Interim rail timetables

[tazzer9]

I am of the opinion that if services are going to be cancelled, they should do it in advance and run an alternative service.  Even if it is inferior.  People can work around a service if they know it will take an extra 30min.  They can't if they turn up to a station and a train is cancelled last minute. Rosewood-ipswich in the grand scheme of things doesn't carry many people, better to cancel that than to cancel a ferny grove or caboolture train. 

But the minister must now resign.  He said very clearly that there would be no more service cancellations.   Its not a case of 1 every few days being cancelled, but several per day having complete cancellations and many running express for long periods. 

[ozbob]

Ipswich media is mobilising.  Just completed some grabs with 94.9FM  ( a local Ipswich radio station) ..

No one is very happy I assure you.

[ozbob]

Pauline Hanson has said she wants to make Queensland a 'One Nation' state.  It would be interesting if she went to Rosewood and promised that she would get the trains back on track at weekends and, what's more, extend passenger rail to Gatton (her heartland).  That should put a few seats in jeopardy.  Hit the LNP by promising shuttles between Gympie and Nambour and fast track of SCL upgrade.  It need not be that many seats where she could make promises that hurt the other parties.

Maybe they will be motivated to produce integrated transport plans, not just promise them, as has been the case at the last two state elections.

Labor is going to be in trouble out west.  People are really p%ssed  off.  I have been getting feedback from many and some elected reps as well.  At the Goodna Jacaranda festival people were spewing!  I think we can write labor off at this point for Queensland.  They have just lost the plot.  The rail fail is just part of their larger hopelessness. I doubt if DP Trad will survive in South Brisbane, the Premier will get reelected in Inala if she stands though.

The LNP will not waltz in though. They are bereft of any real cogent notion for the future.  I think there will be great opportunity for minors PHON, Greens and others, and independents.  If I am well enough I might stand in Brisbane,  just to raise public transport issues - no chance of getting elected but who cares. We ( the community ) have largely been abandoned in a sea of transport failure.  So nothing to lose hey?

ED:  See --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12090.msg183248#msg183248

Days of wine and roses might be over red rover ....

[tazzer9]

I hope that people will remember this and vote for a party that isn't red or blue. 

[brissypete]

Never say never Bob, I imagine some of those elected in recent elections didnt expect to be

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

[BrizCommuter]

Stop Press: QR Axe the Rosewood Line on Weekends.
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/stop-press-qr-axe-rosewood-line-weekend.html
Time for Mr Hinchcliffe to go!

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

11th November 2016

Re: Rosewood - Ipswich railway closed on weekends

Greetings,

We were assured by the Minister for Transport that there would be no more cancellations due to a lack of train crew earlier in the week.

But this afternoon we discover that the all rail services between Ipswich and Rosewood will be replaced by buses for the weekends and appears to be ongoing.

How long is this to go on for?

There has been no statement or advice to alert people other than a sneaky web site placement on the TransLink web site.  Seems to us morale at Queensland Rail seems pretty much shot too.

Well you make your bed as they say ...

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

11th November 2016

Rosewood - Ipswich railway closed on weekends

For your information

Due to the ongoing rail shambles all rail services between Ipswich and Rosewood are being replaced by buses on weekends, apparently till further notice.

See > https://translink.com.au/service-updates/105201

Hardly acceptable, many people have settled along the line because they want to use rail, not be forced onto dangerous roads.

Ipswich <> Rosewood is part of the oldest rail service in Queensland. How sad it has come to this.  It is time that a broom was put through Queensland Rail, this ongoing failure circus is a joke.

The OTR performance for the first week of the ' interim timetable #2 Mon-Thu ' was as below:

http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/forcustomers/otr/dailyotr

Combined Peaks
Customer Impact, Contractual

7 Nov     89.38%      91.10%
8 Nov     89.73%      92.12%
9 Nov     97.60%      97.60%
10 Nov   90.75%      90.75%



Hardly impressive is it?

Rather than getting better the mediocrity continues. 
People have been forced to give up public transport because of unreliable and non-existent service.

