Queensland Rail

[#Metro]

I refuse to accept that a full timetable has to wait two years.  Utter bullsh%t and incompetence.

If QR cannot deliver a full timetable by January 2018 then an operator that can should be engaged IMHO.

Utter frogsh%t.  Why hasn't the board and ELT been booted by now?

I can't remember if the Strachan report recommended booting the ELT and QR Board.

I think it didn't but would have to go back and check.

[BrizCommuter]

I refuse to accept that a full timetable has to wait two years.  Utter bullsh%t and incompetence.

If QR cannot deliver a full timetable by January 2018 then an operator that can should be engaged IMHO.

Utter frogsh%t.  Why hasn't the board and ELT been booted by now?

Because this is Queensland, the state where incompetence is encouraged!

[STB]

Doesn't the timetable modeling company do that already?

Maybe they are modeling extra scenarios like Easter or what would happen during flu season?

In any case, they have extra drivers coming online and a reduced timetable for two years, so plenty of time.

Queensland Rail does their own modelling in house with their own Planners.  It isn't outsourced.

[STB]

I refuse to accept that a full timetable has to wait two years.  Utter bullsh%t and incompetence.

If QR cannot deliver a full timetable by January 2018 then an operator that can should be engaged IMHO.

Utter frogsh%t.  Why hasn't the board and ELT been booted by now?

Because this is Queensland, the state where incompetence is encouraged!

It still legally requires a Board as that's how the legislation has been set up.  IMHO, I think the Government needs to just restructure QR rather than going about sacking a bunch of people who would need to all be replaced anyway.

[ozbob]

Spot on STB - restructuring not only QR but the whole of how public transport is administered, delivered and operated in Queensland.

It is a lot more than just QR sadly ..

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

17th February 2017

Stress testing of timetable? What about stressed passengers ...

Good Morning,

It appears that Queensland Rail is unable to ascertain whether or not their train timetables are actually deliverable.  They need to ' stress test ' them. What an indictment of failure!

Again yesterday the Premier mentioned in Parliament during Questions Without Notice that " My main focus is to ensure that we have a reliable and sustainable timetable. That timetable is getting stress tested at the moment. " [ https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_02_16_DAILY.pdf ]

Passengers are being stressed daily as well.  One only has to look a the Queensland Rail facebook page to see the stream of ' stress '. [ https://www.facebook.com/QueenslandRail/ ]

What on earth is stress testing the timetable?  Can someone please explain the rationale in detail please.

Recent peak ontime running has been generally acceptable, although if a railway runs less services it follows logically that more services will be on time particularly as many passengers sadly have given up on our failed public transport network. [ https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12653.0 ]

It is important that the present timetable gaps be progressively plugged with services, a consistent Monday to Friday timetable put in place and that a full service timetable be achieved by January 2018.  If Queensland Rail cannot achieve that, get an operator that will. Queensland Rail is a bloated top heavy non delivering organisation.

Public transport for SEQ during the Commonwealth Games is looming as a disaster.   It is essential that a full service rail timetable be in place well before the Games (April 2018). 

It is essential that the administration, delivery and operation of public transport be properly restructured as well.  TransLink, TMR and Queensland Rail are abject failures in our opinion.

How to reform public transport for Queensland is detailed here --> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.msg188038#msg188038

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Latest: Stress testing of timetable? What about stressed passengers ...
> https://t.co/GVXyv9jAdE#qldpol@AnnastaciaMP @jackietrad pic.twitter.com/tWrVejK6qG

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) February 16, 2017

[bcasey]

My qualifications are in the field of operations research, so I have an educated understanding of the mathematics behind timetabling and scheduling optimisation.

Stress-testing to me sounds like they are coming up with various scenarios and running many simulations to figure out the likelihood of a breakdown of the schedule over time, as well as performing a sensitivity analysis on various parameters to see how changes will affect the overall performance of the timetable. Depending on what kind of methods and models they are using, and how thorough they are, this will not be a quick and easy thing to do.

I don't think they are actually meaning that they are "stress-testing the timetable" in an actual real-life physical sense, rather in a virtual sense before they decide what course they are going to take.

