Queensland Rail

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1049212606525800448

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> New QR drivers still waiting for trains to drive

TOP-performing train driver job applicants have waited more than a year to find out if they can start work despite Queensland Rail's ongoing train crew shortage headache.

Emails obtained by The Courier-Mail reveal QR has advised frustrated driver applicants of further delays in its nine-step recruitment process "due to changes in operation requirements".

The job seekers were in the top echelon of applicants who responded to QR's external recruitment campaign, according to the emails, after acing QR's tough psychometric and psychomotor testing early this year.

But QR has advised step four of the recruitment – a group exercise and information session – planned for this month has been postponed until early next year.

It referred to a "high volume of applicants for these highly sought after" positions.

The candidates had responded to a call by QR for external applications in August 2017 – 10 months after crippling driver shortages led to the collapse of the train timetable.

Hiring outsiders was recommended by the 2017 Strachan inquiry into the QR meltdown, which linked a "structural shortfall of train crew" to the "creation of overtime opportunities".

But external recruitment has been resisted by the powerful Rail Tram & Bus Union, which unsuccessfully tried to block the move, claiming existing QR staff had been overlooked.

QR is yet to say when a full timetable will be restored and as late as last month could not guarantee services would run as planned for the annual Riverfire event.

One train driver applicant told The Courier-Mail he was ranked a top performer in January after passing testing, but had since "moved on with my life" due to the long wait.

QR chief executive officer Nick Easy said 35 external candidates without QR driving experience would enter training next year and a further 18 ex-QR drivers had also been hired.

Combined with internal recruitment efforts, an extra 103 train drivers have started work since the October 2016 "Rail Fail". But the net gain is just 50 drivers when factoring in attrition.

Mr Easy also said QR had cut the time it takes to train drivers from 18 months to 13 months and lifted the number of training schools from zero schools in 2014 to eight schools this year.

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Queensland Rail workers sacked after failing random drug and alcohol tests

There is more trouble for beleaguered Queensland Rail (QR), with revelations more than a dozen staff have been sent packing after failing drug and alcohol tests at work.

The revelations come at a testing time for the organisation amid a timetable crisis, driver shortage and as the State Government looks to replace three board members who resigned last month.

ABC News can reveal 14 employees and one contractor failed drug or alcohol tests at work in the first six months of the year.

All but one are no longer working for the organisation and there is an ongoing investigation into the remaining worker.

QR said the staff were not drivers or guards but employees from Corporate, Citytrain, Travel and Tourism and the Network departments, plus a contractor working on a QR site, but ABC News understands at least one was a senior manager.

QR Chief Executive Nick Easy said the alcohol and drug tests are among the most rigorous in the industry.

"Queensland Rail will not compromise on safety and our employees and contractors are bound by a zero-tolerance alcohol and other drugs policy," he said.

"If an employee returns a positive result, they are immediately excluded from the workplace until a thorough investigation and performance management process is undertaken, including disciplinary action as appropriate."

About 10,000 random drug and alcohol tests are conducted on QR employees every year.

It is not clear how this year's results compare with previous years.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said the revelations were appalling.

"This behaviour is completely unacceptable and QR should take the toughest possible action against those involved," she said.

"This issue raises more serious concerns about the safety of our rail network.

"Safety should be improving but last year the number of trains running red lights reached a 10-year high."

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said QR staff are required to be fit for work at all times while on duty.

"It is disappointing to hear about any positive results being returned but we are talking about 14 positive results from almost 6,800 full time QR staff."

"I would prefer we were celebrating the fact we had zero positive results being returned but this shows the testing regime is working.

"These staff have been caught and have paid the price by losing their jobs as a result."

Queensland Rail said all staff and contractors know they can be tested at any time.

[red dragin]

14 from 5000 equals 0.28%. And none where train crew (how many in train control though?)

I'm pretty sure that the RBT alcohol figure is considerably higher (0.38% on alcohol alone in 2014 in NSW).

[ozbob]

^ yo.  Bit of a beat up ..

https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/about%20us/Pages/Safety-and-Security.aspx toggle Alcohol and other drugs testing ...



Adding up the above = 40/13946 = 0.28%   seems the constant rate essentially.  Humans have foibles ..

