Interim rail timetables

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland Rail's summer holiday timetable announced

Another week, another timetable for Queensland Rail commuters.

But there's a different reason for changes to services on the south-east Queensland rail network this time around.

TransLink's online journey planner was updated on Wednesday to include Queensland Rail's summer school holiday timetable.

The summer timetable will begin on Wednesday, December 28 and will run until Sunday, January 22, which coincides with the end of school holidays.

The new summer timetable comes after Queensland Rail was recently forced to introduce various iterations following the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line on October 4, when a driver shortage caused a network crunch, with more than 100 services cancelled.

An interim train timetable after the cancellation debacle was introduced later in October, was followed by another timetable on November 7.
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Mr Hinchliffe announced the summer timetable changes on December 15, in addition to bringing forward the Fairer Fares package from January 1, 2017 to December 19.

The summer school holiday changes mean services will operate at 15 minute frequencies during the morning and afternoon peaks from: Caboolture, Shorncliffe, Ferny Grove, Redcliffe Peninsula, Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Cleveland, Ipswich and Springfield.

Services will operate at 30 minute frequencies in the morning peak from the Sunshine Coast and to the Sunshine Coast in the afternoon peak.

The TransLink website also reveals Rosewood and Doomben trains will operate every 30 minutes during peak times, but there will be no changes to Airtrain services.

And "bus connections may be affected," TransLink advises.

But one commuter claimed out the "reduced" summer holiday actually provided more services in peak times on the Cleveland line than the recent temporary timetable.

Mr Hinchliffe said the summer timetable reflected reduced passenger demand on the Citytrain network.

"In January, train patronage averages 776,749 trips per week, which is more than 25 per cent lower than non-holiday patronage at 1,046,675 trips a week," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"While patronage drops by more than 25 per cent at this time of year, services will only be reduced by 11 per cent across the network and the majority of changes will be outside of peak."

The new summer school holiday train timetable is available via the TransLink website.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

22nd December 2016

Comment on the Summer School Holiday Train Timetable

Good Morning,

Further service cuts for the embattled public transport community in SEQ with the roll out of the Queensland Rail Summer School Holiday Train Timetable (SSHTT).

The real reason for the SSHTT is that Queensland Rail is attempting to get its crew difficulties under some sort of management control by reducing demands on overtime and to provide some further training reserve.  It really just shows the abysmal internal workforce planning that has occurred with Queensland Rail.  It is the public that is wearing the reduction in service, whilst Queensland Rail executives get cash bonuses?  How bizarre?? How insulting to the community.

The TransLink Journey planner is riddled with mistakes.  Still no PDF versions of the timetables are available. This makes detailed analysis difficult and just reaffirms the shambles that is public transport management at this time.

There might be a claimed overall 11% reduction in services (from what reference?) but some lines have an effective 60% peak reduction in services.

We do feel a little sorry for our Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe.  It is not easy putting lipstick on a pig hey?



This SSHTT should only attract off peak fares for the duration - 28th December 2016 through to the 22 January 2017.  It has off peak service frequency at peak.Only reasonable under the circumstances.  A lot of bus - rail connections will be problematical, and increase journey times as well.

All in all, a very poor outcome for public transport in SEQ.  Something we have have long suffered now.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

References:

1. Summer school holiday train timetable
https://translink.com.au/service-updates/109921

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

3.  Another new timetable for rail commuters
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/queensland-rails-summer-holiday-timetable-announced-20161221-gtg189.html

[ozbob]

Latest: Comment on the Summer School Holiday Train Timetable
or SSHTT for short ..
> https://t.co/KbVNVf0vJu#qldpol@StirlHinchliffe pic.twitter.com/g7ZpE6BJvx

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) December 21, 2016

[Otto]

That really is a SSHTT service !

[Stillwater]

I want to see this headline:

Commuters slam SSHTT service

[brissypete]

Why not just call it Summer Holiday Interim Timetable, perfect acronym then 😂

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

[#Metro]

I would suggest

Summer Holiday Interim Train Timetable.

Somebody, think of the children...

