Queensland Rail

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2019/2019_08_21_DAILY.pdf

Ministerial Statements

Rail Services

Hon. MC BAILEY (Miller—ALP) (Minister for Transport and Main Roads) (10.01 am): On 29 July,
430 extra weekly train services rolled out across South-East Queensland. Those services included 85
additional trains in peak times each week and the restoration of an extra 142 services each Friday to
provide a consistent timetable Monday to Friday. Coupled with an upgrade of 59 three-car sets
becoming six-car sets, the rollout of more services delivered 200,000 more seats for South-East
Queensland commuters each week. We need those seats because a record number of people are
catching public transport in South-East Queensland—more than 189 million trips last financial year, a
3.7 per cent increase, the second record year in a row.

The return of those services has been supported by the largest recruitment campaign in
Queensland Rail's history. Hard work behind the scenes to bring more train drivers and guards into the
system means there are now 8,290 weekly rail services, more than 700 additional services than were
operating at any time under the previous Newman LNP government. I would like to thank the
hardworking Queensland Rail staff: our drivers, our guards, our station staff, our track workers and all
those people in the Rail Management Centre.

Opposition members interjected.

Mr BAILEY: Their support and efforts were crucial to those achievements. It is disappointing to
hear interjections opposing my acknowledgement of the work of workers at Queensland Rail by those
opposite in the LNP—very disappointing.

Opposition members interjected.

Mr BAILEY: The Palaszczuk Labor government—

Mr SPEAKER: Order, members. Please continue with your ministerial statement, Minister.

Mr BAILEY: The Palaszczuk Labor government continues to invest in public transport to deliver
more services for commuters. That is why the Palaszczuk Labor government is entirely funding the
$5.4 billion Cross River Rail project and has $351 million on the table for Stage 3A of Gold Coast Light
Rail. That is why we are developing a new smart ticketing system that will give commuters multiple
ways to pay on any form of public transport across the whole state for the very first time.
The Queensland LNP's rail record was to cut services, cut the Cross River Rail project, sack
workers and suspend driver training. That short-term thinking damaged confidence, patronage and
capacity in our rail system that took years for our government to fix—

Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Minnikin interjected.

Mr BAILEY:—and the member for Chatsworth was directly responsible for some of that. At the
last parliamentary sitting the opposition leader predicted that it would take 36 years to fix the mess the
LNP left South-East Queenslanders. She was only 13,500 days out, again showing a lack of judgement
and a clueless approach to public transport.

Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order, members. Members, the interjections will cease. Minister, I ask that you
ensure that your ministerial statement is about the facts and in the public interest.

Mr BAILEY: Certainly, Mr Speaker. I thank you.

Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order, members.

Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Members to my left, I do not need your assistance. The minister has the call.

Mr BAILEY: In contrast, it is this Labor government that is investing in major public transport
upgrades, in more drivers and in more services, which will mean more passengers into the future.

[ozbob]

Interview on ABC Radio Brisbane 21st August 2019  Host Steve Austin with Nick Easy CEO Queensland Rail

Wide ranging discussion including the recognition for the need for improved feeder bus services for rail

Here > https://backontrack.org/docs/abcbris/abcbris_ne21aug19.mp3 MP3 22.7MB

Interview on @abcbrisbane 21 August 2019 Host Steve Austin @SteveAustinABC with Nick Easy CEO @QueenslandRail

Wide ranging discussion including the recognition for the need for improved feeder bus services for rail

Here > https://t.co/ZHL5uSpOYP MP3 22.7MB#qldpol pic.twitter.com/Sp6ipXX9Es

— RAIL_BoT_Forum (@railbotforum) August 21, 2019

[Golliwog]

Has anyone else noticed that with the new pdf timetables, they've managed to include an older version of the rail network map - so some of the DDA station upgrades aren't shown. The ones I'm aware of are Alderley and Newmarket but I'm sure there's others.

[Cleveland Line]

Has anyone else noticed that with the new pdf timetables, they've managed to include an older version of the rail network map - so some of the DDA station upgrades aren't shown. The ones I'm aware of are Alderley and Newmarket but I'm sure there's others.

Looks like Graceville and Dinmore missed too, so basically all the most recent ones. Completed late 2017 so that dates the map a bit! Oops...

https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/Community/Projects/Pages/Stationaccessibilityupgradeprogram.aspx

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> QR at crossroads over $7m bonuses

The Queensland Rail board has refused to rule out multimillion-dollar staff bonuses, despite taking three years to fix the timetable fiasco.