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

[ozbob]

BrizCommuter:
Stop Press: QR axe Rosewood Line weekend services
> https://t.co/sVdOmUuMEX#qldpol@StirlHinchliffe @AnnastaciaMP

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) November 11, 2016

[#Metro]

If I am well enough I might stand in Brisbane,  just to raise public transport issues - no chance of getting elected but who cares. We ( the community ) have largely been abandoned in a sea of transport failure.  So nothing to lose hey?

You could run for Bundamba - but you would be up against Jo Ann Miller

Or run against the Premier herself in Inala, the next seat over. Extremely unlikely, but that would be quite an upset if you took The Premier down!

Media would enjoy the circus.

[Stillwater]

Clearly Mr Hinchliffe had a deprived childhood -- he did not read the fairytale titled The Emperor's New Clothes.  He continues to strut about bare-arsed in a gossamer cloth of optimism woven by the elves at QR.

[Arnz]

Also to add, weekend "interim" timetables on the Sector 1 lines has been updated (revised 10th November 2016).   

Northgate weekend short-runners axed and weekend Caboolture/Nambour trains will now be stopping all-stations Bowen Hills to Northgate (adding 4 minutes to journey times for those between Dakabin and Nambour).  Aside from Kippa-Ring trains, Gympie North trains will be only other trains running express Bowen Hills to Northgate (no Eagle Junction stop).

In a surprise weird-logic, the weekend Redcliffe Peninsula (Kippa-Ring) trains will still continue to run express Bowen Hills to Eagle Junction to Northgate. Sensible suggestion that it would've been the other way round (Kippa Trains stopping all stations on weekends).

[James]

Hinchliffe needs to go. This is turning into a shambles.

The Rosewood shuttles were removed in the timetable which came into effect on Monday (they were in the timetable when I checked on Wednesday), but that no notice has been given until today is pretty appalling.

You could run for Bundamba - but you would be up against Jo Ann Miller

Or run against the Premier herself in Inala, the next seat over. Extremely unlikely, but that would be quite an upset if you took The Premier down!

Bob for Bundamba!

The token thing would be to run against AP, but the seat is too strongly ALP. Bundamba is particularly unstable with the situation with Jo Ann Miller, and she definitely won't be running with the ALP in 2017/18. In a precarious situation where nobody wants to get into bed with One Nation, any independent would have a lot of power. Much like Peter Wellington would if he toughened up on the government.

[#Metro]

Here is the TransLink summary (front page link)

Ipswich-Rosewood weekend rail replacement services
https://translink.com.au/service-updates/105201

"While most services will stop at all stations, there are eight services on Saturday and six services on Sunday that will run express between Ipswich and Rosewood. These have been provided below."


Friday
Departs Rosewood station at 12.50pm, arrives Ipswich station at 1.25pm (stopping at all stations).

Saturday
Services depart hourly from 5.50am to 11.50pm.

Express services

Departs Rosewood station at 8.05am, arrives Ipswich station at 8.30am
Departs Rosewood station at 12.05pm, arrives Ipswich station at 12.30pm
Departs Rosewood station at 5.05pm, arrives Ipswich station at 5.30pm
Departs Rosewood station at 7.05pm, arrives Ipswich station at 7.30pm.
Sunday
Services depart hourly from 6.20am to 10.50pm.

Express services

Departs Rosewood station at 8.30am, arrives Ipswich station at 8.55am
Departs Rosewood station at 12pm, arrives Ipswich station at 12.25pm
Departs Rosewood station at 7pm, arrives Ipswich station at 7.25pm.

*****

Friday
Departs Ipswich station at 12.35pm, arrives Rosewood station at 1.10pm (stopping at all stations).

Saturday
Services depart hourly from 5.35am to 12.35am (early Sunday morning).

Express services

Departs Ipswich station at 7.35am, arrives Rosewood station at 8am
Departs Ipswich station at 11.35am, arrives Rosewood station at 12pm
Departs Ipswich station at 4.35pm, arrives Rosewood station at 5pm
Departs Ipswich station at 6.35pm, arrives Rosewood station at 7pm.
Sunday
Services depart hourly from 6.05am to 10.57pm.

