Public Transport Queensland - An Independent Transport Authority

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

16th February 2017

RAIL Back on Track 8 Point Recovery Plan - Updated

Greetings,

RAIL Back on Track wishes to comment on the Strachan Inquiry Report and proposes the following recovery plan.  It is essential that Queensland Rail return to a full timetable not later than January 2018.  If Queensland Rail is not able to achieve that deadline consideration should be given to replacing Queensland Rail with an operator that will.

1. New ministers - a single minister and one assistant minister to be given the sole responsibility of the transport portfolio. This will guarantee single focus, and an experienced successor for the minister. [ Achieved, thank you! ]

2. Public Transport Authority of Queensland (PTQ) set up - a statutory authority based on the Western Australian model. Get someone like Western Australia's ex-Transport Minister Alannah MacTiernan to head it. Remove Public Transport from Main Roads, merge TransLink and the Cross River Rail Authority into PTQ.

3. Rail services on the Redcliffe Peninsula Line (RPL) should be shuttle services during the off peak with some through peak services. This was the approach that was used by Queensland Rail when the then Richlands branch line opened in January 2011.  A full timetable was only implemented in June 2011, as part of the wider sector one changes. The Queensland Rail rail network ran to timetable before the RPL opened, in fact was touted as the best ontime running in the nation!

Waiting two years to get back to timetable is completely unacceptable and we reject it in the strongest terms. The suggestion that 'there are no quick fixes' is unsubstantiated and we question why RPL line shuttles have not been considered whilst more crew are trained.

4. Abolish "internal favouritism" hiring provisions as soon as possible. Such practices create extra recruitment costs for Queensland Rail and appear to favour men over women (due to guard demographics) in train crew roles.

5. Get driver training down to 9 months, like other operators. [ Achieved? ]

6. Empower the new PTQ Authority to enforce its contracts through fines and contract termination. The current setup is a monopoly - both public and private - and that is overriding all other aspects of service quality and delivery as operators cannot be fired no matter what. Without choice of operator, there can be no meaningful enforcement.

7. The Queensland Rail board and Queensland Rail executive leadership team should be fired. Do not replace the board - Mr Strachan can be a single commissioner for railways under PTQ like Sydney Trains.

8. Tackle Brisbane City Council - there is a parallel mess happening with the Brisbane Bus Network which has been left to fester since 2013. Get buses running to trains and fix the bus network so that it connects with rail. We have shown how to do it here --> http://tiny.cc/newnetwork

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.msg187726#msg187726 ]

Note: DP Minister for Transport Ms. Trad has handed responsibility for personal transport (Uber taxis etc.) to Minister Bailey.

[ozbob]

RAIL Back on Track 8 Point Recovery Plan - Updated
> https://t.co/qy3KybWW4h#qldpol@jackietrad @AnnastaciaMP @AndrewPowellMP pic.twitter.com/xNTkodiQKX

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) February 15, 2017

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

17th February 2017

Stress testing of timetable? What about stressed passengers ...

Good Morning,

It appears that Queensland Rail is unable to ascertain whether or not their train timetables are actually deliverable.  They need to ' stress test ' them. What an indictment of failure!

Again yesterday the Premier mentioned in Parliament during Questions Without Notice that " My main focus is to ensure that we have a reliable and sustainable timetable. That timetable is getting stress tested at the moment. " [ https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_02_16_DAILY.pdf ]

Passengers are being stressed daily as well.  One only has to look a the Queensland Rail facebook page to see the stream of ' stress '. [ https://www.facebook.com/QueenslandRail/ ]

What on earth is stress testing the timetable?  Can someone please explain the rationale in detail please.

Recent peak ontime running has been generally acceptable, although if a railway runs less services it follows logically that more services will be on time particularly as many passengers sadly have given up on our failed public transport network. [ https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12653.0 ]

It is important that the present timetable gaps be progressively plugged with services, a consistent Monday to Friday timetable put in place and that a full service timetable be achieved by January 2018.  If Queensland Rail cannot achieve that, get an operator that will. Queensland Rail is a bloated top heavy non delivering organisation.

Public transport for SEQ during the Commonwealth Games is looming as a disaster.   It is essential that a full service rail timetable be in place well before the Games (April 2018). 

It is essential that the administration, delivery and operation of public transport be properly restructured as well.  TransLink, TMR and Queensland Rail are abject failures in our opinion.

How to reform public transport for Queensland is detailed here --> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.msg188038#msg188038

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

18th February 2017

Not getting any better is it? #railfail

Good Morning,

A measure of the mediocrity of the current train timetable for SEQ is the article below.  It is very very poor service overall the hybrid reduced train timetable, a different one on Fridays from Monday to Thursdays!

It is not getting better.  Public grief and anger grows by the day.  And to think that Queensland Rail executives pocketed cash bonuses for years to deliver this rubbish.

And most of them are still there!  How does anyone really expect a cultural change in an organisation with the same failures still on the gravy-train!

God help us!

Robert

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

===================================================

Queensland Times --> Ipswich getting shafted again with rail timetable

THE call has gone out from public transport advocate Robert Dow for Queensland Rail to bring back the 3.09pm train from Ipswich to Brisbane Central.

    Ipswich residents have raised their concerns with Mr Dow about the new Monday to Thursday rail timetable which has been in operation since January 23, with students now having to wait on train stations after school for longer.

    A 49 minute gap now exists in the afternoon timetable between the Ipswich to Brisbane Central departure times of 2.37pm and 3.26pm.

     "School students have got to wait around for the later train because of the 49 minute gap at a peak time ," Mr Dow said.

    "Ipswich is a major line and there hasn't been any consideration for the after school demand.

    "The 3.09pm is the one that has been removed and you have got kids getting on that all the way along the Ipswich line.

