Queensland Rail

[kram0]

They really need to aim for 15 minute services on weekends. Perth has a smaller population, yet still has 15 minute services on weekends.

[achiruel]

Now we have consistent Mon-Fri timetables, dare we hope for end to separate Saturday and Sunday timetables in favour of a single weekend timetable both days?

We may be hoping for too much! 

The ~10pm finishes on a Sunday are particularly silly. Most people would (reasonably) assume Sunday evening trains finish the same time as any weekday. I certainly did the first time it caught me out. The different start times of a morning are also baffling in 2019.

Why are the different start times baffling? Retail for example starts about 2 hours later on Sunday than Saturday, so it follows that there would be less early-morning demand.

[#Metro]

Aren't penalty rates high on Sunday, and with 2 staff per train, really expensive?

[achiruel]

Aren't penalty rates high on Sunday, and with 2 staff per train, really expensive?

I could be wrong, and I'm sure someone closer to the source will tell me, but I think train crew (drivers & guards) have a certain number (20 from memory) of Sundays built into their base salary. Over this I guess overtime rates would apply. I guess the key is to have enough drivers that they can do most of the Sundays in regular time.

The other thing is demand. I've often caught the 6:40am ex Loganlea service to Helensvale or Nerang, and it rarely carries more than about (by my estimate) 100-120 pax, on a train with a *seated* capacity of about 430, so around 25% loaded. Let's say on average the pax are travelling 4 zones (some more, some less), and 50% of pax are on concessions, total fares for this train would be 486.75, it takes close enough to 1.5 hours, so cost recovery is about $324.50/hr. Double the patronage and suddenly that's $649/hr. The point is there's a lot of capacity in the rail system laying unused, and the cost to use more of it fairly marginal (a bit more electricity for a heavier train), maybe TL need to look at 50% off weekends instead of 30%, and if it doubled patronage they'd still be ahead.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Corruption and fraud allegations at Queensland Rail revealed: Depot workers rort overtime, fake work trips and take drugs

A cover-up culture – including allegations of fudged timesheets, fake work trips and drug use – has been exposed within a major Queensland Rail depot.

A COVER-UP culture – including allegations of fudged timesheets, fake work trips and drug use – has been exposed within a major Queensland Rail depot.

In the latest scandal to hit the embattled Government-owned organisation, The Courier-Mail can reveal that the "toxic" culture within Bowen Hills depot E Block became so bad the ­allegations of mismanagement made their way to the state's Crime and Corruption Commission.

The startling allegations include incorrect timesheets, with a whistleblower claiming employees were recording 12-hour shifts, despite working only two hours at a time when wages bills at QR blew out by nearly $90 million last year.

A supervisor was found to be authorising incorrect time sheets at Bowen Hills last year, Queensland Rail chief executive Nick Easy has confirmed.

He also confirmed that three Mayne Yard employees at Bowen Hills had been sacked for drug use in the past 12 months.

"Queensland Rail notified the CCC, which advised Queensland Rail to manage the issue in accordance with its own disciplinary processes," Mr Easy said.

"Lead supervisors in this division are continuing to routinely monitor employee timesheets, following this matter.

"Within Mayne Yard as a whole, three employees were recorded as providing a positive AOD test in the past 12 months and have since had their employment terminated."

But a staff member, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of losing their job, says nothing has changed and the problem continues from the top down. According to the staff member, employees almost always record working 12 hours on weekends, despite only actually working two hours.

The source said a core group of employees – who are friendly with management – have also booked accommodation in different towns so they can claim the company's travel allowance, but they never actually attend the accommodation, or even leave Brisbane.

Rampant marijuana use among train drivers was also reported.

"There's a lot of s--- going on here that's been going on for a long time and these blokes are just getting away with it all the time, laughing about it all the time," the whistleblower said.

"There's a lot of money at stake here – a lot of money – and there are unsafe practices going on."

The Crime and Corruption Commission was asked if it had received a further complaint about the behaviour at the Bowen Hills depot earlier this year, but it did not respond ­before deadline.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey's office declined to ­comment.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Powerful union boss slams whistleblower fraud claims

Following today's explosive story about drug use and a cover-up culture at a major Queensland Rail depot in Brisbane, fraud claims by a fearful whistleblower have been criticised by a powerful union boss despite the allegations being proven true.

