been cleared for posting.

Viz:

Advice has been received that a major timetable overhaul for 2011 IS being worked on, but has not yet been finalised.  Consultation will be carried out as the timetable develops.

[somebody]

I suppose there is no ETA on when such advice will be made public and in the open then.  I don't suppose there's much point in putting in Translink feedback either. 13 days ago I sent TL a query about the rumoured new timetable for Ipswich/Caboolture. Presumably I won't hear anything tomorrow and they will violate their 10 business day service standard.

Assuming it goes down as I believe, am I free to mention this advice, and you as the source, to my local member?  It may well go on to be mentioned in parliament as my local member is in the Opposition.

Yes, I am looking for blood!!

[Golliwog]

Sacking the CEO will do nothing. If anything it will cause more disruptions as the new guy gets used to his/her job.

[ozbob]

It is out in the open.  This is public.  Please refer to it as desired.

I too would like to see a correction published in the mX, where there was the original story that there was no timetable planned.  But that is up to others ..

[somebody]

Sacking the CEO will do nothing. If anything it will cause more disruptions as the new guy gets used to his/her job.

I doubt that.  Getting a competent person in the job will do wonders.  Has anything good happenned since Strachan took the job 18 months ago?  I can't see how you could count the Feb 22 changes as they were well and truly overdue.

[Jon Bryant]

Poor performance and bad service can only be accepted for so long.  Perform or vacate the chair.  Add to this that our services cost are far in excess of leading practice is also a great worry.

[mufreight]

Have to agree that moving the current CEO on will achieve little, abolishing Translink as a bureaucratic entity is based on the track record of that entity to this time the only practical and realistic option to resolve the present situation.
Another post questioned the difference between Translink and Transperth, the answer is simple, competent management, something that Translink lacks.

[Jon Bryant]

Have to agree that moving the current CEO on will achieve little, abolishing Translink as a bureaucratic entity is based on the track record of that entity to this time the only practical and realistic option to resolve the present situation.
Another post questioned the difference between Translink and Transperth, the answer is simple, competent management, something that Translink lacks.

Mufreight, you just contratdicted your self.  The CEO is the sole person responsible for driving competent management.  A CEO either breaths life into an organisation or stifles/kills it off.  I think Translink is in stifle mode.

[Arnz]

As I said before, some posters on this board wanting to abolish TransLink and move back to the backward old days when there was no integration and higher fares than it is now would be a backward step for Public Transport.  

Restructure TransLink or reappoint a new set of staff perhaps.  But abolish TransLink (or any successor form) is backward thinking. No wonder some people from other states consider us the "backward state".

[Golliwog]

The CEO may be responsible for driving competent management, but just because those below him are incompetent doesn't mean that he is. Should my boss be sacked because I stuff things up?

[somebody]

Have to agree that moving the current CEO on will achieve little, abolishing Translink as a bureaucratic entity is based on the track record of that entity to this time the only practical and realistic option to resolve the present situation.
Another post questioned the difference between Translink and Transperth, the answer is simple, competent management, something that Translink lacks.

So, no integrated ticketting? What are you saying?

The CEO may be responsible for driving competent management, but just because those below him are incompetent doesn't mean that he is. Should my boss be sacked because I stuff things up?

If someone has knowingly authorised an untrue press release, I think that is grounds for instant dismissal. I never said in this thread that it was the CEO who should be sacked, but it may come to that.

[ozbob]

I think the role of TransLink needs redefining.  There are considerable advantages in an integrated ticketing system for sure.  I think TransLink should concentrate on ticketing and longer term planning and broad coordination only.  Actual day to day operation and service implementation be left with the operators.  This would allow the operators to get on with it, bus operators know what is required, similarly rail knows what is needed.

This would mean a streamlined organisation that operates similarly to the other states.  It seems at the moment that the operational role of the operators is replicated within the structure of TransLink.  This is unwieldly and wasteful as well as inefficient.

[somebody]

The CEO may be responsible for driving competent management, but just because those below him are incompetent doesn't mean that he is. Should my boss be sacked because I stuff things up?

In some cases, yes.  It would have to be pretty extreme for your boss to be sacked, but in some cases it could be the fault of your training that caused you to stuff up, and therefore your boss's fault.

