Queensland Rail

[BrizCommuter]

QR's Rail Fail to continue until 2019!
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2017/02/qrs-rail-fail-to-continue-until-2019.html

[techblitz]

8 * 1 star facebook ratings in 5 hours....

[Stillwater]

Memo (Acting Minister) Jackie Trad:

Until the most fundamental issues are addressed at Queensland Rail, as uncovered in the Strachan Inquiry, it is unlikely that the federal government is going to send truckloads of money from Canberra to Queensland for major infrastructure improvements.  The money is likely to go to those states where transport agencies perform well and where a clear vision for transport into the future has been established and is being implemented.  QR has been surviving day to day.

[ozbob]

BrizCommuter:
QR's Rail Fail to continue until 2019!
> https://t.co/FKNogCQpR1#qldpol@QLDLabor @LNPQLD @QldGreens @AnnastaciaMP pic.twitter.com/5fmVOBZ1a8

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) February 6, 2017

[ozbob]

Blaming Queensland Rail (albeit somewhat deservedly ) as the sole cause of this failure is bullsh%t.

A series of under-performing incompetent Governments and poor Ministerial direction have not helped.

Incompetents in TransLink and TMR have compounded the mess.

Only proper reform such was what we have outlined in terms of Public Transport Queensland will work from here.

This recovery plan for Queensland Rail is nonsense in the main, because it is not addressing the wider systemic organisational failures.

Sorry guys, we have a mega-basket case now for SEQ. Failure now is synonymous with SEQ.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Timeline: How Queensland Rail's train bungle unfolded

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland Rail Strachan inquiry: What went wrong, who is to blame and what's next

Brisbane commuters will be bracing for more timetable trauma, with the latest iteration of the Queensland Rail's schedule set to be reviewed.

Commissioner Phillip Strachan, and now Queensland Rail chair, handed down his report into the beleaguered operator on Monday, setting out 36 recommendations.

Among those was a call for QR to assess the sustainability of service levels under the current train timetable to allow at a minimum the provision of stable services and enough training capacity to allow the return to more services in the long-term.

Mr Strachan said he recommended QR have a "very serious look" at the latest train timetable, in place from January 23, to make sure it was robust.

"I'm not recommending any cut of services yet, but the recommendation is to have a strong look at the timetable to make sure it is going to deliver the services going forward," Mr Strachan said.

In January, QR acting chief executive officer Neil Scales promised the timetable would be in place for the remainder of 2017.
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The report also suggests QR only expected to recover full timetable services by late 2018 "which is not likely to meet public expectations".

But what actually went wrong at QR, who was to blame and what happens next?

What went wrong?

Mr Strachan said the problems did not stem from one issue, but compounding issues that "accumulated over time".

While demand for train crew grew significantly, supply of qualified drivers declined, limitations meant the growing gap between supply and demand was not widely appreciated, and QR's unclear governance arrangements made it difficult for the chief executive officer to maintain oversight.

A train driver shortage became apparent to the public following the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line in October 2016, with hundreds of services cancelled in the following months.

But QR realised it might not have enough crew for the new line in mid-2015, beginning internal recruitment of 100 drivers and 100 guards.

The driver shortage was caused by several issues, including a QR preference to operate with a 5-10 per cent undersupply of train crew and a consequent over-reliance on overtime - which boosted pay packets.

In the months leading up to the new timetable in October, QR staff worked unsustainable levels of overtime.

There were restrictions on external recruitment, and a 12-month halt of driver training from February 2014, and then training took about 18 months on average - twice as long as it should - with small class sizes.

"Increasing demand and decreasing supply opened up a gap of around 100 drivers at the end of last year, a shortfall," Mr Strachan said.

"That gap has been traditionally closed by the use of overtime but in the end of October that lever of overtime became exhausted and could no longer close that gap."

Who was to blame?

Mr Strachan said he did not think people deliberately hid the truth, but there was an unwillingness to share "bad news".

"There were people down deep in the organisation that were having some concerns about some shortfall issues as far back as 2015 but there wasn't a clear communication upwards into middle management and senior management to the CEO, to the board or to the responsible ministers," he said.

"I don't think there was any deliberate attempt to hide information – we touched on some cultural issues within the organisation, perhaps not always being willing to share some bad news or share issues.

"I'd like to see that culture change going forward."

Mr Strachan pointed to accountability issues and communication failures.

He said the senior manager for train service delivery was focused on 58 hours ahead, but did not take action in the medium to longer term.

Mr Strachan said the general manager Citytrain was inexperienced and saw issues but did not have the confidence to raise them at the right time.