A UNION boss has hit out at allegations of fake work trips at a major Queensland Rail depot, while acknowledging four people have been sacked for taking drugs and rorting overtime.

On Thursday, The Courier-Mail revealed allegations of a cover-up culture at Bowen Hills depot in Brisbane's inner-north, including claims of fudged timesheets, fake work trips and drug use.

A current employee at the site has given The Courier-Mail a detailed account of staff members rorting thousands of dollars from the company.

The source alleged staff were claiming to have worked 12 hours on timesheets, but in reality only worked two hours, and were faking work trips to claim the company's travel allowance.

They also claimed drug use was rampant at the site and that people were sacked, but the problem continues today.

Queensland Rail chief executive Nick Easy acknowledged three employees were sacked for drug use in the past 12 months and a supervisor was found to be authorising incorrect time sheets.

But Rail Tram and Bus Union Queensland secretary Owen Doogan promptly dismissed any suggestion of an ongoing issue at the Bowen Hills site.

"The whistleblower – I'd like to know who they are," Mr Doogan said.

"It's probably just some disgruntled former employee making things up."

While Mr Doogan acknowledged the dismissal of four people in the past 12 months, he thoughts claims of staff faking work trips in order to claim the company travel expenses were a bridge too far.

"It's absolute nonsense," he said.

Opposition leader Deb Frecklington yesterday called on the State Government to stand up for commuters.

"These allegations surrounding what's been going on at QR are just disgraceful," she said.

"After a thousand days of QR cancelling all of those train services, now we've got this rot happening. Where is the minister, where is the premier? Why don't they ever stand up for the commuters of Brisbane?"

A State Government spokesman said: "If anyone has any evidence to support any allegation, they should make the appropriate referrals so it can be properly investigated."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1151632485303717888

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland's top train driver makes more than a school principal

The highest-paid Queensland Rail train driver has a fatter pay packet than those of state school principals or politicians.

Brisbane Times can reveal the best-paid Queensland Rail driver made $225,894 in 2018-19 after racking up 836 hours of overtime, worth $69,005.

That equates to an extra 16 extra hours worked every week of the year.

A Queensland backbencher earns $159,122, while state school principals start on $112,000.

The total number of overtime hours worked by the top five drivers last year was 3522, a 7.3 per cent decrease on the previous year's 3800.

In 2018-19, the six best-paid Queensland Rail drivers earned between $194,688 and $225,894, including base pay, penalties, shift allowances and overtime, by working between 724 and 836 hours of overtime.

The top train guard earned $184,560 last year, after working 498 hours of overtime.

Queensland Rail has been under pressure to cut down on overtime hours after the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line sparked a train crisis in October 2016, which uncovered a shortage of drivers and an unsustainable reliance on overtime.

It caused a crunch that led to the sudden cancellation of hundreds of services, including on Christmas Day, before Queensland Rail cut 462 services under a new timetable in an attempt to restore reliability.

Queensland Rail last month announced the end of "rail fail", with an extra 430 services and 200,000 seats to be added to the network on Monday, July 29.

That includes 85 additional trains in peak times each week, and a consistent Monday-to-Friday timetable.

The feat will have to be achieved without the full complement of 200 new train drivers the Strachan inquiry found were needed to restore reliability to the timetable. QR had only managed to add 105 drivers - adjusted for attrition -  by last month.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said Queensland Rail paid overtime so commuters could have late-night and early-morning services.

"Like most industries that rely on shift workers, and rail networks around the world, overtime is a standard part of working patterns for Queensland Rail's train crew," he said.

Mr Bailey said the total number of overtime hours worked by train crew in 2018-19 represented an 8.78 per cent reduction - 29,579 hours fewer - compared with 2016-17, when the Redcliffe Peninsula line opened.

Training times were reduced from 18 months under the LNP to 12.7 months, Mr Bailey said.

"I want to see overtime hours come down and that's what our record recruitment of drivers and guards is designed to do," he said.

The extra weekly services from Monday include 48 more trains on the Cleveland line, 43 on the Beenleigh line and 44 on the Ferny Grove line.

