Interim rail timetables

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane transport: Trains cancelled across rail network

More than a dozen trains have been cancelled across the south-east Queensland network on Friday.

Eighteen trains across the Caboolture, Cleveland, Ipswich, Redcliffe Peninsula, Shorncliffe, Springfield and Sunshine Coast line have been cancelled since midday.

While most cancellations occurred between 12-3pm, some cancellations were expected on Friday evening.

A Translink spokesperson said the cancellations were in relation to an operational issue.

A spokesperson for community transport advocate Rail Back on Track, Robert Dow, said the lack of communication about the cancellations on Friday was "appalling".

"Little dribs and drabs to look like it isn't happening," Mr Dow said.

"But it is happening, a major issue is happening this afternoon and evening – it is really appalling.

"They're not on the front foot, being good communicators, letting people know what's happening."

Queensland Rail was contacted for comment.

A Queensland Rail spokesperson apologised to any customers who had experienced delays.

"Today, some service alterations have been made which does occur as part of day of operations," they said in a statement.

"Any changes to weekend services will be communicated to customers as soon as possible, as occurs every weekend.

"We are working hard to deliver an efficient and reliable service for all our customers and since introducing the new Queensland Rail timetable we have recorded approximately 94 percent on-time running."

There are a lot of cancellations outside of the peak window so the that OTR of 94% is a bit meaningless overall I would suggest  ..

[brissypete]

I'm sick of the "operational issue" reason,  use real reasons not this generic crap.  We all know its mostly due to not enough crew so just be honest and say so.  Yes this is a pet peeve of mine

[petey3801]

By what I have heard, the summer timetable will be based around a Saturday timetable with extra peak services.

[BrizCommuter]

By what I have heard, the summer timetable will be based around a Saturday timetable with extra peak services.

Services to 2am then? 

[petey3801]

I wouldn't hold your breath!

[HappyTrainGuy]

QR's customer charter is a bit of a joke now isn't it!

QR wrote the customer charter, not customers (passengers?). It's a bit like writing your own contract to yourself.

HTG tells me that the 'customer' here is actually TransLink, not passengers.

It is worth asking though, if passengers wrote the customer charter, what would it contain?

Applies to all operators contracted to Translink and not just QR. Well. Most. BT do stuff their way and then forward anything be it good or bad to translink and then hide behind its transport law/cry poor to Translink when bus routes like the 325/335 that constantly get caught up in traffic fall outside Translink funding and BCC has to pick up the bill. Any feedback about train services, bus services, boat services or tram services gets forwarded to Translink who will address it depending on its content and then forward it to whoever. You might bitch over a BT timetabling issue but that could mean instead of BT addressing it directly it gets forwarded to someone else in Translink/TMR who will look after it and then bring it up at the next scheduled review meeting with BT.... whenever that is. Remember QR had the same issue in the very public domain when the papers, tv media, people traveling on the trains and social media were hammering it for weeks over overcrowding on the Caboolture line when it actually turned out that QR had solved the issue on its end within a few days but Translink took 3-4 weeks to approve and allow the fix - which was changing a couple trains around. Other smaller bus operators in the past have wanted to run more services but translink has said no and they don't have the money backing them like the BCC does. As has been the case with Hornibrook and Kangaroo bus lines I believe.

All of this stems from pollies using PT as a tool rather than a fundamental public service.
https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/Bills/52PDF/2008/TransLinkB08Exp.pdf

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

17th December 2016

Another Friday Queensland Rail #railfail

Good Morning,

Hapless commuters sat on platforms everywhere, somewhat bemused as yet another meltdown on the rail network yesterday > afternoon evening.

Many short notice cancellations throughout the afternoon evening.  It is not getting any better is it?  Utter shambles really.  The ' Friday Timetable ' is a lesser service version of the present ' Monday to Thursday ' timetable and yet Queensland Rail still struggles to deliver the services.  It is of major concern that there are still issues in delivering rail services.  What is really going on?  I think the Minister for Transport and Queensland Rail need to come clean with the true circumstances.  Simply churning out spin and bull dust does not cut it anymore.

OK.  How about a daily report of ontime performance not only for peak, but outside peak as well.  A lot of cancellations happen outside of peak times and these  go unnoticed in the peak data. A daily report of the number and which services have been cancelled should be done as well.  This is transparency, a novel concept for Queensland I know.