Express services

Departs Ipswich station at 8.05am, arrives Rosewood station at 8.30am
Departs Ipswich station at 11.35am, arrives Rosewood station at 12pm
Departs Ipswich station at 6.35pm, arrives Rosewood station at 7pm.

[ozbob]

If Jo-Ann is shafted by the ALP I might well stand in Bundamba.
Caveat being if Jo-Ann stands as an independent I will not stand against her but actually support her.

Despite Jo-Ann's perceived shortcomings she is a good local member and took them all on at estimates.  First time I can actually recall a MP asking questions about issues that were truly relevant to her electorate and constituents.  For that Jo-Ann has my support.

[#Metro]

Ozbob, Jo-Ann, and perhaps some from the Sunshine Coast? Three's a party. 

[ozbob]

Media release 12th November 2016

SEQ: The straw that has broken the camel's back

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has said the axing of all rail services on the Rosewood line at weekends is not acceptable.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The railway from Ipswich to Rosewood is no more at weekends. Due to the ongoing incompetence at Queensland Rail services on this line have been axed and replaced by buses.  This is like having a permanent weekend track closure on your line. Bus substitution of rail is very difficult for many."

"Despite assurances there would be no more train service cuts, people west of Ipswich have been left reeling with little notice."

"The very future of Queensland Rail is now at stake. Can Queensland Rail actually be trusted to turn around the hopeless situation the public of SEQ now have to suffer? Is the Minister for Transport Mr Hinchliffe actually up to the task?  It appears not."

"People are being forced to abandon public transport in droves due to not only a failed rail system with multiple service cuts and a loss of reliability, but sadly a failing bus network as well."

"The cost of this ongoing public transport shambles will be felt in the next election we expect.  RAIL Back On Track is now canvassing for concerned commuters to stand as independents to highlight the public transport failures of not only the ALP but also the LNP. The LNP are a policy vacuum shambles too. Time for the people to turn!"

"We have lost confidence in the Minister for Transport Stirling Hinchliffe and the Palaszczuk Government. We have lost confidence in Queensland Rail."

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12524.msg183251#msg183251

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Latest media: &#39; SEQ: The straw that has broken the camel&#39;s back &#39;
> https://t.co/FJOOSoDSEr#qldpol@QLDLabor @LNPQLD @QldGreens #railfail pic.twitter.com/mtH2P9gi7e

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) November 11, 2016

[ozbob]

How to stand as an Independent --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12552.0

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Palaszczuk Government losing faith with voters, Galaxy Poll reveals

QUEENSLANDERS have lost confidence in the Palaszczuk Government to manage the crisis-engulfed CityTrain service and believe that Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe should have been sacked.

A new Galaxy Poll found 49 per cent of voters don't believe the Government will be able to make the trains run on time, including one in four Labor supporters.

Conducted exclusively for The Courier-Mail, the poll also found 51 per cent of voters believe Mr Hinchliffe should have resigned over the Queensland Rail driver shortage saga, which has seen hundreds of services slashed.

The results come after Annastacia Palaszczuk unveiled a minor Cabinet reshuffle yesterday with new Minister Mark Ryan, 33, handed the Police, Emergency Services and Corrective Services portfolio.

Rockhampton MP Bill Byrne was shifted to Agriculture and Fisheries, after the resignation of bill-dodging Bundaberg MP Leanne ­Donaldson.

Mr Byrne has had a fractious relationship with the police union and has struggled with the issue of prison overcrowding.

Mr Hinchliffe retained all his responsibilities despite an internal push to strip him of his Commonwealth Games duties.

The poll also revealed that the post-federal election support enjoyed by Pauline Hanson's far-Right political outfit has been sustained. ...

[ozbob]

Hinchliffe needs to go. This is turning into a shambles.

The Rosewood shuttles were removed in the timetable which came into effect on Monday (they were in the timetable when I checked on Wednesday), but that no notice has been given until today is pretty appalling.