After pointing out other issues at senior levels, Mr Strachan said the chief operating officer did not raise issues or challenge assumptions.

Mr Strachan said chief executive officer Helen Gluer sought some assurances but was relying heavily on her chief operating officer, and did not challenge what she received.

He said the board was being briefed by the executive, which was not aware of the emerging issue, so the board was not being properly informed, and in turn did not advise ministers until October 2016.

Mr Strachan recommended QR confirm the senior manager for train service delivery should be accountable for managing supply, demand and responses to projected train crew shortfalls for at least a rolling eight-week forecast period.

Despite both sides of Parliament levelling the blame at each other in recent months, Mr Strachan said neither the present Labor government or previous LNP government were at fault.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Mr Strachan had uncovered issues that lay dormant for years.

Who has lost their job?

Stirling Hinchliffe is the latest to lose his job over the saga, stepping down as transport and Commonwealth Games minister.

He follows chief executive officer Helen Gluer, chairman Michael Klug and chief operating officer Kevin Wright, who all resigned, with the head of train service delivery being stood down.

And there are more job losses to come.

Mr Strachan has recommended eight layers of management become five layers and the role of chief operating officer be scrapped.

The Director-General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet has also referred the report to the Public Service Commissioner.

The Commissioner has been asked to consider whether the conduct of any Queensland government employees referred to in the report should be the subject of a disciplinary process under the Public Service Act 2008.

What were the other recommendations?

QR should develop a five-year rolling monthly forecast of demand and supply for train crew, a shake-up of managers' roles and discuss rules around working time, meal breaks and rostering processes with unions.

QR should maintain a surplus of train crew to make sure operations can be conducted without the systemic reliance on overtime and tutors and inspectors having to take on operational roles.

Recruitment should be opened externally and to people with no experience, with an ongoing recruitment.

Training should also be sped up to nine months or less, with the curriculum overhauled.

Staff should be encouraged to proactively escalate potential issues to senior management, and communication to government overhauled.

The ratio of supervisors to train crew should also be increased significantly to improve the relationship and information flow between management and train crew.

Reporting to TransLink and the public should also be improved, so people can plan alternative travel arrangements when issues arise, with information to be available in real time at stations, online and through the call centre.

What happens next?

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has committed to all 36 recommendations.

This includes establishing a new Citytrain Response Unit, for an initial period of 12 months, to act as a watchdog for QR, ensuring it stays on track.

But do not expect a quick fix as Mr Strachan said it would take two years for some of the 36 recommendations to take effect.

Ms Palaszczuk said it was important to open up QR driver positions to external recruitment as soon as possible.

"It should take around nine months to train a driver, especially if we look at the learning of the driving on sectors of the railway network," she said.

QR expects it will have sufficient train crew to deliver the full timetabled services by late 2018, assuming 10 per cent overtime, or mid to late 2019, assuming no overtime.

The report states: "It is the Commission's view that Queensland Rail has made limited progress in this regard since October 2016."

Until there is enough crew to deliver the full timetable, QR will continue to operate with reduced services and high levels of overtime, the report reads.

Ms Palaszczuk has also pledged her government would work with the union.

Mr Strachan will meet shortlisted candidates for the position for chief executive officer on Friday.

QR has also been directed to provide a high-level response plan within 30 days.

Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls has asked for a comprehensive briefing with Mr Strachan on Tuesday.

"Following that, I will outline the LNP's full response to the issues raised in regards to Queensland Rail," he said.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Palaszczuk's 2015 mega-ministry decision 'a mistake', says commentator

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's decision to establish government with 14 mega-portfolios – the initial cabinet of the former Newman government had 19 ministers – was a mistake, political commentator Dr Paul Williams said.

As a result, responsibility for Queensland Rail was just half of one of five portfolios administered by Deputy Premier Jackie Trad.

"It was a bad idea and I said so at the time," Dr Williams said on Monday.

"I mean having 14 in the cabinet would have been difficult for an experienced government, but given you had so many new faces in the Parliament and in the cabinet -  learning new portfolios, learning new body politics, trying to meet with pressure groups - it was almost impossible."

Ms Trad was minister for transport, trade, infrastructure, local government and planning from February 2015 until Ms Palaszczuk enlarged her Cabinet on December 5, 2015.

From then Stirling Hinchliffe – Labor's Leader of the House – became transport minister and minister for the Commonwealth Games, sharing Queensland Rail with Treasurer Curtis Pitt.

Mr Hinchliffe resigned as transport minister on Monday after former Rio Tinto executive Phillip Strachan released his report into train crewing practices at Queensland Rail, with long-running issues exacerbating as QR struggled to find enough drivers for the Moreton Bay Rail Link, now known as the the Redcliffe Peninsula Line.