[red dragin]

And the cut off is 0.02% I think, not the usual 0.05%

[James]

And the cut off is 0.02% I think, not the usual 0.05%

I have heard that it is actually 0% for any work, whether employed by QR or working for QR as a contractor. A beer over lunch at the pub on a Friday would do it.

Surprised about that many positives though. You would expect that employees are generally well aware of company policy regarding drugs & alcohol. Perhaps there's been a change in policy recently.

[red dragin]

Wasn't sure if 0.00% or 0.02%.

I used to try and work out the "If I have one per hour, for three hours, but stop by 8pm, will I be ok by 10am the next morning" for my heritage role, but then went "f*** it, that's too hard, just don't drink the day before".

[ozbob]

When I first started working ( I was 15 ) it was as a Junior Postal Officer (grand title hey?) effectively a telegram delivery boy, with a nice shiny PMG red bicycle.  We used to have a counter lunch at the Pub just down from Prahran post office. We would usually have 2 or 3 pots with the sausages and chips or whatever (meals were around 30cents).  Back on the bike and away we went.  The fact that we were way under-age didn't seem to matter too much.  The view was if you are working you can have a beer, and we did! 

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> New QR boss David Marchant a familiar face

AN existing Queensland Rail board member has been appointed chairman of the beleaguered rail operator.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey confirmed in State Parliament this morning that David

Marchant would now serve as interim chair of the QR board.

It comes after former chairman Phillip Strachan resigned earlier this month amid revelations that the board approved more than $3 million in bonuses to hundreds of senior managers at QR.

Mr Bailey welcomed Mr Marchant's appointment and said he was looking forward to working with him.

"Mr Marchant has served on Queensland Rail's board since 2015 and has an impressive background in rail, notably as the CEO and managing director of the Australian Rail Track Corporation for 13 years," he said.

Two of Mr Marchant's fellow board members - Sandra Birkensleigh and Paul Wallis - also resigned from the board in the wake of the bonuses scandal.

The Palaszczuk Government is yet to determine when QR services will be fully restored.

Meanwhile, the State Government has also appointed Kathleen Florian as the inaugural Independent Assessor to head up a new office dealing with councillor conduct complaints.

Ms Florian has previously worked as Assistant Commissioner of the Crime and Corruption Commission and executive director of investigations at the Office of the Health Ombudsman.

Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said Ms Florian had "impeccable and extensive credentials".

"I have no doubt that her leadership of the Office of the Independent Assessor will improve accountability, integrity and transparency of local governments," he said.

Ms Florian has been appointed to a five year term.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> New Queensland Rail chair appointed after exodus

Queensland Rail has filled the top position on its board after the high-profile departure of former chairman Philip Strachan.

David Marchant, who already sits on QR's board, has been elevated to Interim Chairman, after Mr Strachan, along with board members Paul Wallis and Sandra Birkensleigh stood down earlier this month.

It followed Transport Minister Mark Bailey stepping in to block $3.6 million in bonuses approved by the board.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/10/16/interim-chair-appointed-to-qr

Media Statements

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Interim chair appointed to QR

Queensland Rail board member David Marchant AM has been appointed as the organisation's next chair.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said Mr Marchant possessed substantial rail experience matched with considerable knowledge of Queensland Rail's operations and recent challenges.

"Mr Marchant has served on Queensland Rail's board since 2015 and was recently reappointed to the board for another three years," Mr Bailey said.

"He received an Order of Australia in 2013 for service to the rail industry and has also occupied leadership roles with the Australian Railway Association and Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board."

Mr Bailey said recruitment was underway for other board vacancies, including the permanent chair.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2018/2018_10_16_DAILY.pdf

Ministerial Statements

Queensland Rail

Hon. MC BAILEY (Miller—ALP) (Minister for Transport and Main Roads) (9.59 am): I rise to
update the House on the restoration of South-East Queensland rail services.
Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! Minister, resume your seat. Members to my left, my appetite for those
sorts of needless interjections is not very strong today. I ask you to listen to the minister's ministerial
statement. He has not been controversial.