With respect to the ' Summer School Holiday Timetable '  which is a further service reduction paradigm to be inflicted on the public of SEQ, and visitors to SEQ and will run from 28th December 2016 through to 22 January 2017.  Still waiting for confirmation of the details of the services outside peak.  In view of the months of disruptions and reduced services in peak for the ' Summer School Holiday Timetable ' we call for the implementation of off peak fares only (that is no peak fares) for the duration of the Summer School Holiday Timetable.

Only fair really.  Off peak service in peak, should be off peak fares.

Do you want a cash bonus with that?

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

Service interruptions rail - please post significant delays
> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1862.msg185238#msg185238

Brisbane transport: Trains cancelled across rail network
> http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-transport-trains-cancelled-across-rail-network-20161216-gtd275.html

[ozbob]

Latest media: ' Another Friday @QueenslandRail #railfail '
> https://t.co/57iJjnD2t5#qldpol@StirlHinchliffe @N_Scales_TMR @AnnastaciaMP pic.twitter.com/qtBRRL6qXM

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) December 16, 2016

[Stillwater]

How's this for service?  Not.

The 17:24 Shorncliffe-Cleveland service is currently 24mins late & running express from Sandgate-Bowen Hills due to an operational issue.

Imagine waiting 20 minutes for a train that didn't show up, only to have it whizz past as an express service?

And it is numb bum on the bus to and from Gympie:

Altered Service: 9.29am Roma St-Gympie North train
Altered Service: 1.24pm Gympie North-Roma St train will be replaced by rail bus

What's the Premier doing? ... pacing her office, being 'angry and furious' no doubt.

[techblitz]

How's this for service?  Not.

The 17:24 Shorncliffe-Cleveland service is currently 24mins late & running express from Sandgate-Bowen Hills due to an operational issue.

Imagine waiting 20 minutes for a train that didn't show up, only to have it whizz past as an express service?

yep that was the one that I was waiting for when I got to sandgate @ 5.01pm(5.09 cancelled)....it finally left sandgate at 5.50pm.....the other customers who wanted to get between sandgate/bowen hills had another 10min wait. The previous train that left sandgate was 4.56pm. Which made it 64mins between all-stop services.
I remember going past Nundah station and there was a guy with both hands in the air as if to say 'your kidding me'.

[locojoe67]

I thought I'd got a handle of the timetable changes. But the fine print still
catches me out even after two decades commuting.

Like last Thursday, trotted down to my local only to find the 547 inbound is now cancelled. A quick check of the timetable and yep, hadn't even noticed yet another option disappeared.

How one earth does a casual system user cope?

[ozbob]

Really has been difficult for many with the constant changes agreed.

The next timetable iteration the so called ' Summer School Holiday Timetable ' will I hope have essentially same timetable for the weekdays.

[techblitz]

I'm happy as long as its consistent....with as little 'last minute' crew shortages as possible.

[Nina M Blackwell]

 
The evening commute on the Cleveland line has been DECIMATED.  With the dilution of the so-called "express" in January 2014, Redlands commuters beyond Manly have had to endure not only our "long-haul" commute being made longer but, particularly in the quiet carriage, the Morningside/Norman Park crowd who barely acknowledge the concept.  Maybe the ride is too short for them to bother reading? 

As a member of the Cleveland Reference Group back in 2012-2014, I was told that when new rolling stock came on line (in about 18 months from the time of the re-vamped timetable in January 2014), that an additional "express" train could be added after the 5.09 to enable more commuters to be able to use it.  This never happened.

Now with the service reduction, our only "express" post 5.00 pm has been cancelled with the last one being 4.54pm.  I have heard that the all stations 5.32 is frequently cancelled.  On Fridays, the 4.17 Cleveland does not exist.  This is appalling and something must be done!

The concern is that come next year, the current level of service might be construed as satisfactory because people have made alternative TEMPORARY arrangements, such as temporary changed work hours.  It needs to be emphasised that commuters may have even put their jobs in jeopardy with self-determined hours in order to be able to use the service in its current timetable.  This must be fixed AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

[STB]

The evening commute on the Cleveland line has been DECIMATED.  With the dilution of the so-called "express" in January 2014, Redlands commuters beyond Manly have had to endure not only our "long-haul" commute being made longer but, particularly in the quiet carriage, the Morningside/Norman Park crowd who barely acknowledge the concept.  Maybe the ride is too short for them to bother reading? 