    "It is just a measure of what I think is very poor timetabling. The way they treat people out here is just not good.

    "We have to wait 30 minutes as it is but here they are making people wait 49 minutes at a key time of the day.

    "It is inconvenient for people coming home from school and university and it dissuades them from using public transport."

     In a letter to the editor Mr Dow said that "for interest, during the same time period on the Mandurah railway line in Western Australia, Transperth run trains to Perth at 10 minute intervals, with trains departing at 2.30pm, 2.40pm, 2.50pm, 3.00pm, 3.10pm, 3.20pm and 3.30pm."

    "We do indeed have a very poor rail service in south-east Queensland and Ipswich is not being treated fairly," he wrote.

    The QT is awaiting a response from Queensland Rail.

[ Attached:  https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.msg188075#msg188075 ]

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Adele Concert transport concerns confirms need for PT reform

23rd February 2017

Good Morning,

The failure of the transport authorities to properly liaise for what ever reason with the Adele concert promoters is no surprise to us.

Silos of mediocrity strikes again!

[ Adele concert - transport issues   https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12674.msg188362#msg188362 ]

Another demonstration of the failure that is public transport administration, delivery, and operation.

It must be clear now to all that reform is needed.  As we have commented, band-aids on festering wounds does not work.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

15th February 2017

Public transport in SEQ needs reform

Good Morning,

We welcome the committment by Deputy Premier Trad to fix the trains! [ http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2017/2/14/fixing-the-trains ]
But it is a lot more than just the trains.  The entire administration, delivery, operation of public transport in SEQ needs a radical restructuring and reorganisation.

Other states can get it right, Queensland is just a failing mess of competing tired bureaucracies in  ' silos '.

Complete root and branch reform is needed.  We have shown how this could occur.  Form a statutory authority - Public Transport Queensland.

See --> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.msg187649#msg187649

More of the same, more of the same failure.  Time to sort out the mess once and for all!

Best wishes,

Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

31st July 2016

Public Transport Queensland

Good Morning,

On Tuesday 29 April 2008 the then Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations The Honourable John Mickel put out a media statement.

Translink Transport Authority moves forward  > http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/Id/57769

This statement announced the formation of the Statutory Authority - TransLink Transport Authority (TTA) for SEQ.

Mr Mickel said  "The authority will also integrate public transport services, and deliver and manage the infrastructure on which those services operate," he said.

"It will have the freedom and power to co-ordinate services, redeploy resources such as buses based on demand, and ensure the smooth introduction of new technology across the network."

"We will now have an authority with the grunt to ensure scheduling, services and planning are synchronised to deliver the public transport our growing population needs. "

In 2012, as part of the former Newman Government control and 'cuts' agenda the TTA was absorbed into TMR.  It lost its authority, as evidenced by the subsequent failure in 2013 of the Brisbane bus network reform. It lost resources to do the job properly.

With the benefit of hindsight, it would have been a better outcome for SEQ and Queensland had the formation of the TTA in 2008 actually been for all of Queensland's public transport.  Having a fragmented public transport administration actually helped enable the flawed move to absorb the then TTA back into TMR as a division, with the now perverse outcomes we see.

If it was good enough and for the right reasons in 2008 to form a statutory authority,  it is now even more critical that we move on with a public transport statutory authority to properly administer public transport for all of Queensland.  The present fragmented administration of public transport is a failure, clearly.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Reference:

27 July 2012 Brisbanetimes --> Restructure could bring TransLink back to the fold

[ Attached: http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.msg177269#msg177269  ]

[ozbob]

Media: Adele Concert transport concerns confirms need for PT reform
> https://t.co/TdpscF4NPn#qldpol@jackietrad @Schrinner @N_Scales_TMR pic.twitter.com/IKYuco1tJh

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) February 22, 2017

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

25th February 2017

Queensland Rail suburban versus Transperth

Good Morning,

Last January I went on a self-funded study tour of the public transport network in Perth.

[ Perth visit Jan 2017  --> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12368.0 ]

It was a wonderful opportunity to experience first hand the trains and buses that service Perth and suburbs.

Suffice to say the reputation that Transperth has as being the best suburban rail network in Australia was substantiated.

Perth's rail network is around half the size of the rail network in SEQ, yet Transperth rail carries more passengers on the rail network than SEQ.  Around 20 million passengers more annually.  Why?  Basically because ALL lines have 15 minutes or better off peak, better frequency at peak as demanded, and the bus network is properly designed to feed key rail stations with regular connecting feeder bus services. 

It demonstrates the things that are really lacking on the Queensland Rail network.  The Transperth network also has full Automatic Train Protection and  Driver Only Operation (one person train crew), this obviously helps to achieve acceptable train service frequency.

It is only when you travel to experience an efficient, no fuss, sustained high frequency, connected rail network that one appreciates how abysmal our current SEQ rail network is.  Little wonder the public is enraged with rail fail.  How much more if they had the chance to see the Transperth network in operation?

The mess at Queensland Rail is inexcusable.  It is a sad wonder to us that the failed Queensland Rail Executive Leadership Team and the Queensland Rail Board have not been sacked.  SEQ public transport limps along from one failure to the next.

Cross River Rail is dead.  It is so compromised now not worth doing.  The only hope is to roll out Automatic Train Protection for our rail network in SEQ. This will give a ~25% peak capacity gain, step up frequency on all lines to 15 minute out of peak, sort out the job rules for train crew, consider some network operational changes (eg. some terminating South Brisbane services) and properly organise the bus network to better feed key rail stations.

Of course reorganisation of how public transport is administered in Queensland is required. The formation of a statutory authority - Public Transport Queensland is needed to overcome the present silos of mediocrity and replication.