The actual Moreton Bay Rail Link contract – to build the rail line from Petrie to Kippa Ring – was signed around August 21, 2012, under the LNP.

Queensland Rail was not involved in the beginning of this project in 2012, according to then-transport minister Scott Emerson.

"Previously the delivery of the project was split between the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Rail," Mr Emerson said in a media statement on July 11, 2012.

The rail project was subsequently administered by the Department of Transport and Main Roads for the first time.

"By bringing the project under one agency, I am looking for more innovation and savings for the funding partners and the people of Queensland," Mr Emerson said at the time.

The Petrie-to-Kippa Ring rail project halted before it opened in May 2016 because of a serious train signalling issue, where the train signalling system "did not speak" to signalling software on the rest of the Citytrain network.

An inquiry into the signalling problems on the line, to be handled by Rob Smith from the Sydney Metro Rail Project, was announced in June 2016, but no findings have been made public.

Several months passed before the driver shortage was made public, prompting another inquiry that led to the Strachan report.

Dr Williams said the mega-ministeries were not directly linked to the Queensland Rail debacles.

"Not as such, however certainly (Ms) Palaszczuk could well have taken the Commonwealth Games from (Mr) Hinchliffe," he said.

"However, if there were 19 members in Cabinet then the relationship between Hinchliffe and QR would have been the same," he said.

"And the slow-moving wheel of decision-making would have moved at the same rate."

Dr Williams said he believed the problems within QR were linked more to it being a government-owned statutory authority, with "a changing status, a changing relationship with the minister, and an at-arms-length relationship with the minister".

He said changes to the shifting status of QR – including privatisation of rail freight (Labor, 2009), criticism of its bureaucracy (LNP, 2012) and transition back to Citytrain (Labor, 2015) had impacted the service.

Dr Williams said he did not believe QR's travails were intractable for Labor.

"I wouldn't put it on quite the same scale as Queensland Health in the mid 2000s," he said.

"Although it is very unhelpful that it is happening right in Brisbane where Labor needs to maintain a majority."

[ozbob]

Having the DP as acting Transport Minister is not sensible.  Too many portfolios.  I repeat what I said on ABC radio, we need a dedicated Minister to help sort out the public transport fiasco in SEQ.  It is more than just Queensland Rail, all of them  ( TMR, TransLink and BCC ) are a shambles.

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail fail: MPs line up to fill gap left by Stirling Hinchliffe

THE battle has begun to replace Stirling Hinchliffe in State Cabinet after his resignation over the Queensland Rail debacle.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is set to announce a reshuffle in coming days, with the frontrunners among Mr Hinchliffe's Labor Right factional colleague likely to include Linus Power, Jennifer Howard, Scott Stewart and Mark Furner.

The newcomer is unlikely to be handed the troubled transport portfolio, however, with a senior minister to be given the politically fraught task of fixing the rail fail mess.

Mr Power, the Member for Logan, is serving as the senior government whip and is a popular choice among Right MPs, while Ms Howard, the Member for Ipswich, is Assistant Minister to the Premier.

A senior Labor source said Mr Power was a loyal, steady hand while Mr Furner, a former senator, could also handle the pressure.

Promoting Mr Stewart, the Member for Townsville, would send a positive sign to the state's north.

There is speculation Education Minister Kate Jones could once again be handed Commonwealth Games.

Mark Bailey and Mick de Brenni have been named as potential transport ministers.

Mr Bailey already holds Main Roads but may have to lose Energy, Water and Ports to take on the responsibility.

If Mr de Brenni was given the transport nod, the newcomer could pick up his Housing and Public Works portfolio. ..

I think Mr Bailey is the obvious choice for Transport IMHO.  He is a solid performer and has a long interest in Transport.  Frankly I was very disappointed he was not made Transport Minister when the AP Government was elected.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail fail: Union controls on recruiting train drivers set to be scrapped

A UNION stranglehold on ­recruiting new drivers that contributed to chronic staffing shortages at Queensland Rail has been recommended for the scrap heap.

The Strachan Commission of Inquiry into the Citytrain timetable meltdown yesterday recommended the government dump union rules forcing QR to offer the jobs internally before being able to recruit outsiders.

It also found that while QR had initially secured union support to hire out-of-work or retired train drivers to help overcome the shortage last month, it was yet to place a single advertisement.

As previously revealed by The Courier-Mail, the rule ­required QR to advertise across its 6000 staff to fill more than 100 empty driver spots because of a union deal.