[ozbob]

But this would be a matter of course for any timetable.  I fear it is cover for yet more service cuts sadly.

The problems are really with job rostering, work rules and other issues.   

I will spell it out.  Unless Queensland Rail gets its collective act together, they are are finished.

The longer this mediocre service delivery continues, the greater the likelihood that come the next election there will be a new Government.  Layer on more service cuts an impossible situation for the present Government.

A reinvigorated LNP Government, whether majority or in a coalition will use the rail fail scenario as justification of privatising the heavy rail operations.  They might even do the same for the bus - they were going to do that as well.

It is no secret that financiers and others were already in position to commence the privatisation of Queensland Rail on the Monday following the last election.  The only thing that stopped it was the fact that the LNP lost.  This time they will not wait.

We are really doing Queensland Rail a favour in pointing all this out.

It would be good if the authorities would spell out in great detail what they actually mean with respect to ' stress testing the timetable '.

[techblitz]

ferny grove line can simply not cope with this mediocre week/Friday differential timetable for the 'rest of the year'. Once again reports of passengers not being able to board at Wilston this morning.....elderly unable to get seats etc...
Commuters are essentially being held to ransom by QR...encouraged to turn up at the station at differing times so as to not 'overload' the trains....

Wondering if any of the charter/railbus operators would have any spare buses/drivers to do some runs (QR to foot the bill)
I'm thinking a Samford rd express....servicing Alderley/Gaythorne with temp stops put on Samford near Keperra and grovely stations. If no buses available privately then reduce frequency of BT rockets which aren't getting high numbers( p205,p332,p384) and redivert those to a p368 Samford rd rocket......

[ozbob]

Resentment just keeps on building.   Spin and promise does nothing. 

Telling the masses to suck eggs for two years is just a recipe for electoral annihilation.

To actually put on the services needed might help change the public sentiment.  That was said that they would progressively add in services.

No sign yet of that, just grief.

[Stillwater]

Wonder what the Budget ramifications are -- wages of new drivers, overtime payments, fixes, possible new infrastructure (extension to RP and SCL), restructure costs at QR, fixes for NGR, signalling.  Possible massive new investment in Infrastructure/Transport.  And the money is coming from where exactly?

[Arnz]

^^

Redirecting the money from the CRR would be a start considering that's dead in the water at the moment.

[Stillwater]

^^  Ahh, you are correct, Arnz.  That $800m smackeroos minus the cost of the CRR Delivery Authority in 2017-18.  Although, the actual authority costs would appear to be covered by an extra sum of $50 million.  Right now the delivery authority consists of a group of people with nothing to deliver.

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2016/6/27/palaszczuk-government-commits-800-million-to-kickstart-cross-river-rail

LOL at the way ALP Government said in this media statement ^ that it is 'full steam ahead for CRR'.  21st Century aspiration, steam train era thinking.

But would Ms Trad cop redirecting CRR money and thereby admitting that CRR is in limbo?  The solution is obvious, the politics is complex.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail sacks another manager over timetable fiasco

ANOTHER head has rolled over Queensland Rail's timetable and staffing crisis, bringing the carnage count to five.

Train Service Delivery general manager Mick Skinner was sacked last week over the fiasco, the rail operator has confirmed.

Mr Skinner was stood aside in October after he failed to act on warnings about the impending crisis. Last month he told The Courier-Mail he expected to return to work after the Strachan review.

But a QR spokeswoman yesterday said: "Queensland Rail can confirm Mick Skinner was terminated from his position last week."

The senior manager was told in March by Canadian consultancy firm Giro in a scathing letter that "QR's current driver and guard resource levels are not sufficient" to make the new timetable work.

He was also one of 26 QR staff interviewed as part of the secret January 2016 Indec ­report that warned of the "significant risks" around the shortages. That report was buried until November.

Mr Skinner's departure comes as Transport Minister Jackie Trad prepares to deliver a response to the damning ­review, which found QR had a toxic culture and bloated ­bureaucracy and driver training must be opened to external ­applicants. Ms Trad said ­reforming management culture was a top priority.