[ozbob]

Why not just call it Summer Holiday Interim Timetable, perfect acronym then 😂

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

  TransLink's call 

[ozbob]

First active promotion of the SSHTT

@QueenslandRail Summer school holiday timetable in the journey planner. Replan your travel now for 28 Dec to 22 Jan https://t.co/zh2tU5otEh

— TransLink (@TransLinkSEQ) December 22, 2016

[ozbob]

And now Queensland Rail starts putting on the lipstick ... 

A new summer school holiday train timetable is coming from 28 Dec 2016. View the
timetable now https://t.co/ODMEEojDQ6 #SummerTimetable pic.twitter.com/w42s4atdTQ

— Queensland Rail (@QueenslandRail) December 22, 2016

[ozbob]

" PDF timetables will be available online soon "

[ozbob]

S S H T T

[Stillwater]

Why is it too difficult for Queenslanders to expect that a timetable should last from one month to the next, is not different Thursday to Friday and is the same on weekends, with the same timetable both days - Saturday and Sunday?  Is that aiming too high?  Apparently so.

It's SSHTT alright.

[ozbob]

It seems QR have plenty of time to develop flashing SSHTT gifs ...

but not so much for developing PDFs of the latest version of what purports to be the timetable ... 

Amazing!!   

I am looking forward to Perth and Melbourne in a week or so!   

[#Metro]

Why is it too difficult for Queenslanders to expect that a timetable should last from one month to the next, is not different Thursday to Friday and is the same on weekends, with the same timetable both days - Saturday and Sunday?  Is that aiming too high?  Apparently so.

It's SSHTT alright.

How is it possible that the minister and the ENTIRE board still have their jobs? HOW!?

[BrizCommuter]

It seems QR have plenty of time to develop flashing SSHTT gifs ...

but not so much for developing PDFs of the latest version of what purports to be the timetable ... 

Amazing!!   

I am looking forward to Perth and Melbourne in a week or so!   

BrizCommuter will be off to Wellington, a city 1/10 the population of Brisbane that will be running a more frequent train service in January!

[ozbob]

SSHTT PDFs are now available for most lines ...

> https://translink.com.au/service-updates/109921  click through to the individual lines ..

Shorncliffe, Redcliffe Peninsula, Doomben, and Caboolture presently do not have PDFs.

[BrizCommuter]

SSHTT PDFs are now available for most lines ...

> https://translink.com.au/service-updates/109921  click through to the individual lines ..

Shorncliffe, Redcliffe Peninsula, Doomben, and Caboolture presently do not have PDFs.

Only available for a few lines so far.
Ferny Grove seems to have new "Effective 19th Dec" printed timetable as well - have there been more changes that QR have forgotten to tell passengers about, or is it just corrections from the Interim Timetable Mk2?

[ozbob]

It is only Shorncliffe, Redcliffe Peninsula, Doomben, and Caboolture presently do not have PDFs for the SSHTT.

Got the rest including Inner-City.

[ozbob]

Good news is that the SSHTT is consistent for all weekdays [except the late night services Fridays of course].

[ozbob]

SSHTT presently available

https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/timetables/161228-inner-north.pdf

https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/timetables/161228-gold-coast-airport.pdf

https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/timetables/161228-Beenleigh.pdf

https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/timetables/161228-Cleveland.pdf

https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/timetables/161228-inner-city.pdf

https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/timetables/161228-gold-coast-airport.pdf

https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/timetables/161228-ipswich-rosewood.pdf

https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/timetables/161228-springfield.pdf

https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/timetables/161228-Doomben.pdf

https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/timetables/161228-redcliffe-peninsula.pdf

https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/timetables/161228-shorncliffe.pdf

https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/timetables/161228-sunshine-coast.pdf

https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/timetables/161228-Caboolture.pdf

Not available presently Shorncliffe, Doomben, Redcliffe Peninsula, Caboolture and there is an error on the Sunshine Coast link .. 

Now able to retrieve Shorncliffe, Doomben, Redcliffe Peninsula PDFs, but now a new error on Caboolture line link and the error on the Sunshine Coast line link remains ...

Now all links active, list complete!