Yep.  No one really expected them to do this.  The lack of notice just fits their slimy paradigm now.

Had it up to the eyeballs with these incompetents I am afraid ..

If the Premier doesn't act now, she is finished to put it bluntly.  They probably only have one last chance, and it is a faint hope at that IMHO.

I think the Premier needs to get rid of the sycophant staffers and get some real world people.  They are in a bubble!

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Palaszczuk Government losing faith with voters, Galaxy Poll reveals

QUEENSLANDERS have lost confidence in the Palaszczuk Government to manage the crisis-engulfed CityTrain service and believe that Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe should have been sacked.

A new Galaxy Poll found 49 per cent of voters don't believe the Government will be able to make the trains run on time, including one in four Labor supporters.

Conducted exclusively for The Courier-Mail, the poll also found 51 per cent of voters believe Mr Hinchliffe should have resigned over the Queensland Rail driver shortage saga, which has seen hundreds of services slashed.

The results come after Annastacia Palaszczuk unveiled a minor Cabinet reshuffle yesterday with new Minister Mark Ryan, 33, handed the Police, Emergency Services and Corrective Services portfolio.

Rockhampton MP Bill Byrne was shifted to Agriculture and Fisheries, after the resignation of bill-dodging Bundaberg MP Leanne ­Donaldson.

Mr Byrne has had a fractious relationship with the police union and has struggled with the issue of prison overcrowding.

Mr Hinchliffe retained all his responsibilities despite an internal push to strip him of his Commonwealth Games duties.

The poll also revealed that the post-federal election support enjoyed by Pauline Hanson's far-Right political outfit has been sustained. ...

I wasn't aware of this ^ article till after I put out the latest media release.  Just confirms we. are. right. on. the. money.

Bye!!

[ozbob]

And then we take Queensland ...   

[#Metro]

I think the Premier needs to get rid of the sycophant staffers and get some real world people.  They are in a bubble!

I still wonder what Tim Nicholls' policy positions are with regards to the important Cross River Rail project, Sunshine Coast line and public transport in general. Hasn't the opposition put something out yet?

[STB]

If I am well enough I might stand in Brisbane,  just to raise public transport issues - no chance of getting elected but who cares. We ( the community ) have largely been abandoned in a sea of transport failure.  So nothing to lose hey?

You could run for Bundamba - but you would be up against Jo Ann Miller

Or run against the Premier herself in Inala, the next seat over. Extremely unlikely, but that would be quite an upset if you took The Premier down!

Media would enjoy the circus.

You have to be strategic if you want to run for a Seat, even if you know you won't get elected.  Honestly if it were me, I'd choose Ipswich or Ipswich West rather than Bundamba or Inala.

[STB]

Hinchliffe needs to go. This is turning into a shambles.

The Rosewood shuttles were removed in the timetable which came into effect on Monday (they were in the timetable when I checked on Wednesday), but that no notice has been given until today is pretty appalling.

Yep.  No one really expected them to do this.  The lack of notice just fits their slimy paradigm now.

Had it up to the eyeballs with these incompetents I am afraid ..

If the Premier doesn't act now, she is finished to put it bluntly.  They probably only have one last chance, and it is a faint hope at that IMHO.

I think the Premier needs to get rid of the sycophant staffers and get some real world people.  They are in a bubble!

I don't think so, her personal popularity will keep her afloat, probably not the Qld ALP, but certainly Anastasia.

Also, where is the blame to the LNP with their cuts to QR that has put us in this mess in the first place?

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Rail fail continues with Ipswich services cancelled again

THE rail shambles that has plagued south-east Queensland continues for Ipswich residents with weekend services cancelled.

The trains running between Ipswich and Rosewood stations will be replaced by buses.

There are now eight bus services on Saturday and six on Sunday that will run express between Ipswich and Rosewood.

Goodna based RAIL Back On Track advocacy group's Robert Dow labelled the 'solution' as hardly acceptable.

"It is time that a broom was put through Queensland Rail, this ongoing failure circus is a joke," Mr Dow said.

"People want to use the train, they don't want to use buses."

