Interim rail timetables

[tazzer9]

Rosewood is also likely to be targeted because its on a mainline.  Makes everything a bit easier for coalies to get through.  They are the moneymakers anyway.

[ozbob]

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.

+1

[ozbob]

Rosewood is also likely to be targeted because its on a mainline.  Makes everything a bit easier for coalies to get through.  They are the moneymakers anyway.

Not really.  The greater issues are from Darra West through to the Buranda ..

[ozbob]

Already reported problems with people using mobility devices unable to access buses Rosewood <> Ipswich.
No problems with their normal rail travel.

They have been told they should have contacted QR a day in advance !  WTF !!

[verbatim9]

Already reported problems with people using mobility devices unable to access buses Rosewood <> Ipswich.
No problems with their normal rail travel.

They have been told they should have contacted QR a day in advance !  WTF !!

No low floor leaning busses?

[nathandavid88]

They are probably using the standard coaches that get rolled out for track closures.

[mufreight]

QR has really dropped the ball this time, the Ipswich line suffers sufficiently with the previous timetable but they have now made things worse effectively discouraging any handicapped or disabled person from travelling between Ipswich and Rosewood or Rosewood and Ipswich of a weekend.
Services prior to this weekend were operated of a weekend by a three car service on an hourly timetable, now nothing, no advice of the suspension of services and their bus substitute services was given prior to the Friday afternoon, there were no notices at Ipswich station at 2.30 on the Friday afternoon.
The replacement bus service operates on an hourly basis and the service is operated using high floor coaches which a disabled person either can not access or has extreme difficulty accessing, anyone using a motorised wheelchair or a mobility scooter can not access these buses at all.
Translink has been less than helpful telling anyone with a scooter or wheelchair to contact QR with no means of contacting anyone in QR who has anything to do with the provision of disability services unavailable until Monday, and as Ipswich is the only station that is staffed of a weekend west of Ipswich there is no means of contacting QR.
Translink advised eventually that people requiring disability access for stations Ipswich to Rosewood should contact QR a full day before they wished to travel, a little difficult for most as they do not always know that they have a need to travel days in advance and discriminates against the disabled.
It is quite obvious that these arrangements are intended to discourage the disabled from travel by making things as inconvenient as possible, is this a precursor to another attempt by QR to remove rail passenger services between Ipswich and Rosewood, we still have memories of a previous attempt to remove all services between Ipswich and Rosewood seven days a week and replace them with bus services.
The arrogant and dismissive attitude of the QR management in relation to all customers not only the disabled does QR little credit and ranks with the shortsightedness in the program of disability access by raising platforms where they are half doing the job and seemingly at the wrong places for the NGR train sets.

[darthcaligula666]

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?

dude, to say im annoyed is a massive understatement!!

and things only managed to get worse today with my car giving up the ghost because shes been flogged these last few weeks (a rail service to beaudesert would have been helpful). now im faced with a massive problem in that the buses from emerald hill dont start early enough for me to make it to work on time sans car next week. thank god i dont currently work weekends because no train services out here is a real pain in the arse. seriously feel for people out here who need assisted boarding too, as it was hard enough on a train with crutches. a bus would be even worse. seems things are going to get worse before they get better

ive been subscribed to the qld rail job alerts since the end of last year, had been hoping to see a position advertised for the new generation rollingstock crews/drivers. the recruitment process for the trainee controller position was indeed lengthy (and in my case sadly unfulfilling but top 25 isnt bad for an aspie). its my understanding that driver training takes about a year, and if qld rail have only just begun taking internal applicants, it seems this crisis isnt going to be over any time soon. so i guess in the mean time, us rosewood passengers just have to cope with no weekend services. will be having a celebration when trains eventually resume, presumably come time next year.

[ozbob]

