Interim rail timetables

[STB]

Ouch! 

Must admit, I'm kinda not surprised though - and I've got the feeling that there will be more cancelled services come tomorrow (from memory Christmas Day has a history of services been cancelled at the last minute).

Why didn't they implement their usual hourly Christmas Day timetable like they've done every other year?

[brissypete]

Oh boy, wonder how Monday will be.  Im heading to Gold Coast Airport, already planned to allow extra time due to operational issues 😂, will keep a close eye on things thats for sure.  Off to Melbourne for a few days, looking forward to reliable efficient PT.

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

[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]

Travel free tomorrow (Christmas Day) on Queensland Rail SEQ.

Expect around 150 cancellations out of a 790 service timetable.  It would not surprise if even more than 150 were cancelled.

Guess the clowns in charge of rostering were to busy counting cash bonuses or something hey, to make sure that the rosters were correct.

This is not just a clusterfuk  it is a

MEGA CLUSTERFUK !!

[ozbob]

Oh boy, wonder how Monday will be.  Im heading to Gold Coast Airport, already planned to allow extra time due to operational issues 😂, will keep a close eye on things thats for sure.  Off to Melbourne for a few days, looking forward to reliable efficient PT.

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

There is a fair chance this could be repeated for the 26th and 27th (same timetable)  so note tomorrows offerings is my advice and plan accordingly.

On the bright side if the clusterfuk continues I would expect the rail travel to be free again though ..

[Arnz]

One has to question why QR didn't apply their hourly Christmas Year timetable tommorow as per previous years. 

[STB]

The list has been uploaded onto the TransLink website.  Might as well not have a rail network given the vast amount of cancellations!

[brissypete]

Some pretty big gaps in Airport services, if im reading it right gaps of up to 2 hours City - Airport.  Wonder how the airtrain contract deals with such things!

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

[#Metro]

Ah, government ownership, operation and " management ". 

Has it reached Soviet crisis levels yet?

This is the Connex you cannot get rid of.

"Queensland Rail takes full responsibility" more useless words.

Should have ripped up the contract ages ago.

And after all of this, the transport minister, useless as he is, is going to extend Queensland Rail's contract, like a zombie would. Madness!

Enjoy...

[Arnz]

Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast services have varying 2-4 hour gaps tomorrow from looking at the Cancelled list posted on the TransLink website tonight.  I suspect there will be more gaps across all lines as more services get cancelled at short notice tomorrow.

I must say we do have to thank the crew that have given up their X-Mas day to serve the customers tomorrow, even if services on the QR network are limited.

[James]

Services gutted on the Springfield - Redcliffe Peninsula Line. There's a gap there of 2.5 hours. Merry Christmas everybody!

[petey3801]

Ah, government ownership, operation and " management ". 

Has it reached Soviet crisis levels yet?

This is the Connex you cannot get rid of.

"Queensland Rail takes full responsibility" more useless words.

Should have ripped up the contract ages ago.

And after all of this, the transport minister, useless as he is, is going to extend Queensland Rail's contract, like a zombie would. Madness!

Enjoy...

For the love of God, get off your bandwagon already. This same s#!t would be happening if Newman got in and gave the network to your beloved 'Metro', then you'd be crying out for the Government to take it back.

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/stop-press-qr-is-christmas-grinch.html
Stop Press: QR is the Christmas Grinch!

[#Metro]

Actually, no.

A company that cannot perform should be allowed to go bankrupt and have its competitors take over.

Is there a limit to how bad it will get, or is there just no limit for state owned operators?

What has to happen before people demand Queensland Rail's contact must be ripped up? Or is that no limit too?

Monopolies in SEQ transport must go!!

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail cancellations to cause more chaos on Christmas Day

LAST-minute train cancellations are expected to cause chaos for thousands of Queenslanders on Christmas Day.

About 150 services in southeast Queensland have been cancelled due to "operational reasons", according to an announcement by Queensland Rail late on Christmas Eve.

A QR spokeswoman confirmed taxi services would be offered to customers who experience an "unacceptable delay".

The State Government has approved free travel for all customers on Christmas Day in response to the crisis.

Transport Minister Stirling Hinchcliffe said he was only informed of QR's decision to cancel the services on Saturday afternoon.

"I am disappointed by Queensland Rail's decision and the inconvenience it will cause for rail passengers on Christmas Day.

