Queensland Rail

[#Metro]

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

So if the rail operator doesn't deliver like Christmas day, what is the Chief CSO going to do? Run around QR slapping people with wet lettuce leaves? Standards must be enforced with fines, penalties and contract termination!

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

Pretty sure we had this already, or at least had it in the past. The difference then and now is that twitter and facebook exists. Then there are CRGs - where not much happens. Can't see this being very useful, sorry.

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

A joke really. A CONTRACT now? And if you break the contract what happens? Hit with lettuce?

The joint is a monopoly, guaranteed business no matter what!

[ozbob]

Citytrain Response Unit

> http://www.cru.qld.gov.au/

[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]

.... 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."

I find the non delivery of a full-service timetable by late 2018, if we are lucky, unacceptable frankly.

Two years of festering mediocrity.

I doubt that this plan will actually survive an election intact to be frank. 

There is no evidence that they have looked at network changes - eg. shuttles on branches.  For example RPL and Shorncliffe, or even Springfield Central. This would allow the rest of the network to get back to more acceptable service levels.  Ongoing pain on all lines will sink them in the end.

[#Metro]

If Jackie Trad wants to "strengthen the customer service charter", she can.

Insert a contract termination and privatisation clause if performance targets are not met.

See if she does it.

The simple fact that it must be a monopoly, protected at all costs, no matter how poor service standards drop to, overrides everything.

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Fixing the trains: What will happen in first 100 days of govt strike plan

The Palaszczuk government has launched a strike attack to fix Queensland Rail, including returning bins to inner-city stations.

Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Jackie Trad announced the government's "high-level implementation plan", titled Fixing the trains, on Wednesday, and announced the appointment of new QR chief executive officer Nick Easy.

It comes after months of train pain that followed the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line, including hundreds of cancellations, with a dearth of train drivers among the factors that caused timetable issues.

The bins were removed before the G20 Leaders' Summit in 2014, with the first bins returned to Central Station late in 2016.

Ms Trad said since the release of the Strachan report, which detailed what went wrong, the government had hit the ground running.

"We have committed to implementing all 36 recommendations," she said.

"The 'Fixing the trains' action plan is a blueprint for this new era.

"It prioritises great service and reliability for commuters and encourages cultural changes across the whole organisation.

Ms Trad said the plan would restore public confidence in the Citytrain network and ensure QR accelerated training and recruitment.

As part of the action plan, Ms Trad has instructed QR to do the following in the first 100 days:

    Appoint a chief customer service officer
    Introduce community catch-ups so customers have a new forum to provide feedback directly to QR and the government
    Strengthen QR's customer charter so it is 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 customer access and facilities
    Roll out a bin blitz, returning bins to inner-city stations between Toowong, South Brisbane and Bowen Hills ...

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

8th March 2017

The plan to ' fix the trains '

Greetings,

We welcome the release today of the  ' Fixing the trains ' response together with the Citytrain Response Unit Transformation program progress report March 2017 [ http://www.cru.qld.gov.au/reports.html ].

What is of great concern though is the fact that it is anticipated that a full service timetable will not be delivered till late 2018.  This will then represent two years plus of very mediocre train service frequency, with confusing  weekday timetables that differ on Fridays, from Mondays to Thursdays.

We are also concerned about the possibility of even further service reductions when the present timetable review is concluded.

Ongoing service reductions on all lines is going to continue to drive people away from public transport, and will impact significantly in the context of an election.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

We've got a plan to fix the trains that puts the commuter first. Great to meet Konrad this afternoon and chat #fixingthetrains #qldpol pic.twitter.com/beHMjLjkGJ

— Jackie Trad (@jackietrad) March 8, 2017

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail: New chief executive has 100 day deadline

QUEENSLAND Rail's new chief executive has been given 100 days to make significant gains in fixing the beleagured operator.

Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Jackie Trad today released the Government's response to the damning Strachan report, which made 36 recommendations in the wake of last year's the timetable debacle.

She said QR had been given the timeframe to restore customer confidence in it after months of poor service.

Moves will include appointing a chief customer service officer as the public's advocate, giving commuters a forum to provide their feedback directly to QR and the Government and auditing all stations to fix access problems and rundown facilities.