[ Public Transport Queensland? --> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.0 ]

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Latest media: @QueenslandRail suburban versus @Transperth
> https://t.co/AyPDM7KEkZ#qldpol@jackietrad @N_Scales_TMR @AnnastaciaMP pic.twitter.com/Xn4UFt4bJR

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) February 24, 2017

[#Metro]

The diagram Brisbane City Council didn't want you to see: 



Interesting report out of Vancouver, Canada about Governance:

TransLink (Vancouver) Governance Review
http://www.translink.ca/-/media/Documents/about_translink/governance_and_board/governance_review/TransLink_Governance_Review.pdf

Flags SEQ as "unusual" in that everyone in QLD is paying for transport in SEQ. Most other areas outside of SEQ are not getting PT or if they are it is baseline service only.

What the Vancouver people missed out on was the unusual situation where there are a mix of public AND private monopolies side by side with competitive contractors (i.e. CityCat) who are delivering services. What is the justification for such a dogs breakfast or the special treatment of some contractors but not others? Private monopolists!

This raises MAJOR questions about who should be doing what.

On the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Ipswich PT is handled by TransLink with minimal input (and minimal funding) from cities. The case is reversed for Brisbane which has maximum input and around 20% ish funding for buses. BCC is performing like a city state in effect - it does policy (what routes where, what bridge where, what ferry terminal where, CityGliders), management (bus review, investigate metro, contract out CityCat and Ferries), AND operations (drive BCC buses).

The question is who should be accountable for what. If BCC is paying 20% ish costs, does that not also imply that they should have a seat at the table?

Alternatively, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney all manage to do without local council involvement or funding. Of course the QLD Government would like to put the cost burden on BCC as it wants to minimise budget expenditure itself also.

Perth is very interesting because it acts a little bit like BCC in the sense that it levies a land tax (MRIT) on property within Perth's metropolitan areas. This is one option if BCC refuses or threatens to withdraw funding if it loses control of Brisbane Transport's route planning.

Metropolitan Region Improvement Tax

MRIT is payable in addition to land tax on property located in the metropolitan area. The metropolitan region is defined by the following local government districts:

Armadale   Bassendean   Bayswater   Belmont   Cambridge
Canning   Claremont   Cockburn   Cottesloe   East Fremantle
Fremantle   Gosnells   Joondalup   Kalamunda   Kwinana
Melville   Mosman Park   Mundaring   Nedlands   Peppermint Grove
Perth   Rockingham   Serpentine-Jarrahdale   South Perth   Stirling
Subiaco   Swan   Victoria Park   Vincent   Wanneroo

MRIT is imposed on property with a land tax liability at a rate of 0.14 cent for every dollar of the aggregated taxable value of the land in excess of $300,000. If land is not subject to land tax, it will not be liable for MRIT.

Please refer to our online calculator to calculate your land tax and MRIT liability.

What is Land Tax - WA Finance Department
http://www.finance.wa.gov.au/cms/State_Revenue/Land_Tax/What_is_Land_Tax_.aspx

I still think that regional PT should be handed over to local councils as these areas are generally quite large and are unlikely to intermesh. They can raise their own funds, supervise network planning etc. Only requirement would be perhaps
minimum standards of network review every x years of their bus networks and perhaps comparative benchmarking every x years by DTMR of TransLink.

Regional QLD has a situation opposite to what exists in SEQ. Toowoomba could be inside or outside that - MPs will need to make a decision on that.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

1st March 2017

New Generation Trains - accessibility and other issues ..

Good Morning,

We have been warning for months now that there are issues with the New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) trains.

Unbelievable botch this.  Just more evidence of the need for proper reform for the management delivery and operation of public transport in Queensland.

TransLink, Transport and Main Roads, and Queensland Rail are failures. Will they get more cash bonuses to continue the mediocrity?

Now the Couriermail has exposed some more of the NGR design issues.

QR's New Generation Rollingstock plagued by design issues

--> http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/qrs-new-generation-rollingstock-plagued-by-design-issues/news-story/dbbaa14a7750ae627e9c72e7254f8109

The state of public transport in Queensland is appalling.  Nothing short of proper reform will do.  We have shown how this should occur.

Public Transport Queensland --> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.msg188412#msg188412

Just when you think it couldn't get much worse it does!

FARCE!

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ Attached:  https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3706.msg188461#msg188461 ]

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

2nd March 2017

Deputy Premier calls a halt to Newman Govt's $4.4b NGR trains until faults addressed

Greetings,

RAIL Back on Track calls for the Queensland Auditor General and potentially a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) train contracts.

The community is absolutely fed up with the wanton mismanagement of the transport portfolio and the mediocre service delivery. Absolutely fed up we are.

We are being asked to accept a 2-year cut train timetable on top of a train service that was already very infrequent to begin with.

We have a bus network that is not working effectively and was supposed to be fixed four years ago.

We are being asked to accept more delays to Cross River Rail while major political parties play games.

Millions of dollars are being wasted on reviews, investigations and alterations because the job was not done properly in the first place.

$4.4 billion is not exactly ' loose change ' is it?

Is there a reason why Queensland has such a long track record in wrecking large and expensive projects?

The Queensland Auditor General must be called in. A key part of any investigation will be getting a copy of the train design files. This will tell us whether the design was non-compliant to begin with or the design was not adhered to at the factory end.

All public transport related projects, infrastructure management and planning must be removed from the Department of Transport and Main Roads at the earliest opportunity and transferred to a new Public Transport Authority of Queensland (PTQ) - Heavy Rail division.

The Western Australian model works very well. They carry more passengers on the Transperth trains on a smaller network and have more frequent train services than we do here in SEQ.

SEQ is facing transport failure now.