"That's why I have directed Queensland Rail to provide free Christmas Day travel for all passengers on all CityRail services," he said.

QR acting CEO Jim Benstead apologised to customers and said the company "took full responsibility" for the cancellations.
Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games Stirling Hinchliffe/

"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," he said.

Mr Bernstead said extra station staff will be available to offer customer support and information at stations will be updated to reflect the changes.

"On Christmas Day, patronage is about 60 per cent 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," he said.

Mr Bernstead urged customers to check the Translink website or call 13 12 30 before they travel.

No specific details regarding the cancelled services has appeared online at this time.

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 train crew to deliver the services the travelling public deserves.

The cancellations come after Queensland Rail replaced all Doomben line services with buses due to an "operational issue" on Christmas Eve.

From December 28 to January 22 there will be a summer school holiday timetable to reflect reduced passenger demand.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

25th December 2016

Christmas Rail Fail !

Good Morning!

Merry Christmas to you all.  Not so Merry Christmas at rail service cancellation HQ hey?

[ Christmas day cancellations https://translink.com.au/service-updates/111116 ]

Of concern is that these cancellations will not be updated in the journey planner. 
Therefore maximum publicity please be given to the need to check the actual link above before travelling.

We are now in the realm of sheer incompetence.  Heads must roll from here.  There clearly is a major issue within Queensland Rail - bloated management unable to carry out their job functions.  Get rid of them, and the Queensland Rail Board. Clearly ineffective.

Replace the board with a Rail Commissioner - someone with an actual rail background.

Set up a switched on management team, get union cooperation to sort this mess before it is too late.

We thank Minister Hinchliffe for directing that travel be free on the rail network today.

We respectfully request that for the period of the Summer School Holiday Timetable that only off peak fares be charged.

This is a very reasonable request under the circumstances.

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.msg185629#msg185629 ]

[ozbob]

Latest media: ' Christmas Rail Fail ! '
> https://t.co/tBqLABW4yU#qldpol@QueenslandRail @TMRQld @StirlHinchliffe @Curtis_Pitt_MP
O_O pic.twitter.com/sK2MiPKqHb

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) December 24, 2016

^

Travelling on rail today check TransLink web site here > https://t.co/XI5wpp2mep
Cancellations NOT IN JOURNEY PLANNER#qldpol#prayforusOz https://t.co/lT5qGlxHSc

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) December 24, 2016

[ozbob]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/stop-press-qr-is-christmas-grinch.html
Stop Press: QR is the Christmas Grinch!

BrizCommuter -
Stop Press: QR is the Christmas Grinch
> https://t.co/HTgyShcggW#qldpol pic.twitter.com/ygAu0swLQT

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) December 24, 2016

[#Metro]

Blog comment. Thank you.

SteelPan - December 24, 2016, 01:59:06 PM   
To be blunt, the days of having a "state rail operator" are largely gone.

SE Qld needs
1) a dedicated Metro transit operator
2) The state can retain and operate long-distance rail services.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast services have varying 2-4 hour gaps tomorrow from looking at the Cancelled list posted on the TransLink website tonight.  I suspect there will be more gaps across all lines as more services get cancelled at short notice tomorrow.

I must say we do have to thank the crew that have given up their X-Mas day to serve the customers tomorrow, even if services on the QR network are limited.

We are indeed grateful for all public transport crew and staff that toil for 365 days a year > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12599.0

I worked in the health care sector in various roles for over 40 years.  I worked as part of the health care team, nurses, cleaners, cooks, doctors, ambulance and paradmedics, radiographers, medical scientists, and many others also work around the clock as part of the health care team.  At Christmas we cannot simply say sorry, not enough staff today to look after the injured and the ill patients. We plan out rosters, with back up call in staff if primary staff themselves are not available due to illness or other reasons.

In the same way Queensland Rail should be able to plan and implement proper rosters decisively - apparently they cannot with deficiencies only appearing the day before?

WTF ??

This is NOT ACCEPTABLE I am afraid.   Heads must roll at Queensland Rail.  It is a bloated organisation.  The QR Board is superfluous fluff.

Informed sources suggest at least 50% of non direct rail related management staff could go.  Go they must!  The QR Board should de-train as well - perhaps all resign en-mass today for a Christmas present for Queensland would be good start to sorting out this mess.

