Article: Report shows Queensland Rail's passenger services most costly ...

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Report shows Queensland Rail's passenger services most costly and inefficient in country

Report shows Queensland Rail's passenger services most costly and inefficient in country

    by: Steven Wardill
    From: The Courier-Mail
    April 12, 2013 12:00AM

A SECRET report has revealed train crew and maintenance expenses are conspiring to make Queensland Rail's passenger services the most costly in the country.

Commissioned by the former Labor government, the report found CityTrain and Traveltrain services were significantly less efficient than rail networks in other states.

As well as crew and maintenance expenses that exceed other railways, the report found Queensland Rail's passenger arm was shelling out $250 million annually to other parts of the business for costs that included track access and use of rollingstock.

The 2009 report by Sydney-based consultants L.E.K., undertaken before the sale of QR's coal business, was partly based on an Australasian Railway Association study that found QR's costs per kilometre travelled were more than twice the national average of $24.

The findings will challenge the Newman Government to reduce costs and raise the spectre of privatising passenger services.

Asset sales have repeatedly been ruled out by the Government, which has promised to seek a mandate before ordering any sell-offs.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson said he was concerned that no action had been taken by the previous government to control QR's costs.

"Costs were skyrocketing, patronage was plunging and fares were spiralling out of control," he said. "The previous government was told about the major challenges facing Queensland Rail in 2009 but chose to ignore the problem."

The report found Citytrain's funding requirements would jump by $220 million in the four years to 2014, with the biggest increase being dividend payments to the Government.

It also compared QR's per kilometre costs with two unidentified networks, finding Citytrains were 60 per cent less cost efficient than one of the railways and 19 per cent less efficient than the other.

This part of the report was based on the ARA study which found QR's per kilometre cost to government was about $60 in 2009-10 compared with $36 for Sydney's CityRail.

Any push to privatise services or rewrite wage agreements to allow the company to relocate employees is likely to be met with fierce opposition by rail unions.

Mr Emerson said the new QR management had begun to bring costs under control, but there was still work to be done to deliver more services.

[ozbob]

Fairly blatant attempt to set the stage for privatisation.  2009 report. No real detail I suspect that the long distance stuff is buried there as well.

In terms of passenger/kilometre costs rail, despite the obvious inefficiencies that do exist is comparable to bus (slightly better I recall).  Once the network is properly supported by bus, and better frequency this cost advantage will improve.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

12th April 2013

Greetings,

An article based on a 2009 report has appeared in today's Courier Mail.  Report shows Queensland Rail's passenger services most costly and inefficient in country  http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/report-shows-queensland-rails-passenger-services-most-costly-and-inefficient-in-country/story-e6freoof-1226618571308

Any chance of making the report public please? 

I believe it is a fairly blatant attempt to set the stage for privatisation and long distance rail cuts.  2009 report, still valid? No real detail I suspect that the long distance stuff is buried there as well.

In terms of passenger/kilometre costs rail, despite the obvious inefficiencies that do exist is comparable to bus (slightly better I recall) in SEQ.  Once the rail network is properly supported by bus, and better frequency this cost advantage will improve.

More evidence of the disconnected network and public transport failure in SEQ.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[#Metro]

Of course QR is costly, they have two staff per train, double the cost right there.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Of course QR is costly, they have two staff per train, double the cost right there.