QR has really dropped the ball this time, the Ipswich line suffers sufficiently with the previous timetable but they have now made things worse effectively discouraging any handicapped or disabled person from travelling between Ipswich and Rosewood or Rosewood and Ipswich of a weekend.
Services prior to this weekend were operated of a weekend by a three car service on an hourly timetable, now nothing, no advice of the suspension of services and their bus substitute services was given prior to the Friday afternoon, there were no notices at Ipswich station at 2.30 on the Friday afternoon.
The replacement bus service operates on an hourly basis and the service is operated using high floor coaches which a disabled person either can not access or has extreme difficulty accessing, anyone using a motorised wheelchair or a mobility scooter can not access these buses at all.
Translink has been less than helpful telling anyone with a scooter or wheelchair to contact QR with no means of contacting anyone in QR who has anything to do with the provision of disability services unavailable until Monday, and as Ipswich is the only station that is staffed of a weekend west of Ipswich there is no means of contacting QR.
Translink advised eventually that people requiring disability access for stations Ipswich to Rosewood should contact QR a full day before they wished to travel, a little difficult for most as they do not always know that they have a need to travel days in advance and discriminates against the disabled.
It is quite obvious that these arrangements are intended to discourage the disabled from travel by making things as inconvenient as possible, is this a precursor to another attempt by QR to remove rail passenger services between Ipswich and Rosewood, we still have memories of a previous attempt to remove all services between Ipswich and Rosewood seven days a week and replace them with bus services.
The arrogant and dismissive attitude of the QR management in relation to all customers not only the disabled does QR little credit and ranks with the shortsightedness in the program of disability access by raising platforms where they are half doing the job and seemingly at the wrong places for the NGR train sets.

Thanks mufreight.  It is sad that the community is going to have restricted mobility on weekends - a very poor outcome of the rail failures.
As you point out not everyone is in the position to book transport for the weekend on a Thursday in effect, many would not know their plans except for perhaps a regular committment such as church or a meeting.

[James]

This situation is pretty disastrous to say the least. It would only take one or two low-floor buses to solve this issue - could easily ask Westside, KBL, Thompsons, maybe even BT.

I guess it is reflective of the kind of incompetence we have running PT in Queensland right now...

[Arnz]

QR definitely failed in their duty of care of informing Ipswich to Rosewood commuters about the indefinite weekend shutdown, but I wonder if this borders on QR violating their "Zero Charm" policy, as some passengers (especially the elderly) may be "harmed" from the elements as a result of the short notice replacement (thus leading to the failure to provide buses that meet DDA requirements).

[mufreight]

This taking a year to train a driver is just so much bullsh*t, other systems do it much quicker, going back a number of years in Sydney a driver could transfer from driving steam to electrics and be working within six weeks, guards on the electrics who aspired to become drivers on the sparks about the same period of time.  In Melbourne and Perth staff hirings from outside the rail industry can be brought into the system and trained within three months, are the systems so much more complex in Queensland or are those selected for training as drivers so lacking in intelligence or their instructors so incompetent that it takes 12 months to teach a trainee how to drive a train.  As a passenger from the ride experienced on a few occasions of late even with 12 months of training there is an obvious need for some drivers to be given further training in relation to their train handling skills.

[mufreight]

This situation is pretty disastrous to say the least. It would only take one or two low-floor buses to solve this issue - could easily ask Westside, KBL, Thompsons, maybe even BT.

I guess it is reflective of the kind of incompetence we have running PT in Queensland right now...

Unfortunately many of the mobility scooters that can comfortably fit on the train and comply with the dimensions for Mobility scooters will not fit on a low floor bus.

[ozbob]

Disabled passengers suffering out on the Rosewood line
> https://t.co/cBCIu1QPEf@StirlHinchliffe @N_Scales_TMR @QueenslandRail #qldpol

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) November 12, 2016

[ozbob]

Has Queensland Rail a serious morale problem?  Anything much they do these days seems to f**** up ..

[ozbob]

Just picked up Mrs from Goodna rail (exams on today).  16 minutes late, but seems everything is running a bit late due to the rain.

Hope the poor souls connecting with buses at Ipswich don't miss the bus!!

[ozbob]

This situation is pretty disastrous to say the least. It would only take one or two low-floor buses to solve this issue - could easily ask Westside, KBL, Thompsons, maybe even BT.

I guess it is reflective of the kind of incompetence we have running PT in Queensland right now...

Unfortunately many of the mobility scooters that can comfortably fit on the train and comply with the dimensions for Mobility scooters will not fit on a low floor bus.

I am really struggling to understand how cutting rail between Ipswich and Rosewood on weekends represents any real savings in resources.  It is relatively minor committment but with big benefit for the locals.  It is contemptible they way they are being treated.