The 430 extra services will restore the timetable planned with the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line in October 2016.

Mr Bailey is due to face a grilling at budget estimates hearings on Tuesday.

[ozbob]

https://www.cru.qld.gov.au/Reports

Now available   

Fixing the Trains—March Quarter 2019 (PDF, 2.39 MB)

[verbatim9]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland's top train driver makes more than a school principal

The highest-paid Queensland Rail train driver has a fatter pay packet than those of state school principals or politicians.

Brisbane Times can reveal the best-paid Queensland Rail driver made $225,894 in 2018-19 after racking up 836 hours of overtime, worth $69,005.

That equates to an extra 16 extra hours worked every week of the year.

A Queensland backbencher earns $159,122, while state school principals start on $112,000.

The total number of overtime hours worked by the top five drivers last year was 3522, a 7.3 per cent decrease on the previous year's 3800.

In 2018-19, the six best-paid Queensland Rail drivers earned between $194,688 and $225,894, including base pay, penalties, shift allowances and overtime, by working between 724 and 836 hours of overtime.

The top train guard earned $184,560 last year, after working 498 hours of overtime.

Queensland Rail has been under pressure to cut down on overtime hours after the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line sparked a train crisis in October 2016, which uncovered a shortage of drivers and an unsustainable reliance on overtime.

It caused a crunch that led to the sudden cancellation of hundreds of services, including on Christmas Day, before Queensland Rail cut 462 services under a new timetable in an attempt to restore reliability.

Queensland Rail last month announced the end of "rail fail", with an extra 430 services and 200,000 seats to be added to the network on Monday, July 29.

That includes 85 additional trains in peak times each week, and a consistent Monday-to-Friday timetable.

The feat will have to be achieved without the full complement of 200 new train drivers the Strachan inquiry found were needed to restore reliability to the timetable. QR had only managed to add 105 drivers - adjusted for attrition -  by last month.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said Queensland Rail paid overtime so commuters could have late-night and early-morning services.

"Like most industries that rely on shift workers, and rail networks around the world, overtime is a standard part of working patterns for Queensland Rail's train crew," he said.

Mr Bailey said the total number of overtime hours worked by train crew in 2018-19 represented an 8.78 per cent reduction - 29,579 hours fewer - compared with 2016-17, when the Redcliffe Peninsula line opened.

Training times were reduced from 18 months under the LNP to 12.7 months, Mr Bailey said.

"I want to see overtime hours come down and that's what our record recruitment of drivers and guards is designed to do," he said.

The extra weekly services from Monday include 48 more trains on the Cleveland line, 43 on the Beenleigh line and 44 on the Ferny Grove line.

The 430 extra services will restore the timetable planned with the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line in October 2016.

Mr Bailey is due to face a grilling at budget estimates hearings on Tuesday.

Be interesting to see what is said on Tuesday to support Mark Bailey's evidence and claims. Most would agree that the train crew are over remunerated bleeding the Public Transport budget dry.

[verbatim9]

^^It all started with the wage sign off during Labor's last term.

Even though many would applaud the actions to have the timetable restored to 2016 levels.  For  many it had come as a shock that restoration of services would be returned so soon.  The restoration of services seems more politically motivating than beneficial to the overall public. If it wasn't for the sky rocketing wage bill the restoration of services wouldn't be questioned by the public, media, transport annalysts and Government MPs.

[ozbob]

https://www.cru.qld.gov.au/Reports

Now available   

Fixing the Trains—March Quarter 2019 (PDF, 2.39 MB)

The weeds may have been plucked out, but they dropped a few seeds that can re-shoot again.

On page 5, the CRU latest quarterly report, the document focuses on progress towards achieving one of the key recommendations of the Strachan Report, namely the need to strip out three layers of bureaucracy and make QR and 'leaner' organisation.

Here's what the CRU says is happening:

"Queensland Rail considered the appropriateness of implementing lean management beyond the Rollingstock Maintenance division, and determined it not suitable for the whole of business. Aspects such as visual reporting have been adopted,  where relevant."

And it commented:

"The Citytrain Response Unit notes that this is consistent with the agreed approach outlined  in the mid-program review."
So, everyone agrees it is okay that backsliding occurs on this important matter.