"The Fixing the Trains action plan is the blueprint for this new era," she said, joined by new chief executive Nick Easy at Central Station.

"It priorities 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."

The report says a timetable review is already underway to determine the sustainability of service levels now, and planning was being done for critical periods like the upcoming Easter holidays and Commonwealth Games.

A five-year plan will forecast necessary train crew and a review will be carried out to seek out any other areas of the business "which may have systemic issues and may be at risk of failing".

It says transforming QR's poor culture would take years. ...

[Stillwater]

A glossy brochure and the Minister out for a photo opportunity, sitting next to a good-looking guy. 

The govt even gives this a further PR spin .... it is the HIGH LEVEL implementation plan with all the small change stuff, like restoring rubbish bins to inner-city stations, front-end loaded, with all the hard-to-implement stuff pushed well back until after the next election.

The Citytrain Response Unit has the potential to be a PR unit that puts the gloss on performance.  It looks like being the unit that polishes turds.  The chief customer service officer is a good move though.

A lot is said about 'fixing the trains', but nothing specific about fixing the NGR trains.

[ozbob]

It is time for an uplifting song!  Morale is a fickle thing ..   

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Welcome Mr Nick Easy !

9th March 2017

Good Morning,

Welcome Mr Nick Easy.

To be frank it is more than just Queensland Rail providing reliable and sustainable train services [ Brisbanetimes --> Queensland Rail: Authorities working to ensure no Christmas Day meltdown for Easter ].  It is also a matter of running enough services that encourage public transport use, something that Queensland Rail simply does not deliver.  The poor frequency on the rail network also complicates ongoing connections and often leads to prolonged journey times.

How about aiming for 15 minute out of peak frequency on all the major lines?  Transperth can manage to deliver this frequency, and would you believe that rail/bus connections actually work.  Transperth despite being a significantly smaller network than SEQ rail Transperth carries a lot more passengers annually than Queensland Rail. What a sad indictment on the mediocre service frequency inflicted on the community in SEQ.

No amount of ' customer focus ' or spin is going disguise the fact that the present rail timetable is a smorgasbord of poor service. To sit back and expect the public to put up with this poor timetable for 2 years more is simply going to cause a lot of grief.

We think Queensland Rail should be aiming for full timetable delivery by January 2018, not late 2018.  If this is not achievable it might be time to get a rail operator that will deliver proper service.

Welcome to Brisbane Mr Easy.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

8th March 2017

The plan to ' fix the trains '

Greetings,

We welcome the release today of the  ' Fixing the trains ' response together with the Citytrain Response Unit Transformation program progress report March 2017 [ http://www.cru.qld.gov.au/reports.html ].

What is of great concern though is the fact that it is anticipated that a full service timetable will not be delivered till late 2018.  This will then represent two years plus of very mediocre train service frequency, with confusing  weekday timetables that differ on Fridays, from Mondays to Thursdays.

We are also concerned about the possibility of even further service reductions when the present timetable review is concluded.

Ongoing service reductions on all lines is going to continue to drive people away from public transport, and will impact significantly in the context of an election.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Media: ' Welcome Mr Nick Easy ! '
> https://t.co/JXCmYKqmGY#qldpol@QueenslandRail @jackietrad @N_Scales_TMR
pic https://t.co/Ra5ntUkAkd pic.twitter.com/1ZfSRUylZV

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) March 8, 2017

L > R  Konrad, Ms Trad, Mr Strachan, Mr Easy ... on a train in Brisbane yesterday 

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland Rail: Authorities working to ensure no Christmas Day meltdown for Easter

Queensland Rail is working to prevent a Christmas Day-style meltdown at our next religious-themed holiday break - Easter.

On Christmas Day, more than one-third of services were cancelled as a result of rostering practices, late notification of sick days and driver shortages.

The network has been plagued with cancellations and timetable issues following the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line in October 2016, which eventually exposed a driver shortage and culture problems.

QR board chair Phillip Strachan said the acting chief executive officer Neil Scales and his team were working on the Easter timetable.

Easter Sunday falls on April 16 this year.

"We're looking to make sure that is a robust timetable," Mr Strachan said.

"It is a very busy holiday period for the business and we want to make sure that there is no repeat of the Christmas Day event.

