Interim rail timetables

[Stillwater]

The set-up whereby Queensland Rail, a statutory authority, is the financial arm and Queensland Rail Limited, its wholly-owned subsidiary, is its operational arm, owning all assets but not employing any personnel, is a structure put in place to keep open the option of privatising passenger rail services in this state.

It is a bit like a private company contracting with a labour hire firm to supply its workforce.  While people work for Company X, their wages and conditions are negotiated with Company Y.  The irony is that the Labor Party condemns this type of arrangement in the private sector.

The current inquiry into QR and the rail fail fiasco should have the power to examine governance arrangements surrounding QR.

[ozbob]

It was the Newman Government that setup this very dodgy structure (because they were going to flog it off).  It needs to be fixed, now!

[ozbob]

ICYMI@QueenslandRail execs pocketing bonuses while rail system falls apart ..#qldpol#outrage #railfail
Sunday Mail 13/11/16 p. 66 pic.twitter.com/yY0ocd1gEa

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) November 13, 2016

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> COMMENT: So, time to bring on the clowns Mr Hinchliffe

SOUTH-East Queensland Mayors aim to host the 2028 Olympics.

But right now Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe and the brainwaves at Queensland Rail would struggle to host a Sunday afternoon barbecue in their backyards.

Well, they would struggle if anyone on the Ipswich-Rosewood line had to get there on a train in reasonable time.

The decision to run buses on the weekends on the Ipswich-Rosewood line instead of trains has gone down like a lead balloon with residents.

No surprises there.

And the person at Queensland Rail who made the decision (and the QT is told they did) might like to catch a bus out to Rosewood and explain themselves. It would be a large crowd in attendance. But I can assure you they won't.

Mr Hinchliffe is apparently calling for "a review", shock horror, into the decision.

But this State Government would struggle to run a bath right now. A major disappointment it is proving to be.

The train debacle we have seen of late would be funny if it wasn't impacting citizens' lives as adversely as it is.

These decision makers should be wearing a red nose and jester boots...and all be made to ride one-wheelers to work.

The clowns aren't just at the circus let me assure you.

Oh dear ...   

[ozbob]

My five point plan to get out of this mess:

1. Consistent Mon-Fri timetable, with a weekend timetable with services on all lines normally serviced. Even if slightly reduced frequency.

2. All rail replacement buses free travel until a fare system is available onboard those buses.

3. Expand the Strachan Review to include Corporate Governance of QR structure and NGR rolling stock adequacy, particularly number of units.

4. Accelerate driver and guard training.

5. Regular briefings by the Minister of Transport on youtube as to what is going on to fix this mess.  This could be made available to media etc.

[tazzer9]

Rail replacement buses should be free ALL the time.  Not just during this mess.   It may lose some revenue, but its a big stuff you to say to someone your journey will take 2x as long, in far less comfort but you still have to give us money.

[ozbob]

Rail replacement buses should be free ALL the time.  Not just during this mess.   It may lose some revenue, but its a big stuff you to say to someone your journey will take 2x as long, in far less comfort but you still have to give us money.

Agree.  Until such time there is a functioning fare system on the replacement buses (which will never happen).

See > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9539.msg183393#msg183393

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Dumb and dumber - Mayor slams rail fail

DUMB and dumber.

That is how Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale has described Queensland Rail's decision to replace trains with buses on the Ipswich-Rosewood train line on weekends.

Last night Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe tweeted that he had instructed Queensland Rail to review the decision and restore service as a priority after representations from Ipswich West MP Jim Madden and customers.

@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

The QT today reported on the anger of residents who use the line at the decision and how Cr David Pahlke had taken up the cause with vigour. Mr Madden also contacted Mr Hinchliffe as soon as he was made aware of the decision.

Cr Pisasale was gobsmacked by the reasoning given by Queensland Rail on qt.com.au for their decision.

A Queensland Rail spokesperson said that "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".

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

Cr Pisasale said it was the lamest reason he had heard in a long time as the western suburbs of Ipswich between Karrabin and Rosewood were booming.

"We've just launched 3000 blocks out there," he said.