When you think it couldn't get any worse it does! Rail fail on steroids!

Best wishes
Robert

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

Reference: Queensland Audit Office - Audit program --> https://www.qao.qld.gov.au/audits/program

" We welcome suggestions from members of the public about our proposed or any new potential performance audit topics, as well as contributions to performance audits that are currently in progress. When suggesting new topics, or contributing to an open audit, the submissions need to relate to public sector entities or money being spent on public services. Any contribution can be made confidentially and your personal information is protected by the Information Privacy Act 2009. "

[ Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3706.msg188711#msg188711 ]

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

13th March 2017

Public transport problems continue to fester

Good Morning,

Have the signalling issues on the Redcliffe Peninsula Line (RPL) been sorted yet?  Where is the report into the problems?  Being hidden as usual.

The whole RPL saga again confirms why we need a proper authority - Public Transport Queensland [ https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.msg188493#msg188493 ] with amongst many things a heavy rail division to properly deliver public transport projects.  The Department of Transport and Main Roads is not equipped or competent for such tasks.  TransLink is an emasculated shell. Blundering on is just going to make matters worse.  Rail fail is another sign.

When will the New Generation Rollingstock trains be in revenue service?  Does anyone know thanks?

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ Attached:  https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12435.msg189300#msg189300 ]

[ozbob]

Latest media: ' Public transport problems continue to fester '
> https://t.co/ATCCtIMIli#qldpol@jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP pic.twitter.com/4k2WGty3bi

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) March 12, 2017

[ozbob]

Latest PTA WA Organisational Chart

http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/Portals/15/annualreports/2016/index.html

[ozbob]

A model for Public Transport Queensland
> https://t.co/ATCCtIMIli#qldpol@jackietrad @TransLinkSEQ @TMRQld @QueenslandRail < failures! pic.twitter.com/c1R0hgzH6B

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) March 18, 2017

[ozbob]

Until PublicTransport organised properly, failure will be manifest @jackietrad
How? > https://t.co/ATCCtIMIli#qldpol#PTQ@AndrewPowellMP pic.twitter.com/5WstfagDPx

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) March 24, 2017

[Stillwater]

QR has become a political liability.  Both parties should be working on a transport policy that radically transforms government administration of the sector -- and that includes a Public Transport Queensland structure.  It is hard to imagine voters warming to any party that says 'vote for us and we will fix QR'.  It has gone beyond fixing a broken entity.  QR 'disappearing' would also send the message through a complacent bureaucracy that it is not 'business as usual', because, somehow, in their minds, 'fixing QR' means taking it back to what it was.  In some respects, we don't need a Citytrain Response Unit, we need a bunch of behavioural boffins to understand how people within QR/TransLink got us here.

[ozbob]

25th February 2017 updated 4th April 2017

Queensland Rail suburban versus Transperth

Good Morning,

Last January I went on a self-funded study tour of the public transport network in Perth.

[ Perth visit Jan 2017  --> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12368.0 ]

It was a wonderful opportunity to experience first hand the trains and buses that service Perth and suburbs.

Suffice to say the reputation that Transperth has as being the best suburban rail network in Australia was substantiated.

Perth's rail network is around half the size of the rail network in SEQ, yet Transperth rail carries more passengers on the rail network than SEQ.  Around 20 million passengers more annually.  Why?  Basically because ALL lines have 15 minutes or better off peak, better frequency at peak as demanded, and the bus network is properly designed to feed key rail stations with regular connecting feeder bus services.  All lines in Perth will have 15 minute trains over Easter, with additional long distance Transwa services.

It demonstrates the things that are really lacking on the Queensland Rail network.  The Transperth network also has full Automatic Train Protection and  Driver Only Operation (one person train crew), this obviously helps to achieve acceptable train service frequency.

It is only when you travel to experience an efficient, no fuss, sustained high frequency, connected rail network that one appreciates how abysmal our current SEQ rail network is.  Little wonder the public is enraged with rail fail.  How much more if they had the chance to see the Transperth network in operation?

The mess at Queensland Rail is inexcusable.  It is a sad wonder to us that the failed Queensland Rail Executive Leadership Team and the Queensland Rail Board have not been sacked.  SEQ public transport limps along from one failure to the next.

Cross River Rail is dead.  It is so compromised now not worth doing and we expect the latest round of natural disasters will see Cross River Rail put back years as in 2011.  The only hope is to roll out Automatic Train Protection for our rail network in SEQ. This will give a ~25% peak capacity gain, step up frequency on all lines to 15 minute out of peak, sort out the job rules for train crew, consider some network operational changes (eg. some terminating South Brisbane services) and properly organise the bus network to better feed key rail stations.

Of course reorganisation of how public transport is administered in Queensland is required. The formation of a statutory authority - Public Transport Queensland is needed to overcome the present silos of mediocrity and replication.

[ Public Transport Queensland? --> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.0 ]

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ Attached:  https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12716.0 ]

[ozbob]

Latest media: @QueenslandRail suburban versus @Transperth
> https://t.co/VX7gFjUXlA#qldpol@jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP @QLDLabor @LNPQLD pic.twitter.com/aDWvwudJJT

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 3, 2017

[achiruel]

Should Qld & NSW attempt to form something like the PANYNJ to manage public transport (among other things) in the Gold Coast/Tweed region? Having two urban areas that are connected to each other having different public transport fares/timetables etc simply because they're on different sides of an imaginary line seems ludicrous.

[Stillwater]

Queensland Rail has so tarnished its reputation that it should go, and be merged with TransLink into a broader Public Transport Queensland structure.  The QR brand has been devalued in the public's eye (by QR itself), so a change is necessary from that perspective alone.  However, a real message must be sent to the QR management.  Take away what they manage, force everyone to re-apply for jobs in the new PTQ structure.  That's the sort of culture shock that's needed.  Even Minister Trad says the QR culture is 'toxic'. 