"We're working on that right now to ensure that Easter is actually the right level of service and providing services for commuters.

"In terms of Easter, we're working on that right now to make sure that Christmas Day never happens again."

The government's Fixing the trains plan, released with a 100-day action plan on Wednesday, says QR is reviewing the current timetable to determine sustainability of service levels.

When Mr Strachan handed down his report into QR's failings in February, then as Commissioner, he recommended QR have a "very serious look" at the latest train timetable, in place from January 23, to make sure it was robust.

In January, Mr Scales had promised the timetable would be in place for the remainder of 2017.

The current timetable is the same as the November 7 timetable, which was in place immediately before the introduction of the summer school holiday timetable.

The current train timetable has 333 fewer services from Monday to Friday compared with the timetable released on October 4, but still more than the number of services running in September, before the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line.

QR is developing plans to address upcoming critical periods, including the Easter holiday period, the introduction of the New Generation Rollingstock and the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018, the Fixing the trains plan reads.

The plan also includes hiring and training, including recruiting already qualified drivers, boosting productivity and changing the culture.

Mr Strachan said QR was still reviewing the current timetable to ensure it was sustainable.

"We're not declaring yet any change to the current timetable that is still a work in progress," he said.

"We'll take whatever action is necessary, I'm not saying that any action is necessary, we'll let that piece of work finish."

Mr Strachan said there was a "longer piece of work" to get the timetable back to full services.

"That's really working very closely with TransLink and the Department of Transport and Main Roads and to have that properly integrated service to ensure that all those interconnections with the buses and ferries is optimised, that's a much longer piece of work and that's ongoing," he said.

QR plans to deliver a full-service timetable by late 2018, which will rely on train crew working overtime.

The delivery of a full-service timetable, with the appropriate use of overtime, is expected by late 2019.

QR's new chief executive officer Nick Easy said he wanted to ensure QR provided reliable and sustainable train services.

"I will be doing everything within my power to ensure that we do that," Mr Easy said.

"I'm sure there'll be times and periods when there is down time and there is some changes.

"Clearly the importance is that consistency and reliability and that's something I'll be doing and working with the organisation to ensure we improve."

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail fail: New plan to adopt TripAdvisor-style ratings

QUEENSLAND Rail will ­invite commuters to rate their ride in a TripAdvisor-style social media strategy to win back trust after the timetable failure.

But incoming CEO Nick Easy says he is aware he might not like everything he hears, as he was yesterday given less than 100 days to restore public confidence in QR.

Transport Minister Jackie Trad, who vowed to stand at stations to hear commuters' gripes directly, issued the Government's initial response to the damning Strachan report, which made 36 recommendations following months of poor service and crew shortfalls.

While training enough drivers will take until 2019, and overhauling the toxic culture will take years, Ms Trad wants a raft of customer-focused changes in place in less than three months.

Ms Trad said one change would ­introduce a forum for commuters to give feedback to QR and the Government.

"The clear message from today, if you're a commuter on Queensland Rail is, we want to know what you think about the service we ­provide and how we can improve that service," she said.

Options include using social media in what could open a floodgate of bad ­reviews.

Mr Easy said he would assess people's feedback seriously.

"I think if you ask the question you've got to be prepared to listen," he said.

"I'm not sure what the outcomes will be at this stage."

A chief customer service ­officer will also be appointed as the public's advocate and an audit of stations will fix access problems and facilities.

Meanwhile, QR chairman Phillip Strachan said some reforms were already in train, including working with unions so drivers can spend more of their shift driving rather than moving ­between lines.

Changes had been made to driver training and a review of the sustainability of the current timetable may mean changes in coming months.

The Opposition branded the action plan an "18-page glossy brochure that's trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear".

"The only thing this plan confirms is that commuters will be suffering," Opposition transport spokesman Andrew Powell said.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Editorial: A long journey for QR but at least it's begun

THE steaming mess of mismanagement that is Queensland Rail was never going to be a quick fix, and yesterday's action plan released by Transport Minister Jackie Trad confirms just that.

In the near term it is unlikely to make frustrated commuters happy, but at least there is a clear and proactive program in place to address what has been years of endemic failure on behalf of both senior QR executives and successive governments.