Patience has worn thin for many hapless passengers now.  ACTION is needed, and needed fast.



Footnote:  I was listening to ABC News Radio this morning during my gym workout.  The Queensland Rail Christmas Day service cancellations have made that news service ( it is National ! ).  This is damning now, damning ...

[ozbob]

Last night I ordered all @QueenslandRail services to operate free today. #qldpol

— Stirling Hinchliffe (@StirlHinchliffe) December 24, 2016

This is a totally unacceptable performance from @QueenslandRail. My entire focus today is on supporting our customers. #qldpol

— Stirling Hinchliffe (@StirlHinchliffe) December 24, 2016

Check the @TransLinkSEQ website or call 13 12 30 before travelling. Speak to station staff or press the service button on platforms for help

— Stirling Hinchliffe (@StirlHinchliffe) December 24, 2016

[ozbob]

S S H T T

[#Metro]

If something is unacceptable, why accept contract renewals?

Just another case of cheap talk, words not matching actions.

REJECT Queensland Rail's contract renewal. Open application to all.

The public can see through all the BS now, it is laid bare for all to see.

Minister is clearly not in control at all, is he?

Only so many times one can recite the words "angry","outraged" etc.

[STB]

Friend of mine has counted 176 services cancelled today ~20% of the scheduled services, although I wouldn't be surprised to see if more are cancelled.

Also, Metro, I know what you are passive-aggressively saying, ie: you just want Queensland Rail out of the picture completely and replaced with a private operator.

I'm sure Qld Rail can come back from this, however, it does need support from all sides of Government and a proper clean out and restructure of the organisation.  Having open competition and replacing Qld Rail with a private operator (like Metro, which you keep supporting - are you sure you aren't being paid by Metro to have that view?), isn't a silver bullet.

[#Metro]

I have no interest in listening to QR apologists anymore. Send in the competition, let Queensland Rail fight off five other companies to earn the right to run services.

It is  time to uphold national competition policy as well and stop giving business to protected government monopolies "just because".

This includes the protected private bus monopolies in SEQ as well. It is wrong to spend public funds on "favoured" suppliers like this. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

[ozbob]

Been advised around 200 odd cancellations now throughout the day
:conf

[ozbob]

Now 235 cancellations

&

All Shorncliffe line trains cancelled. Replacement rail buses Northgate-Shornclife. https://t.co/yKaQOQgIal #TLAlert #TLShorncliffeline

[techblitz]

i guess a big thankyou is in order to all the bus drivers who have decided to take out time from family/friends to help out with QR`s incompetence....

@metro

yep the line has to be drawn...no more time for QR apologists anymore....

[Otto]

I'm due to start work @ 3:53pm.... I'm starting to wonder if I should go. Think there will be a lot of angry pax out there today.. I really don't want to deal with that. 

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Queensland Rail cancels 150 Christmas Day train services across south east

A last-minute round of train service cancellations today across south-east Queensland has prompted the State Opposition to label Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe the "grinch who stole Christmas".

Last night, Queensland Rail (QR) announced 150 Christmas Day cancellations affecting all lines across the south-east.

Free train travel was offered in compensation, as well as taxis for some stranded customers.

As a further complication, QR made the changes so late they have not been added to the TransLink journey planner and are only listed as cancellations via the Translink home page.

Mr Hinchliffe was not available to comment, but vented his own frustration on Twitter this morning.

"This is a totally unacceptable performance from Queensland Rail," he said.

"My entire focus today is on supporting our customers."

But Shadow Transport Minister Andrew Powell said Mr Hinchliffe could not keep blaming Queensland Rail for the ongoing timetable problems.

"Clearly Queensland Rail and the rail unions are out of control and the Minister has no solution, no answers for it," Mr Powell said.

"The Premier's going to have to haul herself back from her Christmas Day celebrations and sack him.

"It's just simply not good enough. Stirling Hinchliffe has had excuse after excuse after excuse as to why he shouldn't be held responsible.

"Well I'm sorry, that's not going to cut it on Christmas Day when commuters are stranded from their loved ones."
'Heads must roll from here'

Robert Dow from the lobby group Rail Back On Track called for the QR board to be sacked.

"We are now in the realm of sheer incompetence. Heads must roll from here," he said.