The bureaucrats keep their cushy jobs, the layers of bureaucracy remain.

Yes, somewhat disturbing.  The change agency is happy with ' status quo '?

[ozbob]

On a day meant to distract from @QueenslandRail's failings, the true cost of the system's meltdown has been realised. The Government admitting it's spent more than $75 million dollars over the past three years to around 1,200 staff in overtime. @G_Chumbley #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/kRgFB1Y9a6

— 7NEWS Brisbane (@7NewsBrisbane) July 29, 2019

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1155751373960441856

[ozbob]

RAIL FAIL: After years of a modified Queensland Rail train timetable hundreds of services have finally been restored, but the state's opposition is claiming it's not a real solution and it's going to come at a big cost for Queenslanders | @PipSheehan https://t.co/OZpBakI0fK

— 10 News First Queensland (@10NewsFirstQLD) July 29, 2019

https://twitter.com/10NewsFirstQLD/status/1155764901408903169

[ozbob]

This is how much train drivers and guards in Queensland are being paid in overtime each month. In June, drivers got more than $1.3m in overtime. #qldpol pic.twitter.com/eXG9GtzjHv

— Allyson Horn (@allysonhorn) July 30, 2019

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> 'Rail fail' is over but overtime bill will still blow out by millions

Queensland Rail expects the overtime bill for its train drivers and guards to blow out to $28.1 million next financial year.

That's an increase of more than $2.31 million on 2018-19.

The Strachan inquiry found Queensland Rail's overreliance on overtime and a shortage of train drivers contributed to the rolling cancellations that followed the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line in October 2016.

Brisbane Times this week revealed the best-paid train driver made $225,894 in 2018-19 after racking up 836 hours of overtime, worth $69,005.

Queensland Rail has announced the end of "rail fail", adding an extra 430 services and 200,000 seats to the network on Monday, however it sparked questions about what impact it would have on overtime costs.

The latest timetable restored the train services introduced in October 2016.

Queensland Rail's budget for overtime for 2019-20 - $28.1 million - was uncovered in estimates documents on Tuesday.

It also revealed the overtime bill per fortnight for drivers and guards for 2018-19.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said Queensland Rail was actively monitoring the use of overtime for train crew.

"And will continue to do so this financial year," he said.

"It is not unusual for operational work forces, like train crew, to operate with a certain level of overtime as part of their standard working patterns, as this enables flexibility to meet demand changes, such as for special event services."

Mr Bailey said train drivers and guards were responsible for the safety of up to 1000 commuters at any one time, and strict safety processes were in place to make sure rosters and overtime managed fatigue.

"They are shift workers, required to work weekends and public holidays, when many of us are at home enjoying time with our families, and are remunerated accordingly," he said.

"There is also an expectation that they are resilient and adaptable, with the ability to problem solve during unplanned disruptions, critical incidents and emergency situations."

The base salary for a Citytrain driver in September 2018 was $101,158.22.

The median pay for full-time drivers last financial year was $145,536.93, including overtime, penalties, allowances and benefits.

Mr Bailey said the number of overtime hours worked in 2018-19 represented an 8.78 per cent drop compared with 2016-17, when the Redcliffe Peninsula line opened.

Queensland Rail chief executive Nick Easy said train crews spent 31.86 per cent of their shifts driving trains on average in 2018-19, a metric known as "foot plate time".

That was a decrease from 33.83 per cent the previous financial year.

Mr Easy said the "slight reduction" occurred despite the operator introducing two meal breaks which were mandated in the latest enterprise bargaining agreement.

Queensland Rail has hired 106 net new drivers since October 2016, when taking into account attrition, and 177 gross - still short of the 200 recommended in the Strachan report.

The number includes 16 driver tutors and five train operation inspectors who are available to drive when required.

There were 10,000 applications received following an external recruitment drive from August 2017, which was another of the Strachan inquiry's recommendations.

A total of 48 external candidates were offered, or will be offered, a driver position and were expected to be trained in June, July or August.

In addition, 19 former Queensland Rail drivers who were recruited as trainee drivers have graduated and are working on the network.