As the report by independent analyst – and now Queensland Rail chairman – Phillip Strachan highlighted two months ago, the problems run so deep that it is likely to be two years until QR has enough trained drivers to restore services to what they were before the crisis erupted late last year.

We now well know the origins of the issues that plague one of the state's largest government-owned corporations. In effect the organisation was totally mismanaged. It has a culture which saw line managers and front-line staff either too intimidated to report potential problems up the line, or more interested in keeping up appearances and not creating waves.

When major issues were raised they were often ignored. The case in point here – and the root cause of the current fiasco – is how repeated warnings that the extra demands for drivers created by the new Redcliffe rail link could cause a meltdown of the system were largely ignored by management. This culture of denial went as far as to see the previous transport minister left out of the loop until the first wave of cancellations hit, with assurances that everything was under control.

It is a culture that sought to look after its own first and foremost, and put the needs of passengers and the running of an efficient state-owned enterprise a distant second. This saw the creation of a closed shop – again fostered by the negligence of successive governments unwilling to take on the likes of the Rail Tram and Bus Union – in which union agreements dictate that only existing QR employees could apply for driver positions.

Management was complicit in this, relying on a rostering system which depended on the goodwill of drivers and guards to work often extraordinary amounts of overtime to meet staffing shortfalls. This "she'll be right" approach was a disaster waiting to happen, as we saw in spectacular fashion on Christmas Day when thousands of commuters were stranded with rolling cancellations and unannounced delays.

The Palaszczuk Government's adoption of all 36 recommendations in the Strachan report is welcome, as is the broad sweep of yesterday's action plan, which dictates far greater customer engagement, more external recruitment and a commitment to "finalise QR's long-term industrial relations strategy".

That latter point is crucial, and one that will be cleaned up only by very proactive management – backed by a Government prepared to stare down a union that belongs in another era – that needs new blood untainted by the existing QR culture. It is then welcome to see that incoming chief executive Nick Easy's first statement seemingly demonstrates he has an understanding of both the cultural and organisational dynamics at play within QR.

Mr Easy, as the former chief executive at the Port of Melbourne, has experience in navigating what can sometimes be the minefield of Australia's rather arcane industrial relations system. At the same time he has managed to balance the sometimes competing interests of government, customers and workers in a climate of privatisation, which, without major industrial unrest, is no small feat.

Queensland Rail needs a leader who, as Mr Easy has promised, will both get his hands dirty on the operational side of the business, and also take a "robust" approach with the unions.

Combined with a new Transport Minister in Jackie Trad – who has no love for the RTBU – and a chairman of QR who is prepared to take an active role, long overdue reforms may come to pass. This cultural change will take time, though, which is not something a Government facing an election can afford to fritter away.

[ozbob]

The new @QueenslandRail CEO has been announced. @PatrickCondren https://t.co/s1Ch8eWDIT #qldpol #7News https://t.co/adUlvzMJ87

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) March 8, 2017

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

10th March 2017

Comment: Changing QR Culture "Overnight"

Greetings,

RAIL Back on Track welcomes the new Queensland Rail CEO Mr. Nick Easy.

We are told that Queensland Rail's culture cannot be changed overnight. Perhaps not, but why is it that after seven months most of the Queensland Rail Executive Leadership Team still have their jobs? Deputy Premier, how do you explain that? In our opinion, they should be replaced at the earliest opportunity. New culture cannot happen with the same old management in place. Is the Queensland Rail Board really necessary now that we have the CityTrain Response Unit?  Is this bureaucratic overload?  Public servants checking public servants?  Who is going to sort out Transport and Main Roads?  They are complicit in the failure as well.

There seems to be no consequences for non-performance at Queensland Rail. If standards are not enforced, they don't really exist then do they? What consequences are there when Queensland Rail departs from its customer charter or fails to meet its contractual performance obligations? Nothing?

It does seem that failure is rewarded with cash bonuses! Stand clear on platform one - gravy train now arriving!

May we suggest that no more cash bonuses be paid at Queensland Rail until there is a full service timetable in place and  (a) all performance targets are met for the entire year and (b) the CityTrain Response Unit has countersigned and certified that targets have indeed been met.