"Maybe they should look at the reasons people aren't catching the train, which is the irregularity.

"One of the selling points we are using with people who move there is the railway line and now they are closing it down. You are kidding me.

"Queensland Rail needs to stay in touch.

"Queensland Rail has to get the award for dumb and dumber.

"They will have to write a movie script about them.

"They don't even tell the mayor of the city when they cut rail services.

"I thought we were in partnership and were encouraging growth in south-east Queensland."

Mr Madden told the QT there was a shortage of train drivers and blamed the former Newman government for sacking driver trainers. He said that a request had gone out to retired drivers to come back and save the day.

Cr Pisasale said there was little chance of that happening.

"I went to a function where there were a lot of retired drivers and I asked them if they would go back and help Queensland Rail out," he said.

"But they said 'I would rather cut grass'.

"They said QR treat staff so poorly they would not go back.

"If I was Stirling Hinchliffe I would shake the organisation up and down.

"One of the things that brings you unstuck as a politician is listening to a bureaucracy that is out of touch with Queensland and out of touch with Ipswich."

 

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Rail guru questions QR decision on trains

RAIL guru Robert Dow says the decision by Queensland Rail to replace trains with buses on weekends on the Ipswich-Rosewood line is "difficult to comprehend" and a burden for passengers using mobility devices.

Mr Dow, of Rail Back on Track, welcomed Transport Minister Stirling Hinchcliffe's tweet to him last night that he had instructed Queensland Rail to review the decision and restore service.

But in a letter to the QT on Sunday he said that "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 three days ahead.," he wrote.

"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."

Mr Dow also sent through a complaint from one of Rail Back on Track's members who said the following:

"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...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."

[ozbob]

" A Queensland Rail spokesperson said that "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". "

Errrr ... who ever said that I doubt has had the  ' pleasure ' of a rail replacement bus between Ipswich and Rosewood.  To get into Thomas St, Wulkuruka and others is not by a ' parallel ' road at all.  Time is about twice that of the train for start, and that is subject to road conditions of course.

Locals endured months of rail replacement when Sadliers Crossing Bridge had to have the upgrade works.  They hate it (rail replacement by bus) with a passion. The reaction to the weekend closure shows this.

No wonder the Mayor has called them out!

[tazzer9]

" A Queensland Rail spokesperson said that "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". "

Errrr ... who ever said that I doubt has had the  ' pleasure ' of a rail replacement bus between Ipswich and Rosewood.  To get into Thomas St, Wulkuruka and others is not by a ' parallel ' road at all.  Time is about twice that of the train for start, and that is subject to road conditions of course.

In comparison to most other lines its not as bad. 

[ozbob]

Really?  You don't say.  It is the only isolated semi-rural entire line that we have in effect.

An all stations train vs all stations bus is not the easy option QR was making out.  It is very inconvenient for the passengers.

Get out there and do it!

[ozbob]

Well, the ' interim timetable #2 Mon - Thu ' has not been a particularly auspicious start.

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%



We await to see how ' interim timetable #2 Fridays ' goes ... with even less services than Mon - Thu.

Friday Interim timetable #2

11 Nov   91.39%    91.39%

hardly inspiring ...

[aldonius]

Regarding Bundamba - that electorate is going to change massively in the redistribution (then again, scuttlebutt suggests that they want to go before that lands; at this rate I don't see how it could be much worse).

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

15th November 2016

Rail - service cancellations continue ..

Good Morning,

Random service cancellations due to ' operational ' reasons continue to cause inconvenience for the travelling public.

Some examples from yesterday:  See https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ

3.05pm Rosewood-Ipswich train cancelled Rosewood-Walloon

12.28pm Central to Ipswich train has been cancelled from Redbank to Ipswich

5.20pm Roma Street-Cleveland train cancelled

It is getting very difficult to rely on our public transport.  These service cancellations mean passengers are often stranded and have long waits as connecting buses are often missed.

How long is this service shambles going to continue?  We were told that with the latest timetables all would be well ( except for the usual track faults, signal failures, mechanical failures as trains are flogged, idiots driving into bridges etc. )

We now discover that Queensland Rail Executives have pocked considerable bonuses during the midst of this failure?  (See Sunday Mail 13th November 2016 page 66 - copy below).  Repeated requests to confirm these bonuses have been ignored.