As a member of the Cleveland Reference Group back in 2012-2014, I was told that when new rolling stock came on line (in about 18 months from the time of the re-vamped timetable in January 2014), that an additional "express" train could be added after the 5.09 to enable more commuters to be able to use it.  This never happened.

Now with the service reduction, our only "express" post 5.00 pm has been cancelled with the last one being 4.54pm.  I have heard that the all stations 5.32 is frequently cancelled.  On Fridays, the 4.17 Cleveland does not exist.  This is appalling and something must be done!

The concern is that come next year, the current level of service might be construed as satisfactory because people have made alternative TEMPORARY arrangements, such as temporary changed work hours.  It needs to be emphasised that commuters may have even put their jobs in jeopardy with self-determined hours in order to be able to use the service in its current timetable.  This must be fixed AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

The difficulty with having the old express run from Manly to Park Road, is that it reduced the capacity of the line and the number of trains that could run especially for those living between Manly and Park Road, and more to the point Morningside and Buranda which are some of the busiest stations on the line.

In other words, unless you are prepared to tell those people that they will have to deal with a lower frequency, you'll have to get used to the Manly to Morningside express pattern.

[ozbob]

The evening commute on the Cleveland line has been DECIMATED.  With the dilution of the so-called "express" in January 2014, Redlands commuters beyond Manly have had to endure not only our "long-haul" commute being made longer but, particularly in the quiet carriage, the Morningside/Norman Park crowd who barely acknowledge the concept.  Maybe the ride is too short for them to bother reading? 

As a member of the Cleveland Reference Group back in 2012-2014, I was told that when new rolling stock came on line (in about 18 months from the time of the re-vamped timetable in January 2014), that an additional "express" train could be added after the 5.09 to enable more commuters to be able to use it.  This never happened.

Now with the service reduction, our only "express" post 5.00 pm has been cancelled with the last one being 4.54pm.  I have heard that the all stations 5.32 is frequently cancelled.  On Fridays, the 4.17 Cleveland does not exist.  This is appalling and something must be done!

The concern is that come next year, the current level of service might be construed as satisfactory because people have made alternative TEMPORARY arrangements, such as temporary changed work hours.  It needs to be emphasised that commuters may have even put their jobs in jeopardy with self-determined hours in order to be able to use the service in its current timetable.  This must be fixed AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

Thanks for this. Agree.  The Cleveland line, particularly PM peak service is not good at all.  Also the last few months have been impacted with lots of short notice cancellations as well.  Will follow this up in the new year.

[James]

The concern is that come next year, the current level of service might be construed as satisfactory because people have made alternative TEMPORARY arrangements, such as temporary changed work hours.  It needs to be emphasised that commuters may have even put their jobs in jeopardy with self-determined hours in order to be able to use the service in its current timetable.  This must be fixed AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

I've actually received similar feedback that the Cleveland line timetable has been decimated in the PM peak, particularly relative to the changes made to other lines, and that sometimes cancellations on the line have led to 30 minute gaps in the PM peak, and subsequent massive overcrowding.

Really not good...

[#Metro]

I would like to see a two-tier all day express / local service operate on the Cleveland line.

Question is where to divide the line?

Cleveland Line Map
https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/Customers/Stations%20and%20Maps/Documents/network-maps/queensland-rail_cleveland-line-map_0114.pdf

(current thoughts are Wynnum Central every 15 minutes. Beyond that, run express. Station would need to be reworked to allow turnback and level crossing removed. Good place for a TOD, seems to be empty land around the station).

Update: added map

[petey3801]

If you're going to go to Wynnum Central, might as well go one more stop to Manly where there is an existing crew depot, (small) yard and existing turnback facilities available.

[BrizCommuter]

The evening commute on the Cleveland line has been DECIMATED.  With the dilution of the so-called "express" in January 2014, Redlands commuters beyond Manly have had to endure not only our "long-haul" commute being made longer but, particularly in the quiet carriage, the Morningside/Norman Park crowd who barely acknowledge the concept.  Maybe the ride is too short for them to bother reading? 

As a member of the Cleveland Reference Group back in 2012-2014, I was told that when new rolling stock came on line (in about 18 months from the time of the re-vamped timetable in January 2014), that an additional "express" train could be added after the 5.09 to enable more commuters to be able to use it.  This never happened.