[James]

Express services axed on the Cleveland & Ipswich lines. 15 minute frequency gone from the Beenleigh, Cleveland & Inner North lines interpeak, and likely the Ferny Grove line too. This is an extremely regressive step - for the inner north line in particular. This is akin to returning to the mid-2000s in terms of train frequency. Disgusting! The Summer Holiday Interim Timetable sure is a piece of S-H-I-T! I wonder how "angry and furious" the premier is going to be?

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

23rd December 2016

Re: Comment on the Summer School Holiday Train Timetable

Good Morning,

Most of the PDF forms of the SSHTT are now available from the TransLink main page https://translink.com.au/ by activating the Train Service Update tab and clicking on the various lines ( a simple list would have been functional, but hey this is Queensland ... ).

I have compiled a list of the SSHTT PDFs here > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12524.msg185532#msg185532

There are presently link errors on the Caboolture and Sunshine Coast lines so not able to retrieve those and comment.

As expected the SSHTT delivers a very mediocre peak train timetable for SEQ with commensurate service degradation off peak.  Off peak fares should only be charged for this step back to the year 2000, in terms of service frequency.

There is a loss of express peak services on Ipswich and Cleveland lines and interpeak inner city frequency drops to 30 minutes.  Ferny Grove off peak is back to 30 minutes.

No amount of spin can cover up the failure that the SSHTT represents.

Again we call for off peak fares only for the duration of the SSHTT - that is the period 28th December 2016 through to 22nd January 2017.

Are we all furious?  Angry??  Or just terribly disappointed ...

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12524.msg185486#msg185486 ]

[ozbob]

Latest: ' Comment on the Summer School Holiday Train Timetable '
> https://t.co/jWE7gV9kwT#qldpol@StirlHinchliffe @QueenslandRail pic.twitter.com/1SGe6xA5A9

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) December 22, 2016

[BrizCommuter]

15 minute counter am peak gaps through South Bank. It's that QR Friday feeling!

[BrizCommuter]

By the way, has anyone heard any announcements about the SSHTT? Nope?

[ozbob]

S S H T T

[#Metro]

By the way, has anyone heard any announcements about the SSHTT? Nope?

Brizcommuter, I heard that SSHTT would eventually be replaced with Permanently Improved Service Standards a bit down the track.

[James]

15 minute counter am peak gaps through South Bank. It's that QR Friday feeling!

With respect BrizCommuter, it is not that bad. There are only 13 minute counter am peak gaps! It isn't that SSHTT

[ozbob]

SSHTT page has been updated with a list of PDFs ... 

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

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

24th December 2016

More Re: Train service cancellations continue ...

Good Morning,

More train service cancellations yesterday afternoon (23rd Dec) due to  ' operational issues '.
[ https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1862.msg185572#msg185572 ]

What are these operational issues?  Is it not time the public was properly informed as to the true cause of this train service non-delivery roulette?

Time the Minister for Transport and his staff forget about prepared bull-dust responses from Queensland Rail and hit the truth for a change.
[ Couriermail --> Queensland Rail fed Minister storyline over rail fail ]

The rail fail mess has been a disaster for public transport confidence in SEQ.  Does the Government really appreciate the impact the constant random non delivery of train service had on the public?  Missed connections, missed appointments, missed childcare pickups and increased costs, lost wages, dollars spent on taxis, general angst and annoyance and major inconvenience.

So the next phase is the Summer School Holiday Train Timetable (SSHTT).  As we have pointed out previously, this is just a further reduction in service delivery with more haphazard connections.  Again we call for off peak fares only for the SSHTT.  The SSHTT is delivering off peak service levels for peaks so it is only reasonable that fares be off peak for the duration of the SSHTT which is 28th December 2016 through to the 22nd January 2017.

What a sad situation to see a once competent rail operation reduced to a shambles.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

23rd December 2016

Train service cancellations continue ...

Greetings,

A significant number of train service cancellations again yesterday afternoon/evening.
[ https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1862.msg185517#msg185517 ]

What is going on with this ramshackle railway?

It is time for the Minister for Transport and Government to come clean.

We have had enough of train service roulette.  IT IS APPALLING !

Thank you.

Robert

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

[mufreight]

Given the inability of Queensland Rail to reliably operate passenger services and the lack of Government interest in operating rail services perhaps the Minister should consider shutting the commuter operations of Queensland Rail down completely and replacing all rail services with buses.  This would resolve the problems of the maladministration of Queensland Rail that have resulted in a staffing shortage that has resulted in the cancellation of services, and the failure of the introduction of the NGR trains within a reasonable timeframe.