[ozbob]

Another embarassing blunder as transport minister clings to his job over the rail fiasco. @NatJohnWallace9 #9News https://t.co/RdhPhllFdD

— Nine News Brisbane (@9NewsBrisbane) November 12, 2016

:bi

[Stillwater]

These days, I just distract myself by watching inspirational videos of transport utopia.  It is a mild analgesic against all that's wrong with Queensland Rail.  I'm thinking it won't be long before those sports betting companies will be able to give odds on whether your next train will turn up, if at all, or whether it will be a bus, or maybe a no-show until Monday morning.

http://www.crossriverrail.qld.gov.au

http://www.qt.com.au/videos/take-tour-planned-ripley-town-centre/19289

Be sane ... retreat to virtual reality.  Dream of all the places where you might live, where even the public transport services are dreams too.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

13th November 2016

Train-pain getting worse!

Good Morning,

Replacing normal rail services, as is now happening on weekends on the Ipswich <> Rosewood line presents considerable problems for passengers.

Passengers using mobility devices are often excluded from travel, unless they can somehow see into the future and book transport with Queensland Rail at least 24 hours ahead, however when there are weekend closures  this means in effect up to 3 days ahead. Hardly fair and equitable.  Discrimination?

It is difficult to comprehend why the Ipswich <> Rosewood shuttle train service has been ceased on weekends.  Resources in terms of train crew are minimal.  The adverse flow on effects for the community are considerable though.

Consider this feedback from one of our members:
[ http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12524.msg183321#msg183321 ]

QR has really dropped the ball this time, the Ipswich line suffers sufficiently with the previous timetable but they have now made things worse effectively discouraging any handicapped or disabled person from travelling between Ipswich and Rosewood or Rosewood and Ipswich of a weekend.
Services prior to this weekend were operated of a weekend by a three car service on an hourly timetable, now nothing, no advice of the suspension of services and their bus substitute services was given prior to the Friday afternoon, there were no notices at Ipswich station at 2.30 on the Friday afternoon.
The replacement bus service operates on an hourly basis and the service is operated using high floor coaches which a disabled person either can not access or has extreme difficulty accessing, anyone using a motorised wheelchair or a mobility scooter can not access these buses at all.
Translink has been less than helpful telling anyone with a scooter or wheelchair to contact QR with no means of contacting anyone in QR who has anything to do with the provision of disability services unavailable until Monday, and as Ipswich is the only station that is staffed of a weekend west of Ipswich there is no means of contacting QR.
Translink advised eventually that people requiring disability access for stations Ipswich to Rosewood should contact QR a full day before they wished to travel, a little difficult for most as they do not always know that they have a need to travel days in advance and discriminates against the disabled.
It is quite obvious that these arrangements are intended to discourage the disabled from travel by making things as inconvenient as possible, is this a precursor to another attempt by QR to remove rail passenger services between Ipswich and Rosewood, we still have memories of a previous attempt to remove all services between Ipswich and Rosewood seven days a week and replace them with bus services.
The arrogant and dismissive attitude of the QR management in relation to all customers not only the disabled does QR little credit and ranks with the shortsightedness in the program of disability access by raising platforms where they are half doing the job and seemingly at the wrong places for the NGR train sets.

A most unsatisfactory situation.  Can the decision to not run trains on the weekends on the Ipswich <> Rosewood line please be reviewed?

This is also an interesting comment:  BrizCommuter -Stop Press: QR axe Rosewood Line weekend services

It is not getting better with the ' train-pain ', for some communities it is now restricting mobility and causing much grief and anger.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ Attached: http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12551.0 ]

[ozbob]

Media: &#39; Train-pain getting worse! &#39;
> https://t.co/sJzmXjuiI6#qldpol@StirlHinchliffe @N_Scales_TMR @QueenslandRail @QLDLabor @LNPQLD pic.twitter.com/YSWQRLgAte

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) November 12, 2016

[ozbob]

This. is. mind. blowing.

From the Sunday Mail 13th November 2016 page 66  Traps with Peter Cameron

QR execs all aboard the gravy train

[ozbob]

Waaahaaaa "Metro interchanges will transfer bus passengers" said Lord Mayor Graham Quirk

Mr Anti-transfer has a bad case of double-think !

Meanwhile ..

Is this true @StirlHinchliffe @AnnastaciaMP @TimNichollsMP re bonuses for @QueenslandRail ?
If so I am appalled#qldpol
Today&#38;#39;s Sunday Mail pic.twitter.com/thbgSPhu91

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) November 12, 2016

[#Metro]

Be careful, it is published in the Courier Fail. Anything from that paper needs triple confirmation and a polygraph test.