Mr BAILEY: Since October 2016 this government has been acting to restore the confidence of
South-East Queensland commuters after the opening of the Redcliffe peninsula line led to the
cancellation of services due to a driver shortage caused by the cancellation of driver training schools in
2014 by the previous LNP government. We are fixing the trains and it is not simple and it is not an
overnight fix; it is a gradual and sustained recovery. Since 2016 Queensland Rail has selected 254
trainee drivers and 303 trainee guards. Some 105 drivers and 232 guards are now fully qualified and
working on the system.

As of 7 October of this year, Queensland Rail has a net increase of 52 fully qualified drivers,
boosting capacity. There are 91 more drivers and 43 guards in training in this year alone and the rolling
12-month average for driver training durations has reduced from 18 months under the LNP to around
13 months under this government. The Palaszczuk government is running eight training schools this
year compared to zero in 2014. More drivers will start training in 2018 than under the entire term of the
previous LNP government. While the previous LNP sacked 1,700 Queensland Rail staff, this
government is training and employing new drivers and guards to restore capacity.

Mr Minnikin interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! Member for Chatsworth!

Mr BAILEY: It is a fact that more drivers are being trained this year than any year before. The
timetable has been stabilised and the increasing pool in drivers has meant we have come through the
last two timetable stress periods during the school holidays without reduced services. Rail patronage
was up 3.8 per cent last financial year compared to 2016-17 thanks to our fare reductions for 93 per
cent of commuters.

Over the last 12 months Queensland Rail has delivered more than 95 per cent of its more than
7,828 weekly services on time. That is 241 services a week more than the previous LNP government
ever delivered. We continue to rollout the NGR trains with 31 NGR sets in the system, with another two
starting services on the Ipswich and Caboolture lines next Monday, 22 October. I will continue to work
with Queensland Rail and the Citytrain Response Unit to ensure that all appropriate measures are taken
to deliver the drivers needed to increase service levels.

The Palaszczuk Labor government is committed to giving Queensland commuters as many
services as possible and we have the right plan to do that, but we cannot achieve that of course without
the expertise and the oversight of Queensland Rail's board. As the House will be aware, earlier this
month Phillip Strachan resigned as chair of the Queensland Rail board. Mr Strachan led the inquiry
established by the Palaszczuk Labor government in 2016 to investigate train crew and timetabling
issues on the network. The recommendations he made as commissioner of that inquiry provided the
plan for restoring Queensland Rail services and it is the plan that we continue to follow and implement.

Mr Minnikin interjected.

Mr BAILEY: Today I inform the House that Queensland Rail board member David Marchant has
accepted the role to succeed Mr Strachan as interim chair of Queensland Rail. Mr Marchant has served
on Queensland Rail's board since 2015 and has an impressive background in rail, notably as the CEO
and managing director of the Australian Rail Track Corporation for 13 years. I welcome Mr Marchant's
appointment and look forward to working with him and the Queensland Rail board. We will not stop until
commuters have reliable rail services they can depend on and service levels improve with Cross River
Rail coming and the duplication of the Sunshine Coast rail coming online to boost rail services on every
line for commuters across South-East Queensland.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! Member for Chatsworth—I did not want to interrupt the minister any more
than you were—you are warned under standing orders. Members, I appreciate that sometimes there is
material or commentary which might be seen as somewhat combative. I ask you to show restraint.
There is a certain level of interjections which is clearly unacceptable. Member for Chatsworth, you are
warned under standing orders.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2018/2018_10_16_DAILY.pdf

Questions without notice

Public Transport

Mr MINNIKIN: My question without notice is to the Premier. When asked at estimates
Queensland Rail CEO, Nick Easy, could not answer this question. The transport minister also could not
answer this question on talkback radio. Is the Premier able to say when Labor's two-year rail fail will
end and when confidence in the public transport system will be restored?

Mrs D'ATH: Mr Speaker, I rise to a point of order. There was an imputation in that question.

Mr SPEAKER: The terminology did not relate to a particular member. However, I will afford the
Premier latitude in answering the question.