HUNDREDS of Queensland Rail employees are in line to benefit from over $7 million in bonuses, despite taking almost three years to fix rail fail timetable woes.

The QR board is yet to ­decide if it will scrap this year's hefty payments, last night refusing to say when a decision would be made.

It comes a year after a spat over the issue resulted in the State Government stepping in to freeze the bonuses.

The Courier-Mail can reveal QR's latest annual report shows 410 staff are eligible to receive a share of $7.3 million in bonuses accrued in 2018-19 – more than double the $3.55 million from the previous year.

The average bonus would also significantly increase to a staggering $17,800.

If awarded, the bonuses would also take the salary bill for the 410 employees to more than $75 million – an average of $183,000 per worker.

QR chief executive Nick Easy last night said the 2018-19 performance payments were yet to be considered by the QR board.

"As has been previously publicised, no performance payments were paid to Queensland Rail staff during 2018-19 for the 2017-18 financial year," he said.

The Government axed the bonuses last year after the board decided to award them, despite QR failing to fully restore its services in the wake of the rail fail crisis.

In June, Transport Minister Mark Bailey announced the Government would fully restore services by July despite being short of its driver recruitment target – almost three years after the rail fail crisis began.

As recently as April this year, taxpayers were forking out almost $500,000 in overtime every week.

Opposition transport spokesman Steve Minnikin said the bonuses should only be considered for improvements, not returning QR to full service.

"The Palaszczuk Labor Government needs to step in and make this decision," he said.

"This money would be better spent reducing public transport costs or increasing services for Queenslanders."

[#Metro]

"As has been previously publicised, no performance payments were paid to Queensland Rail staff during 2018-19 for the 2017-18 financial year," he said.

Is it the case that if these bonuses were paid, that they would also get the $1250 bonus on top of that as well? So, in effect, two bonus payments?

[ozbob]

Money going everywhere on ' bonuses ' and we cannot even get basic bus service improvements   

Fuking shambles is our Government ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail bonuses hang in the balance

More than 400 Queensland Rail staff are eligible for huge bonuses for their work last financial year. This is why they've been left sweating on the payment coming through.

QUEENSLAND Rail's board is yet to decide whether to lift a two-year freeze on millions of dollars in executive bonuses weeks after the payments are usually dealt with.

QR last month told The Courier-Mail a decision on whether to pay out $7.3 million in executive bonuses was yet to be made by the board, which would meet by October 31.

It refused to provide the meeting date and board chair David Marchant did not return calls.

The board is responsible for approving bonuses and advising QR's shareholding ministers, who can veto the payments via a ministerial direction.

A QR spokesman told the newspaper late on October 31 that the board had met but the 2018-19 bonuses were still to be determined. There was no change as of yesterday.

The decision is weeks behind previous years, when bonuses were decided in early to mid-October.

Bonuses are traditionally a vexing issue for QR's board caught in the tug-of-war between public expectations and corporate key performance measures written into contracts.

They have been frozen for the past two years due to the ongoing train driver shortage.

QR's board and shareholding ministers first agreed to cancel bonuses for 2016-17 after criticism a year earlier about the money hitting executives' bank accounts the month 'Rail Fail' struck.

But they were at odds over the issue last year, with Transport Minister Mark Bailey overriding the board's decision to approve $3.55 million in bonuses accrued in 2017-18.

It triggered the resignation of chairman and 'Rail Fail' fix-it man Phillip Strachan, who argued the bonuses were warranted as many staffers had worked "extraordinary hours".

This year more than 400 QR staff, who collectively earn $75 million a year, are eligible for $7.3 million in bonuses for their work in 2018-19.

That includes QR's chief executive officer Nick Easy, who earns $778,000 a year.

The State Opposition says the bonuses should be refused as the heavily pared back timetable was only restored in July – 2.5 years after "Rail Fail" and after the financial year they cover.

Opposition transport spokesman Steve Minnikin said the Palaszczuk Government should "show some leadership" and direct QR not to pay the bonuses again this year.

"This is money that could be spent on improving reliability or reducing fares for commuters," he said.

Train driver and guard overtime has also barely budged since the train timetable collapse.

QR figures show the overtime bill was an average $1.05m each fortnightly pay cycle in the five months from October 2016 compared to $885,240 in the five months from October 2018.