[ozbob]

[tazzer9]

This taking a year to train a driver is just so much bullsh*t, other systems do it much quicker, going back a number of years in Sydney a driver could transfer from driving steam to electrics and be working within six weeks, guards on the electrics who aspired to become drivers on the sparks about the same period of time.  In Melbourne and Perth staff hirings from outside the rail industry can be brought into the system and trained within three months, are the systems so much more complex in Queensland or are those selected for training as drivers so lacking in intelligence or their instructors so incompetent that it takes 12 months to teach a trainee how to drive a train.  As a passenger from the ride experienced on a few occasions of late even with 12 months of training there is an obvious need for some drivers to be given further training in relation to their train handling skills.

Going from steam to electric is easy.  98% of the training and work is already done.   going back a few decades it was 2 years if training on the sydney system.
Sydney trains currently takes 13 months to fully train and qualify a driver.  I know this as I came very close to applying in july.
Queensland is messed up as they only recruit from guards, which are then  mostly hired internally.  Which means to train a driver, you must hire a guard, and someone in the position that the guard came from.  So you need to essentially "hire" and train 3 people.   

[bretto82]

No they don't just hire from gaurd to driver quiet a few of the new drivers have come from track crews I almost went through but family issues stoped me from going any further. If they have a good knowledge of the network and safeworking requirements and have already past a phycometric testing depending on how long they have been in qr and any safeworking qualifications they will get through the people that are green fresh off the street take a lot longer to train up with a lot of crap now required from the regulator and so forth

[ozbob]

@Robert_Dow based on rep from @JimMaddenMP & customers I have instructed @QueenslandRail to review decision & restore service as a priority.

— Stirling Hinchliffe (@StirlHinchliffe) November 13, 2016

. @StirlHinchliffe @JimMaddenMP @QueenslandRail Thank you Minister. Thank you Mr Madden. We are delighted for those passengers.

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) November 13, 2016

[BrizCommuter]

Restore service as a priority? So just after the commonwealth games have finished then? 

[mufreight]

Of note presently are the bonus's of $100.000 +  being paid to QR executives and management.  After the debacles of the recent months one has to wonder if these bonus's are being paid for the levels of incompetence exhibited rather than management skills.
These people are paid relatively high salaries to do a job, a job which of late it is painfully obvious that they have not and still are not doing, the decision to cancel weekend rail services between Ipswich and Rosewood and operate a substitute bus with no provision for passengers with disabilities being an example, with these levels of performance there should be no bonus's paid and that money should be directed to the employment of competent staff who have the capability of providing the levels of service that the public has a right to expect.

[ozbob]

Of note presently are the bonus's of $100.000 +  being paid to QR executives and management.  After the debacles of the recent months one has to wonder if these bonus's are being paid for the levels of incompetence exhibited rather than management skills.
These people are paid relatively high salaries to do a job, a job which of late it is painfully obvious that they have not and still are not doing, the decision to cancel weekend rail services between Ipswich and Rosewood and operate a substitute bus with no provision for passengers with disabilities being an example, with these levels of performance there should be no bonus's paid and that money should be directed to the employment of competent staff who have the capability of providing the levels of service that the public has a right to expect.

[#Metro]

Of note presently are the bonus's of $100.000 +  being paid to QR executives and management.  After the debacles of the recent months one has to wonder if these bonus's are being paid for the levels of incompetence exhibited rather than management skills.

Can the minister explain what the purpose of the bonuses were? Particularly in light of current events? I noticed that the minister responded to the Rosewood line issues tweet but ignored the content for the bonuses issue tweet.

Bonuses are used in private space when the company makes a profit and wants to share the success around. In public space the reasons for implementing a bonus is less clear because QR isn't a profit making operation. There are no profits to share around.

So why are they issuing them?

[ozbob]

It seems to me @M. that QR can do pretty much what it pleases.  Evidence the parting remuneration to the Ex CEO.  There was no referral to the Minister re that.  This bonus thing seems to be set up and given entirely within QR without any outside reference.

The QR Board has some real explaining to do IMHO.  I would like to see the Strachan Inquiry expanded to a full Commission of inquiry.

It just indicates that our call for a restructure of the whole Transport set up is surely needed.  It. is. not. working.

[#Metro]

It seems to me @M. that QR can do pretty much what it pleases.  Evidence the parting remuneration to the Ex CEO.  There was no referral to the Minister re that.  This bonus thing seems to be set up and given entirely within QR without any outside reference.