Now with the service reduction, our only "express" post 5.00 pm has been cancelled with the last one being 4.54pm.  I have heard that the all stations 5.32 is frequently cancelled.  On Fridays, the 4.17 Cleveland does not exist.  This is appalling and something must be done!

The concern is that come next year, the current level of service might be construed as satisfactory because people have made alternative TEMPORARY arrangements, such as temporary changed work hours.  It needs to be emphasised that commuters may have even put their jobs in jeopardy with self-determined hours in order to be able to use the service in its current timetable.  This must be fixed AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

The Cleveland Line has suffered badly in the recent cuts and cancellations - 75% of BrizCommuter's work colleagues who use the line have gone back to driving. I have often brought up the unacceptable early finish of the pm peak on my blog. This should be one of the highest priorities for service improvements once there are enough trains and staff (that'll be late 2018 then).

Speeding up the expresses is impossible, unless you want a considerably less frequent peak service. Everything has to fit around a 15 minute cycle, and expresses cannot overtake all stations trains.

The comment about the "Morningside/Norman Park crowd" is pompous and unnecessary. The Quiet Carriage is a stupid concept on a suburban commuter railway anyway. 

[#Metro]

If you're going to go to Wynnum Central, might as well go one more stop to Manly where there is an existing crew depot, (small) yard and existing turnback facilities available.

Yes, I did note the yard at Manly. But how are turnbacks performed there - just stop the train on the single track, swap cabs and drive into the platform?

[petey3801]

If you're going to go to Wynnum Central, might as well go one more stop to Manly where there is an existing crew depot, (small) yard and existing turnback facilities available.

Yes, I did note the yard at Manly. But how are turnbacks performed there - just stop the train on the single track, swap cabs and drive into the platform?

Turnbacks are generally done on the platform, but can be done by going out on the single line if required.

[HappyTrainGuy]

If you're going to go to Wynnum Central, might as well go one more stop to Manly where there is an existing crew depot, (small) yard and existing turnback facilities available.

Yes, I did note the yard at Manly. But how are turnbacks performed there - just stop the train on the single track, swap cabs and drive into the platform?

Turnbacks are generally done on the platform, but can be done by going out on the single line if required.

Not to mention that QR have been wanting to put in a third platform there for god knows how long now.

[achiruel]

Would there be any sense in electrifying the DG to Lindum to enable overtaking? Or is there simply too much freight traffic on this section to consider it?

[ozbob]

Tomorrow the rail ' Summer School Holiday Timetable ' is due to hit the streets ...

Meanwhile, sit back and enjoy!  As we wind back the clock ...

[ozbob]

For interest:

Travel Pulse > ScotRail Passengers to Receive Free Week of Travel

Following a week filled with cancellations, overcrowding, and disruptions to service, Scottish commuters are to be given a free week's rail travel.

According to The Guardian ScotRail, has shown just over 83 percent of trains arriving within five minutes of their scheduled time over the last four weeks. "On one day in that period, services across central Scotland were hit when a train broke down crossing several tracks just outside Waverley station in Edinburgh at rush hour, " the article states.

The half-annual report given by the Office of Railroad and Road has reported a consistency in missing punctuality.

"In its half-yearly report on Network Rail's performance – which is influenced heavily by Scottish government investment plans – the ORR disclosed that the network has already missed its average punctuality target by 2.5%, forcing it to cut its year-end regulatory goal from 92% to 91% to make it more achievable."

In addition to the free travel, a discounted £3m package will be shared amongst season ticket holders for the service. In another article, The Guardian explained the rail network in Scotland has been facing mounting problems.

"Despite Network Rail cutting a key performance target to make improvements more achievable, a bad winter could further derail its plans because it has no margin left for mistakes or problems."

    Only 3carriages on peak morning train - completely overcrowded. Everytime there is a #scotfail can we reduce fares by 1%? @scotrail
    — Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) December 21, 2011

Yousaf, Scottish Government Minister for Transport and the Islands, has provided the package to thank passengers for their patience.

Still, Neil Bibby, a transport spokesman says prices will rise in the next year by 1.9% for the majority of the passengers.

Commuters Slam ScotRail

It seems the complaints with the rail service are pouring in and unfortunately it doesn't look like there will be a massive change in improvement in the near future.