The Strachan Commission of Inquiry into the driver shortage debacle in 2017 recommended fixing the "systematic reliance on overtime" by hiring a surplus of drivers and guards.

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Qld Rail ordered not to pay $4.9m in bonuses

QUEENSLAND Rail has been told not to pay out more than $4.9 million in bonuses due to its employees, with part of the cash to instead be spent providing free travel.

QR chair David Marchant this afternoon issued a statement on the fate of the bonuses - worth an average of $17,800 - due to about 410 employees.

In the end only 370 employees were deemed eligible for $4.9 million in bonuses with 40 not meeting the necessary KPIs.

The decision not to pay them follows intervention from the Transport Minister for the second year in a row following a spat in 2018 that resulted in the State Government stepping in.

"The Responsible Ministers for Queensland Rail have issued a Direction to the Board, under the Act, to not proceed with performance payments for 2018/19," Mr Marchant said in a statement.

"The Board will accordingly action this Direction

"Of the $7.3m budget provision for management reward, approximately $2.4m has been allocated to provide free travel for our Citytrain customers for four Mondays: Monday 18 November, Monday 25 November, Monday 2 December and Monday 9 December.

"Queensland Rail will pay the normal fare revenue for these days on behalf of our customers to the Department of Transport and Main Roads."

The remaining $4.9 million will be resumed back into QR's budget. Transport Minister Mark Bailey said $2.4 million of free travel would be covered with money that had been set aside for bonuses for QR's senior managers.

"... the board supported paying $4.9 million in bonuses to about 370 eligible staff, including its executive leaders," he said of the remaining bonus cash.

"Our government did not agree with that decision and directed Queensland Rail's board to stop those payments."

Mr Marchant also signalled the end of the bonus scheme.

"The Queensland Rail Board is phasing out management performance payments," Mr Marchant said.

"The executive management team have contracted out of performance reward payments from the end of 2018/19 and senior managers are currently undertaking the process of phasing out now.

"Since March 2019 no new executive management contracts have incorporated the performance reward payment.

"This decision will bring Queensland Rail in line with many other government organisations and better align with community expectations moving forward."

" ... free travel for our Citytrain customers for four Mondays: Monday 18 November, Monday 25 November, Monday 2 December and Monday 9 December.  ... "

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1192827290843000832

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2019/11/8/queensland-rail-says-thanks-with-free-train-travel

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Friday, November 08, 2019

Queensland Rail says thanks with free train travel

South east Queensland commuters will enjoy free train rides on four consecutive Mondays in the lead up to Christmas.

The free train travel days that will start from Monday 18 November are being offered to thank customers for their loyalty as Queensland Rail worked to restore services earlier this year.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said rail passengers deserved thanks and appreciation for standing by the service.

"We've seen record patronage on public transport in south east Queensland over the past two years, and that includes more people catching trains too," Mr Bailey said.

"Commuters continued to support Queensland Rail while it embarked on a record recruitment of drivers and guards.

"That recruitment was needed to restore services that had been cut because of the LNP's decision to sack 1700 QR workers and stop driver training in its final year in power.

"Those services are back, we've got more seats than ever on the network thanks to the new NGR trains, and we're investing in station upgrades and bigger park n rides too.

"The free travel days are a well-deserved opportunity for loyal rail customers to put the money they save towards something special for Christmas.

"If you don't usually catch the train, then these free travel days will be a perfect opportunity to give it a try and ride the Citytrain network."

Mr Bailey said the cost of the free travel would be covered with funding that had been set aside for bonuses for senior managers at Queensland Rail.

"Queensland Rail's board has voted to phase out performance payments, starting from the current financial year, and will work with its senior management team to implement that," Mr Bailey said.

"In making that decision, the board supported paying $4.9 million in bonuses to about 370 eligible staff, including its executive leaders.

"Our government did not agree with that decision and directed Queensland Rail's board to stop those payments.

"Queensland Rail has worked hard over the past 12 months to restore the community's confidence in its services.

"On time running and key safety targets were met in the past financial year.

"The restoration of 462 weekly services and the addition of 200,000 more seats on the network for customers, as well as the re-opening the flood-damaged Mount Isa line in 12 weeks, were all achievements QR's workers should be proud of too.

"However, it is the view of this government that bonuses for senior QR managers no longer fit with community expectations.

"The board's decision to phase bonus payment clauses out of its executive management contracts is the right call and should be commended."

Queensland Rail will promote details about its free travel deal for customers in the coming days.