[Golliwog]

I agree. TL should not really have the power to approve or disapprove of timetable changes. But should be there to coordinate the operators.

If someone has knowingly authorised an untrue press release, I think that is grounds for instant dismissal. I never said in this thread that it was the CEO who should be sacked, but it may come to that.

That isn't what happened. It was a query that went to the customer support team, who asked QR, QR said they were working on one for early next year, which was the response that was given. My understanding seem to be the QR is working on a complete reworking of the timetable, but TL has not approved or really seen anything yet, which is why they stated that this was incorrect in the newspaper article.

In some cases, yes.  It would have to be pretty extreme for your boss to be sacked, but in some cases it could be the fault of your training that caused you to stuff up, and therefore your boss's fault.

But, realistically, how much training does the CEO give? Also, how long have the management below the CEO been there? Were they in those positions before the CEO arrived?

[somebody]

That isn't what happened. It was a query that went to the customer support team, who asked QR, QR said they were working on one for early next year, which was the response that was given. My understanding seem to be the QR is working on a complete reworking of the timetable, but TL has not approved or really seen anything yet, which is why they stated that this was incorrect in the newspaper article.

What was possibly intentionally misleading was the statement quoted in mX that "a major overhaul of the entire timetable early next year, as stated in this letter, is not being considered."  Possibly, the truth is that only Ipswich-Caboolutre is getting a major overhaul, or for implementation at another time.  Still a sacking offence in my view.

[Jon Bryant]

I think the role of TransLink needs redefining.  There are considerable advantages in an integrated ticketing system for sure.  I think TransLink should concentrate on ticketing and longer term planning and broad coordination only.  Actual day to day operation and service implementation be left with the operators.  This would allow the operators to get on with it, bus operators know what is required, similarly rail knows what is needed.

This would mean a streamlined organisation that operates similarly to the other states.  It seems at the moment that the operational role of the operators is replicated within the structure of TransLink.  This is unwieldly and wasteful as well as inefficient.

Sorry,  I have to disagree.  Why change the role of the organisation because it has been ineffective.  The concept of TL is very effective in Vancouver so the model has been shown to work.  Fix the organisation not its role.

[#Metro]

What does TransLink Vancouver and TransPerth do differently?
I'm failing to grasp exactly what needs changing and how.
"Competent managment" is too vague. And the question "what will you replace it with" needs to be looked at.

This is what the PTUA has http://www.ptua.org.au/campaigns/govern/models/

[mufreight]

Translink staff when contacted have been providing advice/assurances in respect of a omplete revamp of timetabling both bus and rail for the Ipswich area for over two and a half years, still nothing has happened so they have effectively destroyed the credibility of Translink as an organisation in the public eye.
In this case a specific question was asked and despite the best efforts of Translink spin doctors to assert otherwise it is a further example of the Translink management's contempt for commuter exhibited by the continual stream of misinformation from Translink while they continue to do nothing to improve service levels and standards.
If Translink as an organisation is incapable of providing the levels and standards of service that it was set up to provide then disband it.
If this failure is due to a combination of lack of political will and politicial expediency then the same answer applies at the next election.

[Arnz]

If Translink as an organisation is incapable of providing the levels and standards of service that it was set up to provide then disband it.
If this failure is due to a combination of lack of political will and politicial expediency then the same answer applies at the next election.

Taking the quick way out of Disbanding and going back to old ways of no integrated ticketing and higher fares than it is now is really backward thinking. 

Welcome to Queensland, set your clocks back 30 years.

[somebody]

Sacking the CEO will do nothing. If anything it will cause more disruptions as the new guy gets used to his/her job.

I doubt that.  Getting a competent person in the job will do wonders.  Has anything good happenned since Strachan took the job 18 months ago?  I can't see how you could count the Feb 22 changes as they were well and truly overdue.

The counter point to this would be: How many non-useless things did Translink do before Strachan took the job?  I can't think of any really, and I would cite the use of the King George Square Busway Station as a counter example, and I'm not refering to the stunting of the 393 there, which was a separate useless thing done at the same time.

[somebody]

This is a good example of how TransLink sees it.

On the 7th January 2009 I discovered some posters had been placed on Darra announcing a new service.