Can someone please explain why failure is rewarded with cash bonuses?

The public is angry, very angry as the shambles continues.

Best wishes

Robert

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

[ozbob]

Latest media: ' Rail - service cancellations continue .. '
> https://t.co/azqKRsK4HK#qldpol
Cash bonuses for @QueenslandRail for #railfail pic.twitter.com/GjabAOYYo1

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) November 14, 2016

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Calls for Hinchliffe to go over Ipswich rail fail

BUSES will again replace trains on the Ipswich-Rosewood line this weekend amidst a call for Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe to be sacked.

Commuters expressed their outrage at the decision in yesterday's QT with many complaining of longer travel times, smelly buses, a lack of facilities for those with disabilities and drivers that didn't know where to go.

Mr Hinchliffe called for a review into the decision by Queensland Rail (QR) and for the restoration of services to be made a priority.

But that will not happen this weekend.

Ipswich West MP Jim Madden had a briefing with QR yesterday but emerged from the meeting with a different explanation for the change in services than what QR gave the QT on Sunday.

Mr Hinchliffe did not say when buses would be back running, but Cr David Pahlke has called for him to be sacked or stand down after another rail fail.

"The decision to run rail replacement bus services on the Ipswich to Rosewood branch line was made by Queensland Rail independently," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"That's why on Sunday...I instructed Queensland Rail to review their decision, and provide me with advice about how these services can be restored as a priority.

"Locals in Ipswich and Rosewood rely on our rail network, which is why I've also instructed Queensland Rail to roster more staff on to the Ipswich to Rosewood line to assist all passengers get to their destinations."

A QR spokesperson told the QT that the reason for the decision to run buses was "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".

But after his briefing with QR Mr Madden had a different story.

"It is a staffing issue. They don't have enough guards and drivers for all the services on the network. That's the explanation I was given," he said.

"Unfortunately bus services will again replace train services this weekend...and they are going to make sure the buses have facilities for those with disabilities.

"I have been assured that QR and the Minister will do their best to have services restored by the following weekend but I am not going to let up on the Minister or QR until services are restored."

Cr Pahlke said Mr Hinchliffe should "be sacked or stand down".

"And I call for extra sackings of the top brass at QR," Cr Pahlke said.

"A Minister has to ask probing questions of the bureaucracy but once again he has been caught short.

"Even the public is saying he should stand down. It is not just me saying it."

Cr Pisasale, who earlier labelled QR "dumb and dumber" over the decision, said it was "high time the Minister took QR by the scruff of the neck and made it a good public service again."

"I ask ex-train drivers if they will go back but they say they would rather cut grass," he said.

"When you hear things like that there is something wrong with the hen house and now it is affecting the birthplace of Queensland Rail and one of the most loyal cities to the Labor Party in Australia. We are being punished."

Cr Pisasale said QR's explanation to the QT and Mr Madden defied belief.

"They need to be up front and honest. They can't tell us one thing one day and another the next.

"We are not stupid QR.

"We are the birthplace of Queensland Rail and we need to be treated with respect.

"That line that goes out to Rosewood was one of the first that was laid and the ancestors of the residents out there would be turning in their graves at these decisions."

[ozbob]

Call for Hinchliffe to go over Ipswich rail fail > https://t.co/SBZnKJA7xL #qldpol@QLDLabor & @QueenslandRail shaft Ippy#qldpol #railfail pic.twitter.com/ccQlbWl91G

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) November 14, 2016

[ozbob]

My five point plan to sort #railfail#qldpol@StirlHinchliffe @N_Scales_TMR @QueenslandRail #youarewelcome @QLDLabor @LNPQLD @QldGreens pic.twitter.com/FYCNUQDR3R

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) November 14, 2016

[ozbob]

Front page of today's Queensland Times  15th November 2016

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

2nd November 2016

Fixing the rail timetable mess

Good Morning!