This will prevent a repeat of 2016 where cash bonuses were paid at the same time as services were being cancelled en-masse. This was a demonstration of utter contempt for the long suffering Queensland Rail passengers and will not be forgotten.

We look forward to major changes at Queensland Rail.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12649.msg189158#msg189158 ]

[ozbob]

Latest: Comment: Changing @QueenslandRail Culture "Overnight"
> https://t.co/kFRGgJNVVV#qldpol@jackietrad @QLDLabor @LNPQLD @QldGreens pic.twitter.com/FFdh4D7Iy2

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) March 9, 2017

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail still paying $1m a fortnight in overtime for drivers and guards

QUEENSLAND Rail is continuing to shell-out almost $1 million a fortnight on overtime for its drivers and guards, weeks after the payments were exposed as a taxpayer-funded rort.

Drivers are earning about $590,000 in overtime a fortnight and guards almost $400,000 a fortnight, Government figures released in response to a question with notice by the State Opposition reveal.

The overtime figures, current up to mid-last month, are at the same level as late last year when hundreds of services were suddenly axed due to a systemic undersupply of drivers that had been kept secret by QR managers.

It shows QR has notched up $10.2 million in driver and guard overtime payments from October — when the Citytrain timetable disaster first hit — to February 19.

Driver and guard wages in the period without overtime would have cost $5.68 million.

Transport Minister Jackie Trad responded to the Opposition question by stating that QR was "working to implement the Commission of Inquiry recommendations and the Government's five-point plan to boost traincrew numbers and restore services."

But a key recommendation to open driver jobs to the broader public will not be implemented until late next year, according to the Government's "Fixing the Trains" report.

The Strachan Commission of Inquiry into QR's driver shortage problems had recommended the open recruitment move to produce a surplus of traincrew.

It had found QR preferred to operate with a 5-10 per cent undersupply of train crew "driven largely by a practice of providing overtime opportunities."

Restrictions on hiring train crew externally had "increased the burden of recruitment and depleted guard ranks," it continued.

Union-negotiated internal recruitment rules for driver job vacancies giving first preference to guards, and then the broader QR organisation, had turned the transport body into a closed shop.

The Strachan report recommended fixing the problem by dumping the rules and expanding recruitment drives to external candidates without driving experience to as it could accelerate driver training and speed-up QR's recovery.

The Palaszczuk Government has so far restricted recruitment to former drivers only, but says it will open the jobs to unqualified external applicants in the future.

Opposition transport spokesman Andrew Powell accused the Government of ignoring a key recommendation on recruitment while millions of dollars continued to be spent in overtime.

"Every fortnight Labor hands out $1 million of taxpayers money in overtime while at the same time over 1800 services have been cut each month," Mr Powell said.

"One of the most critical recommendations of the Strachan report was to open up QR to external recruits but [Transport Minister] Jackie Trad still hasn't done it," he said.

"The Government's own report says that full external recruitment won't happen until late 2018 - it's not good enough.

"Under Jackie Trad and Labor there's still another two years of cuts, cancellations and crowded trains to go."

Ms Trad has been approached for comment.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland Rail's $10 million overtime bill for drivers and guards

Queensland Rail could have saved about $4.5 million over five months if it did not have to systematically rely on overtime.

Figures reveal the overtime cost for QR drivers and guards was $10.2 million from the beginning of October until February 19.

That was $4.1 million in overtime costs for guards and $6.1 million for drivers.

In her answer to an LNP question on notice, Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Jackie Trad said it was estimated that if timetabled services were operated during the time period, without the need to pay overtime, the cost of base salary wages for train drivers and guards would total more than $5.68 million.

QR has been under fire for months following the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line in October, which revealed a shortage of train crew and culture problems that led to a reluctance to share bad news.

A QR preference to operate with a 5-10 per cent undersupply of train crew and a consequent overreliance on overtime were listed as contributing factors to the beleaguered operator's troubles in Phillip Strachan's report.

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

LNP opposition transport spokesman Andrew Powell said $1 million of taxpayers' money was being handed out in overtime every fortnight while more than 1800 services were cut each month.

"Since October last year, taxpayers have paid more than $10 million in overtime because Labor ran out of drivers - this is $4.5 million more than would normally have been paid in wages," Mr Powell said.