I'd hardly worry about crew per train. Rollingstock now also isn't the cheapest to maintain especially on the EMUs and SMU200s. Parts are already difficult to source (they actually fabricate parts for the EMUs now) and heaven forbid should there be a split/damaged wire resulting in an electricial fault or a faulty circuit board on the EMUs guuuuhhhh. Seating has also been modified these past couple years to a more generic base model rather than a seating frame for EMUs, a different seating frame for SMU220s (I think there are 4 seating frames to choose from - The open space arm rests, the new dark gray backing, the older spec creamy colour/dark grey colour angled top and the flat ones), a different seating frame for IMU100/120, a different seating frame for IMU160/SMU260 etc. I've lost count of how many times the seating fabric has been changed because of different governments wanting to waste money. There's been blue, green, red with white, darker red/maroon, the maroon/blue shapes, the holiday train green (ICE/IMU100/120) and the current splash of red, blue, purple, white etc on the 160/260 units. Different components on the doors across the fleet (IMUs 100/110 were/will be modified soon). Different traction motors across the entire fleet. Rollingstock have different braking components (pads and parts etc) which adds cost. Window sizing is another cost between the different fleets. DDA has been a pain in the butt with some components being moved, removed and or replaced such as the most noticable hip height ceiling bars being removed, the ceiling hand rails that dangle down, the traditional fold up chairs (not the small skinny ones most would know today but. The big fat chunky ones that cut your fingers off, scared children and constantly broke), anticlimbers being installed, re-enforcing the cabs of EMUs during the 2000-2009 refurbs, new additional electricial systems for CCTV/data logging/auto voice announcments etc. TiltTrains are constantly having repairs done to the cab shells due to animal strikes - it got to the point where they had to be repaired by cutting off the lose bits, drilling holes and using very large and thick cable ties to hold it together and secured to the train frame (the cow catcher at the front catches the larger animals like cows/pigs between the coupler and housing which then forces it up under the body work and rips the panneling out from under the light to where it joins the trains door frame - the cosmetic damage from the bigger/heavier animals at speed can be similar to a vehicle strike). The same has also been applied across the track network with longer lifespan parts being installed, new and  better components to replace the old aging ones etc. The changes that have happened since 2009 would have reduced costs long term but they are still ongoing to replace/fix the issues. Back in 2009 QR was also looking after 8000km of track alone. Since then Branches have been closed like the Yeppoon branch for example and nearly the whole coal system network, rollingstock and facilities being transfered to Aurizon. Another beat up I say and I echo bobs comments.

[colinw]

I suspect that costs are probably inflated by some of the bizarre arrangements put in place to "ring fence" parts of QR in the lead up to the split & privatisation.  You effectively will have QR paying itself for track access, with different parts of the business trying to make a profit off each other (and other operators), as well as the whole thing trying to make a return to the Government (which it still does).

This article, and its timing is, however, quite suspicious.  It appears to be part of the News Corp "cheer squad" effort urging the Government on to privatisation.  Given the lack of critical analysis in our only paper, we may as well just have CM reporters outside Parliament House waving pompoms and chanting "Go, Campbell, Go"

[ozbob]

Someone said to me once that there are connections with road transport operators and News Ltd.  No idea if that is true or not, but they certainly like to bash rail at every opportunity but generally ignore bus, road transport failures etc.

This report is 2009 for goodness sakes, and we are expected to believe the interpretations by media and others.  How about publishing the document?

It is very distressing to see the decline in media generally, a lot of journalists have been sacked etc.  A lot of media is operating out of national desks with local tinkering.  They see it as cost cutting but in reality they are loosing the ability to do proper investigative reporting and research.

Even the web pages for each state are the same these days. 

Even the community newspapers have been centralised now to a large degree. 

Media often get their knickers twisted about blogs etc.  It is only natural that others will move into the space that was once traditional journalism if it is largely vacuuous ....

[HappyTrainGuy]

Someone said to me once that there are connections with road transport operators and News Ltd.  No idea if that is true or not, but they certainly like to bash rail at every opportunity but generally ignore bus, road transport failures etc.

This report is 2009 for goodness sakes, and we are expected to believe the interpretations by media and others.  How about publishing the document?

It is very distressing to see the decline in media generally, a lot of journalists have been sacked etc.  A lot of media is operating out of national desks with local tinkering.  They see it as cost cutting but in reality they are loosing the ability to do proper investigative reporting and research.

Even the web pages for each state are the same these days. 

Even the community newspapers have been centralised now to a large degree. 

Media often get their knickers twisted about blogs etc.  It is only natural that others will move into the space that was once traditional journalism if it is largely vacuuous ....

Long live the stock image library. Just waiting for the article about Aurizon with a passenger train/staff in the photo which happened quite a few times after the split. Heck, they still have the SMU-HS248 as the image used for delays on the rail network

[colinw]

Interestingly, Infrastructure Australia chairman Sir Rod Eddington is also on the board of News Corporation.