Well you don't make comments like that and then just do nothing, because the toxicity spreads to you and to the government.  The Opposition is getting some traction with the argument that this is a 'do nothing' state government that is interested only in the cosmetics (a la Citytrain Response Unit -- a Band-Aid for a gaping wound) and more and more reviews and reports to create the illusion that something worthwhile is being done/achieved. 

The public measures QR's performance by the frequency of service and its inter-connectivity with other forms of transport.  TransLink has failed hopelessly in ensuring that occurs.  The public's fail scrutiny now falls on them.  The toxic culture is spreading, the Citytrain Response Unit has failed to contain it.  Soon the toxins will be rising, like mercury in a thermometer, up the floors of the Tower of Power to be washing around Ms Trad's feet.

Sterling Hinchliffe has already drowned in the toxic culture slime.

[ozbob]

Choo choo train ....   

[SurfRail]

Should Qld & NSW attempt to form something like the PANYNJ to manage public transport (among other things) in the Gold Coast/Tweed region? Having two urban areas that are connected to each other having different public transport fares/timetables etc simply because they're on different sides of an imaginary line seems ludicrous.

I don't think there needs to be a joint agency.  All that needs to happen is an agreement between both governments where TransLink becomes the "operator" for the Tweed and subs the work to whoever its Gold Coast contractor is, ie Surfside. 

There are some complexities that do need resolving - nothing that would prevent this happening, but issues like:
- Who gets what revenue from fares?
- Where does the financing come from?
- Will Tweed pensioners still have access to $2.50 RED tickets and if so is that only on the Tweed routes?  Who collects revenue from their sale, and how do they get issued if all the buses have Cubic go card equipment in them?
- How is daylight savings managed?

TransLink of course is the de factor agency already, all the Tweed timetables are in the journey planner and on the website, and 13 12 30 is the number on all the Tweed bus stops.  (Despite that, they referred somebody on Facebook to Surfside directly the other day over a Tweed question.)

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

11th April 2017

On sorting out public transport for SEQ / QLD

Good Morning,

Let's not beat around the bush.  Public transport administration and delivery in SEQ is shambolic.  The Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) has failed, as have TransLink and Queensland Rail.  Does anyone really think that persisting with the present roads obsessed and failed rail overseers (DTMR and its collection of desks at TransLink) is going to cut the mustard? No way!

Public transport demands its own statutory authority - for example Public Transport Queensland (1).  A good model for this the Public Transport Authority in West Australia (2).

A heavy rail division would be part of the PTQ.  Queensland Rail would be an operator under this division.  Queensland Rail can be streamlined, staff involved with infrastructure, maintenance and so forth would be transferred over to the heavy rail division at PTQ.  Queensland Rail should then be put on notice that within a period, say 3 years the rail operations would be opened up to competitive tender. This would smarten up this outfit.  More of the same bumble and fumble will not.

Other divisions would be set up as part of PTQ.  Cross River Rail would fit in under this new PTQ structure.

The fundamental problem with public transport administration and delivery is that it is in multiple ' silos ', with vexed communication, competition and  replication of staff and roles. Throw in a measure of political and bureaucratic incompetence and delusion,  hardly a surprise is it that public transport is largely going backwards.

Has Queensland got the sense to sort it?  Time will tell ..

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

1. Public Transport Queensland? > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.msg188712#msg188712

2. Latest PTA WA Organisational Chart

http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/Portals/15/annualreports/2016/index.html

[ozbob]

Latest media: &#39; On sorting out public transport for SEQ / QLD &#39;
> https://t.co/w9OscwMNpr#qldpol #wakeupQLD@jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP pic.twitter.com/2q5ewUzKwj

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 10, 2017

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

19th April 2017

On sorting out public transport for SEQ / QLD

Greetings,

Let's not beat around the bush.  Public transport administration and delivery in SEQ is shambolic.  The Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) has failed, as have TransLink and Queensland Rail.  Does anyone really think that persisting with the present roads obsessed and failed rail overseers (DTMR and its collection of desks at TransLink) is going to cut the mustard? No way!

Public transport demands its own statutory authority - for example Public Transport Queensland (1).  A good model for this the Public Transport Authority in West Australia (2).

A heavy rail division would be part of the PTQ.  Queensland Rail would be an operator under this division.  Queensland Rail can be streamlined, staff involved with infrastructure, maintenance and so forth would be transferred over to the heavy rail division at PTQ.  Queensland Rail should then be put on notice that within a period, say 3 years the rail operations would be opened up to competitive tender. This would smarten up this outfit.  More of the same bumble and fumble will not.

Other divisions would be set up as part of PTQ.  Cross River Rail would fit in under this new PTQ structure.

The fundamental problem with public transport administration and delivery is that it is in multiple ' silos ', with vexed communication, competition and  replication of staff and roles. Throw in a measure of political and bureaucratic incompetence and delusion,  hardly a surprise is it that public transport is largely going backwards.



Has Queensland got the sense to sort it?  Time will tell ..

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

1. Public Transport Queensland? > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.msg188712#msg188712

2. Latest PTA WA Organisational Chart

http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/Portals/15/annualreports/2016/index.html

[SteelPan]

"Translink" [TL] of all the parties concerned is likely the one with the least "blood on their hands". TL is a relatively new and toothless/half pregnant body, that being centered on "Brissy" [ie, greater SEQ] no-one really takes seriously......and that is the basic hard truth of public transit in this part of the world, for the best part of 3 decades [plus] no-one in state govt has had a passion for it...on all sides of politics.