Is it because QR is a statutory authority but that is a holding device for its executable corporation QR Limited?

Weird structure as well. Shambles.

https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/governance

Queensland Rail is a statutory authority established under the Queensland Rail Transit Authority Act 2013 (Qld) (QRTA Act) and is a statutory body for the purposes of the Financial Accountability Act 2009 (Qld) and the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982 (Qld). Queensland Rail discharges its statutory functions through its wholly-owned subsidiary Queensland Rail Limited (QRL). QRL does not employ any personnel, but owns all non-employee related assets and contracts. It performs the role of rail transport operator under the Transport (Rail Safety) Act 2010 (Qld). The Board Members of Queensland Rail are also appointed as Directors of QRL.

The Board is accountable to two responsible Ministers for the successful operation of Queensland Rail: Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games, and the Treasurer. An Operational Plan and Strategic Plan are prepared and submitted by the Board each year for responsible Ministers' approval in accordance with the QRTA Act. The Operational Plan is a formal performance agreement between Queensland Rail and responsible Ministers detailing proposed undertakings and target performance for the financial year.

Queensland Rail is committed to ensuring that its systems, procedures and practices reflect the highest standards of corporate governance. The Queensland Rail Board has adopted the principles and recommendations set out in the Corporate Governance Guidelines for Government Owned Corporations. The Guidelines provide a framework for Queensland Rail to develop, implement, review and report on its corporate governance arrangements.

I guess the minister did approve the bonuses? How could he not approve it - surely it would have been in the plan?

A private company operating contract-for-service could award bonuses, but in a scheme where penalties are applied, that would eat into profits and thus bring pressure to cut the bonus would be applied.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

14th November 2016

Ipswich - Rosewood rail weekend services back

Good Morning,

Some good news concerning Ipswich <> Rosewood rail service.

The Minister for Transport Stirling Hinchliffe has indicated that he has instructed Queensland Rail to review the decision to cease weekend services and restore service as a priority [see >  https://twitter.com/StirlHinchliffe/status/797667015284563970 ].

Thank you Minister Hinchliffe.  Thank you to Mr Jim Madden MP (Ipswich West) for making representations on behalf of affected passengers as well.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ Attached: http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12524.msg183340#msg183340 ]

[ozbob]

Latest media: Ipswich - Rosewood rail weekend services back
> https://t.co/vhjkm5h8Gt#qldpol@QLDLabor @LNPQLD @QldGreens pic.twitter.com/TcZ6sjE8ND

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) November 13, 2016

[ozbob]

It seems to me @M. that QR can do pretty much what it pleases.  Evidence the parting remuneration to the Ex CEO.  There was no referral to the Minister re that.  This bonus thing seems to be set up and given entirely within QR without any outside reference.

Is it because QR is a statutory authority but that is a holding device for its executable corporation QR Limited?

Weird structure as well. Shambles.

https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/governance

Queensland Rail is a statutory authority established under the Queensland Rail Transit Authority Act 2013 (Qld) (QRTA Act) and is a statutory body for the purposes of the Financial Accountability Act 2009 (Qld) and the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982 (Qld). Queensland Rail discharges its statutory functions through its wholly-owned subsidiary Queensland Rail Limited (QRL). QRL does not employ any personnel, but owns all non-employee related assets and contracts. It performs the role of rail transport operator under the Transport (Rail Safety) Act 2010 (Qld). The Board Members of Queensland Rail are also appointed as Directors of QRL.

The Board is accountable to two responsible Ministers for the successful operation of Queensland Rail: Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games, and the Treasurer. An Operational Plan and Strategic Plan are prepared and submitted by the Board each year for responsible Ministers' approval in accordance with the QRTA Act. The Operational Plan is a formal performance agreement between Queensland Rail and responsible Ministers detailing proposed undertakings and target performance for the financial year.

Queensland Rail is committed to ensuring that its systems, procedures and practices reflect the highest standards of corporate governance. The Queensland Rail Board has adopted the principles and recommendations set out in the Corporate Governance Guidelines for Government Owned Corporations. The Guidelines provide a framework for Queensland Rail to develop, implement, review and report on its corporate governance arrangements.

I guess the minister did approve the bonuses? How could he not approve it - surely it would have been in the plan?

A private company operating contract-for-service could award bonuses, but in a scheme where penalties are applied, that would eat into profits and thus bring pressure to cut the bonus would be applied.