[ozbob]

^ not sure such ultimate desperate measures are warranted or needed as closing the network per se.

But certainly there needs to be some major structural and operational changes with QR. TMR and TransLink.

The present circus has failed.  I have a feeling that once the Commission of Inquiry is complete there will be some rather fancy tap-dancing from that point.

The Government doesn't seem able to grasp the impact of this mess on their future political fortune.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> QR set to scale back train timetables next week

Commuters will be wondering what the next Queensland Rail timetable will look like, with the summer school holiday timetable due to finish in a month.

The new summer train timetable is due to start on Wednesday, December 28, and will run until Sunday, January 22.

It features a reduction in services of 11 per cent at a time when patronage is expected to drop by more than 25 per cent.

Brisbane Times asked Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe whether Queensland Rail will return to the current timetable or whether there would be a new timetable from January 23.

"These are matters that I'm awaiting advice on what's possible from Queensland Rail," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"The intent is that we at least go back to the timetable that's in place now, but we're always on the basis of the availability of crew, looking to expand services."

When asked the same question, a Queensland Rail spokeswoman said: "It is anticipated the existing Citytrain timetable will resume from Monday, January 23."

Asked to clarify, a spokesman for Mr Hinchliffe said it was anticipated that the timetable from January 23 would be the timetable that was currently in place but advice would be taken from QR.

"If there's advice further down the track that the timetable can be expanded that's something that would be (considered)," he said.

"The intention is that they're looking to expand services."

Mr Hinchliffe said the reduced summer timetable would also allow more driver training to occur.

The Queensland Rail spokeswoman said assessments on the New Generation Rollingstock were continuing, including further tests late on Friday.

The former LNP government ordered 75 new trains under a private public partnership. It was revealed in October the NGR had some issues, including drivers not being able to see stopping points properly.

The new summer timetable comes after Queensland Rail was recently forced to introduce various iterations following the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line on October 4, when a driver shortage led to more than 100 services being cancelled.

An interim train timetable after the cancellation debacle was introduced later in October, and was followed by another timetable on November 7.

The spokeswoman encouraged passengers to check the TransLink journey planner for details on the summer school holiday timetable.

You have been shafted yet again SEQ !  But then again, what's new? 

[BrizCommuter]

Brisbanetimes --> QR set to scale back train timetables next week

Commuters will be wondering what the next Queensland Rail timetable will look like, with the summer school holiday timetable due to finish in a month.

The new summer train timetable is due to start on Wednesday, December 28, and will run until Sunday, January 22.

It features a reduction in services of 11 per cent at a time when patronage is expected to drop by more than 25 per cent.

Brisbane Times asked Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe whether Queensland Rail will return to the current timetable or whether there would be a new timetable from January 23.

"These are matters that I'm awaiting advice on what's possible from Queensland Rail," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"The intent is that we at least go back to the timetable that's in place now, but we're always on the basis of the availability of crew, looking to expand services."

When asked the same question, a Queensland Rail spokeswoman said: "It is anticipated the existing Citytrain timetable will resume from Monday, January 23."

Asked to clarify, a spokesman for Mr Hinchliffe said it was anticipated that the timetable from January 23 would be the timetable that was currently in place but advice would be taken from QR.

"If there's advice further down the track that the timetable can be expanded that's something that would be (considered)," he said.

"The intention is that they're looking to expand services."

Mr Hinchliffe said the reduced summer timetable would also allow more driver training to occur.

The Queensland Rail spokeswoman said assessments on the New Generation Rollingstock were continuing, including further tests late on Friday.

The former LNP government ordered 75 new trains under a private public partnership. It was revealed in October the NGR had some issues, including drivers not being able to see stopping points properly.

The new summer timetable comes after Queensland Rail was recently forced to introduce various iterations following the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line on October 4, when a driver shortage led to more than 100 services being cancelled.

An interim train timetable after the cancellation debacle was introduced later in October, and was followed by another timetable on November 7.

The spokeswoman encouraged passengers to check the TransLink journey planner for details on the summer school holiday timetable.