The report said fixing the cultural issues and training enough drivers to deliver the services originally scheduled after the Redcliffe Peninsula Line went into operation could take up to two years.

Former chief executive Helen Gluer and board chairman Michael Klug resigned in October after the initial timetable crisis exploded when the Redcliffe Peninsula Line was opened and not enough train crew were employed to deliver the new services.

Queensland Rail's chief ­operating officer Kevin Wright resigned just days after the troubled rail operator was forced to cancel nearly a third of its services on Christmas Day because of a major ­roster stuff-up.

Citytrain general manager Shannon Iwanow, who commissioned the Indec report, has also left.

[ozbob]

Errr ... why hasn't the entire @QueenslandRail Board and ELT de-trained @jackietrad @AnnastaciaMP ?#anyonewantacashbonuswiththat#qldpol https://t.co/n21WEMuGLS

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) March 2, 2017

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail: Fixing QR won't be so easy


New head of QR Nick Easy. Photo Adam Armstrong

THE man charged with fixing Queensland Rail says he's not afraid to get his hands dirty overhauling the troubled operator, despite lacking experience in train services.

Former Port of Melbourne chief executive Nick Easy will today be named QR's new chief executive as the Government unveils its plan to implement the recommendations of Phillip Strachan's report.

Starting work on April 3, Mr Easy told The Courier-Mail he would use the damning report – which found QR had a toxic culture, bloated bureaucracy and inefficient train crewing practises driven by union deals – as his "mandate" for change.

Mr Easy scored the job ­despite lacking a background "preferably in a world-class passenger transport organisation", as suggested in Mr ­Strachan's review.

But Mr Strachan signed off on the job as the new chair of the QR board.

Mr Easy (pictured) said he had the right attributes, having overseen the privatisation of the Port of Melbourne and reforms to Victoria's Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Service Board.

"I'm quite comfortable getting my hands dirty and getting involved in the operations of the business," he said.

He said he wanted to address cultural issues and would be "robust" in dealing with the unions. "In leading the organisation, it's about setting the right culture, setting the right standards and expectations and ensuring that people feel comfortable that if there is a problem or an issue on the table they can raise it."

Mr Easy will replace former chief executive Helen Gluer who quit amid rolling cancellations in October.

[ozbob]

Strachan review has just been made largely irrelevant.

" ... Mr Easy scored the job ­despite lacking a background "preferably in a world-class passenger transport organisation", as suggested in Mr ­Strachan's review. ... "

Seriously, what Queensland Rail needs is not another ' management ' type but someone who has real rail experience.

Sorry, I do not think this will end well at all.

Same situation as previous CEO.  Do not really understand rail so rely on the ' management ' team.  Look where that ended up.

Sad to see it all end like this. 

[ozbob]

Ex-Port boss is the man to fix QR > https://t.co/Ps7C5DljmP #qldpol
Who needs rail experience to run a railway huh?
<smashes head into desk>

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) March 7, 2017

^

Good bye @QueenslandRail being set up now for the flog off ..#qldpol@jackietrad @AnnastaciaMP @AndrewPowellMP @TimNichollsMP https://t.co/fwKLnMYLdk

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) March 7, 2017

[ozbob]

[#Metro]

Welcome Mr. Easy.

Now we have two people who know how to run a profit-making corporation running QR and the CEO has privatisation experience to boot.

First thing is to clear the deck - replace all executive leadership positions. Can't claim to have a new culture with old management.

Red team are not as anti-asset sales as it seems. Both Palaszczuk and Trad were around when Bligh started offloading assets. Trad was Bligh's staffer. They sold off all sorts of things! What a privilege it is to have their cake and eat it too.

It looks like they are preparing the ground so that blue team can continue it if they gain office at the next election.

Hopefully Mr Strachan and Mr Easy will meet with RBOT members in good time.

But Mr Strachan signed off on the job as the new chair of the QR board.