END

[#Metro]

"Queensland Rail's board has voted to phase out performance payments, starting from the current financial year, and will work with its senior management team to implement that," Mr Bailey said.

The basis for paying a bonus in a public sector non-profit was always weak IMHO.

Now we will know if paying bonuses has any impact on service delivery.

A guess... There will be no significant statistical change in service metrics.

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

[ozbob]

Free train travel over four Mondays

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/256486

From Monday 18 November, for four consecutive Mondays, there will be free travel on Queensland Rail Citytrain services.

There will be free travel on train on the following days:

Monday 18 November
Monday 25 November
Monday 2 December
Monday 9 December
On these days, if you travel by train, you will not need to touch on or off at train station gates (excluding Airtrain).

Thank you for your continued loyalty over the last two years as Queensland Rail worked to restore services earlier this year.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1192878132358873090

[achiruel]

I might have to book an annual leave day to go travelling around SEQ. I wonder if I can do the entire network (excl. Airport and Gympie North) in one day?

[ozbob]

It is difficult, but take out Gympie North you would go close.

I did the entire network as it was during Easter 2008.  There was free travel for go card users.

>> The 2008 Easter Tour of the QR Interurban Network  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=645.0

[ozbob]

I am going to Nambour on Monday 25th November, for a luncheon with some local members haven't worked out what else I will do yet.

Might go on some of the lines I don't travel on that regularly eg. Shorncliffe, Ferny Grove for starters.

Haven't been out to Doomben for a while either.

[#Metro]

Will there be an analysis of pre-rail fail KPIs and after the removal of bonuses?

We will finally be able to answer the very important question of whether bonuses actually do anything at all in terms of organisational performance.

[achiruel]

Does anyone know if the train arriving Nambour at 9:04 forms the 9:08 departure? Tight turnaround if not.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/QueenslandRail/status/1195190314073374720

[ozbob]

Couriermail  --> Pay rise plan for Queensland Rail top brass

HUNDREDS of Queensland Rail top brass will score a pay rise averaging $5000 if they agree to ditch controversial corporate bonuses this Christmas.

The Sunday Mail can reveal 410 QR managers and executives eligible for annual performance payments will be given a one-off three per cent pay rise if they sign new bonus-free contracts by December 31. Staff who sign up after this date will be offered a two per cent pay rise.

The staff are collectively paid $68 million a year, or $165,000 each on average, when not including bonuses.

That is an average $5000 pay rise, but the actual amount would be far higher for top earners.

QR chief executive Nick Easy said the final cost of phasing out bonuses in executive management contracts would be known once negotiations were finalised.

But QR estimates the pay rises would add a total of just more than $2 million (about 0.24%) to its annual wages bill.

That compares to $7.3 million in bonuses accrued in 2017-18, with QR's board this month voting to pay out $4.9 million of that to 370 staff ahead of the phase-out.

That was vetoed by the Palaszczuk Government this month, which extended a bonus freeze for a third consecutive year amid the slow moving 2016 "Rail Fail" recovery.

Even so, QR annual reports indicate scrapping bonuses could still save millions of dollars in future years compared to the pay rise.

But State Opposition deputy leader Tim Mander slammed the pay rise as "completely inappropriate and out of touch".

"(Premier) Annastacia Palaszczuk needs to step in and stop the taxpayer-funded gravy train at Queensland Rail," he said.

"(Treasurer) Jackie Trad and (Transport Minister) Mark Baily promised to stop the bonuses, but then turned around and gave the same executives a pay rise bonanza costing taxpayers an extra $2 million a year.

"This money should be in the pockets of commuters not senior rail executives."

Mr Easy said no new executive management contracts signed since March had incorporated performance payments in anticipation of the phase out.

It will end a yearly headache for board members responsible for deciding the contentious payments, which are tied to results such as service punctuality and reliability.

Controversy over the payments hit a flashpoint amid the 2016 driver shortage when former chief operating officer Kevin Wright was given a $77,000 bonus the month rail crisis struck.

A three-year hiatus on bonuses followed, with Transport Minister Mark Bailey this year saying performance payments for senior executives "no longer fit with community expectations."

Full train services were only restored in July, more than two-and-a-half years after the driver shortage boiled over, cancelling hundreds of rail services.