TL would make a good entity and brand to turn into a fully empowered metro transit planner and operator. Frankly, why Williams St [and Canberra] don't jump at it....do nothing empires to protect......they [the state], could get a lot of issues off peoples desks and give them to a "purpose built" body, with established funding arrangements and able to negotiate direct with bankers etc [subject to treasury approvals] for financing of infrastructure etc.

Build it, operate it.....no excuses! At the moment, we're a galaxy away from that!   

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

20th April 2017

We don't trust DTMR or TransLink Minister Jones!

Good Morning,

Interesting article in today's Couriermail [ Couriermail --> Queensland Rail: Train chaos tipped for Commonwealth Games ]  see below.

How can we have any confidence in the DG of TMR and TransLink  Minister Jones?  They were no doubt confident about the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line, look what happened then.  DTMR and TransLink have botched the New Generation Rollingstock train project.  None in service after they have been in country for about 15 months. Their track record is abysmal.

Unless Queensland Rail is back on full rail timetable by January 2018 it will be another rail fail and public transport meltdown, that will highlight just what a mediocre public transport administration and delivery we have in Queensland.

Time for real change and action, not more platitudes, spin and denial.

Best wishes,

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

SOUTHEAST Queensland is on track for another "rail fail'' around next year's Commonwealth Games, public transport advocates are warning.

Rail services between Brisbane and the Gold Coast will be doubled to eight per hour under a transport plan announced by the State Government this week to reduce road congestion for the two-week event in April next year.

But RAIL Back On Track spokesman Robert Dow says that will result in chaos for other parts of the train network unless Queensland Rail fast-tracks improvements.

"If someone doesn't sound the alarm now, it will be calamitous,'' he said, adding that trains and crews will have to be taken from other areas to boost the Gold Coast services.

"They will probably need to close some lines down altogether for the period of the Games."

The Palaszczuk Government's own plan, in response to the chaos that ensued when the new Redcliffe Peninsula Line opened last year, does not expect a full-service timetable to be in place before the end of 2018, even relying on overtime.

Mr Dow said that QR was "limping along'' in recruiting the hundreds of extra train drivers needed.

And the $4.4 billion order of new trains is on hold while flaws are addressed.

Only 13 of the 75 New Generation Rolling Stock have been delivered.

"We don't know how many of the new trains will be here and available by the time of the Commonwealth Games,'' Mr Dow said, adding that it was "critical'' that QR speed up recruitment and training of additional drivers so a full timetable was in place by January 2018, ahead of the event.

Asked about the risk of another rail fail debacle from extra stress on the network during the event, Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones yesterday said: "We are very confident that both TransLink and the Director-General of Transport and Main Roads have given their assurance that we can deliver the additional capacity."

Sent to all outlets:

19th April 2017

On sorting out public transport for SEQ / QLD

Greetings,

Let's not beat around the bush.  Public transport administration and delivery in SEQ is shambolic.  The Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) has failed, as have TransLink and Queensland Rail.  Does anyone really think that persisting with the present roads obsessed and failed rail overseers (DTMR and its collection of desks at TransLink) is going to cut the mustard? No way!

Public transport demands its own statutory authority - for example Public Transport Queensland (1).  A good model for this the Public Transport Authority in West Australia (2).

A heavy rail division would be part of the PTQ.  Queensland Rail would be an operator under this division.  Queensland Rail can be streamlined, staff involved with infrastructure, maintenance and so forth would be transferred over to the heavy rail division at PTQ.  Queensland Rail should then be put on notice that within a period, say 3 years the rail operations would be opened up to competitive tender. This would smarten up this outfit.  More of the same bumble and fumble will not.

Other divisions would be set up as part of PTQ.  Cross River Rail would fit in under this new PTQ structure.

The fundamental problem with public transport administration and delivery is that it is in multiple ' silos ', with vexed communication, competition and  replication of staff and roles. Throw in a measure of political and bureaucratic incompetence and delusion,  hardly a surprise is it that public transport is largely going backwards.



Has Queensland got the sense to sort it?  Time will tell ..

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

1. Public Transport Queensland? > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.msg188712#msg188712

2. Latest PTA WA Organisational Chart

http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/Portals/15/annualreports/2016/index.html

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

26th April 2017

Public Transport Queensland

Good Morning,

It is time that we had an effective public transport agency for Queensland [ Public Transport Queensland ].

DTMR ( and its so called transport agency - TransLink ) are  failures.

Evidence?

Failure to drive proper bus network reform in 2013. Effects still linger on eg. problems with Western bus region.

Failure to successfully deliver Redcliffe Peninsula Line - still issues reports hidden.

Oversaw Queensland Rail rail fail. Worst suburban rail service delivery now in Oceania (Australia and New Zealand).

Failure to successfully deliver New Generation Rollingstock in a timely manner.

Chronic failure with Cross River Rail delivery.

Failure to upgrade the Sunshine Coast Line.

DTMR and TransLink have lost rational contact with public transport users - passengers.  They outsource primary communication no real surprise is it?

So how can the public have confidence for our public transport network in SEQ leading into the Commonwealth Games?  There is real and serious concerns.

To blunder on in delusion and denial will certainly result in political oblivion. We see plenty of cuts, not improvements.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12316.msg191553#msg191553 ]

[ozbob]

Latest media: &#39; Public Transport Queensland &#39;
> https://t.co/DmDVdnfYDF#qldpol@AnnastaciaMP @jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP @QLDLabor @LNPQLD pic.twitter.com/F5FSJHDvoX

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 25, 2017

[ozbob]

The are still in a state of denial and delusion in BigWilly, .... mate !!!

Eventually the ' penny will drop ' but it may well be too late  ...