Ms PALASZCZUK: I thank the member for Chatsworth for the question. As we all know, under
my government we have actually been increasing the number of train services operating on the
Queensland Rail network. The minister gave a very detailed comment in his ministerial statement this
morning. He talked about strengthening and restoring the resources that were so savagely cut by the
LNP government in terms of train driver recruitment, driver schools, guards and making sure that we
stabilise the system. The minister was able to report that we have 95 per cent on time running. We also
know that the LNP cut the training schools. That is the legacy of the LNP. We now have drivers being
trained. We want to see them out on the network as quickly as possible. We have reduced the driving
school training time from, from memory, 18 months to 13 months.

We will continue to implement the Strachan recommendations. We currently deliver 7,828
services per week. That is 241 services a week more than the LNP ever did. That is on the public
record. One thing I will say is that I absolutely endorse the decision of the Minister for Transport and
the Treasurer when it comes to bonuses. The minister took absolutely the right decision in ensuring
that bonuses were not paid. I believe that that meets community expectations. It was the right decision
that was made. I stress in this House that the minister is continuing to implement the Strachan
recommendations.

[ozbob]

For interest minimum training time for a new driver Metro Melbourne is 41 weeks (~10 months).  (Current QR minimum is 13 months).

https://twitter.com/metrotrains/status/1052345670856671232

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard  17th October 2018

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2018/2018_10_17_DAILY.pdf

Pages 74 - 102  (Question only shown here)

MOTION
Queensland Rail; No Confidence in the Minister for Transport and Main Roads

Mr MINNIKIN (Chatsworth—LNP) (4.58 pm): I move—

That this House—

1. notes:

(a) in early 2016, GIRO and Indec warned Labor of a driver shortage once the Redcliffe peninsula line opened;

(b) on 30 September 2016, 48 services were cancelled and Minister Hinchliffe found out on Twitter;

(c) on 4 October 2016 the Redcliffe peninsula line opened with Labor employing fewer qualified drivers than in
January 2015;

(d) on 21 October 2016, 12 per cent of scheduled services were cancelled with large scale disruptions to services
occurring over the following weeks;

(e) on 24 October 2016, Labor announced a plan to recruit 200 train crew, despite an earlier EBA that blocked
external recruitment for these positions;

(f) on 27 October 2016, the QR Chair and CEO resigned;

(g) on Christmas Day 2016, 261 or 36 per cent of all scheduled services were cancelled;

(h) numerous interim timetables announced by the government have been changed frequently and without warning;

(i) the Labor/unions MOU to pay multi-million dollar Commonwealth Games bonus payments;

(j) the RTBU taking Queensland Rail to the Fair Work Commission to block external recruitment based on Labor's
2017 EBA;

(k) on 4 October 2018, Labor accepted the resignation of QR Chair Phillip Strachan, handpicked by the Premier to
fix the trains, and two other board members;

(l) Labor has paid millions of dollars in overtime to staff because of the RTBU's preference for a structural deficit of
staff;

2. notes Labor's failure to nominate when rail fail will end and the 472 weekly services will be restored; and

3. expresses no confidence in the Minister for Transport and Main Roads.

It never ceases to amaze me the differences between us on this side of the ditch and New
Zealand when it comes to Westminster ministerial accountability. The Prime Minister of New Zealand
had a member of her cabinet who was guilty of this. She used her personal email for a couple of emails
but should have been using her official ministerial email account. However, the member for Miller
continues to sit here under the protection of the left of the ALP and makes an absolute a mockery of
the whole essence of Westminster ministerial accountability.

Let's roll the tape with some of the evidence. It is almost like Sesame Street's Guy Smiley and
Beat the Time. 'We have the minister here and the question is: guess the number of new drivers!' At
the end of the day, why do we have 472 fewer weekly services? Not more weekly services, but 472
less. The missing-in-action member for Miller loves to get the stats and put them in the blender, put
them through the mincer, and tries to rewrite history because, to be fair, he has only had four years to
get this right. Well, he and a litany of other failed members.

The Deputy Premier had a couple of goes. Bing bong, she was out in left field. Then we had the
member for Sandgate. We know what he did. At least he had the gumption to fall on his sword because
he knew that he had done the wrong thing. The member for Miller really is special because no matter
what he does, he has taken the best on-time running record of any passenger network in this country
and absolutely run it into the ground. You have to be pretty special in this place to get your own rail fail
tag. Now we have rail fail 2. You have to be very special.