Mr Easy (pictured) said he had the right attributes, having overseen the privatisation of the Port of Melbourne and reforms to Victoria's Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Service Board.

http://www.portstrategy.com/news101/insight-and-opinion/the-strategist/politics-or-practicalities

It is an interesting question to speculate what the main criteria for Mr Easy's appointment was – his experience in sector reform or his port sector experience which he gained in 13 years of previous service at PoMC including in the role of executive general manager of port capacity and executive general manager of the Channel Deepening Project. No doubt those that appointed him would say both factors but the experience in sector reform is convenient given the state government's aspirations to lease the port and realise a cash return of up to $7bn. The plans for the privatisation of the port were confirmed shortly after his appointment in May 2014.

Being from Melbourne he would be familiar with MTR and Keolis running PT too.

[ozbob]

It is very evident that someone with a sound rail/public transport background is needed as CEO, not another Strachan.

Farcical that they go against their own inquiry recommendations.

Inquiry not worth much now IMHO.  Stand by for more cuts and failure ...

Of course the ELT and Board (exception Strachan) should de-train, today hopefully.

Same old culture if they don't, and a CEO that does not understand rail.  A succession of CEOs without rail experience is really why Queensland Rail is the mess it is in the end.

[#Metro]

Strachan signed off on it, apparently.

My preference would be Andy Byford from the TTC, of course.

Interesting to speculate if it were MTR or RATP running QR whether people with the requisite business and rail experience would be running the joint.

Very well.

[ozbob]

There have been reports (unsubstantiated) of MTR types floating around brisBANE of late ..

All fitting a pattern now ...

It's #ByeQR

[ozbob]

http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=308884232&privcapId=34248049&previousCapId=34248049&previousTitle=Port%20of%20Melbourne%20Corporation

Background

Mr. Nick Easy has been the Chief Executive Officer at Port of Melbourne Corporation since February 24, 2014. Prior to joining PoMC, he was the Chief Executive Officer at the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Service Board (MFB) from June 2011 until February 2014 where he was responsible for leading an organisation of 2,300 staff through a period of sector reform while it continued to deliver emergency services to the Victorian community and beyond. Before taking up the MFB appointment, Nick had previously served with PoMC and its forerunner for over 13 years in various senior management positions, most notably as Executive General Manager Port Capacity and Executive General Manager Channel Deepening Project. He also holds a Bachelor of Applied Science Planning and Post-Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management which underpin his previous roles in local government planning.

[ozbob]

8th March 2017

Media Release
Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Jackie Trad

Nick Easy appointed to run Queensland Rail

An experienced Chief Executive Officer with a track record of driving cultural and operational change has been appointed to lead Queensland Rail.

Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Jackie Trad today confirmed Mr Nick Easy, the former CEO of the Port of Melbourne, has been endorsed by the Queensland Rail board.

"The Palaszczuk Government has a plan to put Queensland Rail back on a path to better services and working with Nick as the new CEO we will fix the trains," Ms Trad said.

"Nick's experience leading two other a major statutory authorities and managing stakeholders will help him drive reform, modernise Queensland Rail and implement the recommendations from the Strachan Inquiry."

The Deputy Premier said Mr Easy has experience delivering major projects and his strong, strategic management approach will help restore public confidence in Queensland Rail.

"Nick is a strong leader who has a proven track record overhauling management and leading operational and cultural change," she said.

"I look forward to working with him, the Board, and the Head of the Citytrain Rail Unit to get Queensland Rail back on track."

Queensland Rail Board Chair Phillip Strachan welcomed Mr Easy's appointment and said he had the skills to implement a strong recovery program.

"Nick is renowned for being an effective CEO and the Board has full confidence that he will improve Queensland Rail's culture, maintain an effective oversight of operations and overhaul the organisations' approach to risk management," Mr Strachan said.

Mr Strachan also said thanked Neil Scales for Acting as CEO for the past four months.

"On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Neil Scales for taking on the role of CEO at time major challenge for the business," Mr Strachan said.

"He has successfully laid the foundations for the transformation of the business and we look forward to his continued support as he returns to his former role at the Department of Transport and Main Roads."

Mr Easy, whose career spans more than 27 years, will bring a wealth of management experience to the role. He was previously CEO of the Port of Melbourne, Australia's largest container and general cargo port, where he managed $10 billion of land and sea assets.