"There clearly is a major issue within Queensland Rail - bloated management unable to carry out their job functions.

"Get rid of them, and the Queensland Rail Board. Clearly ineffective."

Mr Dow said a rail commissioner "with an actual rail background" should replace the board.

"Set up a switched on management team, get union cooperation to sort this mess before it is too late. We thank Minister Hinchliffe for directing that travel be free on the rail network today," Mr Dow said.

"We respectfully request that for the period of the summer school holiday timetable that only off-peak fares be charged."

[ozbob]

Now 235 cancellations

&

All Shorncliffe line trains cancelled. Replacement rail buses Northgate-Shornclife. https://t.co/yKaQOQgIal #TLAlert #TLShorncliffeline

Crews that were rostered on the Shorncliffe services have now been redeployed on Ippy and Kippa-Ring line I am advised.

[ozbob]

I'm due to start work @ 3:53pm.... I'm starting to wonder if I should go. Think there will be a lot of angry pax out there today.. I really don't want to deal with that. 

Thanks Otto for being there!  Appreciate it .. regards to you and all your colleagues.

[#Metro]

235 services cancelled. This gov't is toast.

Uber has announced that first-time customers in southeast Queensland can receive $30 credit for travel today.

A spokesman for Uber said customers can use the code 'UBERXMASQLD' to get the discount off their first trip.

"We're doing this to help locals inconvenienced by train cancellations get where they need to be," he said.

Worth reading the comments
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-rail-cancellations-to-cause-more-chaos-on-christmas-day/news-story/6171f8113f99a7c9221bf26f1038cf4d

[ozbob]

Meanwhile in the real world ...

Merry Christmas Melbourne! Today all lines are running to a Sunday timetable...and travel today is free! Details: https://t.co/Kk53SWt3aw pic.twitter.com/QzHCX17Ilg

— Metro Trains (@metrotrains) December 24, 2016

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail cancellations to cause more chaos on Christmas Day

UPDATE: The number of Christmas Day train cancellations has been revised up to 235, from the 150 expected earlier.

Embattled Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe initially did not front the media, but called a media conference at 2.30pm in his Sandgate electorate to explain the reasons behind the latest rail fail.

Ironically, services on the entire Shorncliffe line, which serves the Sandgate community, were cancelled for the rest of the day from about 1pm.

To add to network users' headaches, some of the supposed cancelled services turned up, forcing people to make further changes to their already altered plans.

EARLIER: Last-minute train cancellations are expected to cause chaos for thousands of Queenslanders on Christmas Day.

About 150 services in southeast Queensland have been cancelled due to "operational reasons", according to an announcement by Queensland Rail late on Christmas Eve.

A QR spokeswoman confirmed taxi services would be offered to customers who experience an "unacceptable delay".

The State Government has approved free travel for all customers on Christmas Day in response to the crisis.

Transport Minister Stirling Hinchcliffe said he was only informed of QR's decision to cancel the services on Saturday afternoon.

"I am disappointed by Queensland Rail's decision and the inconvenience it will cause for rail passengers on Christmas Day.

"That's why I have directed Queensland Rail to provide free Christmas Day travel for all passengers on all CityRail services," he said.

QR acting CEO Jim Benstead apologised to customers and said the company "took full responsibility" for the cancellations. ...

[ozbob]

 

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane trains: number of train cancellations revised to 235 across Sunday

The number of trains cancelled across the south-east Queensland network has been revised to 235.

The revised figure was released just before midday Sunday, after 150 last-minute cancellations were announced by QR about 6pm on Saturday, just 12 hours before the first train cancellation on Christmas Day.

A Queensland Rail spokeswoman said the service cancellations were due to "resourcing issues that Queensland Rail have been experiencing over the last couple of months".

On Sunday morning, a spokesman for Transport Minister Sterling Hinchliffe said that number had since been revised to 235.

Every train line has been affected as a result of the cancellations.

Mr Hinchcliffe said he was notified on Saturday afternoon of Queensland Rail's decision.
Advertisement

"I am disappointed by Queensland Rail's decision and the inconvenience it will cause for rail passengers on Christmas Day," he said.

"That's why I have directed Queensland Rail to provide free Christmas Day travel for all passengers on all CityRail services."

According to Translink, due to the "late receipt of advice from Queensland Rail", the changes have not been updated in journey planner, with commuters asked to call Translink Contact Centre on 13 12 20 or check the TransLink website for more information.