Is it?  Not for some hey?  lol

Anyway, as we have been warning for years the suburban rail system for SEQ is in a mess.  We have also been warning about the bus network for Brisbane for years, it too is a mess of failure.  This is the  ' proud ' record of a succession of failed governments.  Both the ALP and LNP are both implicated in the appalling situation we now face. The only shining hope is the new fare structure for SEQ due in January 2017.

Ok, fixing the rail mess.  When the then Richlands branch opened in January 2011 there was an interim timetable that allowed for a staged introduction and then the significant implementation of sector one timetables followed in June 2011.  A copy of this interim timetable can be found here > Richlands Jan 2011 interim timetable

This had shuttle services between Darra <> Richlands until the implementation of the new sector one timetables in June 2011.

The situation we face at present is not being sorted.  We suggest that Queensland Rail revert back to the timetable prior to Redcliffe Peninsula Line opening.  This was being delivered with a high degree of reliability.  Introduce shuttle services (mainly off peak) on the Redcliffe Peninsular Line between Petrie <> Kippa-Ring.  Yes this is an inconvenience but it will take the pressure off all lines, and allow all train crew to be made route ready without the present pressures.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

This is the solution:

When the then Richlands branch opened in January 2011 there was an interim timetable that allowed for a staged introduction and then the significant implementation of sector one timetables followed in June 2011.  A copy of this interim timetable can be found here > Richlands Jan 2011 interim timetable

This had shuttle services between Darra <> Richlands until the implementation of the new sector one timetables in June 2011.

The situation we face at present is not being sorted.  We suggest that Queensland Rail revert back to the timetable prior to Redcliffe Peninsula Line opening.  This was being delivered with a high degree of reliability.  Introduce shuttle services (mainly off peak) on the Redcliffe Peninsular Line between Petrie <> Kippa-Ring.  Yes this is an inconvenience but it will take the pressure off all lines, and allow all train crew to be made route ready without the present pressures.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

15th November 2016

The solution - Re: Rail - service cancellations continue ..

Greetings,

In view of the ongoing issues with crew availability and ongoing cancellations it is time to consider a solution that will work for now, and allow time for the crew issues to be resolved.

When the then Richlands branch opened in January 2011 there was an interim timetable that allowed for a staged introduction and then the significant implementation of sector one timetables followed in June 2011.  A copy of this interim timetable can be found here > Richlands Jan 2011 interim timetable

This had shuttle services between Darra <> Richlands until the implementation of the new sector one timetables in June 2011.

The situation we face at present is not being sorted.  We suggest that Queensland Rail revert back to the timetable prior to Redcliffe Peninsula Line opening.  This was being delivered with a high degree of reliability.  Introduce shuttle services (mainly off peak) on the Redcliffe Peninsular Line between Petrie <> Kippa-Ring.  Yes this is an inconvenience but it will take the pressure off all lines, and allow all train crew to be made route ready without the present pressures, and the pressure on Queensland Rail staff generally.  It will restore confidence by the public in the rail service.

Far better to have some shuttles on Redcliffe line than have constant cancellations on all lines.

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.msg183447#msg183447 ]

[ozbob]

Latest: &#39; The solution - Re: Rail - service cancellations continue .. &#39;
> https://t.co/CRtU7YrYXi#qldpol@StirlHinchliffe @N_Scales_TMR pic.twitter.com/V2kyAmbOyC

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) November 14, 2016

[mufreight]

It is obvious that Minister Hinchliffe has little authority over the management of Queensland Rail and his directives carry little weight.
On Sunday 13th November at 3.06 pm Minister Hinchliffe tweeted Robert Dow the following message in relation to the suspension of weekend passenger rail services on the Ipswich Rosewood sector.
@ Robert Dow based on rep from @ Jim Madden MP & customers I (the Minister) have instructed @ Queensland Rail to review decision ( to suspend rail passenger services on the Ipswich Rosewood sector and replace them with bus services) & restore service as a priority.

Local MP Mr Jim Madden has since been advised that services will not be restored this weekend and further information from Queensland Rail staff is that services will in all probability not be restored for another two or three weekends beyond that.

