Interim rail timetables

[BrizCommuter]

If everyone holds there breath in for the rest of the journey, a few more passengers might fit onto the 07:17 Ferny Friday Funfest.

[BrizCommuter]

If everyone holds there breath in for the rest of the journey, a few more passengers might fit onto the 07:17 Ferny Friday Funfest.

Failed, stacks of passengers unable to board at Windsor. Train running late due to long dwell times.

[Monster]

If everyone holds there breath in for the rest of the journey, a few more passengers might fit onto the 07:17 Ferny Friday Funfest.

Well it's not much better on the 7.38 (ex grovely). Feel for everyone from Alderley. I feel like a sardine at the moment.

[Monster]

If everyone holds there breath in for the rest of the journey, a few more passengers might fit onto the 07:17 Ferny Friday Funfest.

Well it's not much better on the 7.38 (ex grovely). Feel for everyone from Alderley. I feel like a sardine at the moment.

First time I've heard of passengers being encouraged to hop OFF a train and wait for the next one. That's just what's happened at Windsor. Could you imagine the chaos if this wasn't a 6 car!!!!

[BrizCommuter]

One of BrizCommuter's work colleagues was unable to board the 07:17 ex Ferny Grove at Windsor this morning. She is now filling in a work parking permit form and vows never to catch the train again!

[ozbob]

Sad and serious.  Two more years of this unacceptable service?

This is doing a lot of damage to public transport.

[Monster]

Sad and serious.  Two more years of this unacceptable service?

This is doing a lot of damage to public transport.

Agreed Bob. Let's hope it doesn't get too much worse before it gets better.

[verbatim9]

Once the timetable is improved again. Translink and QR will need to ramp up a new marketing campaign to get people on trains again. Especially emphasising a "turn up and go" objective.

[ozbob]

Lots of problems with ' Friday ' peak timetable on FG this morning again @QueenslandRail @N_Scales_TMR
> https://t.co/R7Yq2T7ft4#qldpol

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) March 10, 2017

^

Make the timetable consistent Mon <> Fri must be done. This is appalling stuff.@QueenslandRail @N_Scales_TMR @jackietrad #qldpol https://t.co/1z5TUVqZLX

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) March 10, 2017

[BrizCommuter]

Once the timetable is improved again. Translink and QR will need to ramp up a new marketing campaign to get people on trains again. Especially emphasising a "turn up and go" objective.

Sadly, even the full Oct 2016 timetable is pretty mediocre. It will be at least 3-4 years until the 15 min off peak can be expanded beyond Northgate, FG, Cannon Hill, Darra, and Coopers Plains. That is assuming that future governments don't continue with their destructive agendas.

[Stillwater]

It's a wonder that people remain so loyal that they are prepared to put up with the inconvenience.  So many people want to board the trains in the peak, but cannot.  Yet still they line up on the platform, determined to get a ride if they can.  All the incentive contained in the fare reform and zone changes frittered away by bureaucratic bungling and games of one-upmanship by politicians.  Where does this happen elsewhere in the world?  Where?

[ozbob]

[James]

Once the timetable is improved again. Translink and QR will need to ramp up a new marketing campaign to get people on trains again. Especially emphasising a "turn up and go" objective.

Damage is already done. Once someone switches to the car, they rarely go back. When you start driving, you see the benefits of it and everything becomes so fast. When you own a car, just one off-putting experience will make you think "I'd be home now if I'd taken the car" - and so people never go back.

It's a wonder that people remain so loyal that they are prepared to put up with the inconvenience.

Probably because it is impossible to get a park at places like UQ, and parking in the CBD costs an arm and a leg - often in excess of $50. Some people simply have no choice.

[techblitz]

from facebook this morning...pretty much somes it up.....also gave them a 1star....