Mr Strachan's report recommended opening recruitment for drivers and guards to people outside the organisation, and to those with no prior experience, to boost staff numbers and end a reliance on overtime.

Queensland Rail advertised for new drivers in February, but it called for people with prior experience as a train driver at QR.

Mr Powell was critical that QR had not opened up to external recruits yet.

"The government's own report says that full external recruitment won't happen until late 2018 - it's not good enough," he said.

In her response to the question on notice, Ms Trad said QR was working to implement the Commission of Inquiry recommendations and the government's five-point plan, to boost train crew numbers and restore services.

"One recommendation from the Commission of Inquiry is that Queensland Rail deliver and maintain a structural surplus of train crew to enable operations to be conducted without the systemic reliance on overtime, discretionary shifts and tutors and inspectors in operational capacities," Ms Trad wrote.

"As such, Queensland Rail has advertised externally for ex-Queensland Rail drivers to apply to re-join its ranks."

Ms Trad has been approached for comment.

[ozbob]

[#Metro]

Financial management at Queensland Rail:


(footage of cost explosion)

Land of No consequences at QR of course... people still have their jobs. Unbelievable.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_03_21_DAILY.pdf

Queensland Rail

Hon. JA TRAD (South Brisbane—ALP) (Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport and Minister for
Infrastructure and Planning) (9.49 am): In February the Strachan commission of inquiry report laid bare
systemic problems within Queensland Rail that were causing major disruptions and inconveniencing
Queensland commuters. Queenslanders rely on rail transport for key parts of their lives: moving them
to and from work, getting children to school and accessing important services. They deserve a reliable
rail service that they can trust. That is why the Palaszczuk government accepted all 36
recommendations of the inquiry and as minister I am committed to delivering each and every one of
them as soon as possible. Since the Strachan report, we have hit the ground running on our plan to
reform Queensland Rail and fix the trains. We have already delivered on two of the recommendations
in full. On 8 March, we released our 30-day response to the Strachan report, the Fixing the Trains action
plan. This plan is a blueprint for a new era of rail in South-East Queensland, an era where the customer
comes first. For the benefit of the House, I table a copy of the high-level implementation plan, which
outlines our priorities.

Tabled paper: Queensland Government: Fixing the trains, High-level implementation plan, March 2017.

On 8 March I also announced the appointment of Mr Nick Easy as the new Queensland Rail
CEO. Having led two other major statutory authorities, most recently as the CEO of the Port of
Melbourne, Australia's largest container and cargo port, we are confident that Mr Easy is the right
person to drive a new era at Queensland Rail.

Since the Strachan report was handed down, we have increased the size of driver and guard
training schools, with a total of 65 new train crews starting training in February. Those are the largest
classes that QR has ever run. The work to examine the sustainability of the timetable is also well
underway and that exercise is being assured by the Citytrain Response Unit. I will continue to update
the House on the progress of that work and will table a copy of the outcomes once completed.
Today I can announce more progress in our plan to fix the trains. In line with recommendation
16, Queensland Rail will partner with external experts GHD and the Centre for Excellence in Rail
Training, CERT, to conduct a total overhaul of its training program. GHD and CERT will undertake a
full review of Queensland Rail's training program and work with Queensland Rail to improve time
frames, while maintaining rigorous safety and quality standards.

Faster training times and larger class sizes will deliver more train crew more quickly, which is
what our network needs. We have a clear plan to fix the trains and we are working hard to deliver it for
the commuters of South-East Queensland.

[ozbob]

External companies called in to overhaul @QueenslandRail's training program. @PatrickCondren #qldpol #7News https://t.co/jUr4BQN80P

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) March 21, 2017

[ozbob]

#Railfail.. the gift that keeps on taking..#qldpol pic.twitter.com/zL9dPv6tNU

— Jeff Addison (@Jeffrey_Addison) March 21, 2017

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018: Opposition predicts rail fail will cost millions in overtime payments

MILLIONS of dollars of taxpayer money will be spent on overtime pay for extra train drivers and guards during Commonwealth Games, according to the State Opposition.

The total cost is predicted to be much higher if continuing track closures and signal faults occur on the Gold Coast line to Brisbane.

New data shows that between October last year and January, $4.2 million was spent on replacement rail buses on the network. More than $6000 was handed out in taxi vouchers.