[somebody]

I wouldn't mind if QR were privatised.  Sydney and Brisbane have long traditions of rail mediocrity which could be broken by privatisation.

[johnnigh]

Got to do something, it's a basket case at the moment. No wonder the high fares imposed on them have done nothing except reduce patronage. If you don't already live close to a 15min frequency station, better up-stakes now and move, because there's unlikely to be any more in anyone's lifetime.

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/news-corp-finally-realise-queensland.html
News Limited finally realise QR is inefficient - well I never!

[HappyTrainGuy]

Someone said to me once that there are connections with road transport operators and News Ltd.  No idea if that is true or not, but they certainly like to bash rail at every opportunity but generally ignore bus, road transport failures etc.

This report is 2009 for goodness sakes, and we are expected to believe the interpretations by media and others.  How about publishing the document?

It is very distressing to see the decline in media generally, a lot of journalists have been sacked etc.  A lot of media is operating out of national desks with local tinkering.  They see it as cost cutting but in reality they are loosing the ability to do proper investigative reporting and research.

Even the web pages for each state are the same these days. 

Even the community newspapers have been centralised now to a large degree. 

Media often get their knickers twisted about blogs etc.  It is only natural that others will move into the space that was once traditional journalism if it is largely vacuuous ....

Long live the stock image library. Just waiting for the article about Aurizon with a passenger train/staff in the photo which happened quite a few times after the split. Heck, they still have the SMU-HS248 as the image used for delays on the rail network

Good to see PNQ running a new livery.

[ozbob]

Freight train north of Brisbane ...

[BrizCommuter]

I suspect Newman's team probably have a few franchise investigations going on quietly in the background with a few potential bidders in support running the numbers to see what options they have.

Oh, to be a fly on the wall at Tattersall's!

[ozflier]

Hi,
I don't respond much but have to chip in here.
I am sure that there are a whole pile of issues with QR but from my experience with other service industries , labour is a big cost.
eg in health service , you are looking at 70%.
I just cannot see things improving if management cannot move onto driver only suburban trains

[ozbob]

Welcome!

Yes, big savings could be made with DOO, but will need a bit of infrastructure work to allow.  I think progressive DOO might be achievable, for example Gold Coast line could work with DOO for a start.

Queensland Rail have investigated DOO a number of times, but Governments have not supported.  Including the Newman lead LNP ...

[Golliwog]

Freight train north of Brisbane ...

Isn't it something a bit more like this these days? 

[ozbob]

No, that is a fuel delivery for Shell Express at Bulimba ...   

[somebody]

I just cannot see things improving if management cannot move onto driver only suburban trains

I can.  While it's a valid issue you raise, there are numerous others.  For example, the insanely high peak direction focus leaves a lot of infrastructure idle out of peak times.

[colinw]

The Courier-Mail ->
Queensland Rail to become statutory authority and more passenger focused

EDIT: and I see nathandavid88 beat me to the punch by a few seconds.  Separate thread on this topic is here

[somebody]

Well I guess that answers the privatisation forecasts.  You wouldn't do this and then privatise it, lock stock.  Although some functions may be outsourced.

[Nina M Blackwell]

I wouldn't mind if QR were privatised.  Sydney and Brisbane have long traditions of rail mediocrity which could be broken by privatisation.

I am not an economist or anything, but from what I understand happened when New Zealand's train system was privatised was that the train infrastructure was run into the ground because no further investment was made.  Basic infrastructure needs to remain in the public domain, answerable to the taxpayers and not fall victim to the bottom line of corporate profits.  I don't understand the thinking of politicians when keeping the workforce "on track" is what keeps the economy going, including income tax and disposable income for boosting the economy.

[somebody]

I wouldn't mind if QR were privatised.  Sydney and Brisbane have long traditions of rail mediocrity which could be broken by privatisation.