Mr Bailey said Queensland Rail anticipated it would reach its target of 200 new drivers, gross, by the end of 2019.

"The original forecast date for achieving a structural surplus of drivers was late 2019, however this date has been revised to late 2020," he said.

Mr Easy also revealed Queensland Rail had spent $418,500.63 on consultants to implement the Strachan inquiry's recommendations.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> This graph shows the exact cost of overtime on Brisbane's trains

Queensland Rail train drivers and guards have pocketed more than $70 million in overtime payments since the start of "rail fail".

Since October 2016, the total overtime bill was $42.80 million for train drivers and $28.12 million for guards.

Tackling overtime was a major recommendation from the Strachan inquiry, which found Queensland Rail's overreliance on overtime and a shortage of train drivers contributed to the rolling cancellations that followed the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula line in October 2016.

New data can reveal the fortnightly overtime bill for both drivers and guards since October 2016.

Overtime for both train drivers and guards hit a peak in the second fortnight in June 2019, the most recent data available.

There are dips in the cost of overtime over the Christmas holidays during the past two years, a typically quieter commuter period.

On July 29, Queensland Rail added an extra 430 services and 200,000 seats to the network, restoring the previous October 2016 timetable, which prompted questions about what impact it would have on overtime costs.

However, Queensland Rail chief executive Nick Easy said planning for the new timetable reflected a managed approach towards overtime.

Mr Easy insisted an "unprecedented train crew recruitment campaign" had ensured Queensland Rail had enough drivers to reliably and sustainably increase services.

As of last week, Queensland Rail had hired 106 net new drivers since October 2016, taking into account natural attrition, and 177 gross.

That is still short of the 200 drivers recommended in the Strachan report by June 30, 2019.

But Transport Minister Mark Bailey has argued the Strachan inquiry did not specify whether that 200 drivers referred to gross or net.

Queensland Rail had anticipated it would reach its target of 200 new drivers, gross, by the end of 2019, but that date has been revised to late 2020.

Mr Easy said overtime hours worked by drivers and guards in 2018-19 represented an 8.78 per cent reduction compared with 2016-17 when the Redcliffe Peninsula line opened.

But Queensland Rail expects the overtime bill for its train drivers and guards to blow out to $28.1 million in 2019-20, an increase of almost 9 per cent on last year.

Next year's budgeted overtime was attributed to the recruitment of extra staff, a 3 per cent wage increase as a result of the latest enterprise bargaining agreement, and the extra 430 weekly services.

Mr Easy said it was not unusual for operational workforces, such as train crew, to operate with a certain level of overtime.

"This enables flexibility to meet demand changes, such as for special event services," he said.

"On average in 2018-19, drivers worked approximately just six hours of overtime per week."

Brisbane Times last week revealed the best-paid train driver made $225,894 in 2018-19 after racking up 836 hours of overtime, worth $69,005.

That equates to to an extra 16 extra hours worked every week of the year.

LNP transport spokesman Steve Minnikin said the $70 million overtime bill would have been better spent on more drivers.

"Running a transport system so reliant on massive amounts of train driver and guard overtime is a disaster waiting to happen," he said.

"Labor's massive overtime bill compromises network reliability and can't be good for workplace health and safety."

[Stillwater]

Oh gawd ... we are now arguing the 'gross' number of drivers hired since the onset of RailFail.  Seriously? 

[ozbob]

Oh gawd ... we are now arguing the 'gross' number of drivers hired since the onset of RailFail.  Seriously? 

Fuking incredible.  Bailey is silly as ...  What is the point of gross?  200 gross could well be negative in net gain if attrition rate is > than training rate.

DESPERATE SPIN FROM BAILEY ....



[Prepare for incoming Bailey et al.  We have been through this deception before .. ]

[ozbob]

Just checked the Strachan Report states clearly " 200 additional drivers and 200 guards ". If you recall previously Bailey was reporting gross even in Parliament. At the time we  pointed out gross needed to be adjusted for attrition  to get the real gain. Since then they have been reporting correctly net gain. It seems that Bailey is trying to deflect from the fact that overtime is getting worse with this latest roll-back to gross deception.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Message for Minister Bailey

Good Morning,

Today the Brisbanetimes has done a report on the amount of overtime Queensland Rail ( https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/this-graph-shows-the-exact-cost-of-overtime-on-brisbane-s-trains-20190806-p52eac.html ).  The overtime is still at high levels relative to October 2016.  This is one concern.