The commission report found that QR could speed up recruitment and training by advertising to the general public, similar to other network operators, such as Deutsche Bahn and Sydney Trains.

"Accessing a more diverse and competitive pool of applicants could result in candidates completing training programs at an accelerated pace, thereby increasing the pace of the recovery effort," the report said.

The recommendation to dump the rule has put the ­Palaszczuk Government on a collision course with the Rail Tram and Bus Union, which yesterday continued to defend the hiring restriction.

RTBU state secretary Owen Doogan yesterday said he did not believe a push to move to external recruitment would speed up training times.

He said hiring from the train guard pool first sped up the process as they were aware of train engineering and routes.

"It means it slows down the amount of drivers we get through training," Mr Doogan said.

"They have already got three-quarters of the competencies of the drivers."

Mr Doogan blamed training delays on a shortage of driver trainers.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk met with the RTBU to talk about ways to speed up hiring and training drivers, including opening QR driver positions to external applicants.

She said she would work with the union because she ­believed it "wants the best for the travelling public as well".

The Strachan findings exposed a "preference to operate with an ongoing train crew shortfall" linked to increasing overtime levels and plummeting productivity.

"The persistent shortfall of train crew was well known within Queensland Rail and not considered an issue," the inquiry found.

"In addition, extending recruitment to external applicants will avoid depleting internal talent pools and preserve guard numbers to prevent similar shortages."

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Editorial: Queensland Rail reform should extend throughout public service

WAITING for Stirling Hinchliffe to do the right thing and resign as transport minister has been a bit like waiting for one of Queensland Rail's now non-existent train services.

After three months of rolling scheduling problems, sudden cancellations and commuter anger,
Mr Hinchliffe finally bowed to the inevitable and resigned from Cabinet yesterday.

There is no doubt, as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said, that the Queensland Rail debacle has taken an immense personal toll on Mr Hinchliffe and his family. And to be fair, he has seen the delivery of what is an extraordinarily damning Commission of Inquiry report from independent consultant Phillip Strachan.

The same could also be said, though, of the thousands of commuters who have been left stranded, delayed or crammed into overcrowded carriages as a result of QR's inability to manage timetabling and driver staffing issues.

Likewise the affair will have taken a heavy toll on QR's frontline staff, who have been asked to work extraordinary levels of overtime to make up for management's failure to train enough drivers to cater for an expanded rail network.

Ultimately Mr Hinchliffe made the correct decision, but it should also serve as a lesson to all in Cabinet that the proverbial buck does stop at the ministerial desk, and a proactive and critical approach to managing complex portfolios is a must in the modern era.

The Strachan report, though, provides as many opportunities for renewal as it does recriminations.

Firstly it hands Ms Palaszczuk the chance to reshape her slimmed-down Cabinet into a more workable and focused team.

As it stands, some of the most senior ministers of her 17-member Cabinet are saddled with multiple and disparate portfolio responsibilities.

Mr Hinchliffe's resignation gives her the opening to remedy this via a reshuffle of Cabinet that allots discrete portfolio responsibilities in key areas such as delivery of a world-class Commonwealth Games next year, and to refine her frontline team ahead of what will be a bruising election year.

This should not be viewed as any sort of backdown, but rather the sensible realisation that at the moment some senior ministers are overworked and distracted by multiple demands, and that ultimately the voters of Queensland value effective government and optimal service delivery over business as usual.

The other opportunity the report provides is a wake-up call for other arms of government to take a forensically honest look at their own operating procedures, governance and risk-management systems and assess whether they too are not suffering from some of the same structural and cultural failures that plague QR.

It is hard to imagine that in a public service of more than 200,000 full-time workers, with multiple service delivery functions and oversight of tens of billions of dollars' worth of government-owned corporations, that in some cases the same culture of "intuitive decision-making, complacency, and reluctance to sharing bad news" that the Strachan report identified at QR has not also taken root.

If the Government wants to avoid another "rail fail" fiasco it would be well advised to apply the same rigorous analysis of departmental and GOC structures and systems to areas beyond QR.

In this regard, the Government could use more outside talent – people not aligned to its own political interests or those of the unions – of the calibre of Phillip Strachan when it comes to keeping its own house in working order.

To her credit, Ms Palaszczuk's decision to appoint Mr Strachan, a no-nonsense former Rio executive, as chairman of QR is a sensible one, and a move that should be replicated in other areas of government where a culture of complacency could also use a new broom.

In the meantime, though, the great challenge is going to be transforming QR from the mess that currently exists into a modern service and results-focused GOC. This, as Mr Strachan details, will not happen overnight.