You have been shafted yet again SEQ !  But then again, what's new? 

What do they mean by return to "current" timetable? Is "current" the October 2016 timetable or Interim Timetable Mk2?

[ozbob]

I don't think no one knows in the end

Just an almighty cluster-fuk  ...

A little ditty for the Doomben Line fans!

[ozbob]

Media release 24th December 2016

SEQ: Summer School Holiday Train Timetable - off peak fares only is the call!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has called for off peak fares only for the duration of the Summer School Holiday Train Timetable (SSHTT) (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The Summer School Holiday Train Timetable for the period 28th December 2016 through to the 22nd January 2017 has reduced rail services, some lines have very significant peak reductions as well as poor off peak service. Connections be they bus/rail or rail/rail will be more problematical and longer journey times will result."

"As the service for peak is essentially only off peak frequency it is reasonable then to apply off peak fares only for the duration of the Summer Timetable."

"The public has lost confidence in the rail network. Even today there are more service cancellations due to ' operational issues ' which is code no doubt for a lack of train crew and mediocre forward planning (2)."

"It is only fair that off peak fares be applied. The public has suffered enough."

"The rail fail mess has been a disaster for public transport confidence in SEQ.  Does the Government really appreciate the impact the constant random non delivery of train service has had on the public?  Missed connections, missed appointments, missed childcare pickups and increased costs, lost wages, dollars spent on taxis, general angst and annoyance and major inconvenience."

References:

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

2. https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1862.msg185612#msg185612

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Media: Summer School Holiday Train Timetable - off peak fares only is the call!
> https://t.co/K4YO9XkPJc#qldpol@StirlHinchliffe pic.twitter.com/7X6mS0cr95

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) December 24, 2016

[ozbob]

Media release from Transport Minister's Office

24th December 2016

Media statement – Christmas Day rail services

Queensland Rail is advising customers that due to operational reasons, there will be a number of alterations to its services on Christmas Day and is urging people to check the Translink website or call 13 12 30 before they travel.

As a consequence the Government has approved free travel on the Queensland Rail network tomorrow.

Queensland Rail Acting Chief Executive Officer Jim Benstead said the introduction of a new timetable on 7 November stabilised services and returned on-time running to an average of nearly 94 percent.

​"Given the train cancellations tomorrow of all days, it is only right that all train customers travel free and those who pay will be refunded," Mr Benstead said.

"I apologise to customers for the inconvenience and I urge people to call the TransLink Contact Centre on 13 12 30 or check the TransLink website before they travel.

"On Christmas Day, patronage is about 60 percent less than an average Sunday, but of course many people will be relying on the train to get to festive celebrations which they won't want to miss.

"We are asking all passengers to check the TransLink website before travelling.

"Extra station staff will be available to offer customer support and Passenger information displays (PIDs) at train stations will be updated to reflect the changes.

"Queensland Rail accepts full responsibility for these service cancellations."

Queensland Rail will offer taxis at stations for customers who are facing an unacceptable wait times.

Mr Benstead said Queensland Rail was continuing to work hard to implement the Government's five-point plan to ensure the high quality delivery of services to the travelling public.

"The Government has doubled recruitment, announcing an additional 100 drivers and 100 guard positions in October to ensure we have enough traincrew to deliver the services the travelling public deserves.

"That builds on an extra 100 driver and 100 guard positions announced in December 2015, with successful candidates from this recruitment round scheduled into upcoming driver schools.

"Queensland Rail is also considering options to fast track and resource additional schools, to ensure that these and any future drivers enter service as soon as possible."

From 28 December, Queensland Rail is introducing a summer school holiday timetable which reflects reduced passenger demand over the holiday period. The timetable will run until 22 January and is available on the Translink website.

[ozbob]

It is difficult to comprehend how inept Queensland Rail has become.

I am advised there will be around 150 service cancellations tomorrow out of a 790 service timetable.

Merry Christmas SEQ  !

More #railfail cancellations tomorrow.@QueenslandRail has botched the rosters ..
Travel will be free ...
> https://t.co/p5wDjq6Zic#qldpol pic.twitter.com/aTNUyb9NH9

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) December 24, 2016