But driver overtime remains through the roof, reaching $885,240 in the five months from October 2018, State Government figures show.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/SteveAustinABC/status/1196183369056313344

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2019/1706-2019.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 1706
Asked on Tuesday 22 October 2019

MR D PURDIE ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

Will the Minister advise for 1 October 2016 to 1 October 2019, the net increase of fully qualified
drivers (excluding tutors and train operation inspectors) and of those drivers, how many were
externally recruited?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Ninderry for the question.

Queensland Rail continues to undertake the largest traincrew recruitment and training program
in its history, in order to continue to deliver services sustainably and reliably, as well as ensuring
a pipeline of drivers and guards for the future.

As at 10 October 2019, Queensland Rail has trained 195 new drivers for a net increase
(considering natural attrition) of 122 additional qualified drivers compared with 1 October 2016.
Twenty of these additional qualified drivers are tutor drivers and train operation inspectors, who
are also available to drive revenue services as required.

Of the additional qualified drivers into supply, 20 were recruited externally.

A further 46 external candidates have been offered a trainee driver position and have commenced
driver training.

The Palaszczuk Government's record on traincrew recruitment stands in stark contrast to the
LNP. Under the LNP, no drivers started training in 2014, and this was accompanied by a net
reduction of 48 drivers during the period it was in government.

The LNP did this when it had full knowledge that the new Redcliffe Peninsula line was due to
open in 2016 with six new stations, as well as the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games—the
largest sporting event in Australia in a decade—creating high demand for Queensland Rail
services on a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week basis.

The Palaszczuk Government now operates 8290 services per week on the South East
Queensland Citytrain network, which is 700 more services than the LNP ever did.

====

" ... As at 10 October 2019, Queensland Rail has trained 195 new drivers for a net increase
(considering natural attrition) of 122 additional qualified drivers compared with 1 October 2016.
Twenty of these additional qualified drivers are tutor drivers and train operation inspectors, who
are also available to drive revenue services as required. ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1198418822664880128

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2019/1795-2019.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 1795
Asked on Thursday 24 October 2019

MR T NICHOLLS ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

With reference to overtime payments made to train crews of the Citytrain network—
Will the Minister advise the amount of overtime paid to train crews in the first quarter of
2019-2020 and how this compares to the same time last financial year?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Clayfield for the question.

Queensland Rail is now running 8290 weekly South East Queensland rail services, which is 700
more services than the LNP delivered when they were in office.

It is not unusual for operational workforces, like traincrew, to operate with a certain level of
overtime as part of their standard working patterns. This enables the flexibility to meet demand
changes, such as for special event services.

Queensland Rail continues to work hard to increase its supply of traincrew through the largest
recruitment and training program in its history, while also supporting a 5.5 per cent increase in
weekly services from 29 July 2019.

In the first quarter of 2019–20, the average overtime payment per traincrew was $5702, compared
with $5380 in the first quarter of 2018–19. This slight variance can mainly be attributed to the
annual three per cent pay increase which came into effect for traincrew in September 2018 and
September 2019, in line with the Traincrew Enterprise Agreement 2017, and the fact that
Queensland Rail is now delivering 430 additional weekly services since 29 July 2019.
Queensland Rail's planning for the service uplift in July 2019 reflected a managed approach
towards traincrew overtime, with the unprecedented traincrew recruitment campaign ensuring it
had enough drivers to reliably and sustainably increase services.

Queensland Rail's extensive modelling and planning for the return of the timetable, including the
consideration of overtime levels, was endorsed by the independent Citytrain Response Unit.
This careful planning stands in contrast to the LNP who oversaw an increase in Citytrain driver
overtime of over 25.2 per cent in 2014–15. This was accompanied by a net reduction of 48 drivers
during the period of the LNP Government when they had full knowledge that the new Redcliffe
Peninsula line was due to open in 2016 with six new stations, as well as the Gold Coast 2018
Commonwealth Games—the largest sporting event in A

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1199866538523709440

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2019/2019_11_28_DAILY.pdf

Queensland Rail, Train Crew

Ms PUGH: My question is to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads. Can the minister please
update the House on the government's record train driver recruitment?

Mr BAILEY: I thank the honourable member for her question and her interest in our rail system.

It has been more than a year since I have received a question from the member for Chatsworth. I am
not sure whether he is out of favour or he is just lazy. I am glad to see the member for Mount Ommaney
is interested in our rail system.