Mr Easy served as the CEO of the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board from June 2011 until February 2014 and was responsible for leading the 2,200 strong organisation through a period of sector reform.

Mr Easy will commence as CEO of Queensland Rail on 3 April 2017.

ENDS

[Stillwater]

QR - Taking it Easy.

[ozbob]

Just completed an interview with Nicole Dyer ABC Gold Coast  about the appointment of new CEO QR.

Thanks for the interest.

[#Metro]

I love how Brisbanetimes was not clued in so they just ripped off a news corp story. 

[ozbob]

^

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland Rail's new CEO has no rail experience

A man with no rail experience who ran Australia's busiest port has been appointed to overhaul Queensland Rail in the wake of a timetable and driver crisis.

Nick Easy, who was the CEO of the Port of Melbourne until recently, has been endorsed by the body's board, to start work next month.

The delivery of new trains to Queensland is on hold following a string of compliance issues including braking, toilets and disability access. 7 News Queensland

Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Jackie Trad said Mr Easy's experience delivering major projects would help him restore public confidence.

The government is expected to respond on Wednesday to Queensland Rail board chair Phillip Strachan's report into south-east Queensland's train debacle.

"The Palaszczuk government has a plan to put Queensland Rail back on a path to better services and working with Nick as the new CEO we will fix the trains," Ms Trad said.

"Nick's experience leading two other a major statutory authorities and managing stakeholders will help him drive reform, modernise Queensland Rail and implement the recommendations from the Strachan Inquiry."

Driver shortages were laid bare in October following the introduction of the Redcliffe train line and across the Christmas break.

Queensland Rail's former chief executive Helen Gluer and several other senior staff were sacked following the transport meltdown as revelations emerged about staffing concerns not being acted on.

The Strachan report highlighted major problems with the organisation's culture, in addition to understaffing and an over reliance on overtime.

Ms Trad told ABC Radio Brisbane Mr Easy would have the "lion's share" of responsibility for cultural overhaul.

She said Mr Easy head "completely transformed and modernised" Victoria's Metropolitan Fire Brigade and the government wanted the same thing at QR.

Mr Easy told News Corp he would be "robust" in dealing with unions and saw the Strachan report as his "mandate" for change.

"I'm quite comfortable getting my hands dirty and getting involved in the operations of the business," he said.

Earlier speculation Toronto Transit Commission CEO Andy Byford was set to take up the roll was quickly quashed by the TTC and the city's mayor.

[ozbob]

Hopefully with the changes within QR Mr Easy will get the right advice, particularly from middle to senior management that appears to have been stifled to some degree under the old ELT.

Mr Easy certainly has a good track record with other organisations and change management.

The internal problems within QR have been identified and hopefully will be resolved.

[SurfRail]

We need to get our feet in the door at some point to say "hi" (among other things).

[ozbob]

We need to get our feet in the door at some point to say "hi" (among other things).

^ underway.

Also the Government's detailed response to the Inquiry Recommendations is being published today I understand.

[ozbob]

9 News --> New Queensland Rail boss named

The head of Australia's largest port has been named as the new chief executive of the trouble-plagued Queensland Rail.

Former Port of Melbourne chief executive Nick Easy will take up the new role in April, despite the fact he has no rail experience.

Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Jackie Trad said Mr Easy had a long history of leading and reforming large operational organisations, which was what was needed at QR.

"Nick comes to this job with a high level of experience of bringing people with him, changing organisations, modernising them and making sure they deliver for their clients," she told ABC Radio on Wednesday.

Mr Easy's appointment comes more than four months after Helen Gluer resigned as QR chief executive due to its ongoing timetable debacles and driver shortage.

Ms Trad said the new chief executive would be largely responsible for transforming the culture at QR.

"Queensland Rail is going to experience problems from time to time and they won't get any better if people stay silent," she said.

"Having a culture of honesty and ensuring there is a level of transparency around what's happening in the organisation is going to be critical."

Ms Trad said Mr Easy had the full support of new QR Board chair Phillip Strachan, who released his independent report into the besieged corporation last month.