I am not an economist or anything, but from what I understand happened when New Zealand's train system was privatised was that the train infrastructure was run into the ground because no further investment was made.  Basic infrastructure needs to remain in the public domain, answerable to the taxpayers and not fall victim to the bottom line of corporate profits.  I don't understand the thinking of politicians when keeping the workforce "on track" is what keeps the economy going, including income tax and disposable income for boosting the economy.

Auckland's patronage growth is off the charts.  That outweighs any argument presented above.

[Nina M Blackwell]

Perhaps Auckland's population was able to support it, but Wellington's certainly wasn't.

[somebody]

Perhaps Auckland's population was able to support it, but Wellington's certainly wasn't.

Wellington isn't privatised so I'm not sure what your point is?

[Old Northern Road]

Didn't Auckland's patronage drop to around 10,000 boardings per day after privatisation? Even if its patronage has tripled since then that is still a pathetic figure.

[somebody]

It's certainly off a low base.  Up to around 10mil p.a. now.  In peak hour the system's nearly completely full up AIUI!

[#Metro]

Yawn. Yet ANOTHER structural shakeup for QR and TL. I have lost count of the number of names, logos and reconstitutions both these agencies have gone through. Everyone is talking about privatisation (funnily enough the accusers are the ones who privatised QR and sold it off in a share sale a la Margaret Thatcher style - WTF) and nobody is talking about decent service frequency, span, connections. Perth is public and has decent frequency and connections, Melbourne is private and has decent frequency and better connections. Brisbane is just BS..

There is a circus in town near the airport and big top tent, I recon that lot would do a better job at PT... these guys at George Street just want to bang empty drums and make a lot of noise. It's all bullsh*t.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Perth is public and has decent frequency and connections, Melbourne is private and has decent frequency and better connections. Brisbane is just BS..

Way. Too. Much. Politics. Its just actually that simple. The State Government has neglected it for just to far long and used it as a vote grabbing resource rather than a proper PT network for the last 15 years. All it needs is a decent State Government party to start injecting proper funding for upgrades and infrastructure rather than the bulls**t that has been happening for the last 15 years.

[somebody]

I wonder how Brisbane compares to say Syd or Mel for reverse peak flow patronage?

Badly.  I'm not sure the stats exist to quantify that though.

[ozbob]

I call bullsh%t.

State of Australian Cities 2012 Chapter 3 Productive page 95, extract ..
http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure/mcu/soac/index.aspx



Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne were quite comparable, surprising really considering Melbourne is DOO as well ..

The fact that the 2009 has not been published is telling.  I bet they are not really comparing like with like at all.

Australia has high labor costs and what not.  Perth is a properly supported rail network with feeder bus, frequency and DOO.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

16th April 2013

Stopping the spin ..

Greetings,

Interesting extract from State of Australian Cities 2012 Chapter 3 Productive page 95
http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure/mcu/soac/index.aspx



Queensland Rail suburban services are no worse cost than Sydney or Melbourne, bit behind Perth.   Lot of bull around hey?

Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne were quite comparable, surprising really considering Melbourne is DOO as well .. (DOO = Driver Only Operation, no guards).

The fact that the 2009 report has not been published is telling.  I bet they are not really comparing like with like at all.

Australia has high labor costs and what not.  Perth is a properly supported rail network with feeder bus, frequency and DOO.

Time to get the truth out ...

Best wishes
Robert

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

[curator49]

Is the high cost of Queensland Rail passenger services from the 2009 report selecting only the suburban rail network or does it include the long-distance passenger services?

[ozbob]

Is the high cost of Queensland Rail passenger services from the 2009 report selecting only the suburban rail network or does it include the long-distance passenger services?

I reckon it is including the long distance stuff, and there is a huge network relative to other jurisdictions on that basis.  There by making it look a lot worse than it actually is.  I have suggested this before.

They have not published the  2009 report document publicly, because the charade will be exposed.

They are simply not being honest.  Some would say of duplicitous manner ..

[somebody]

Brisbane has far higher fares than Sydney, Melbourne or Perth on the average, so one would expect a higher cost recovery.  Not so, it seems.

[ozbob]

Real data is interesting no?   

Check out the rest of the report, interesting reading ..

Lot of myths around, reality is another thing.