In the absence of an expanded train driver base, there is no quick fix for the ongoing reliance on an understaffed driver pool willing to come in on scheduled leave and work overtime, with the report concluding that QR "faces a continued risk of service cancellations".

This, it says, means that operational strain will mount in critical periods such as Easter, testing and training for new rolling stock, and next year's Commonwealth Games. As it stands we are looking at a two-year repair job before services are returned to normal.

Quite simply we can't wait that long, and nor, if it wants to survive the next election, can the Government.

This means some very tough decisions, especially when it comes to enterprise bargaining arrangements which see restrictive work practices – such as the inability to advertise externally for driver positions – hobbling efforts to modernise the monolith that is QR.

If Ms Palaszczuk is serious about giving Mr Strachan the tools to turn QR around she may have to be prepared to lose some friends in the unions in the process. A failure to make hard-nosed sacrifices may cost a lot more votes.

[ozbob]

I hope @MarkBaileyMP is offered a dedicated Transport portfolio Premier @AnnastaciaMP
This mess needs a competent Minister now.#qldpol

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) February 6, 2017

[ozbob]

Commuters warned it will be late 2018 at the earliest before issues plaguing QLD Rail are dealt with. https://t.co/Qj1NoBRu1J #9News

— Nine News Brisbane (@9NewsBrisbane) February 6, 2017

[#Metro]

^^ Not sure why people are saying that there is 'no quick fix' and that it will take until 2019 (two years) to sort out the timetable.

Trains ran OK before the MBRL opened. Cut off the MBRL line and run buses perhaps?

[ozbob]

Lot of bullsh%t around.

Unless they actually deliver a proper timetable they are finished

[Stillwater]

Even more compelling reasons now to have a dedicated PT Minister, and a PT Authority for Queensland that will squeeze the maximum efficiency out of the train, bus and ferry resources we have currently.  The public won't cop a line from government that we should wait 2 years for a fix.  They may have to cop it sweet, but will take revenge at the ballot box.

[BrizCommuter]

Even more compelling reasons now to have a dedicated PT Minister, and a PT Authority for Queensland that will squeeze the maximum efficiency out of the train, bus and ferry resources we have currently.  The public won't cop a line from government that we should wait 2 years for a fix.  They may have to cop it sweet, but will take revenge at the ballot box.

Too true. Commuters were expecting improvements to the 2014 timetables by now. Now, commuters can't even expect the return of axed services for years. The Palaszczuk government is quite likely screwed by this debacle, and the subsequent LNP government will continue with their destructive public transport policies. Brisbane is stuffed!

[ozbob]

Don't agree with the DP taking over transport permanent though ..

[Stillwater]

Ah, remember when ....




People will compare the promise to the reality.  It is all supposed to be interconnected, integrated and seamless.  NOT. 

[ozbob]

I am very puzzled why the Strachan Inquiry could not blame politics in part.

It is very clear that both LNP and ALP are to blame in part for rail fail.  To deny that is stretching credibility IMHO.

Even the Premier  ' points the bone ' at the LNP, but it is not only the LNP is it Premier?

HOPELESS !  SEQ is doomed to transport failure.

[ozbob]

Any attempt to reduce rail services further will be very strongly opposed.  There will be riots in the streets!

[BrizCommuter]

Any attempt to reduce rail services further will be very strongly opposed.  There will be riots in the streets!

More like longer queues at the traffic lights!

[ozbob]

^ and that too ..   

Utter fuking shambles sadly ..

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Queensland Rail trainee drivers 'sitting about' during widespread cancellations, union says

A shortage of driving instructors meant Queensland Rail staff who were supposed to be learning how to operate trains were left "sitting about" during the state's rail crisis, the drivers' union has claimed.

A report by commissioner Phillip Strachan found Queensland Rail drivers took an average of 18 months to complete their training — seven months longer than their counterparts in Sydney.

The shortage of drivers caused havoc on the rail network when the Redcliffe-Peninsula line opened last year, triggering mass cancellations around Brisbane and the enforcement of a timetable with fewer services.

About 120 extra drivers need to be trained before the full timetable can return, and the Strachan report said that was unlikely to occur before late 2018.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union secretary Owen Doogan slammed a decision by the former state government to make cuts to the drivers' training centre in 2014.

"One of the main reasons why we can't get enough drivers out there, is that it takes 18 months to train drivers. The reason for that is simply they're sitting about in their rooms waiting to get trained," he said.

    "It's a disgrace that we have people sitting about waiting to get trained because they don't have enough trainers."

The Strachan report recommended revamping the training program to reduce the average completion time by half — a move Mr Doogan "supported entirely".