So much for Queensland Rail management following the directive by the minister to restore service as a priority perhaps these Queensland Rail staff have a different meaning for the definition of the word priority and the context in which it is use, if it is to collect a cash bonus for their incompetence then it means straight away but if it is in the context of a Ministerial directive means some time in the next three or four weeks if they can fit it in between coffee breaks and meetings.

If further proof (if any was needed) as to the lack of knowledge of the person who came up with the brainsnap to suspend the Ipswich Rosewood rail passenger services it is this statement by A Queensland Rail spokesperson who said that "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 road is a long way from parallel to the rail as anyone who has had the displeasure of a substitute bus ride between Ipswich and Rosewood can readily tell with a most convoluted rout to access Thomas St, Wulkuruka and other stations with at best transit times of road at twice that of the train for start, and that is subject to road conditions of course.

Then of course there is the problem of a number of mobility impaired and disabled passengers who use powered wheel chairs and mobility scooters, they have no problems accessing the train but the buses used on the replacement services are high floor coaches which it is impossible to load any mobility device into, even the normal low floor buses can not load most mobility scooters that can readily access a train. 

The advice given by a Queensland Rail staffer was that if you used a mobility device you should advise Queensland Rail the day before of your intention to travel so arrangements can be made for a suitable vehicle, this effectively discriminates against anyone who is disabled or mobility impaired with the further complication that of a weekend only the Ipswich and Rosewood stations are staffed.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail 'closed shop' turns away prospective train drivers

QUEENSLAND Rail has the most constrictive union controls over hiring in Australia, making it the only passenger train operator with barriers to recruiting drivers from the public.

The Courier-Mail can reveal all major interstate passenger train operators are free of the restrictions on hiring drivers that have turned QR into a virtual "closed shop".

Unlike their interstate counterparts, which recruit from the open labour market, QR rules introduced in 2013 dictate driver jobs must be ­offered to its guards before the public.

QR tightened the rules during enterprise bargaining with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union this year, striking an in-principle agreement on October 6 that would legally require the jobs to first be offered to its guards, then to the wider 6000-strong QR staff, before seeking outside applicants.

It came as the RTBU threatened strike action amid a driver shortage crisis that led to hundreds of cancelled train services from late September.

It has made it impossible for drivers from interstate to apply, despite the shortage.

Last month Transport ­Minister Stirling Hinchliffe ­announced 100 new drivers would be hired. The jobs have not been publicly advertised, with instead hundreds of existing QR staff applying.

Mr Hinchliffe yesterday ­defended the hiring policy, saying it was consistent with the agreement signed off on by the former LNP government and got drivers trained faster.

The Courier-Mail has spoken to unemployed drivers with experience on interstate rail networks who say they have been told by QR they were not welcome to apply for a position.

One ex-driver said he was told to apply for ­another QR job that did allow external ­applicants. He asked whether he should apply to be a toilet cleaner in order to later get a driving job.

A QR spokeswoman said it was looking at other systems as part of a review into recruitment and hiring, and was in the process of making contact with retired QR drivers.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Editorial: Closed shop for train driver jobs is madness

TIME, the old axiom goes, heals most hurt.

If the wound is allowed to fester for months, however, this is not the case, especially in the political arena.

This brings us to the Queensland Rail timetabling fiasco, which for thousands of commuters in southeast Queensland is a source of lasting pain without any indication of when the current mess will be resolved.

For weeks now commuters have endured cancelled trains, reduced services and overcrowding due to a shortage of Queensland Rail drivers brought to a head by the opening of the new Redcliffe rail link.

Initially the cock-up was met with obfuscation, before a blame-shifting game began in earnest, with the Palaszczuk Government blaming the previous government, and Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe – who only became aware of a months-old report warning of these problems when The Courier-Mail alerted him to it – blaming his own department.

Heads have rolled, but not that of the Minister, who should bear ultimate responsibility for the debacle, while the pain for commuters continues.

Now the problem is likely being exacerbated by a closed-shop arrangement Queensland Rail has with the Rail Tram and Bus Union. As The Courier-Mail reports today, the enterprise bargaining agreement stipulates that vacancies for drivers must be filled from within the ranks of other QR staff.