I am very happy to announce that last week our 200th driver graduated from training school to
join our network. This contrasts with the LNP when they sacked 1,700 Queensland Rail workers when
they were in government, they ordered trains from overseas that were not disability compliant and we
saw the three worst years of rail patronage in the last decade. Compare that to our record—where we
are running 700 more services than under the Newman government, we are fixing the noncompliant
trains in Maryborough with Queensland workers, we have got a record 190 million trips across the
network and we are investing in rail. We have duplicated the heavy rail line between Coomera and
Helensvale.

We have been investing in 430 additional services since July. We converted 59 services from
three carriages to six carriages, adding more than 200,000 extra seats. We returned to full timetable in
July. Those opposite predicted in June this year that it would take 36 years to return to full timetable.
The member for Chatsworth led the Leader of the Opposition to predict that it would be 36 years to go
back to full timetable, yet we went back six weeks later.

I am very happy to announce that we are on track for the third straight year of record public
transport patronage in South-East Queensland. From July to September this year, 50.9 million trips
have been taken on buses, trains, trams and ferries, which was a 3.6 per cent increase over the same
period last year. Train trips saw the biggest spike in patronage, with a 4.6 per cent jump in patronage
on our heavy rail system.

This government's record in public transport keeps improving all the time. We are investing in
smart ticketing with $361 million in the world's best smart ticketing system, we are upgrading train
stations in terms of accessibility, and of course Cross River Rail is coming, with $5.4 billion worth of
rail. I thank commuters for their support. They are enjoying four fare-free Mondays over this month or
so. They deserve it and they are going forward with this government.
(Time expired)

=========================================

Net gain of drivers?  Around 122 as of Oct 10 ....

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/QueenslandRail/status/1203480857832411142

[achiruel]

4:30 ex Coomera to Airport train packed this afternoon. Not sure if normal or because of free fare day? If it is regular, it should be an argument for 15-minute off-peak services to Gold Coast.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> QR drivers still earning hundreds of dollars a week in overtime

Queensland Rail says its use of overtime for train drivers is "far more sustainable" after additional services and drivers were put on last year, despite earlier warning of a potential $28.1 million bill for drivers and guards in 2019-2020.

In July 2019, Queensland Rail restored 462 weekly services that were lost after the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula line in October 2016, nicknamed the "rail fail".

The Strachan inquiry found QR's overreliance on overtime and a shortage of train drivers contributed to the rolling cancellations that followed the new line's opening.

In 2016-2017, overtime for drivers cost $15.6 million, covering nearly 570 drivers throughout the year including trainees.

The driver-only overtime bill for 2018-2019 was $15.5 million, with a headcount of 656 drivers including trainees.

In estimates earlier this year, it was revealed Queensland Rail had budgeted $28.1 million for overtime payments to both guards and drivers in the 2019-2020 financial year.

Queensland Rail chief executive Nick Easy said 207 new drivers and 370 new guards had completed their training and begun work since October 2016, creating a net increase of 133 drivers and 139 guards by the end of December 2019 when considering attrition.

"The use of overtime and our traincrew supply is far more sustainable now, than in comparison to October 2016," Mr Easy said during the week.

"In the 2018–19 financial year, the average hours of overtime worked by each Citytrain driver represented a 18.09 per cent decrease compared to 2016–17.

"Our modelling and planning for the 2019 service uplifts reflected a managed approach towards traincrew overtime and was endorsed by the independent Citytrain Response Unit."

In the first fortnight of March 2019, the average amount of overtime paid to drivers was $1085, and an average of $716 for guards.

The highest amount of overtime paid between March and November this year was $1114 in the second March fortnight.

After 32 additional infill services were added to the network in May 2019, the highest average overtime per fortnight was $1068.

Immediately after the 430 services were restored at the end of July, the average driver's overtime went down to $779 for the first fortnight of August.

After a 3 per cent pay rise for drivers and guards in September as per their EBA, the highest overtime per fortnight was in the last week of September at $1061 a driver.

In 2018-2019, the best-paid train driver made $225,894 in 2018-19 after racking up 836 hours of overtime, worth $69,005.

The base salary for a Citytrain driver in September 2018 was $101,158.

The median pay for full-time drivers last financial year was $145,537, including overtime, penalties, allowances and benefits.

Mr Easy said Queensland Rail would "continue to take a controlled approach to overtime", as on-time running for south-east Queensland trains sat at 96.12 per cent over 2018-2019.

He said that figure was "favourable" compared with Sydney's 91.3 per cent and Melbourne at 90.5 per cent for the past year.