[ozbob]

.@jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP @TMRQld @AnnastaciaMP @QuestNewspapers @qld_times @JoAnnMillerMP @JimMaddenMP @JenMP4Ipswich @QLDLabor @LNPQLD @QueenslandRail @TransLinkSEQ Time @TMRQld @TransLinkSEQ were relieved of command @jackietrad @AnnastaciaMP !
Incompetent clowns! #NGRfail #railfail#blunderon#qldpol pic.twitter.com/z5rS4Z1YtH

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 7, 2017

^

We need a competent public transport authority > Public Transport Qld > https://t.co/1LVLncOURM ... #qldpol @jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP https://t.co/uAVKsvXJw5

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 7, 2017

[ozbob]

&#39; We don&#39;t trust @TMRQld or @TransLinkSEQ Minister @katejonesqld ! &#39;
FYI @SmartState1
> https://t.co/1LVLncOURM#qldpol#railfail #NGRfail pic.twitter.com/uiaBox0aAA

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 7, 2017

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

11th May 2017

On sorting out public transport for SEQ / QLD

Good Morning,

We now have Cross River Rail Fail, to add to New Generation Rollingstock Fail, Redcliffe Peninsula Line Fail, and of course Rail Fail.

How much longer before this mess is actually addressed with real decisive action rather than bluster, spin and more incompetence?

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

19th April 2017

On sorting out public transport for SEQ / QLD

Greetings,

Let's not beat around the bush.  Public transport administration and delivery in SEQ is shambolic.  The Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) has failed, as have TransLink and Queensland Rail.  Does anyone really think that persisting with the present roads obsessed and failed rail overseers (DTMR and its collection of desks at TransLink) is going to cut the mustard? No way!

Public transport demands its own statutory authority - for example Public Transport Queensland (1).  A good model for this the Public Transport Authority in West Australia (2).

A heavy rail division would be part of the PTQ.  Queensland Rail would be an operator under this division.  Queensland Rail can be streamlined, staff involved with infrastructure, maintenance and so forth would be transferred over to the heavy rail division at PTQ.  Queensland Rail should then be put on notice that within a period, say 3 years the rail operations would be opened up to competitive tender. This would smarten up this outfit.  More of the same bumble and fumble will not.

Other divisions would be set up as part of PTQ.  Cross River Rail would fit in under this new PTQ structure.

The fundamental problem with public transport administration and delivery is that it is in multiple ' silos ', with vexed communication, competition and  replication of staff and roles. Throw in a measure of political and bureaucratic incompetence and delusion,  hardly a surprise is it that public transport is largely going backwards.



Has Queensland got the sense to sort it?  Time will tell ..

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

1. Public Transport Queensland? > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.msg188712#msg188712

2. Latest PTA WA Organisational Chart

http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/Portals/15/annualreports/2016/index.html

[ozbob]

Latest media: Media: On sorting out public transport for SEQ / QLD
> https://t.co/dYRhjfjgQZ#qldpol@QLDLabor @LNPQLD @QldGreens pic.twitter.com/awilqJUfPe

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 10, 2017

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

18th May 2017

Public Transport Queensland Needed Now!

Good Morning,

It is time that we had an effective public transport agency for Queensland [ Public Transport Queensland > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.0 ].

DTMR ( and its so called transport agency - TransLink ) are failures.

Evidence?

Failure to drive proper bus network reform in 2013. Effects still linger on eg. problems with Western bus region.

Failure to successfully deliver Redcliffe Peninsula Line - still issues and reports hidden.

Oversaw Queensland Rail rail fail. Arguably the worst suburban rail service delivery now in Oceania (Australia and New Zealand).

Failure to successfully deliver New Generation Rollingstock trains in a timely manner.

Chronic failure with Cross River Rail delivery.

Failure to upgrade the Sunshine Coast Line.

DTMR and TransLink have lost rational contact with public transport users - passengers.  They outsource primary communication, no real surprise is it?

There is a culture of secrecy and disdain for the travelling public that permeates DTMR and TransLink.

They have lost the confidence of Queenslanders in our opinion.

So how can the public have confidence for our public transport network in SEQ leading into the Commonwealth Games?  There are real and serious concerns. Delays to the NGR trains are compounding the issues with mechanical reliability of the aging train fleet. Daily we are noting delays and cancellations due to ' mechanical issues ' [ > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1862.msg192487#msg192487 ].

To blunder on in delusion and denial will certainly result in political oblivion and more failure.

We see plenty of service cuts, not much in the way of improvements.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Media: &#38;#39; Public Transport Queensland Needed Now! &#38;#39;
> https://t.co/IajQbkrCZn#qldpol@jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP @AnnastaciaMP pic.twitter.com/83TnhxlBz0

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 17, 2017

^

@jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP @AnnastaciaMP @brisbanetimes @QLDLabor @LNPQLD @QldGreens @qld_times @JoAnnMillerMP @JimMaddenMP @TimNichollsMP @the_daily Do nothing and it is goodbye hey!#qldpol#silosofmediocrity#worldsbestexampleofhownottodopublictransport pic.twitter.com/Eqt6jfxayV

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 17, 2017

[ozbob]

Your failed public transport bumbling bureaucracy ..
time to sort it!
Public Transport Queensland now! > https://t.co/4HQtoQehuG#qldpol pic.twitter.com/0sg1sZjlbC

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 27, 2017

^

@jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP @AnnastaciaMP @TimNichollsMP @QLDLabor @LNPQLD @QldGreens @JoAnnMillerMP @Curtis_Pitt_MP @JimMaddenMP PTA, WA has the right sort of structure. Their PT runs rings around SEQ ...#qldpol pic.twitter.com/LPsN1sLiUE

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 27, 2017

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Is it time for a stand-alone public transport body in Queensland?

Is time running out for Queensland Rail as we know it?