The Deputy Premier said the government would on Wednesday release its "high-level response" to the 36 recommendations made in Mr Stachan's report.

Ms Trad said the government was committed to implementing all of the recommendations in a bid to transport QR into a "21st Century organisation".

Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/03/08/08/29/new-queensland-rail-boss-named

[ozbob]

Also the Government's detailed response to the Inquiry Recommendations is being published today I understand.

Around 2.30pm I understand ...

[ozbob]

8th March 2017

Media release

Hon Jackie Trad MP
Deputy Premier
Minister for Transport
Minister for Infrastructure and Planning

Our plan to fix the trains

The Palaszczuk Government today released its action plan to fix the trains and reform Queensland Rail.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport Jackie Trad said the plan would modernise Queensland Rail and give commuters confidence in the rail network.

"We are putting commuters first and fixing the trains to give Queenslanders the modern, reliable public transport that they deserve," Ms Trad said. 

"Since the release of the Strachan Report we have hit the ground running.

"We have committed to implementing all 36 recommendations, we have appointed the head of the Citytrain Response Unit and today we have announced Nick Easy as the new CEO who will drive a new era at Queensland Rail.

"The Fixing the Trains action plan is the blueprint for this new era. It prioritises great service and reliability for commuters and encourages cultural change across the whole organisation.

"This plan will restore public confidence in our Citytrain network and ensure Queensland Rail accelerates its training and recruitment program so we have a reliable pipeline of drivers and guards going forward.

"Most importantly, this plan will deliver a series of initiatives that put the customer first.

"Overcoming a legacy of insufficient recruitment is a major task, but the Palaszczuk Government is serious about fixing the trains and giving the people of Queensland the world-class rail system they deserve."

As part of the Palaszczuk Government's action plan, in the first 100 days the Deputy Premier has instructed Queensland Rail to:

Appoint a Chief Customer Service Officer with responsibility for ensuring the rail operator is putting the customer first.

Introduce Commuter Catch-ups so customers have a new forum to provide feedback directly to Queensland Rail and Government.

Strengthen Queensland Rail's Customer Charter so it's a contract with commuters delivering improved customer service benchmarks.

Work to deliver more timely and reliable information so commuters can confidently plan their journeys.

Facilitate entrepreneurs, developers and researchers to use transport data to develop more innovative products and services to benefit customers.

Commence a station audit to determine which stations need an immediate refresh to improve improve customer access and facilities.

Roll out a bin blitz returning custom bins to inner-city stations between Toowong, South Brisbane and Bowen Hills.

For more information about the Palaszczuk Government's action plan to fix the trains visit, www.cru.qld.gov.au/reports.html

ENDS

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

Reduced file size copy:

Fixing the trains High-level implementation plan March 2017

This also includes Citytrain Response Unit Transformation program progress report March 2017

[ozbob]

Reduced service timetable to operate to late 2018?  Hardly acceptable.

Two years of mediocre service frequency.  People are abandoning rail because it is such poor frequency service, any disruption is magnified by the poor frequency.

Although the mileststone timeline ( page 8 ) suggests possible full timetable by April 2018, probably just the format of the diagram as it really is just years.

Possibility of even further service reductions?  Present timetable review not yet completed.

Any more service cuts and it will be the finish of this Government, despite the plan etc. IMHO.

[SurfRail]

"the Citytrain Response Unit will commence a whole-of business review of Queensland Rail and structural review of public transport delivery in Queensland by April 2017"

[Stillwater]

.... an action plan with lots of activity, very little effective outcomes.  The ALP might as well promise to -

MAKE QUEENSLAND GREAT AGAIN.

Some worrying words from the 'action plan':

No change here:

"accountability for the delivery of major capital projects and significant timetable changes will reside with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to ensure a network-wide approach to major project delivery and allow Queensland Rail to maintain focus on operational readiness."

And this:

"Queensland Rail plans to deliver a full-service timetable by late 2018. This timetable will rely on train
crew working overtime to meet service requirements."

[ozbob]

TMR does not inspire any confidence in me, particularly anything to do with rail.  Their track record is dismal.

Mediocrity reigns!!