Mr Dow said he was seeking clarification on whether the weekend service cancellation only applied to this weekend or would continue until further notice. 

[ozbob]

Hinchliffe needs to go. This is turning into a shambles.

The Rosewood shuttles were removed in the timetable which came into effect on Monday (they were in the timetable when I checked on Wednesday), but that no notice has been given until today is pretty appalling.

Yep.  No one really expected them to do this.  The lack of notice just fits their slimy paradigm now.

Had it up to the eyeballs with these incompetents I am afraid ..

If the Premier doesn't act now, she is finished to put it bluntly.  They probably only have one last chance, and it is a faint hope at that IMHO.

I think the Premier needs to get rid of the sycophant staffers and get some real world people.  They are in a bubble!

I don't think so, her personal popularity will keep her afloat, probably not the Qld ALP, but certainly Anastasia.

Also, where is the blame to the LNP with their cuts to QR that has put us in this mess in the first place?

Errrr  ... we have constantly pointed out the LNP have contributed to this mess.  The problem for ALP is they are now driving the train.

As I said above, the Premier will have no problems getting reelected in Inala, but to be returned as a Government now is very problematical IMHO.  The public is turning, and it is not only transport.

[STB]

Hinchliffe needs to go. This is turning into a shambles.

The Rosewood shuttles were removed in the timetable which came into effect on Monday (they were in the timetable when I checked on Wednesday), but that no notice has been given until today is pretty appalling.

Yep.  No one really expected them to do this.  The lack of notice just fits their slimy paradigm now.

Had it up to the eyeballs with these incompetents I am afraid ..

If the Premier doesn't act now, she is finished to put it bluntly.  They probably only have one last chance, and it is a faint hope at that IMHO.

I think the Premier needs to get rid of the sycophant staffers and get some real world people.  They are in a bubble!

I don't think so, her personal popularity will keep her afloat, probably not the Qld ALP, but certainly Anastasia.

Also, where is the blame to the LNP with their cuts to QR that has put us in this mess in the first place?

Errrr  ... we have constantly pointed out the LNP have contributed to this mess.  The problem for ALP is they are now driving the train.

To be fair though it's quicker to wreck the place than to put it back together.  This mess isn't going to be fixed overnight and no one should have the expectation that it will be fixed overnight (hint: it will take many months).

By the way, I did find it unusual that all but a few Rosewood trains were cancelled, I would've thought that would only chew up only a few crews, and those crews would be mostly Ipswich based?  Kinda reminds me of back in 1993 where the Government tried to get rid of services on certain lines and 'rationalise the network', Doomben and Rosewood were lines targeted to reduced services and/or removal of services (among some branch lines that were shut down and ripped up completely back in that day).

[ozbob]

We all realise that the issues will take months if not years to resolve, which is why I am furious about Rosewood.

How about rotating weekend line closures?  Too much grief?  They think they can shaft Rosewood line and get away with it basically.

There have been other cancellations as well.  All lines have had cuts to varying degrees.

It is minimal in terms of resources Rosewood, just further highlights how flawed Queensland Rail is IMHO.

The AP Government is going to really feel the pain now. 

TMR TransLink and Queensland Rail are all failures IMHO.  Major failures.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

The only way the AP Govt can get some traction is Minister Hinchliffe has to be removed and attempts made to restore some public confidence.  The feedback I am getting from the public is really quite alarming.

[STB]

We all realise that the issues will take months if not years to resolve, which is why I am furious about Rosewood.

How about rotating weekend line closures?  Too much grief?  They think they can shaft Rosewood line and get away with it basically.

There have been other cancellations as well.  All lines have had cuts to varying degrees.

It is minimal in terms of resources Rosewood, just further highlights how flawed Queensland Rail is IMHO.

The AP Government is going to really feel the pain now. 

TMR TransLink and Queensland Rail are all failures IMHO.  Major failures.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

The only way the AP Govt can get some traction is Minister Hinchliffe has to be removed and attempts made to restore some public confidence.  The feedback I am getting from the public is really quite alarming.