The other big concern is this reported comment by Transport Minister Bailey:

' As of last week, Queensland Rail had hired 106 net new drivers since October 2016, taking into account natural attrition, and 177 gross.
That is still short of the 200 drivers recommended in the Strachan report by June 30, 2019.
But Transport Minister Mark Bailey has argued the Strachan inquiry did not specify whether that 200 drivers referred to gross or net. '

This is a nonsense put forward by Minister Bailey.  The Strachan inquiry clearly indicated that Queensland Rail is " Progressing recruitment and training of an additional 200 drivers and 200 guards .. " Page 3 https://www.strachaninquiry.qld.gov.au/assets/commission-of-inquiry-report-trains-crewing-report.pdf

Additional drivers.  Clearly Strachan indicated that Queensland Rail needs an additional 200 drivers.  This a net figure, not gross as the Minister is suggesting.  The attrition rate needs to be taken into account so that the important metric is the NET GAIN OF DRIVERS.  This was reported to be 106 today in the Brisbanetimes article, still 94 short of the target 200.

Please Minister Bailey, stop treating Queensland citizens as mugs.  On the 16th May 2018 when answering a Question without notice in the Queensland Parliament you correctly reported for the first time (as far as we are aware) the net gain of drivers, which was 36 at that date ( https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2018/2018_05_16_DAILY.pdf ).  This is the important metric.  A gross figure is somewhat meaningless with respect to the target 200, it has to be properly adjusted for attrition, so that the metric of significance is the net gain. We had been calling for some time prior to the 16th May 2018 for the correct figures be reported. 

Please do not revert back to spin and deception.  Stick to the facts.

Thank you.

Best wishes,

Robert

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

======

A copy of the question without notice >> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12649.msg208801#msg208801

[ozbob]

Latest media: ' Message for Minister Bailey @MarkBaileyMP '
👉 https://t.co/ZdLmjSMX4V#qldpol@SteveMinnikinMP @brisbanetimes @fel_caldwell @AnnastaciaMP @DebFrecklington pic.twitter.com/J8XDv0EoEh

— RAIL_BoT_Forum (@railbotforum) August 6, 2019

[#Metro]

Mark Bailey needs to go. Too much time on social media and with spin people.

If you air views that don't gel with his unreality, he will also block you on those platforms.

[ozbob]

Mark Bailey needs to go. Too much time on social media and with spin people.

If you air views that don't gel with his unreality, he will also block you on those platforms.

You recall that in 2017/18 they were reporting gross numbers in training and trained.  It painted a more rosier picture than reality.  I kept calling them out that they needed to take into account the attrition rate to get the net gain, the real measure of train crew expansion in numbers.  After the May 2018 enlightenment, they did keep giving  somewhat regular updates in the net gain.  Slowly going up to the present +106 net for drivers  (attrition rate for drivers is  ~ average of 2/month).  For Bailey to suddenly start suggesting that Strachan didn't mean a real gain of 200 drivers is absolute bananas.

The overtime is not as bad as it looks as there are more drivers, so the average per driver would be lower than in October 2016.

Presently average of 6 hours per week overtime - 6/38 = 16%

[Cleveland Line]

"Additional"
adjective
added, extra, or supplementary to what is already present or available.

So 200 added to whatever the baseline total was at the start. Which of course means maintaining the base total as wel.

The whole basis of the rail fail issues and the recommendation was to address the shortfall in train crew. So unless the recommendation mentions to allow for growth and address attrition, it is pretty clearly net increase.

And they have of course been reporting net increase for some time so must have accepted at one point it was the relevant measure. Only when it is now inconvenient has this argument been raised.

If this really is unclear or confusing to the Minister or authorities then clarification should be sought from Strachan. Perhaps this could have been done while he was still Chair of the QR Board?!

[ozbob]

Yo.  Bailey is trying to spin (again) to cover up the failure to get to 200.  We called them out last time, and we will continue to call them out today, or whenever.