We know that the member for Miller loves his Twitter, but there is only one problem. Given the
amount of time he spends on social media—Twitter, Facebook and particularly his private emails—if
he spent one-third less time on that and concentrated on his core mission, which is to run the Transport
and Main Roads department, the people of Queensland would all be better off. This man presides over
what was formerly a great institution: Queensland Rail. But from what the little birdies who contact me
daily have told me, he has killed it to pieces when it comes to morale. We have a member here who
knows that when he walks in he has the protection of the member for South Brisbane because he props
her up, and we have three little sand mines starting to appear. We have the member for Miller, the
member for South Brisbane, Minister Jones and Minister Dick—they have their own little fiefdoms—
and then most importantly of all we have the queen courtier herself, the Premier of this state, who also
is absolutely in the mix of it.

Only a couple of weeks ago a report came out. It was a fairly insignificant report. The report was
Queensland Rail's annual report. The member for Miller had it on 14 September. What did he do with
it? He sat on it. There must have been a call from somewhere further up the line—maybe the Premier's
office—and a memo to the member for South Brisbane and a memo to the member for Miller, 'Please
come forward. There is something you need to take account of. You have missed something on
approximately page 70 of the report,' and that was bonuses. It was something that was obviously
overlooked. 'Nothing to see here. Move right along.'

The member for Miller will get up very shortly and say, 'No, I was onto it.' Just as he was onto
turning up to ABC and 4BC studios for radio interviews. He is missing in action. This man should resign.
He should go right now. We have a member of parliament who presides over the third largest
department on the books and what has he done with it? He has run it into the ground. Morale is in the
gutter. On-time running times are now one of the worst in mainland Australia. You have to be very
special indeed to go from being best in the country to absolute worst in four years. The question for the
last time will be—through you, Mr Speaker—Minister, when will rail fail end?

[ozbob]

^ I  " second " the motion!   

I have no confidence left in the Member for Miller the Minister for Transport and Main Roads.

[brissypete]

^ I  " second " the motion!   

I have no confidence left in the Member for Miller the Minister for Transport and Main Roads.

Ditto.

I don't have any faith in the other side for public transport matters either. Somehow politics needs to be removed from public transport.

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

[#Metro]

I don't have any faith in the other side for public transport matters either. Somehow politics needs to be removed from public transport.

I hear this refrain often, but it is a contradiction.

If it's a public agency, then it naturally comes with the minister and their politics as well.

Few agencies are both public and independent, courts and universities the main exceptions.
Even this is not exact as boards will usually have ex politicians or ex staffers put on them as well.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1053026039255851008

[ozbob]

 

Couriermail --> QR off track on train driver numbers needed for full service

QUEENSLAND RAIL appears to be stumped on how many train drivers it needs on its books to fulfil a key recommendation of the damning inquiry into the 2016 "rail fail".

Today marks the second anniversary of the rail collapse, when a severe driver shortage coupled with constrictive union work rules and the opening of a new railway line triggered the sudden cancellation of 167 train services.

It has never fully recovered and despite repeated questions by The Sunday Mail, the state-owned operator has refused to reveal how many drivers it needs on the roster at any one time to be able to deliver a full timetable.

QR is still operating on a pared-back timetable 20 months after an inquiry into the rail crisis, led by former mining industry executive Phillip Strachan, recommended it "deliver and maintain a structural surplus of train crew".

The inquiry linked a built-in undersupply of drivers to ramping up driver overtime opportunities.

All of the inquiry's recommendations were signed off on by the Palaszczuk Government and Mr Strachan was appointed board chairman to oversee the recovery. But he suddenly resigned this month over an executive bonuses controversy.

QR has seen a net increase of just 50 qualified drivers since the October 21, 2016 timetable collapse when including natural attrition — well short of its target to hire 200 extra drivers.

But it has been unable to quantify just how many drivers it needs to have working for it to achieve a surplus.

QR chief executive officer Nick Easy said there were a number of "integrated elements that influence achieving a surplus, including number of services, number of train crew, natural attrition, overtime and resource allocation across the rail network.

"These are dynamic factors that are continually being monitored and should not be looked at in isolation," he said.