Train driver vacancies must first be offered to existing Queensland Rail guards, and if they can't be filled then the positions are advertised across the wider QR business. If that still leaves vacancies, only then can jobs be advertised to potential outside applicants.

Seriously?

We don't have enough drivers to run the trains we have on the lines we have built at great expense and Queensland Rail is maintaining what is effectively a sheltered workshop for its own staff?

This is an industrial relations anachronism that does not apply in other Australian cities with major passenger rail networks, with unions here having the tightest control over who gets hired – or who can even apply – for jobs in the country.

Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Western Australia have no such restrictions, and unlike Queensland Rail their transport bodies regularly recruit external drivers with no shackles that restrict them to only hiring internally.

As it stands we have an arrangement whereby qualified train drivers from interstate or overseas are, in the face of a critical driver shortage in Queensland, precluded from applying for positions that desperately need to be filled.

In some ways it would be akin to Qantas striking a deal with the unions to only fill pilot vacancies by agreeing to offer training deals to cabin crew before looking outside the company.

Queensland Rail's public relations department may argue that external applicants would need to be trained in safety and work practices applicable here. That is true. But at least they would have the basic skill sets required to get behind the controls of a service that caters for more than 50 million passenger trips a year, and be on the job faster than someone who was starting from scratch.

In 2016 there is simply no rationale for such a restrictive, closed-shop agreement that serves not only to punish Queensland Rail's customers but also ultimately places more strain and stress on the organisation's own staff.

A proactive transport minister who was actually serious about taking ownership of the problem and fixing this mess would be unwinding, or at least suspending, this restrictive element of the agreement in the interests of both Queensland Rail and its customers.

Band-Aids and bulldust will not fix the problem.

[ozbob]

There is a solution to the present #railfail
>>> https://t.co/CRtU7YrYXi#qldpol takes a bit of courage @StirlHinchliffe @QueenslandRail pic.twitter.com/t5eFfWn6yj

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) November 15, 2016

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

16th November 2016

Comment Rosewood - Ipswich rail fail

Good Morning,

Here is a post by a RAIL Back On Track Member [ http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12524.msg183482#msg183482 ] on our forum.

Queensland Rail ' spokespersons '  should stop trying to spin nonsense and stick to the facts.

It is obvious that Minister Hinchliffe has little authority over the management of Queensland Rail and his directives carry little weight.
On Sunday 13th November at 3.06 pm Minister Hinchliffe tweeted Robert Dow the following message in relation to the suspension of weekend passenger rail services on the Ipswich Rosewood sector.
@ Robert Dow based on rep from @ Jim Madden MP & customers I (the Minister) have instructed @ Queensland Rail to review decision ( to suspend rail passenger services on the Ipswich Rosewood sector and replace them with bus services) & restore service as a priority.

Local MP Mr Jim Madden has since been advised that services will not be restored this weekend and further information from Queensland Rail staff is that services will in all probability not be restored for another two or three weekends beyond that.

So much for Queensland Rail management following the directive by the minister to restore service as a priority perhaps these Queensland Rail staff have a different meaning for the definition of the word priority and the context in which it is use, if it is to collect a cash bonus for their incompetence then it means straight away but if it is in the context of a Ministerial directive means some time in the next three or four weeks if they can fit it in between coffee breaks and meetings.

If further proof (if any was needed) as to the lack of knowledge of the person who came up with the brainsnap to suspend the Ipswich Rosewood rail passenger services it is this statement by A Queensland Rail spokesperson who said that "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 road is a long way from parallel to the rail as anyone who has had the displeasure of a substitute bus ride between Ipswich and Rosewood can readily tell with a most convoluted rout to access Thomas St, Wulkuruka and other stations with at best transit times of road at twice that of the train for start, and that is subject to road conditions of course.

Then of course there is the problem of a number of mobility impaired and disabled passengers who use powered wheel chairs and mobility scooters, they have no problems accessing the train but the buses used on the replacement services are high floor coaches which it is impossible to load any mobility device into, even the normal low floor buses can not load most mobility scooters that can readily access a train. 