[#Metro]

#truthfail

[achiruel]

If this really is unclear or confusing to the Minister or authorities then clarification should be sought from Strachan. Perhaps this could have been done while he was still Chair of the QR Board?!

If this is confusing to the minister, he is clearly too stupid to be a minister.

Mark Bailey needs to go. Too much time on social media and with spin people.

If you air views that don't gel with his unreality, he will also block you on those platforms.

Yep, I have experienced this. I wasn't trolling, I tried to get an honest answer about something. Next thing, blocked.
Edit: I just remembered what I was trying to discuss with him, it was about why he was insisting CRR was a prerequisite for duplicating the NCL and delivering more services (which all of us here know is absolute bumpkin). I guess he didn't like my line of questioning much.

[verbatim9]

It's funny how Governments and Political parties misinterpret and manimulate stats for their own agenda!

[#Metro]

Did fares fair get blocked too? 🚫

[achiruel]

Did fares fair get blocked too? 🚫

No idea, but it wouldn't surprise me.

[Fares_Fair]

Did fares fair get blocked too? 🚫

Hello #M,
No, I have not been blocked and I always try to be courteous/polite - even when I'm angry.
I tend to use facts that cannot be disputed.
I respect people in positions of authority no matter who or what party they are.

That's not to say that you aren't either.
I'd suggest that I have probably been muted.

[Fares_Fair]

If this really is unclear or confusing to the Minister or authorities then clarification should be sought from Strachan. Perhaps this could have been done while he was still Chair of the QR Board?!

If this is confusing to the minister, he is clearly too stupid to be a minister.

Mark Bailey needs to go. Too much time on social media and with spin people.

If you air views that don't gel with his unreality, he will also block you on those platforms.

Yep, I have experienced this. I wasn't trolling, I tried to get an honest answer about something. Next thing, blocked.
Edit: I just remembered what I was trying to discuss with him, it was about why he was insisting CRR was a prerequisite for duplicating the NCL and delivering more services (which all of us here know is absolute bumpkin). I guess he didn't like my line of questioning much.

Thank you for trying Achiruel.
They stopped using that (false) line after the facts were expounded by myself, ozbob and you.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

8th August 2019

Overtime level at Queensland Rail Citytrain - comment

Good Morning,

Mr Nick Easy CEO Queensland Rail was reported in the Brisbanetimes article as stating:

"On average in 2018-19, drivers worked approximately just six hours of overtime per week."

Working week is ~38 hours so average overtime percent is 6/38 = ~16%.  This is certainly lower than was the case in October 2016 (reported to be > 20%), however it would be hoped that when there is a true net gain of drivers to 200 this would drop below 10%.  Our understanding is that level of overtime ( < 10% ) is sustainable and still gives the operator the necessary flexibility to cope with extra contingencies.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

Message for Minister Bailey

Good Morning,

Today the Brisbanetimes has done a report on the amount of overtime Queensland Rail ( https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/this-graph-shows-the-exact-cost-of-overtime-on-brisbane-s-trains-20190806-p52eac.html ).  The overtime is still at high levels relative to October 2016.  This is one concern.

The other big concern is this reported comment by Transport Minister Bailey:

' As of last week, Queensland Rail had hired 106 net new drivers since October 2016, taking into account natural attrition, and 177 gross.
That is still short of the 200 drivers recommended in the Strachan report by June 30, 2019.
But Transport Minister Mark Bailey has argued the Strachan inquiry did not specify whether that 200 drivers referred to gross or net. '

This is a nonsense put forward by Minister Bailey.  The Strachan inquiry clearly indicated that Queensland Rail is " Progressing recruitment and training of an additional 200 drivers and 200 guards .. " Page 3 https://www.strachaninquiry.qld.gov.au/assets/commission-of-inquiry-report-trains-crewing-report.pdf

Additional drivers.  Clearly Strachan indicated that Queensland Rail needs an additional 200 drivers.  This a net figure, not gross as the Minister is suggesting.  The attrition rate needs to be taken into account so that the important metric is the NET GAIN OF DRIVERS.  This was reported to be 106 today in the Brisbanetimes article, still 94 short of the target 200.