Since October 2016 Queensland Rail has had a terrible time getting trains to arrive  on time.

Queensland Rail's March 2017 figures now show one in every 10 trains does not arrive on time.

Should the Queensland government now look at having a non-government transport operator putting in a bid to run Queensland Rail?

That has happened in Melbourne, almost 20 years ago. Ninety-nine per cent of their trains now arrive time.

If Queensland did allow someone else to run our passenger trains, would it really mean more than $3 billion could be saved by 2040, as Infrastructure Australia reported on Friday?

Or would it mean major job losses and a similar level of service, with a different coat of paint, as Queensland's Rail, Tram and Bus Union believes.

Two years ago, there were problems with the new Melbourne Metro, which were reported by Fairfax Media.

Interestingly, the private consortia running the Melbourne Metro received $1.18 billion in subsidies and $11.78 million in "incentive payments" in 2013-14, but there was criticism their trains were simply skipping stops to meet "on time" running targets.

That was 2015.

Is it better now?

Earlier this year, Fairfax Media also reported dumb, sexist and bullying behaviour from Melbourne Metro train drivers.

    "Queensland Rail needs to understand that their future is on the line here."
    Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow

Melbourne Metro says the problems are not widespread and its on-time running is improving, not worsening like Queensland Rail.

Many questions should be asked about Queensland Rail and Transport for Brisbane, Brisbane City Council's bus division.

In south-east Queensland are we – as commuters – satisfied with the performance of Queensland Rail in failing to have enough drivers to cope with expansion on the south-east Queensland train network?

Should Queensland have a stand-alone "Public Transport Queensland" which runs all buses, trains and ferries, similar to Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia?

Are we satisfied – as commuters, with the job Queensland Rail and the Department of Transport did when the new rail line from Kippa Ring was delayed for months because two communications systems did not talk to us.

Should we – as commuters – worry when Commissioner Phillip Strachan handed down an extremely critical report into an under-performing Queensland Rail on February 27, 2017?

Is it time that a stand-alone transport operator also ran Brisbane City Council's bus operations?

In August 2016, it was revealed that some Brisbane City Council bus services were taking 25 minutes longer to complete their runs than their timetables allowed.

Brisbane City Council' s deputy mayor and Public and Active Travel committee chairman Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane City Council would not change its Transport for Brisbane division, which runs Brisbane City Council buses.

"Council has no plans to change its current contract arrangements for Transport for Brisbane, under which Council is a service provider to Translink," Cr Schrinner said.

"Brisbane City Council has one of the largest and the most modern bus fleet in Australia, which is a result of significant investment in recent years.  This financial year alone Council is investing $122.6 million into bus infrastructure and services."

What about our CityCats, which are already run in a franchise agreement with Brisbane City Council?

There have been complaints about CityCats colliding with rowers in 2012 and 2015 and staffing issues emerged in November 2015.

Cr Shrinner said Brisbane City Council's 10-year contract with Transdev to run the CityCat fleet expired in 2020 and they were happy with Transdev's performance.

However, Queensland's two major parties were both virtually silent about the public transport report when it was issued on Friday morning.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk only answered questions about the ability of any savings – the $3.3 billion – being able to be directed to Brisbane's $5.4 billion Cross River Rail underground rail project linking Brisbane's north and south.

"I'm starting to think about Infrastructure Australia not being really serious about considering our projects, that's the message I'm starting to get," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"Once again we're changing goal posts," she said.

Transport Minister Jackie Trad was too busy with Adani Mine negotiations to answer questions about trains on Friday. She launched this response to Phillip Strachan's report into Queensland Rail's failings in late March.

But there is a lot more to Infrastructure Australia's report, that was not discussed by the Queensland Government on Friday.

Rail Back on Track – Queensland public transport commuter group – is clear that change is in the wind for Queensland Rail.

"I've felt for some time that there is grave doubt for Queensland Rail's future," Rail Back on Track's spokesman Robert Dow said.

"We really have a very serious issue now because we have very poor co-ordination between bus and rail particularly," he said.

Mr Dow believes Queensland Rail should be reshaped as part of a single public transport body, a Public Transport Queensland, which oversees all trains, buses, and ferries in different divisions.

"The only way we think things can be progressed is if pressure can be bought to bear on the original operators," he said

"I think this (report) is timely because it is following on from a disastrous period in service delivery from Queensland Rail," he said.

Queensland Rail's figures show fewer trains arrived on time in 2017 than they did last year.

In fact, Queensland Rail since October 2016 is repeatedly not meeting its own standards to have trains run on time.

Mr Dow said the public transport "franchise" debate was important, because there were several examples where franchising public transport services was working; the Gold Coast's light rail project, Brisbane's City Cats and Melbourne Metro in more recent times.

"Queensland Rail needs to understand that their future is on the line here," he said.

"If there is a change of government at the next state election, we are pretty confident the LNP would move to franchise Queensland Rail," he said.

"And I'm pretty sure they will take on Brisbane Transport (Brisbane City Council's transport arm) as well."

The Queensland Opposition's public transport spokesman Andrew Powell was unwilling to comment on Friday despite several attempts by Fairfax Media.

Fairfax Media pressed several times until we got a message.

"On this occasion we've decided not to comment on the IA report on rail," it said.

"Thanks for the opportunity."

So many questions, with so few willing to debate.

[kman]

Hi Robert and RBOT.
Factually incorrect about Melbourne Metro running at 99%OTR.
Check here: http://www.metrotrains.com.au/metro-performance/

90% Punctuality.

Also, Metro OTR is under 4m 59s.
QR OTR is under 3m 59s.

When is the media and rail proponents actually going to call out the LNP for causing QRs situation by readying it for privatisation in 2013/14  in the 1st place!.

Annoyed.
Kman