The advice given by a Queensland Rail staffer was that if you used a mobility device you should advise Queensland Rail the day before of your intention to travel so arrangements can be made for a suitable vehicle, this effectively discriminates against anyone who is disabled or mobility impaired with the further complication that of a weekend only the Ipswich and Rosewood stations are staffed.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Latest media: &#39; Comment Rosewood - Ipswich rail fail &#39;
> https://t.co/AQLAY176PT#qldpol@StirlHinchliffe @N_Scales_TMR @QueenslandRail pic.twitter.com/n2xkIBn6jX

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) November 15, 2016

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 16th November 2016 page 15

LETTER: Train dramas causing public anger > http://www.qt.com.au/news/train-dramas-causing-public-anger/3112112/

Train dramas causing anger

[Stillwater]

"Band-Aids and bulldust will not fix the problem." - Courier-Mail

That's what we have had for a while now at QR, and at the political level.  Those in power continue to see this as a public relations management exercise.  Some serious dollars and restructuring is required.  Is State Labor up to it?

For the Opposition - the focus is not Stirling Hinchliffe, or his job.  Just as in USA, the people see the 'political class' or the 'political elites' focussing on themselves, with too little attention to the problem and the daily struggle of 'ordinary people', who just want to know with certainty that a train will turn up on time, as scheduled, to get them to school, work, the shops or the hospital.

A properly functioning PT system is a vital element of a state and city economy.

[ozbob]

"Band-Aids and bulldust will not fix the problem." - Courier-Mail

Indeed!

[#Metro]

I can understand that QR Guards get first preference for being promoted. That makes sense.

However, CM is arguing that it goes beyond that. A QR cleaner or office secretary, for example, would appear to have higher standing than an external applicant, whatever their qualification or experience.

That can't be justified on operational grounds. This seems the case because a week or so ago I heard the Transport minister (or was it A/CEO) say that there were more than 800 applicants for the positions.

Here is the thing: QR does not have 800 guards. The "ballpark" is probably closer to 200 guards who already work for QR.

Mathematically, it is impossible for them to be all guards.

So who are the other ~ 600 people who got first pick of the promotions??

Is this fair? Queensland Rail is a public organisation spending public money so there is a public interest in how it conducts itself with what is our money. The people expect positions to be awarded on skill and merit. NOT on employee/non-employee status.

[BrizCommuter]

07:09 from Shorncliffe to Cleveland (6-car) observed to be full arriving at Fortitude Valley this morning. The preceding Northgate starter is an axed service. 

[urbanplanr]

07:09 from Shorncliffe to Cleveland (6-car) observed to be full arriving at Fortitude Valley this morning. The preceding Northgate starter is an axed service.

Would an additional 2 stops for either the Caboolture or MBRL services to service Nundah and Toombul really affect the overall journey times if it helps fix the issues of cancelling Northgate/Shorncliffe services?

Albion, Woolwoowin still have 3 services (Doomben, Airport and Shorncliife) so if Nundah and Toombul could just get either the Caboolture or MBRL line stopping at their station I think everyone would stop complaining.

[Gazza]

You'd have to have both Cabo and Kippa trains stopping.
Having one stop but not the other isnt possible.

[tazzer9]

Would an additional 2 stops for either the Caboolture or MBRL services to service Nundah and Toombul really affect the overall journey times if it helps fix the issues of cancelling Northgate/Shorncliffe services?

Albion, Woolwoowin still have 3 services (Doomben, Airport and Shorncliife) so if Nundah and Toombul could just get either the Caboolture or MBRL line stopping at their station I think everyone would stop complaining.

For peak, it would need to be an all or nothing thing. Can't have half them stopping and half them not.  It might stuff up things further along like quick turnarounds and altering times along the ipswich and springfield line.   It would work better in off peak and weekends and cancel all northgate trains.

[Stillwater]

Which is worse -- the crisis in Australian cricket or the crisis in QR?

[urbanplanr]

Thanks for the clarification guys. In the original MBRL draft timetable I think they had for the weekends the Caboolture line stopping all stations and no Northgate services.