Dear Queensland Rail, Since the start of the new Redcliffe line, catching a train has become a nightmare. What is going on? Toombul station in the afternoon is just plain dangerous. A child will get killed one day as you have reduced the city services bordering on the ridiculous as we watch train after train go by. But the crowds pile up. It is a known problem as you place the station master on the platform during this time. That is not enough! It means that I am now forced to buy a car. And I surely I am not the only one who will turn to using the car. The Redcliffe line was meant to take cars off the road. Not put more on. There is no efficiency to this system. Trains use to connect beautifully. And now nothing matches which can mean constantly waiting at each connection and having to arrive either ridiculously early or late. ****

[ozbob]

Loss of connections is very frustrating for all.

I do wonder if the authorities actually understand the damage being done.  TransLink is not in  direct contact with passengers - removed.

The ' contact ' is outsourced.  Queensland Rail are trying but the management is shot IMHO.  The entire ELT and Board should have gone.

And the ELT replaced by the hard working middle/senior management in QR with the real experience. 

The Board should have caught the XPT out of town months ago - superfluous fluff ..

[HappyTrainGuy]

from facebook this morning...pretty much somes it up.....also gave them a 1star....

Dear Queensland Rail, Since the start of the new Redcliffe line, catching a train has become a nightmare. What is going on? Toombul station in the afternoon is just plain dangerous. A child will get killed one day as you have reduced the city services bordering on the ridiculous as we watch train after train go by. But the crowds pile up. It is a known problem as you place the station master on the platform during this time. That is not enough! It means that I am now forced to buy a car. And I surely I am not the only one who will turn to using the car. The Redcliffe line was meant to take cars off the road. Not put more on. There is no efficiency to this system. Trains use to connect beautifully. And now nothing matches which can mean constantly waiting at each connection and having to arrive either ridiculously early or late. ****

In all fairness the issue with toombul isn't due to reduced services. It's the lazy people and school kids with bags that dump them and hang out with friends until their train arrives. It's a narrow platform with 1 entrance from the northern end. The "station master" is on the platform to instruct kids to stay in line and to instruct people to move further down along the platform to prevent overcrowding at the narrow end of the platform with the single entrance.

Its no different than the Petrie trains when they used to stop at Albion/Wooloowin in the arvo and Caboolture/Nambour ran express. The final few carriages were always well over capacity because the main station exit (mostly to park and rides) was at the southern end of the platform. Eagle Junction-Northgate you'd be lucky to have any of the doors open for people getting off.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

17th March 2017

Queensland Rail still do not get it - failure!

Good Morning,

It does seem that there is a failure by Queensland Rail Executive Staff and TransLink to comprehend the devastating outcomes of the reduced service rail fail timetables i.e. the Monday <> Thursday reduced service timetable, that morphs into even more service reductions on Fridays! This was confirmed sadly at yesterday's CRG meetings with Queensland Rail.

Constant disruptions such as stopping a rail service for 10 minutes to carry out a ticket check means that many passengers loose their ongoing connections.  This might mean an hour wait for some for the next connecting bus.  Systematic late running that occurs when the suburban or main track pairs are closed during the interpeak also causes all sorts of connection issues.  Does Queensland Rail and TransLink really understand the impacts of the ramshackle disrupted services?

We fear not ..

We have highlighted the problems on the Cleveland line, particularly the lack of PM peak services, many times.  Can something be done to sort this fiasco please?

We still struggle that  most of the Executive Leadership Team is still blundering on, and the superfluous Queensland Rail Board remains disconnected from reality.  A measure of the hopelessness is the fact that another bureaucratic layer - the so called CityTrain Response Unit is considered necessary to monitor Queensland Rail's performance! [ http://www.cru.qld.gov.au/ ]

What hope for the average punter?

It is time the Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport gave some serious consideration to getting rid of the failing management, and started putting back rail services that are needed now, not in two years time.  If the present incompetents at Queensland Rail cannot do this, get an operator that will.