"We are committed to delivering a world-class service for our customers and will continue that focus in 2020," Mr Easy said.

"With a 4.3 per cent patronage increase experienced in 2018-19, we're grateful for our customers' loyalty and thank them for travelling with us in 2019."

" ... Queensland Rail chief executive Nick Easy said 207 new drivers and 370 new guards had completed their training and begun work since October 2016, creating a net increase of 133 drivers and 139 guards by the end of December 2019 when considering attrition. ...

[achiruel]

^ I wonder if part of the explanation behind the large difference between gross and net gain of guards is due to guards converting to drivers? 

[AnonymouslyBad]

4:30 ex Coomera to Airport train packed this afternoon. Not sure if normal or because of free fare day? If it is regular, it should be an argument for 15-minute off-peak services to Gold Coast.

If Beenleigh trains were every 15 minutes - as a minimum - I'd agree. That means quadruplication to I'd guess Kuraby(?) to service both. It's not that GC shouldn't have more trains, but what are the higher priorities?

30 minutes inter-city is really not terrible. 30 minutes suburban is.

[achiruel]

4:30 ex Coomera to Airport train packed this afternoon. Not sure if normal or because of free fare day? If it is regular, it should be an argument for 15-minute off-peak services to Gold Coast.

If Beenleigh trains were every 15 minutes - as a minimum - I'd agree. That means quadruplication to I'd guess Kuraby(?) to service both. It's not that GC shouldn't have more trains, but what are the higher priorities?

30 minutes inter-city is really not terrible. 30 minutes suburban is.

The thing is, though, I think there are more passengers using the Gold Coast line than stations Trinder Park-Holmview (excluding Loganlea, where the GC trains stop anyway). I'd have to check the figures to be certain, but I'm fairly sure it's the case. Not much point adding frequency to service less passengers IMHO.

[SurfRail]

The Beenleigh line carries more passengers than the Gold Coast line IIRC, but the only 3 Beenleigh line stations busier than the least busy Gold Coast station (Ormeau) are Yeronga, Woodridge and Fairfield.  I'm ignoring Beenleigh, Loganlea and Altandi because they are shared, and likewise inbound of Dutton Park.

Gold Coast patronage growth is also stronger.

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2020/50-2020.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 50
Asked on Wednesday 5 February 2020

MR B MICKELBERG ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS
(HON M BAILEY)


QUESTION:
With reference to Queensland Rail's Fare Free Mondays—

Will the Minister advise (a) how much was spent on advertising (signage, social media, etc)
promoting this measure and (b) as users were not required to touch on or off but simply walk
through the open fare gates, were any numbers gathered to gauge patronage figures on those
Mondays?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Buderim for the question.

The promotion of the 'Fare Free Mondays' initiative to Queensland Rail's customers was
extremely important, as it impacted customers' ticketing arrangements for those four consecutive
Mondays, with customers not required to touch on or off with their go card or purchase a paper
ticket.

Queensland Rail took a responsible approach to educating customers about the initiative (and
the associated changed ticketing arrangements) by utilising free advertising opportunities
available, including station display screens, station and on-board announcements, staff
engagement, website, and a range of social media content.

Given the importance of communicating ticketing arrangement changes to customers, a small fee
was spent on printing station signage with this information for $3,639.87, in addition to a promoted
social media post which cost $500.00. No other costs were incurred.

Queensland Rail saw the number of customer journeys on its network grow by more than two
million trips last financial year. The 'Fare Free Monday' initiative was undertaken as an
opportunity for Queensland Rail to thank customers by covering the cost of their fares on these
days.

In terms of patronage, Queensland Rail estimates 755,000 customers to have benefited from the
initiative, based on patronage data from the year prior, and station staff reported consistent
patronage compared to regular Mondays, based on their experience.

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2020/57-2020.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 57

Asked on Wednesday 5 February 2020

MR D PURDIE ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

Will the Minister provide an update on the total costs required to implement recommendations
from the Strachan report (Queensland Rail train crewing practices commission of inquiry)
published on 31 January 2017?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Ninderry for the question.

Queensland Rail's issues in 2016 and need for the Queensland Rail train crewing practices
commission of inquiry (the Strachan inquiry) followed the former LNP Government's failure to
start driver training in 2014, and a net reduction of 48 drivers during their period in government.
it did this when they had full knowledge that the new Redcliffe Peninsula line was due to open in
2016 with six new stations, as well as the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games—the largest
sporting event in Australia in a decade—creating high demand for Queensland Rail services on
a 24/7 basis.