Before firing all guns, is it possible to find out why the Rosewood line was targeted to have most of their services cancelled and how it relates to the driver shortage?  Was it simply because the Planners were following instructions to remove services that had low patronage (and Rosewood is one of the lines with the lowest overall patronage), or was it something else?

[ozbob]

Patronage is significant particularly on Saturdays. Clearly it is less than major lines however it is very inconvenient.

You are missing the point STB, it was done in a very slippery way.  And after last weekend some courtesy would have been in order.

They have done their dash with me I am afraid.

[ozbob]

In other jurisdictions we could simply look up patronage.  Not in Queensland, everything is a state secret.

The transparency mask is just that ... bullsh%t!

[ozbob]

Problems with the journey planner and PDF timetables continue to be problematic as well.

Some typical feedback:

... Several commuters have found an error in the new 7 November
timetable for the Cleveland line.

The 6:03pm Bowen Hill to Cleveland express service does not run as published.

I wonder if they have to pulp the copies from the printer?

More importantly I think Cleveland commuters have modified their
behaviour after the overcrowding that resulted in the first working
day of the new timetable.

I have made the LNP Cleveland office,Queensland Rail and Translink
but the service is still showing on the PDF copies online.

I have started catching the 251 bus. ...

[ozbob]

If I am well enough I might stand in Brisbane,  just to raise public transport issues - no chance of getting elected but who cares. We ( the community ) have largely been abandoned in a sea of transport failure.  So nothing to lose hey?

You could run for Bundamba - but you would be up against Jo Ann Miller

Or run against the Premier herself in Inala, the next seat over. Extremely unlikely, but that would be quite an upset if you took The Premier down!

Media would enjoy the circus.

You have to be strategic if you want to run for a Seat, even if you know you won't get elected.  Honestly if it were me, I'd choose Ipswich or Ipswich West rather than Bundamba or Inala.

That's a good idea STB, Ipswich! 

The present incumbent asked to be removed from our mailing list because clearly not to interested in transport problems for her constituents.

[ozbob]

Which line is next for cuts ? ?   

Convert the Ferny Grove line into a busway!   

[ozbob]

I think the Premier needs to get rid of the sycophant staffers and get some real world people.  They are in a bubble!

I still wonder what Tim Nicholls' policy positions are with regards to the important Cross River Rail project, Sunshine Coast line and public transport in general. Hasn't the opposition put something out yet?

They are part of the problem.  Very very poor Opposition.  The Government gets away with its shonky behaviour and policy because it simply is not held properly to account.

[BrizCommuter]

The "secret" Inner North weekend changes will just add to the confusion of the remaining Inner North commuters who haven't started driving again yet. Will be there announcements at CBD stations to tell passengers that the Caboolture Line will take them to Albion, Wooloowin, Toombul, and Nundah? Are there signs are these stations saying that they may need to wait on a different platform for every other train service? Of course not.

I've updated my last two blog posts with these changes.

The Palaszczuk government is facing political annihilation over this issue. All my train commuting work colleagues are extremely unhappy, notably Inner North and Cleveland Line users. Some are driving again.

[ozbob]

Yes, you can add Rosewood Ipswich to the list of extremely annoyed commuters. 

They were before the Rosewood weekend shutdowns, how much more now hey?


Cleveland line has been treated very poorly I agree.  Inner North?  Confused mess ...

Why haven't the heads of TransLink and TMR been sacked?  Oh .. wait ....

[ozbob]

The Palaszczuk government is facing political annihilation over this issue.

Absolutely!

Which probably means the days of Queensland Rail are numbered.  If the LNP get back into the driving cab the QR flog off will no doubt ensue.

CRR is dead.  LNP will no doubt support a half-baked metro so that basically is the end of rail as we know it SEQ.

Might be a good thing in the longer term, there will be a lot of short term pain though.

The ALP could act to save themselves but I don't think they are smart enough or in touch with reality.

[SurfRail]

Everything is doomed except additional Gold Coast light rail. 

There are literally no State politicians who understand transport, or have the guts to make the necessary decisions.  Useless parasites on the body politic all of them.