What will the rail timetable look like for Easter?  One hour mediocre train service frequency?  Time to spell it out please.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Latest media: @QueenslandRail still do not get it - failure!https://t.co/geGmQ1NPCO#qldpol@jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP @QLDLabor @LNPQLD pic.twitter.com/7uDFhgMsnl

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) March 16, 2017

[#Metro]

Response in another thread ---> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12563.msg189550#msg189550 

Sent to all outlets:

17th March 2017

Queensland Rail still do not get it - failure!

Good Morning,

It does seem that there is a failure by Queensland Rail Executive Staff and TransLink to comprehend the devastating outcomes of the reduced service rail fail timetables i.e. the Monday <> Thursday reduced service timetable, that morphs into even more service reductions on Fridays! This was confirmed sadly at yesterday's CRG meetings with Queensland Rail.

[ozbob]

It does seem clear now that services on most lines will be further reduced during the Commonwealth Games to pump up the Gold Coast line.

At a time when mobility needs will increase throughout SEQ, there will be even worse public transport options.

It really is time serious consideration is given to accelerating crew training within Queensland Rail.   

Recommendations of the Strachan Inquiry are being ignored ( > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12649.msg189554#msg189554)

Queensland Rail is an anachronism.  Locked into yesterday.  Time to consider what the options are for replacing them.

[#Metro]

Quote
It does seem clear now that services on most lines will be further reduced during the Commonwealth Games to pump up the Gold Coast line.

At a time when mobility needs will increase throughout SEQ, there will be even worse public transport options.

It really is time serious consideration is given to accelerating crew training within Queensland Rail.   

Recommendations of the Strachan Inquiry are being ignored ( > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12649.msg189554#msg189554)

Queensland Rail is an anachronism.  Locked into yesterday.  Time to consider what the options are for replacing them.

So more service cuts to the timetable it seems. Doesn't look good for any potential Olympic bid.

Perhaps Brisbane Transport will have to make up and fire Gold Coast Rocket buses from Roma Street?

[Arnz]

Quote
It does seem clear now that services on most lines will be further reduced during the Commonwealth Games to pump up the Gold Coast line.

At a time when mobility needs will increase throughout SEQ, there will be even worse public transport options.

It really is time serious consideration is given to accelerating crew training within Queensland Rail.   

Recommendations of the Strachan Inquiry are being ignored ( > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12649.msg189554#msg189554)

Queensland Rail is an anachronism.  Locked into yesterday.  Time to consider what the options are for replacing them.

So more service cuts to the timetable it seems. Doesn't look good for any potential Olympic bid.

Perhaps Brisbane Transport will have to make up and fire Gold Coast Rocket buses from Roma Street?

May probably be a job for Greyhound Australia or Bus Queensland Long Distance coach services.

State Government to some extent already subsidises the western services from Toowoomba to outback Western Qld towns and points from the coast to outback towns on both operators (depending on contract holder for those towns) as an essential service.  I'm sure they can figure out the budget to charter coaches from Greyhound or Bus Queensland for Gold Coast services if need be.

[BrizCommuter]

Quote
It does seem clear now that services on most lines will be further reduced during the Commonwealth Games to pump up the Gold Coast line.

At a time when mobility needs will increase throughout SEQ, there will be even worse public transport options.

It really is time serious consideration is given to accelerating crew training within Queensland Rail.   

Recommendations of the Strachan Inquiry are being ignored ( > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12649.msg189554#msg189554)

Queensland Rail is an anachronism.  Locked into yesterday.  Time to consider what the options are for replacing them.

So more service cuts to the timetable it seems. Doesn't look good for any potential Olympic bid.

Perhaps Brisbane Transport will have to make up and fire Gold Coast Rocket buses from Roma Street?

...and get stuck on the M1.

Transport from Brisbane to Gold Coast and vice versa will be screwed. There is 1 infrequent train line, and 1 "congested on a good day" motorway.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

18th March 2017

Full rail timetable by January 2018 !