He said it was important drivers in the existing training program were upskilled before Queensland Rail hired external applicants.

Unions, Government and QR on a collision course?

The Strachan report found crewing rules, agreed upon by Queensland Rail and unions, contributed to a decline in productivity from January 2014 to December last year.

It found the impacts of compulsory rest periods and Sunday working restrictions contributed to widespread cancellations on Christmas Day.

Mr Strachan said he hoped the union, Queensland Rail and the State Government would be open to changing to the system.

"I've got some ideas about how there might be some further improvements made and we just need to get further efficiencies back into the organisation and get more train drivers into the organisation as well," he said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was confident she could get the union's support.

    "We're going to get them in the room, we're going to sit down and we are going to talk to them," she said.

"I am quite sure that they have the same views as me and my Cabinet, when it comes to making sure that we have enough train drivers, enough guards to service the travelling public."

The Strachan report, released on Monday, did not attribute blame for the crisis to then transport minister Stirling Hinchliffe.

Mr Hinchliffe tendered his resignation, leaving Deputy Premier Jackie Trad to temporarily take over his portfolio.

[ozbob]

I heard the Shadow Transport Minister Mr Andrew Powell on the news condemning the appointment of Ms Trad DP as acting transport Minister.

I agree with Mr Powell.  Not a good look, particularly as the DP was Transport Minister during 2015 !  As well as the multiple portfolio problems.

Hopefully the Premier will move quickly to appoint new Ministers.

[Stillwater]

Are we experiencing not just a rail fail, but a state government fail?  I would be surprised if there are not similar problems (cultural, work practices etc) in other government departments.  Maybe it is time for the people of SEQ to crowd-fund a series of transport forums at various locations, with the feedback about how to improve the transport network, using the current available resources, compiled into a report to government.

This crowd are living in la la land.  Maybe they will take notice of people power.  The customers know what they want and, clearly, the customers know more about the system and its failings than do those in charge at QR.  In the near future, there maybe fewer executives (once Mr Strachan puts a broom through the place), with newbies sitting in the plush leather chairs.

Nope, its time for the people to act because, right now, they are in the best position to do something.  ALP/LNP together got us into this mess.  We can't expect their politicking to get us out of it.

[ozbob]

I suppose another sad aspect to the Strachan Commission is that it was removed from the public.

Public submissions were not sought.

The impact on the public has been glossed over with perhaps too much internal circumspection.

During my interview with Steve Austin ABC Radio Brisbane yesterday morning I mentioned the QR CRGs - how they function and the fact that I have tried a number of times to get TransLink to take those over and engage the wider community in Transport CRGs for different regions to cover all modes.

There is a distinct lack of interest in direct public engagement by TransLink and TMR.  They rely on stupid surveys etc.  Largely meaningless in the end.  Another reason to form a switched on authority, Public Transport Queensland.

[Stillwater]

^^ Yep.  Is it worthwhile approaching Phillip Strachan re CRGs?  After all, they were planning an initiative called 'Thinking Like A Customer'.  Maybe a meaningful CRG process with the customer as the focus could be part of the QR reform process.  Could people make the CRG process work for ' the customer', rather than some pre-determined PR objective of QR?

[ozbob]

To be blunt, QR CRGs continue the  ' silo ' mentality, them and us.  Do away with them and bring in TransLink (PTQ ? ) CRGs, for regions to cover ALL modes.  We must move towards an integrated network both in thinking and actions.

[tazzer9]

Central to Carrara Stadium Rocket Bus 🚀

Via South East Busway

I actually think this will happen.   probably faster than the train anyway.

[techblitz]

^ robina - central non-stop express railbus pretty much equals it...

meanwhile.....



Toombul this morning when there was an earlier cancelled service which wasn't reported...nothing posted to social media......

[ozbob]

@QueenslandRail was in crisis. Training was suspended. #qldpol @abcbrisbane @TimNichollsMP pic.twitter.com/Ssb93fZt6M

— David Marler (@Qldaah) February 6, 2017

[petey3801]

Haven't read the whole teport yet but have seen some of the recommendations. Some are good (and frankly should have already been in place eons ago) others are not so good.
One not so good is the (re-)introduction of sectorised running of traincrew. Sounds good in theory, terrible in practice on this network. Has been tried and failed many, many times in the past, but looks like we'll be headed around that roundabout once again...
Sectorised crewing/running is good in theory when everything runs perfectly. Throw in some problems though and it all goes to s##t. Bridge strike at Indooroopilly? We'll just send you around via Tennyson and South Bris. Whats that? No longer qualified for that route? Well, looks like you'll just sit there then.
Major disruptions at xx, so we need to send you to yy instead. Sorry, not qualified. Then there's the complacency factor, where drivers get bored and complacent (that signal always clears on approach, that signal is never red etc.) can often lead to mistakes, whereas having crews going to other parts of the network on a semi-regular basis (not all shifts all the time) keeps qualifications current, increases FLEXIBILITY (that latest catch-word that keeps getting thrown around) in crewing and helps keep crews interested/not complacent.