The cost of implementation for transport agencies of the Strachan inquiry recommendations was
$31.5 million across the 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19 and 2019–20 (year-to-date) financial years.
The vast majority of these costs were spent during the previous 2016–17 and 2017–18 financial
years, as Queensland Rail worked hard to implement the recommendations and restore its
service levels for customers. With the majority of the recommendations successfully closed out,
costs to implement the Strachan inquiry have significantly decreased.

This extensive work has assisted Queensland Rail to significantly improve its reporting and
forecasting of traincrew numbers and timetable assurance activities, leading to a number of
positive outcomes for train customers, including no timetable downgrades required since
mid-2018, and the restoration of 462 weekly services successfully implemented last year.
From 2 March 2020, Queensland Rail implemented a further 32 extra weekly services and five
service extensions, which will see the organisation deliver the largest number of timetabled
services across South East Queensland in the organisation's history and more than ever
delivered under the LNP.

South East Queensland public transport patronage is at record levels with close to 190 million
trips taken on public transport in 2018–19 and, after two record years, we are on-track for another
record 12 months.

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2020/77-2020.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 77
Asked on Wednesday 5 February 2020

DR C ROWAN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

With reference to the Queensland Rail City Train network—

Will the Minister provide an update on (a) the total number of qualified train drivers and qualified
guards employed on the network and (b) what was the overtime figure for this group for the first
six months of the financial year?

ANSWER:
I thank the Member for Moggill for the question.
It is not unusual for operational workforces, like traincrew, to operate with a certain level of
overtime as part of their standard working patterns. This enables the flexibility amongst its
workforce to meet demand changes, such as for special event services.

It is important to note that the LNP Government oversaw an increase in Citytrain driver overtime
of over 25.2 per cent in 2014–15. This was accompanied by a net reduction of 48 drivers during
the period of the LNP Government when it had full knowledge that the new Redcliffe Peninsula
line was due to open in 2016 with six new stations, as well as the Gold Coast 2018
Commonwealth Games—the largest sporting event in Australia in a decade—creating high
demand for Queensland Rail services on a 24/7 basis.

Queensland Rail's use of overtime and its traincrew supply is far more sustainable now, in
comparison to October 2016 when the Redcliffe Peninsula line opened, despite 462 weekly
services being added to the timetable between May and July 2019.

In 2018–19, the use of traincrew overtime continued to stabilise, with the average hours of
overtime worked by each Citytrain driver representing an 18.09 per cent decrease compared with
2016–17 when the Redcliffe Peninsula line opened.

Queensland Rail's planning for the 2019 service uplifts, and the improvements on 2 March 2020,
reflect a managed approach towards traincrew overtime, with its unprecedented traincrew
recruitment campaign ensuring there were enough drivers to reliably and sustainably increase
services. This planning, including the consideration of overtime levels, has been endorsed by the
independent Citytrain Response Unit.

Queensland Rail has advised that for the pay periods ending 7 July 2019 to 22 December 2019,
the average fortnightly overtime figure for drivers and guards for this six-month period was
approximately $796.

Queensland Rail continues to recruit and train a pipeline of drivers and guards to ensure it
continues to offer sustainable and reliable services now and into the future.

Two hundred and eighteen new drivers and 393 new guards have completed their training and
entered supply since October 2016, for a net increase of 139 drivers and 159 guards taking into
account attrition as at 31 January 2020.

Following the 32 additional services added on 2 March 2020, and together with the 462 weekly
services added last year, it will mean there are 212,000 extra seats across the south east
compared to the same time last year.

The Palaszczuk Government is delivering more SEQ train services than were ever delivered
under the LNP.

[kram0]

I wish someone would send the links to the Perth train timetables to that smug Bailey. When we have services in Brisbane aligned to a city with a much smaller population than us, including weekend 15 minute frequency, only then can he start crowing.

Until then he has not done is job to a satisfactory standard.

[SurfRail]

Yes and no.

Perth's peak hour capacity is actually somewhat less than ours because they simply don't have enough trains to run to the headways we can, and the legacy lines are limited to 3-car B-sets or 4-car A-sets.  They make the system work much harder out-of-peak than we do, which is why it carries more people on the whole, but I'd be very surprised if the Transperth train system moved more people at peak than QR. 

Convincing anybody that trains need to run more often than half-hourly is an ongoing struggle that they've sorted out at least.