I don't think the share holder Ministers would have approved the bonuses.   QR Board would have I expect.

[#Metro]

the highest standards of corporate governance

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Ipswich residents outraged at cutbacks to rail services

BUSES have replaced trains on the Ipswich- Rosewood line indefinitely on weekends in a development angry residents and Division 10 councillor David Pahlke have branded "a disgrace".

The Translink website says "these buses replace two services on Friday afternoon, and all weekend services".

"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," the site says.

One resident on the Rosewood Residents SE QLD Facebook site, Madeleine Broady, said it would now take closer to an hour to get to Ipswich, rather than 24 minutes on the train, on the all stations bus service.

Translink's site says that buses are leaving 15 minutes earlier from Rosewood on the all station bus route to Ipswich.

Kylie Little said last time her family went on the bus it was "a big stinking bus that made us all sick from the fumes". On another occasion she said a driver "wasn't sure of station stops or how to get there".

Cr Pahlke said of the whole development "quite frankly it's bull****" while adding on the site that "it could be worse - could be horse and buggy".

He said residents would now have to spend more time on public transport than they already were.

"There are 70 comments on the Rosewood Residents Facebook site about this," he told the QT.

"It is a disgrace. Jim Madden comes on (the Facebook site) and posts an apology but didn't even know about it going into the weekend.

"Ron Turner asked Jim on the site whether he knew of the cutbacks beforehand and there was no answer.

"The electric train line to Rosewood was put in back in 1994. They have the new complex at Wulkuraka which is great and proves the western rail line is the future. But they can't even man the trains."

Mr Madden, the Ipswich West MP, said he was informed of the changes on Friday evening and immediately put a notice on his Facebook site linking to the Translink information.

"I have since put notices on various sites indicating I am very disappointed about this," he said.

"I have contacted the Minister (Stirling Hinchliffe) and expressed that disappointment and I am waiting on a briefing.

"I apologise to commuters. I have asked the Minister to indicate when normal services will be resumed and he has indicated to me they are working on a briefing for me so I can make a formal announcement as soon as possible."

Mr Madden said that "it appears there are a lack of drivers".

"And we put that down to the fact that the Newman government gave a number of redundancies to a number of train driver trainers and that has meant we haven't had the train drivers coming on," he said.

"We've advertised for 100 new train drivers and asked for some retired drivers to come back."

Cr Pahlke was unimpressed that Mr Madden was yet to receive a briefing.

"While Madden waits for a briefing, Rome burns," he said.

"If they are blaming Campbell Newman for sacking staff two years ago they have still known about it for two years.

"Why then did they go and open that brand new line to Redcliffe? Now the whole network is affected and we are being treated like second class citizens. Both sides of politics are as bad as one another and people have had a gutful."

Mr Turner was unimpressed Mr Madden did not know about it before he did.

"The communication in the State Government is appalling," he said.

"We are not second-class citizens out here. Stop treating us like it. I vote and I will be showing my thoughts through the ballot papers next election."

Rob Norman said it was time to "invite the Premier out to explain it to the town".

Queensland Rail confirmed a review had been ordered by Mr Hinchliffe into the decision.

"The weekend bus replacement was implemented by Queensland Rail as the Rosewood to Ipswich branch line is one of the lowest utilised lines on the city network, and a parallel road running alongside it meant buses could easily replace trains with similar travel times," the spokesperson said.

"However, at the Minister for Transport's instruction, Queensland Rail is now reviewing that decision.

"We sincerely apologise to our customers for the changes under the new timetable and thank them for their patience.　

"Additional customer service staff were rostered on the Ipswich to Rosewood line over the weekend to assist customers and a special low floor bus was also operating on the line to assist those with a disability.

"We are committed to restoring services as quickly as possible."

More details on timetables can be found at the Translink website.

All this community rage could have been avoided.  A couple of weeks I had some private conversations with Queensland Rail re looming cuts in services.  I said we understand that some reduction in service level is going occur but please leave the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Rosewood lines intact.  There are no real alternatives for these lines that is satisfactory.  Other lines can carry some reduction in service and that has occurred.  Ceasing weekend services on Rosewood line was always going to blow up big time, and it has. 

[ozbob]

the highest standards of corporate governance

The future of Queensland Rail is now at stake.   This (bonuses) is just outrageous I am afraid.  I have no doubt the Strachan Report is going to lead to a complete shake up of Queensland Rail.