"We are moving from intermittent recruitment campaigns to ongoing recruitment, in order to create a pipeline of talent that addresses the range of factors that impact on driver supply."

State Opposition leader Deb Frecklington said QRs inability to say how many drivers it needs shows fixing QR is not a priority for the Palaszczuk Government.

"Transport Minister Mark Bailey can't say when the 472 weekly rail services will be restored and now can't even say how many drivers they need to fix the rail," she said.

Mr Bailey defended his performance on QR this week in Parliament, saying overtime rates were falling and patronage going up.

Note:  the first wave of cancellations that heralded #railfail was 30th September 2016, I know it well I tweeted the then Transport Minister to inform him of the problem.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1053683495824846848

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1053716818051837952

[Stillwater]

I bet that any Macdonalds knows how many staff it needs per shift to meet customer demand.  Or Woolworths. K-mart would know how many checkout staff to roster at any one time of the day.

Nick Easy states the obvious: "There were a number of "integrated elements that influence achieving a surplus (of drivers), including number of services, number of train crew, natural attrition, overtime and resource allocation across the rail network. These are dynamic factors that are continually being monitored and should not be looked at in isolation."

Yes, so what?  By uttering those words, Mr Easy admits that he and fellow senior staff don't have their heads around the 'number of integrated elements'.

[ozbob]

Yep.  Becoming impossible to continue supporting Queensland Rail.  The thing that broke the camels back for me was not the fact that they
were not including the impacts on on-time running of the NGR issues/delays in the contractual metric, but the fact they were hiding that they were doing just that. 

adiós,
adieu,
addio,
adeus. ...
aloha. ...
arrivederci. ...
ciao. ...
auf Wiedersehen. ...
au revoir. ...
bon voyage. ...
sayonara ..
goodbye!

[#Metro]

Nick Easy states the obvious: "There were a number of "integrated elements that influence achieving a surplus (of drivers), including number of services, number of train crew, natural attrition, overtime and resource allocation across the rail network. These are dynamic factors that are continually being monitored and should not be looked at in isolation."

A bizarre comment given the Strachan report and the CityTrain response unit and the INDEC report.

Translink already contracts a number of private operators, but this is not perfect as they too have an implicit renewal of contract. Translink needs to be separated, and given hire and fire powers to uphold service standards.

It is essential IMHO that franchising, where the operator keeps fare revenue usually linked to patronage, is not introduced. That is the main lesson from the Melbourne case. Operators should be paid for services not pax.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1053789659757572096

^

But no much matter, it is an utter shambles this ongoing mess of #railfail
How in the earth will they be ready for Cross River Rail?
Time for a new operator!#qldpol pic.twitter.com/GjIygYKwsb

— ozbob13 (@ozbob13) October 20, 2018

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1053803250019794944

[ozbob]

Infrastructure Australia

http://infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/2017/2017_05_25.aspx

Franchising public transport services could deliver $15.5 billion in funding for new transport services

26 May 2017

New data from Infrastructure Australia shows that subjecting the operation of Australia's government-operated bus and rail services to competitive tender processes could save Australian taxpayers up to $15.5 billion by 2040, money which could be reinvested into new transport services.

The findings are published in the latest paper in Infrastructure Australia's Reform Series, Improving Public Transport: Customer Focused Franchising PDF: 7295 KB ReadSpeaker

The paper recommends that state and territory governments pursue Customer Focused Franchising, where the operation of government-owned bus and rail services are subject to a competitive tender process and the contract is awarded to the best operator. Under this approach, any savings generated by franchising would be re-invested back into the public transport network.

"Experience both here and abroad shows that public transport franchising can deliver better services for commuters and significant savings for taxpayers. Re-investing these savings back into our public transport networks will help deliver the infrastructure Australia needs to meet our future growth challenges," said Infrastructure Australia Chief Executive, Philip Davies.

"Modelling conducted by PwC for Infrastructure Australia found that franchising public transport services traditionally operated by state, territory and some local governments around the country could deliver up to $15.5 billion in taxpayer savings by 2040 – money which could be re-invested back into the network to deliver more and better services.