The Opposition predicts the Coast to Brisbane line will be under extreme pressure for at least six weeks surrounding next year's April Games.

The average costs per month for guards and drivers during normal servicing is more than $3 million.

"Every fortnight Labor hands out $1 million of taxpayers' money in overtime while at the same time more than 1800 services have been cut each month," LNP Shadow Transport Minister Andrew Powell said.

"Since October last year taxpayers have paid more than $10 million in overtime because Labor ran out of drivers. This is $4.5 million more than would normally have been paid in wages.

"Under Jackie Trad and Labor there's still another two years of cuts, cancellations and crowded trains to go which means disappointment for the people of the Gold Coast."

Mr Powell said Labor had failed to achieve one of the most critical recommendations of the Strachan report which was to open up QR to external recruits.

"The government's own report says that full external recruitment won't happen until late 2018. It's not good enough."

Light rail infrastructure being built at Helensvale which will link with heavy rail for the Commonwealth Games. Questions have been asked about the trains arriving on time.

The Government's latest release of its blueprint for rail reform shows that of the targeted 200 drivers, only 83 have been recruited with just one of the recruits finishing training.

QR has recruited 152 guards and completed training for 56 of them, according to data released by the Citytrain Response Unit.

A Bulletin report last month revealed all the guards and drivers required to ensure QR is operating on a full timetable will not be ready until after the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

But Ms Trad, in responding to the Bulletin and in State Parliament yesterday, defended the Government's reform program.

A full review was underway to overhaul training to ensure it was faster with larger class sizes, Ms Trad told Parliament.

"We have a clear plan to fix the trains and we are working hard to deliver it for the commuters of southeast Queensland," she said.

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 22nd March 2017 page 15

Chaos down the line

[ozbob]

^ note this letter was written before the announcement yesterday of accelerated train crew training.   :bi

[Gazza]

The average costs per month for guards and drivers during normal servicing is more than $3 million.   

Interesting....so wages are only about $36 million per year under normal circumstances?

But QR costs how much per year to run?

[BrizCommuter]

^ note this letter was written before the announcement yesterday of accelerated train crew training.   :bi

Still no external employment though.
Anymore news about the weekend and Easter plans?

[ozbob]

^ Nope.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail train driver recruitment closed shop scandal

TRANSPORT Minister Jackie Trad has been forced to intervene in a new closed-shop job scandal at Queensland Rail, after it rejected dozens of applications from experienced train drivers.

Ms Trad had been unaware of a QR decision to issue pro-forma rejection emails to the drivers on Monday, until it was brought to her attention by The Courier-Mail.

Highly experienced drivers who previously worked in QR's passenger or freight divisions were among the applicants issued form rejection emails.

The applicants currently work for interstate rail operators or for the state's private freight operator Aurizon – formed after QR's freight arm was sold in 2010.

It is understood ex-passenger-train drivers for QR with extensive knowledge of the Citytrain network were among those to be rejected.

The rail workers had been told they were eligible to apply for the jobs as former QR drivers.

A copy of the rejection email obtained by The Courier-Mail gives no explanation for the refusal.

QR yesterday did not comment, but it is understood drivers who split from QR in 2010 were not considered for the positions.

One Aurizon staffer said yesterday he was gobsmacked QR would reject some of the most experienced drivers in the state, instead hiring insiders with no driving experience.

"We could (be) up and running, driving passenger services within a very short period of time and helping to solve this (driver shortage) problem," the driver said.

Ms Trad's office initially ­denied QR had knocked back the applications, but yesterday she was forced to step in to ­direct QR to overturn the decision.

"I've moved immediately to instruct QR to ensure that all drivers with previous QR experience, including those who received a rejection letter, have their applications properly considered and assessed," Ms Trad said in a statement.

The State Opposition has previously criticised Ms Trad for failing to immediately abolish closed-shop hiring rules giving first preference for driver jobs to train guards and the wider QR organisation, including those with no driving experience.

It fed into a systemic driver shortage model guaranteeing overtime payments for drivers and guards of about $1 million a fortnight, according to the Commission of Inquiry findings.

[ozbob]

^ Exactly.  QR is making their own coffin!