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/109921

Summer School Holiday Timetable

What we know so far:

Runs 28th December 2016 - 22nd January 2017

Services will operate every 15 minutes during peak times on the Caboolture, Shorncliffe, Ferny Grove, Redcliffe Peninsula, Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Cleveland, Ipswich and Springfield lines.

Sunshine Coast, Rosewood and Doomben trains will operate every 30 minutes during peak times.

There'll be no changes to Airtrain services during this period.

We are assuming that the off peak timetable will be modeled on a normal Saturday timetable, but waiting confirmation.

Not sure if there will be commensurate bus changes.

[ozbob]

What happens AFTER the Summer School Holiday Timetable  ?

[BrizCommuter]

What happens AFTER the Summer School Holiday Timetable  ?

Chaos probably.

[ozbob]

Details of the #railfail ' Summer School Holiday Timetable ' due to be released today
> https://t.co/G1l81BAkP6#qldpol#moreservicecuts pic.twitter.com/h4BeF2kU08

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) December 20, 2016

[ozbob]

Updated ..

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

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/109921

Summer school holiday train timetable

From Wednesday 28 December 2016 until Sunday 22 January 2017, trains will run to a summer school holiday timetable.

This timetable will run during a period when there's traditionally less customer demand on the network.

Services will operate every 15 minutes during peak times on the Caboolture, Shorncliffe, Ferny Grove, Redcliffe Peninsula, Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Cleveland, Ipswich and Springfield lines.

Sunshine Coast, Rosewood and Doomben trains will operate every 30 minutes during peak times.

There'll be no changes to Airtrain services during this period.

Plan your journey now using the journey planner. Printed timetables will be available online soon.

Last updated:  Wed 21 December 2016 at 8.23am

[BrizCommuter]

Despite TranLink telling people to look at the journey planner, the journey planner has not yet been updated. 

[ozbob]

Despite TranLink telling people to look at the journey planner, the journey planner has not yet been updated. 

Something doesn't seem right.

[ozbob]

Journey planner is showing 30 minute day off peak out of Ferny Grove on the 30th December, so looks like it has been updated.

[Stillwater]

Can Queensland Rail do better than Botswana Railways?

At Least Botswana Railways tries to keep passengers informed:

"The official times as published are intended to fix the time before which a train will not start. BR Express does not undertake that the trains shall start or arrive at the timings specified in the time tables. BR Express will endeavor to adhere to the official time tables."

AND

"The day trains will be operated only on public holidays between Francistown and Gaborone. Unlike the night train, the day train will terminate in Gaborone and not Lobatse. This train is intended to run as an express train (with a maximum speed of 100km/hr) that will take a shorter time from origin to destination."

http://www.botswanarailways.co.bw

At least Ghana Railways are getting on with developing their network:

http://ghananet.weebly.com/ghana-railway-and-corporation.html

While we wait for the Queensland Government to organise itself to build CRR and duplicate the SCL, let's celebrate the railway engineering achievements of the people of Chad.

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/infrastructure/single-view/view/work-to-begin-on-chad-rail-network.html

We should continue to compare the Queensland Government's operation of its railways with those of comparable countries.

[ozbob]

" Printed timetables will be available online soon.  "  8.23am this morning

What does that actually mean?  Still waiting  ...

Everything is a cluster-fuk these days it seems ...


Might be finding it difficult to ' put lipstick on a pig ' huh?

[Stillwater]

Everything is working well on the Cairo metro.  Their journey planner is up and running.  Every trip costs just one Egyptian pound.

http://www.alternativeegypt.com/Transport/Cairo-Metro-Map.html

Meanwhile, on the Queensland Rail network .... ?@#&%*+

Wasn't all that while ago that the government spin doctors were telling us that SEQ had a 'world class' transport system.

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/qrs-unhappy-new-year-timetable.html
QR's Unhappy New Year Timetable - Updated

Up to 60% peak frequency reductions.
15 minute off-peak axed to every 30 minutes.
No .pdf timetables available only a week out
Journey planner timetable riddled with mistakes - unless there really is a 60 minute am peak gap on the Caboolture Line!

F*** this - I'm off to another country.

[ozbob]

BrizCommuter:
QR's Unhappy New Year Timetable - Update
> https://t.co/LMvvLmyVkD#qldpol pic.twitter.com/UVSAToP7mP

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) December 21, 2016

[ozbob]

I have been informed that the PDFs for the SSHT (Summer School Holiday Timetable) hopefully will be available by close of business today.