Please Minister Bailey, stop treating Queensland citizens as mugs.  On the 16th May 2018 when answering a Question without notice in the Queensland Parliament you correctly reported for the first time (as far as we are aware) the net gain of drivers, which was 36 at that date ( https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2018/2018_05_16_DAILY.pdf ).  This is the important metric.  A gross figure is somewhat meaningless with respect to the target 200, it has to be properly adjusted for attrition, so that the metric of significance is the net gain. We had been calling for some time prior to the 16th May 2018 for the correct figures be reported. 

Please do not revert back to spin and deception.  Stick to the facts.

Thank you.

Best wishes,

Robert

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

======

A copy of the question without notice >> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12649.msg208801#msg208801

[ozbob]

Overtime level at Queensland Rail Citytrain - commenthttps://t.co/BM2VfJgsho#qldpol pic.twitter.com/ejxQ26LVej

— RAIL_BoT_Forum (@railbotforum) August 7, 2019

[red dragin]

Leave loading is typically 17%, to compensate people for the overtime they can't work whilst on holiday.

To me that suggests that the over time being worked is not out of the ordinary.

[ozbob]

Leave loading is typically 17%, to compensate people for the overtime they can't work whilst on holiday.

To me that suggests that the over time being worked is not out of the ordinary.

17% leave loading is a smaller amount than the equivalent in 17% OT as OT is at time and half or higher, although the leave loading originally was to compensate for the loss of overtime.

I was told today that Sydney Trains is around 3% (not confirmed).  Queensland Rail is aiming for no more than 10% ( Queensland Rail train crewing practices Commission of Inquiry Final Report page 25 ). I expect that when they get to 200 drivers (net) it will be less than that.  Some overtime is necessary to cope with various contingencies such as special events. High levels of OT trigger compulsory rest periods, this was a factor in the early #railfail cancellations The absolute payment total $ of OT is the same today as it was in October 2016, except that on an average basis there are more drivers hence the average OT figure is lower (presently around 16%).

[ozbob]

As Strachan detailed in the Commission of Inquiry Queensland Rail Citytrain has always operated on a systemic shortfall in train crew numbers of 10 to 15%.  This is nothing but a comfy overtime earner for the team.  The problem was that leading up to the #railfail meltdown, having no reserve as things got tighter with politics and cuts, more and more overtime had to be worked just to deliver the routine timetable.  When the Oct 2016 was rolled out the excess overtime it took to deliver it meant that it could not be sustained, as overtime levels were so high compulsory breaks were triggered hence the waves of massive service cancellations.

Successive QR managements and Governments have allowed QR  and unions to develop this culture of excess overtime is part of the package.  They really do need to get off the overtime gravy train and get it under control so that the organisation has more resilience and redundancy.

Overtime is still too high and needs to come down to lower sustainable levels.   Personally I reckon it should be no more than around 5 to 8%.  If they can't do that they need to look at the future of Queensland Rail itself.  The amount of money going into Queensland Rail Citytrain for the disproportionate low numbers of passengers overall is costly to everyone.  When you add in the additional ongoing and future  labor costs to support the  botched NGRs it is frankly reaching obscene levels.

A state that cannot deliver a proper suburban rail network is dreaming with regional fast rail for the Olympics. 

[Cazza]

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/london-overground/gospel-oak-to-barking-improvements?intcmp=57697#on-this-page-1

"To thank you for your patience during the delay in bringing the new trains into service, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has secured a month of free travel on London Overground's Gospel Oak to Barking services."

Excuse me, what!?!?

They get a month of free travel for only a year or so of disruptions, but all we get for almost 3 years of reduced services is a media release saying "how we have been working around the clock to ensure Queenslanders get home quicker and proud we are to bring you 430 extra* weekly train services!!!"

Now, this surely deserves some media coverage and a response from the one and only, Mr Mark Bailey...

*restored services that we had to cut in the first place.

[ozbob]

I did campaign for some acknowledgement of the inconvenience and costs suffered by many because of the 1032 days of #railfail and some free travel, before the reversion back to the new old timetable.  They ignored the calls.  Dismissed summarily by Bailey et al.

Just be an elephant. Come #qldvotes remind them of their bastard attitudes ...