Good Morning,

We again repeat our call for full rail timetable delivery by January 2018.  Anything else will cause utter chaos leading up to and for the Commonwealth Games.

There is something seriously amiss with Queensland Rail train crew training if they are not able  to achieve this.  It is taking far too long to train train crew in our opinion.

Why is it that Queensland Rail has still not invited applications from qualified train drivers without Queensland Rail previous employment?  This was a recommendation of the Strachan Commission of Inquiry.  There is a pool of experienced train drivers that could do accelerated training and help achieve the delivery of the full timetable by January 2018.

Queensland Rail is in many respects an anachronism - still captured by yesterday's failing management and industrial practices.

It is amazing that the Executive Leadership Team, largely responsible for overseeing rail fail while pocketing cash bonuses, are still there bumbling along.

It is time for sweeping changes.  The community has had enough of the ramshackle public transport service.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

17th March 2017

Queensland Rail still do not get it - failure!

Good Morning,

It does seem that there is a failure by Queensland Rail Executive Staff and TransLink to comprehend the devastating outcomes of the reduced service rail fail timetables i.e. the Monday <> Thursday reduced service timetable, that morphs into even more service reductions on Fridays! This was confirmed sadly at yesterday's CRG meetings with Queensland Rail.

Constant disruptions such as stopping a rail service for 10 minutes to carry out a ticket check means that many passengers loose their ongoing connections.  This might mean an hour wait for some for the next connecting bus.  Systematic late running that occurs when the suburban or main track pairs are closed during the interpeak also causes all sorts of connection issues.  Does Queensland Rail and TransLink really understand the impacts of the ramshackle disrupted services?

We fear not ..

We have highlighted the problems on the Cleveland line, particularly the lack of PM peak services, many times.  Can something be done to sort this fiasco please?

We still struggle that  most of the Executive Leadership Team is still blundering on, and the superfluous Queensland Rail Board remains disconnected from reality.  A measure of the hopelessness is the fact that another bureaucratic layer - the so called CityTrain Response Unit is considered necessary to monitor Queensland Rail's performance! [ http://www.cru.qld.gov.au/ ]

What hope for the average punter?

It is time the Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport gave some serious consideration to getting rid of the failing management, and started putting back rail services that are needed now, not in two years time.  If the present incompetents at Queensland Rail cannot do this, get an operator that will.

What will the rail timetable look like for Easter?  One hour mediocre train service frequency?  Time to spell it out please.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Latest media: &#39; Full rail timetable by January 2018 ! &#39;
> https://t.co/3GcjrEkKsC#qldpol@jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP @QueenslandRail pic.twitter.com/d3TdqCHZS7

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) March 17, 2017

[#Metro]

Queensland Rail is in many respects an anachronism - still captured by yesterday's failing management and industrial practices.

It is amazing that the Executive Leadership Team, largely responsible for overseeing rail fail while pocketing cash bonuses, are still there bumbling along.

It is time for sweeping changes.  The community has had enough of the ramshackle public transport service.

Is it someone else's turn yet??


" Who Else Could Run Queensland Rail? "

Response in dedicated thread ---> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12563.msg189580#msg189580

[ozbob]

I will be blunt.  If QR has not got a full rail service timetable going by early 2018, my guess is they are finished.

An incoming Government will seize on #railfail and the failure to satisfactorily respond in a sensible time frame,  and as such have carte blanche to franchise the rail operations.

[BrizCommuter]

Tim Nicholls (Newman Mk2) won't think twice about privatising QR.

[ozbob]

PTA (Transperth)

http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/careers/train-driver-recruitment

Training requirements

Successful applicants are required to successfully complete a 25-week paid training period, as well as on-the-job training as a trainee railcar driver. You will attain a Certificate IV in Transport and Logistics (Rail Operations) at the end of your training.

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

I cannot find how long the ojt training is, but I expect it would be 3 to 6 months.  Anyone know?