Queensland Rail acting chief executive officer Jim Benstead apologised for the inconvenience.

"Given the train cancellations [on Sunday] of all days, it is only right that all train customers travel free and those who pay will be refunded," Mr Benstead said on Christmas Eve.

"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."

Mr Benstead said the company "accepts full responsibility" for the service cancellations.

"On Christmas Day, patronage is about 60 per cent 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," he said.

Queensland Rail will offer taxis at stations for customers facing "unacceptable" wait times, according to a media statement from the organisation.

Opposition transport spokesman Andrew Powell said the cancellations will cause a "nightmare" for commuters.

"Because this is such a shemozzle, the changes can't even be updated on the Queensland Rail journey planner, meaning many commuters will only find out when they're on the platform on their way to Christmas lunch," he said.

A statement released by commuter advocate group Rail Back on Track cautioned rail passengers on the Airport Line could face train delays of up to 90 minutes.

"Most potential passengers will be completely unaware of the changes until they turn up for a non-existent train service," the statement read.

"Whilst few people use public transport on Christmas Day, those who do rely on it to get to work or family gatherings, tend to have no other transport option."

From December 28, a summer school holiday timetable will be introduced and will feature a reduction in services of 11 per cent at a time when patronage is expected to drop by more than 25 per cent.

Mr Hinchcliffe told Fairfax Media on Friday the reduced summer timetable would allow more driver training to occur.

The timetable will run until 22 January.

[mufreight]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail cancellations to cause more chaos on Christmas Day

UPDATE: The number of Christmas Day train cancellations has been revised up to 235, from the 150 expected earlier.

Embattled Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe initially did not front the media, but called a media conference at 2.30pm in his Sandgate electorate to explain the reasons behind the latest rail fail.

Ironically, services on the entire Shorncliffe line, which serves the Sandgate community, were cancelled for the rest of the day from about 1pm.

To add to network users' headaches, some of the supposed cancelled services turned up, forcing people to make further changes to their already altered plans.

EARLIER: Last-minute train cancellations are expected to cause chaos for thousands of Queenslanders on Christmas Day.

About 150 services in southeast Queensland have been cancelled due to "operational reasons", according to an announcement by Queensland Rail late on Christmas Eve.

A QR spokeswoman confirmed taxi services would be offered to customers who experience an "unacceptable delay".

The State Government has approved free travel for all customers on Christmas Day in response to the crisis.

Transport Minister Stirling Hinchcliffe said he was only informed of QR's decision to cancel the services on Saturday afternoon.

"I am disappointed by Queensland Rail's decision and the inconvenience it will cause for rail passengers on Christmas Day.

"That's why I have directed Queensland Rail to provide free Christmas Day travel for all passengers on all CityRail services," he said.

QR acting CEO Jim Benstead apologised to customers and said the company "took full responsibility" for the cancellations. ...

No point in Mr Binstead from QR saying in a press release that QR takes responsibility for the failure to provide services, the responsibility rests with the Minister and voters will without doubt bare this in mind when they next go to the ballot box, if the Premier does not remove railways fro Minister Hinchliffe and remove the board to get some fresh air on to this debacle then the winds of change will certainly blow this incompetent and ineffectual circus into history.

[ozbob]

Another song for the crowd waiting for trains on platforms everywhere in SEQ
Song fantasy - next train ?#qldpol
>> https://t.co/YU9g1plQGS

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) December 25, 2016

[SteelPan]

Ah, government ownership, operation and " management ". 

Has it reached Soviet crisis levels yet?

This is the Connex you cannot get rid of.

"Queensland Rail takes full responsibility" more useless words.

Should have ripped up the contract ages ago.

And after all of this, the transport minister, useless as he is, is going to extend Queensland Rail's contract, like a zombie would. Madness!

Enjoy...

For the love of God, get off your bandwagon already. This same s#!t would be happening if Newman got in and gave the network to your beloved 'Metro', then you'd be crying out for the Government to take it back.

NO - how about we sock it HOME - right to where it belongs - the totally corrupt unions involved and the even MORE pathetic Trad State Govt!!!!!!

Time to totally SACK QR, from the Board down and start new, with a contemporary organisation, with FAIR not fantasy work contracts and get back on track....indeed!