"Franchised public transport is delivered in a tightly-regulated environment with clear performance targets, and contracts are regularly reviewed to ensure competition delivers the best result for the commuters and taxpayers.

"Governments would still own the infrastructure and have responsibility for important decisions such as network planning, investment in new infrastructure, fare prices and timetabling. They would also be able to hold private operators to account with clear performance targets and penalties for poor service.

"The billions of taxpayers' dollars this could save should then be reinvested back into the public transport system to deliver new trains and buses, station upgrades or additional capacity on our networks.

"Franchising has been successfully operating in Melbourne for almost 20 years, providing reliable transport at government-regulated prices. While it has not been without its challenges, franchising Melbourne's tram and heavy rail services has delivered better services for commuters.

"Customer satisfaction with Melbourne's tram and train services is at a 15-year high. Performance targets for private operators have driven clear improvements in punctuality with, for example, on-time running for Melbourne Metro improving by 7.1 percentage points since 2009.

"Customer Focused Franchising would allow state and territory governments to invest more money in delivering public transport and enable all Australians to benefit from world class infrastructure.

"There is an important role for the Australian Government to play in encouraging the states and territories to embark upon public transport reform under the Customer Focused Franchising model.

"Introducing franchising is a complex process. Getting it right is contingent on the structure and delivery of each contract. It's important for governments learn from past experience and ensure contracts are appropriate for the context.

"Australia is in a unique position to learn from past experiences and deliver successful reform. The pathway to reform is challenging but the reward is better public transport for all Australians," Mr Davies said.

[#Metro]

"Franchising has been successfully operating in Melbourne for almost 20 years, providing reliable transport at government-regulated prices. While it has not been without its challenges, franchising Melbourne's tram and heavy rail services has delivered better services for commuters.

The Melbourne setup means that if passengers increase, payments to the operator increase also. The reverse is also true.

That is not a good way to structure the arrangement IMHO. Passengers do not catch services to experience the smile of the staff (as nice

as that might be). As we have seen with the GC PT patronage, the patronage levers are network planning and service frequencies.

The current TransLink model where operators are paid for the services, not for pax, is a better and proven model in SEQ.

[ozbob]

Mr Bailey must be at the car races on the Goldie ..  been posting a few PT selfies this weekend eg.

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1053800768451440641

[ozbob]

I have been tentatively booked for 5.05pm ABC Radio Brisbane Drive with Steve Austin to chat about two years on with #railfail.

Apparently the Minister for Transport is first choice but they are not sure if he will come on, so they have asked me to standby. 

Happy to oblige of course.  Steve is a good guy!      

[red dragin]

I have been tentatively booked for 5.05pm ABC Radio Brisbane Drive with Steve Austin to chat about two years on with #railfail.

Apparently the Minister for Transport is first choice but they are not sure if he will come on, so they have asked me to standby. 

Happy to oblige of course.  Steve is a good guy!      

"Hey Mr Minister, if you can't make it, don't feel bad about it, we've got Robert Dow from Back on Track in place as a back up"

[Cazza]

Well now he has a real sticky situation on his hands. Does he go and expose himself or does he let you do it for him?

[ozbob]

Minister declined according to Steve Austin on air.

Interview completed.  Hopefully will be able to extract it tomorrow.

Had a good chat ( with just a little bit of rant ) 

[ozbob]

Interview 22nd October 2018 Steve Austin Drive ABC Radio Brisbane with Robert Dow RBoT discuss two years on with #railfail

Interview --> https://backontrack.org/docs/abcbris/abcbris_rd22oct18.mp3  MP3 15 MB

Thanks for the opportunity ABC Radio Brisbane and Steve Austin.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1054396918363607041

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 24th October 2018 page 17

More services needed, not excuses

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

24th October 2018

Re: A letter from the Minister for Transport

Good Morning,

Mr Minnikin has written a letter to the Editor of the Queensland Times!

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 24th October 2018 page 17

More services needed, not excuses



Thank you Mr Minnikin.  Truth is hard to bear for some.

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

[Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=13328.msg215399#msg215399 ]

[achiruel]

Minnikin can talk big all he likes, but until LNP MPs admit their own culpability in the NGR disaster, I take everything they say with a very large grain of salt.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1054905140967178241