[ozbob]

Tim Nicholls (Newman Mk2) won't think twice about privatising QR.

For sure. 

[ozbob]

And more nails into the Queensland Rail coffin ...

Latest, sources suggest that the #railfail crowd will drop the frequency to one hour on all lines at weekends (assume the Airtrain will still get acceptable frequency but rather pointless connecting into such mediocre frequency) which means the network becomes unusable for many, and when the inevitable ' operational issue ' cancellation occurs be some very long waits for the hapless community and hopeless connections.

If such a travesty is proceeded with, it will be the end of the ALP Government and Queensland Rail no doubt!

[verbatim9]

4 million on replacement buses and taxis plus a 10 million overtime bill doesn't sound like an efficient high frequency rail network.

Bus blowout: $4m in four months

TAXPAYERS forked out millions of dollars ferrying passengers around on replacement buses and in taxis in the first four months of the rail fail.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/taxpayers-meet-42m-cost-of-transporting-passengers-on-replacement-services/news-story/9a6c964d0d949c1c022944dc6221e714

[SurfRail]

And more nails into the Queensland Rail coffin ...

Latest, sources suggest that the #railfail crowd will drop the frequency to one hour on all lines at weekends (assume the Airtrain will still get acceptable frequency but rather pointless connecting into such mediocre frequency) which means the network becomes unusable for many, and when the inevitable ' operational issue ' cancellation occurs be some very long waits for the hapless community and hopeless connections.

If such a travesty is proceeded with, it will be the end of the ALP Government and Queensland Rail no doubt!

We need to get onto it now - start spamming the press and make them rule it out.

[Stillwater]

Surely Jackie Trad et al won't let this happen, will they?

[ozbob]

Surely Jackie Trad et al won't let this happen, will they?

Well I guess it depends on whether or not they wish to continue in government.

The service frequency generally for rail in SEQ is already a major embarrassment and creates significant problems for people who use public transport.  Further reductions will go down rather badly I expect.

Between the lot of the them, Board, ELT, Acting CEO, TransLink, TMR and CityTrain Response Unit you would be hard pressed to find any real substance.  It is just a bureaucratic failing pile of crap!  Incredible situation, no wonder they cannot achieve much.

[Stillwater]

The CityTrain Response Unit is an eye-opener.  It is another layer of bureaucracy to make sure that those who should do something actually do it.  It is like employing someone to actually watch a worker dig/fill in a hole because you don't trust them to get the job done satisfactorily.

[ozbob]

Amazing hey?  You need another layer of bureaucracy to monitor the other pogos.  Just think about that for a minute. 

It is clear sign of the dysfunction.  Other states can deliver frequent rail services with out the multiple layers of bumble-fuk. 

Queensland is a special case, real special.  Hate to be pessimistic but I cannot see it getting any better unless they sort out the entire structure and delivery of public transport.  The chances of that happening are slim so Brisbane, and SEQ is probably doomed to transport failure.  Other states are moving forwards whilst Queensland stagnates and hopes to have shovels in the ground by the end of the year!

[#Metro]

And more nails into the Queensland Rail coffin ...

Latest, sources suggest that the #railfail crowd will drop the frequency to one hour on all lines at weekends (assume the Airtrain will still get acceptable frequency but rather pointless connecting into such mediocre frequency) which means the network becomes unusable for many, and when the inevitable ' operational issue ' cancellation occurs be some very long waits for the hapless community and hopeless connections.

If such a travesty is proceeded with, it will be the end of the ALP Government and Queensland Rail no doubt!

Well, let's see if it is true. I can't imagine what the motivation for such a move would be - trains already run and more drivers are coming
so why would there be even more cuts?

A reply to this thread appears in the dedicated CT discussion section ---> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12563.msg189679#msg189679

[BrizCommuter]

And more nails into the Queensland Rail coffin ...

