Perth visit Jan 2017

[Stillwater]

Unlike at Ferny Grove and Cleveland, Perth authorities, sensibly, didn't built the station across the tracks at the Mandurah terminus, or so it seems.

[SurfRail]

^ So what?  It's a pretty normal station arrangement around the world for terminal stations with no prospect of ever being extended anywhere.

[ozbob]

Geraldton























Photographs R Dow 4th January 2017

[ozbob]

Photographs R Dow 4th January 2017

[ozbob]

On board the Australind





Photographs R Dow 5th January 2017

[ozbob]

Bunbury







Photographs R Dow 5th January 2017

[Stillwater]

Hey Ozbob

What did you think of Bunbury?  Bustling place, shows what can be done when state governments get serious about decentralisation in conjunction with active local government.  Same thing could happen here if Queensland Government got together for some serious dialogue.  About the best example here is GCCC and light rail.  The councils have got plans, they just have no faith in the state government atm.

[ozbob]

Very impressed with WA generally.  There is a bit of a slow down  (according to locals)  but it still is bustling though.
Geraldton was amazing - massive infrastructure.  Bunbury is busy.

[ozbob]

Due to wind issues Fast Ferries have had to cancel a service I was booked for so a more leisurely day today Bulter first then to Freo for lunch!

The crew on the Australind were very accommodating yesterday.  I had my Queensland Rail hat on which they found interesting and was a good way to meet people!



A few ' special ' photographs from the Australind on the move yesterday back to Perth ...



Brunswick Junction





Lime train - line is kept busy with a variety of bulk freight services.  Track excellent.

Photographs R Dow 5th January 2017

[ozbob]

Hotham Valley railway at Pinjarra pic.twitter.com/rfAr0LxvUe

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) January 5, 2017

[ozbob]

Perth and its rail network is all under ATP and level crossings have predictors to vary the crossing signals depending on the speed of the approaching train.  All DOO.

[#Metro]

Not all the lines in Perth are new. Midland, Armadale and Fremantle are older.

How does TransPerth handle disability access at those locations?

Is there any notable difference in customer service without the guards?

[ozbob]

None that I can see.
The older lines have full height platforms.
Everything just works - been chatting to pax the folk who have experience of other systems understand how good it is.
Spoke to the driver at Butler - all friendly.

Now off to Freo..

[ozbob]

Butler





















Photographs R Dow 6th January 2017

[ozbob]

Fremantle



















Photographs R Dow 6th January 2017

[ozbob]

At Perth Airport off to Melbourne now.

Really enjoyed my time in WA.  The public transport is very good. 

Smartrider works well.  No issues - was a fraction of the cost the eastern state smart card projects - myki opal & go.

[ozbob]

This is what excellent PT looks like ..#youarewelcome#guesswhere pic.twitter.com/rsETGjJHHs

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) January 13, 2017

[ozbob]

Armadale/Thornlie Line Shutdowns 6 - 22 January 2017

> http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/armadalelineclosures

Flying out of Perth on the 7th ... 

SHUTDOWNS: The train has left the station! Services on the Armadale/Thornlie Line are now back to normal, running on a standard timetable. pic.twitter.com/wSraEUmQZH

— Transperth (@Transperth) January 22, 2017

[ozbob]

Stand out rail performer of Oz @Transperth
Even old platforms full height
> https://t.co/L92vmlBQm4#noadwrap clean clear windows#qldpol pic.twitter.com/x45UZznFCm

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) January 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

[verbatim9]

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> $32 million in WA budget for Australind rolling stock and station upgrades

$32 million from the Western Australian budget will go towards replacing the Australind train with new rolling stock and providing upgrades to three South-West stations in the first stage of the Rail Future Fund revamp for the line.

The existing Australind train started servicing the line in 1987 with an expected life expectancy of 30 years.

"By improving the rail connection between the South-West and Perth, we hope to also enhance tourism opportunities," state transport minister Rita Saffioti said.

"An upgraded service will make it easier for people who may not wish to hire a car and drive long distances on unfamiliar roads to access Bunbury and the South-West."

The new railcars will reportedly provide a more comfortable ride and features an on-board buffet, upgraded seating, Wi-Fi and USB charging points.

The new rolling stock will be procured as part of the Metronet railcar acquisition program, which is delivering 102 new railcars for Stage One projects.

Saffioti said making the Australind rolling stock part of this procurement would "create efficiencies from a production and delivery timeframe point of view".

The $32 million will also go towards upgrading the stations at Yarloop, Cookernup and North Dandalup, making them compliant with modern Disability Discrimination Act standards.

Arc Infrastructure is currently working with the Public Transport Authority on the Yarloop station upgrade.

[ozbob]

^

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/907044109809885184