I subsequently put out a good news media release.  This was not received well by George St, the suggestion being that someone had leaked the service details to me.  Nonsense, I found the posters stuck up on the station (see the photographs).  The response by TransLink was immature to say the least.  Not my fault I found the posters and reacted in a positive manner.  The main issue being that we had beat the 'official' announcement. By the way the official announcement was  three days before the service started ... I think they have some problems, don't you?

See --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1734.0

Oh dear.  I didn't follow what you meant by "The response by TransLink was immature to say the least".  Just that they suggested it had been leaked, or something you don't want to go into?

[ozbob]

It is history now, but shows some of the sensitivities.  Why the secrecy with new services I will never know?  It is GOOD NEWS  

[somebody]

Advice has been received that a major timetable overhaul for 2011 IS being worked on, but has not yet been finalised.  Consultation will be carried out as the timetable develops.

Why would they consult this time when it has been their policy up until now to not consult?

The response to some Translink feedback I sent in a while back was that they wouldn't do such a thing because it hasn't been signed off.

[ozbob]

If a timetable change is signed off then it is finalised.  Consultation needs to occur in the planning processes for a new timetable, not after it is determined.  There has been some consultation via the CRG process, but no overt public consultation that I am aware of.

Why would they consult this time when it has been their policy up until now to not consult?

Suggest you ask both the Government and TransLink.  I can only relay the advice I received.

[ozbob]

Normally in a democracy one would expect the opposition to be putting some pressure on, alternate policy development and perhaps helping to make the processes of government accountable.  There is none of that, the incumbents think they can do what they like.  There is little regard to your view, my view or the wider view of the community.  Fact of life. 

They say they will consult, but in reality it is probably all decided now.  Consultation if it occurs will probably be token and to make it look good.

The go card reimbursement procedures is a testament to the contempt for the masses.  The authorities give the impression that they couldn't care less.  Why isn't the opposition out there highlighting the issues?  We are but a lone voice in the transport wilderness ....

[somebody]

Let's hope the opposition run a better campaign next time around.  And on PT especially.  Perhaps they should ask us what we think they should do.  I'm sure we would have told them the 7 cars trains was a silly idea if they had asked.

[ozbob]

I'm sure we would have told them the 7 cars trains was a silly idea if they had asked.

we did ...

[mufreight]

    

I'm sure we would have told them the 7 cars trains was a silly idea if they had asked.

we did ...

a number of times and explained why and the costs involved        

[somebody]

And they still announced it as a policy?  Or do you mean RailBoT told them after it had been announced.

[mufreight]

Before

[ozbob]

The last state election was actually very close.  A decent public transport platform would have seen a different result IMHO.

[somebody]

The last state election was actually very close.  A decent public transport platform would have seen a different result IMHO.

I would agree, although I would suggest it wasn't the only factor.  There was also the "It's not even a recession" quote, and the savage planned cuts to the public sector.

[Golliwog]

I would really like for public transport to become a proper platform at the next election. And a proper platform, not like the whole Redcliffe rail thing which still hasn't gotten off the ground yet (although I have seen plans at one stage - it was even dual track all the way ...I think). Doesn't have to be concrete "We will build this, this and this". Just at least a definate "We will increase funding by ____". And if they are going to promise definate things (a certain number of seats perhaps...) then they should make sure they can actually deliver them.

[somebody]

or a 15 minute off peak frequency?

EDIT: There was really no point in the Libs asking RailBoT what they should do if they were going to go against their advice anyway.

[ozbob]

Our archives on the 2009 state election are interesting reading with the retrospectroscope on ...

My summary just before the polls closed:

The polls will close shortly.

With respect to transport this campaign has been a policy poor zone from the ALP.  The LNP started off with some policies in place, even if somewhat suspect (eg. 7 cars).  Unfortunately the line to nowhere proposal (aspiration?) caused considerable concern during the last week.

The Greens stuck to their well established light rail proposals.

The free travel proposals from the LNP and the Greens are not in the best interest of the community IMHO.

My gut feeling is ALP will be returned with a reduced majority.  This would be a good thing as it might focus attention on the need to improve the present policies with respect to transport.

Election 2009 would have to be one of the worst election campaigns I have observed from all sides.
Pathetic is the only word I can find appropriate ...

All political parties must lift their game.  

http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2032.0