[tazzer9]

Sectorisation of crew is asking for trouble.   Our network isn't big enough for this.   Metro does it to a small extent.  (eg, those based at sunbury don't get cranbourne and pakenham services).  NSW trainlink and v/line do it for obvious reasons.   Apart from having the small selection of crew for gympie services it will take away and go go south whenever there is a disruption.

[ozbob]

Just completed an interview with 7 News at Goodna Rail on outcomes of Inquiry ...

Amongst many things I simply said not acceptable to state that the train timetable will not be back to normal for two years.

I suggested that every effort must be made to have full timetable operating from return to work, school etc. January 2018.   If Queensland Rail cannot achieve that might be time to consider an operator that will.  We cannot as a community have this drag on, particularly with the Commonwealth Games on in April 2018.  What are they going do, shut down lines?  Where will the buses come from?  They will be on task at the Gold Coast.   

[Arnz]

It's bad enough theres only a small selection of crew that's qualified for 3-crew running north of Nambour considering IMUs (which aren't ATP equipped) are often north of Nambour in lieu of the ICEs (which are ATP equipped).  In my opinion, sectorisation of crew doesn't need to be extended south of Nambour.

[ozbob]

7th February 2017

Media Release
Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Palaszczuk Government announces head of train watchdog

A Brisbane-based change management specialist with extensive international experience will lead the body tasked with monitoring and auditing the reforms to Queensland Rail, as recommended in Strachan Inquiry.

Jacqui Walters will head the CityTrain Response Unit (CRU), to be set up within the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made the announcement with Deputy Premier and Acting Minister for Transport Jackie Trad and newly appointed Queensland Rail Chairman Phillip Strachan while meeting trainee drivers at Doomben Station.

"Jacqui Walters is a recognised expert in organisational transformation and restructuring," the Premier said.

"She has worked with organisations as diverse as Cathay Pacific, Indian Railways, Hewlett Packard and all three levels of government.

"Her skills experience will be vital in ensuring Queensland Rail sticks to the timetable needed to ensure it can deliver Queenslanders the timetable they deserve."

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said her focus as Acting Transport Minister would be to fast-track the implementation of the recommendations.

"The Strachan Inquiry clearly demonstrated that there is significant work that needs to be undertaken to improve culture and in turn productivity at Queensland Rail," Ms Trad said.

"I am committed to working with the Queensland Rail Board and the unions to methodically implement the recommendations and improve rail services for Queenslanders.

"I have had positive initial discussions with the board and union representatives and we will be identifying ways to fast track driver recruitment and training immediately."

The CRU's immediate priorities include:

    overseeing the implementation of a closely integrated public transport service;
    advising on the composition of the Queensland Rail Board;
    defining Queensland Rail's long-term industrial relations strategy to improve workplace flexibility and culture; and
    addressing systemic organisational issues identified in the Strachan Inquiry.

Queensland Rail Chairman Phillip Strachan has started meeting with key stakeholders ahead of interviews with shortlisted candidates for the position of QR CEO later this week.

Jacqui Walters starts her new role this week.

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Another silo ?

[James]

Sectorisation of the trainee drivers may be a good start - at least if they're only trained on Ips - Cab (for example) there can be some relief in the short time, before fully training them on other routes.

I don't think all the recommendations in the report go far enough. In particular, there's no addressing the silo mentality, no PTQ. The proposal to fix crewing is good - but that it is taking 18+ months to train drivers is simply not OK. They're train drivers, not studying a BA at Uni, it shouldn't take the better part of 2 years.

Not getting back a full rail timetable until the end of 2018 is simply unacceptable. I would much rather see the MBRL line run as buses in the off-peak and weekends and the network revert to the old timetable. #railfail has been punishing as it has affected every line at every time of day. The cancellations resulting from the crew shortage can occur anywhere, anytime, and this is what is driving people off PT. Restricting the effects to one line may be terrible for that one line, but will allow the rest of the network to continue operating as normal.

[#Metro]

Another silo ?

I can't believe that there is a monitor / corporate chaperone to monitor that another organisation is doing what it is supposed to be doing.