Latest, sources suggest that the #railfail crowd will drop the frequency to one hour on all lines at weekends (assume the Airtrain will still get acceptable frequency but rather pointless connecting into such mediocre frequency) which means the network becomes unusable for many, and when the inevitable ' operational issue ' cancellation occurs be some very long waits for the hapless community and hopeless connections.

If such a travesty is proceeded with, it will be the end of the ALP Government and Queensland Rail no doubt!

I seriously hope that is not true.
However, going by the School Summer Holiday timetable, QR seem to have complete disregard for people actually trying to get to work, or anything else for that matter.
Back to the 1980s!

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

21st March 2017

More rail service cuts?

Good Morning,

It does appear that there are more rail service cuts on the way.

Well placed sources have suggested that there will be a reduction of weekend rail services to a minimal one hour service on all lines.  We assume this will exclude the ' Airtrain ' service, but a higher frequency Airtrain rail service feeding into a network of mediocre frequency will hardly be of much practical use.

More service cuts will mean  the public transport network becomes unusable for many, and when the inevitable ' operational issue ' cancellation occurs, there will be some very long waits for the hapless community and hopeless connections. Anti-public transport, anti-mobility and anti-community.

One hour weekend services is taking Queensland Rail back to the 1970s.  This is the degree of failure that Queensland Rail now represents.
It is a mystery why the Executive Leadership Team, and the Queensland Rail Board are still there.  The fact that the Government has put in place the ' CityTrain Response Unit ', which is in effect another layer of bureaucratic bungle, is a clear sign of the gross dysfunction and panic that now grips Queensland Rail, TransLink, Transport and Main Roads and Government. They cannot be trusted anymore to do their jobs. Silos of blunder and incompetence.

We call on Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Trad to:

1. Confirm or deny that weekend rail services will be further reduced to mediocre service levels.

2. Detail the rail timetable arrangements for Easter 2017.

Once upon a time Queensland Rail used to put on extra rail specials for Easter.  Not anymore, they look to run the least services possible and maximise track closures now.

Every service cut and cancellation ' due to operational issues ' is in effect more nails in the coffin of Queensland Rail.

It is also now unlikely that the present Government or Queensland Rail will survive the rail fail mess in an electoral sense.  This is very clear.

Anyone want a cash bonus with the failure?

Hopeless.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

17th March 2017

Queensland Rail still do not get it - failure!

Good Morning,

It does seem that there is a failure by Queensland Rail Executive Staff and TransLink to comprehend the devastating outcomes of the reduced service rail fail timetables i.e. the Monday <> Thursday reduced service timetable, that morphs into even more service reductions on Fridays! This was confirmed sadly at yesterday's CRG meetings with Queensland Rail.

Constant disruptions such as stopping a rail service for 10 minutes to carry out a ticket check means that many passengers loose their ongoing connections.  This might mean an hour wait for some for the next connecting bus.  Systematic late running that occurs when the suburban or main track pairs are closed during the interpeak also causes all sorts of connection issues.  Does Queensland Rail and TransLink really understand the impacts of the ramshackle disrupted services?

We fear not ..

We have highlighted the problems on the Cleveland line, particularly the lack of PM peak services, many times.  Can something be done to sort this fiasco please?

We still struggle that  most of the Executive Leadership Team is still blundering on, and the superfluous Queensland Rail Board remains disconnected from reality.  A measure of the hopelessness is the fact that another bureaucratic layer - the so called CityTrain Response Unit is considered necessary to monitor Queensland Rail's performance! [ http://www.cru.qld.gov.au/ ]

What hope for the average punter?

It is time the Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport gave some serious consideration to getting rid of the failing management, and started putting back rail services that are needed now, not in two years time.  If the present incompetents at Queensland Rail cannot do this, get an operator that will.

What will the rail timetable look like for Easter?  One hour mediocre train service frequency?  Time to spell it out please.

Best wishes,
Robert

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