It's weird, almost... Soviet. Willing to give it a go, but don't see why it should be restricted to rail. BCC has been getting away with bus

network naughtiness for aeons.


In a company, that monitoring role is done by investors who monitor the bottom line - profit.

It is very difficult to hide bad performance from the bottom line. You make bad decisions - it will show up in the bottom line eventually, and

people start to question it because when that indicator goes down, end investors start to lose money from their personal bank accounts.

They can also trigger the spill of the board. Make enough bad decisions, and bankruptcy awaits.


Privatisation would put real people's money at stake and be a better monitor of overall organisational performance and health than an entire

bureau dedicated to looking over the shoulder of another government organisation.


If the transformation sounds complicated and messy, it is because it is. When you own and manage something directly, you have to make all

the internal decision making. Contrast this to the Melbourne experience when Connex was playing up. You didn't need an inquiry or a

monitor, the Victorian Government simply hit REJECT on the contract renewal. Connex's entire management and board was then fired and

METRO brought in to sort things out.


I note with great interest that the board and executive still have their jobs, this being five months after trouble began.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> New Queensland transport minister will be unveiled in days

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is expected to announce her new-look cabinet in a few days, but plans to make only minor changes.

Ms Palaszczuk said she would be "making her mind up in the next couple of days".

Transport minister Stirling Hinchliffe resigns as a review into Queensland Rail finds an organisation "reluctant to share bad news". Courtesty ABC News 24

"At the moment, Deputy Premier [Jackie Trad] as acting Transport Minister is firmly focused on the implementation of the Strachan report," she said.

"I'll be having some discussions with ministers over the coming days."

When asked if anyone had put their hand up for the "poisoned chalice" of transport minister, Ms Palaszczuk said she was sure her ministers "will do anything that I ask of them".

"That's the sort of team that I have," she said.

Ms Palaszczuk held a press conference that ran less than nine minutes on Tuesday morning, just one day after Commissioner Phillip Strachan handed down his comprehensive report into the failings at Queensland Rail.

Ms Trad, who is acting Transport Minister following Stirling Hinchliffe's resignation, said she was happy to do what the Premier and the cabinet required her to do.

"I am passionate about public transport, there are many people sitting around the cabinet table that are passionate about public transport, who want to put up their hands and make a contribution to making sure that we build a strong, reliable public transport system for Queensland," Ms Trad said.

Mr Strachan, the new QR chair, said he had asked acting chief executive officer Neil Scales and his team to look at the current train timetable to ensure it was "robust".

He said he would work with the QR board he had today.

"I'm not disappointed [with the calibre of the board], I think it's a nice blend of experience and diversity on that board at the moment so whether there's any changes it's actually too early to call," Mr Strachan said.

Ms Palaszczuk said the government knew there needed to be cultural change across QR.

"We know that there needs to be structural change, we know that there needs to be better communication," she said.

Ms Trad said meetings with the QR board and unions on Monday went "very well".

"They [the unions] find it extraordinary that it's taking 18 months [to train new drivers]," Ms Trad said.

The Strachan report recommended QR begin hiring from outside the company, including people with no experience, and that training should take nine months.

"The issue is there are not enough driver trainers in order to train the drivers we are recruiting," Ms Trad said.

"The union wants to work with government and management and QR board to ensure that we are accelerating training."

Ms Trad said there was a "capacity and a willingness for us to reach agreement around elements of implementing these recommendations, of accelerating training and recruiting new drivers".

The comments were made as Ms Palaszczuk announced a Brisbane-based change management specialist with international experience would lead the new body tasked to be a watchdog for Queensland Rail.

Jacqui Walters will head the Citytrain Response Unit, to be set up within the Department of Transport and Main Roads, and will hold meetings from Wednesday.

The CRU will be tasked with monitoring and auditing the reforms to Queensland Rail, as recommended in the Strachan Inquiry.

Ms Palaszczuk said Ms Walters, who was not at the press conference, was an expert in organisational transformation and restructuring.

"Jacqui comes incredibly well qualified," she said.

She has worked with organisations such as Cathay Pacific, Indian Railways, Hewlett Packard and local, state and federal governments.

The CRU's immediate priorities will include advising on the composition of the QR board, defining QR's long-term industrial relations strategy to improve workplace flexibility and culture and addressing systemic organisational issues.

Speaking from Townsville on Tuesday morning, Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O'Rourke said she was sure Ms Palaszczuk would make her decision on a cabinet reshuffle in "the coming days".

"I'm certain that she will make sure she has the right person in the job because these are significant tasks that the Strachan report delivered yesterday," she said.