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

23rd March 2017

Closed shop at rail fail HQ

Good Morning,

The Couriermail today has reported  that Queensland Rail remains a closed shop.

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail train driver recruitment closed shop scandal

We have highlighted this before too!  How come the Deputy Premier is still out of the loop?

Until the failed Executive Leadership Team and Board at Queensland Rail are removed, rail fail will continue and bumble along - with a great electoral cost I would suggest.

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

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 22nd March 2017 page 15

Chaos down the line



Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_03_23_DAILY.PDF

Queensland Rail

Mr NICHOLLS (10.33 am): My question is directed to the Premier. Premier, the latest report into
Labor's rail fail reveals that, despite the Strachan report, the government has failed to break open the
union enforced closed shop of train driver recruitment in QR and the Deputy Premier only found out
about it when she was embarrassed by a media question, just like the former minister found out about
cancellations on Twitter. Even though the Premier said no-one would get in the Deputy Premier's way,
why has nothing changed and the trains still do not run on time?

Mr HINCHLIFFE: I rise to a point of order. The Leader of the Opposition's question contains some
imputations and I ask that you provide him with some guidance in order that he might rephrase the
question.

Mr SPEAKER: Being Thursday and the first question, I might let the question go as a sign of
goodwill amongst fellows.

Ms PALASZCZUK: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question, and of course he is
referring to an article that appeared today in the Courier-Mail. The Deputy Premier as transport minister
has been tasked with the implementation of the Strachan report. She is doing exactly that. In relation
to the issue of external recruitment, you actually need to have the training schools to put the drivers
through, and that is exactly what the Deputy Premier is doing.

An honourable member interjected.

Ms PALASZCZUK: I take that interjection, because the reason we do not have as many training
schools operating at the moment is because those opposite closed the training schools. They sacked
trainers and they closed the training schools.

Ms Trad: They stopped recruitment.

Ms PALASZCZUK: They stopped the recruitment. Through the Queensland Rail board and
through the ongoing work of Phillip Strachan as the new chair, the Deputy Premier, the board and
Queensland Rail are working night and day in relation to the issues around rail management in
South-East Queensland. The Deputy Premier stood in this place on Tuesday and went through those
issues. Obviously those opposite were not listening. We understand how important it is to get more
train drivers driving our trains. That is why we are actively recruiting people as soon as possible. I say
to those opposite: explain in this House why they cut the training schools and sacked trainers.
Ms Trad: And stopped recruitment.

Ms PALASZCZUK: And why they stopped recruitment. We know that they were trying to get
Queensland Rail ready for sale. That is what those opposite were doing. They were getting ready to
privatise Queensland Rail. They were stripping it back. They got Peter Costello in—the old mate of the
LNP's. They got Peter Costello in because the then Treasurer could not do the—

Honourable members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Pause the clock. No, members. We are not going to have a shouting match. Do
you have anything further to add, Premier?

Ms PALASZCZUK: Yes. Because the former treasurer could not do the job himself, he needed
the help of another former treasurer—Peter Costello—to come in wasting taxpayers' money on that
great fiasco. They wanted to sell off the Citytrain service. That was clearly their agenda, and that is still
their agenda. It is still their agenda to sell off assets in this state. They have learnt nothing. It is clearly
their agenda. We still do not have the Leader of the Opposition stating categorically to the people of
Queensland that he will not sell our state's assets. We still have not heard that. We know it is their
hidden agenda. We know it is still on his path. We know that that is exactly what they want to do, and
the people of Queensland will never forget what they have done.

Mr SPEAKER: Before I call the Leader of the Opposition for the next question, I remind members
that if I form the view that members' interjections are designed to disrupt the person answering the
question you will be named under 253A or whatever I feel is appropriate

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_03_23_DAILY.PDF

Private Members' Statements

Queensland Rail

Mr POWELL (Glass House—LNP) (10.29 am): Labor's Queensland Rail closed shop, which led
to commuter chaos, is back. In truth, it probably never left. We know that Labor has already broken a
key Strachan recommendation to bring in full external recruitment. By the government's own admission,
that will not happen until late 2018. Now the Deputy Premier is claiming that she has only just found out
that Queensland Rail will not even let all former Queensland Rail drivers apply for those jobs, just the
ones that the union has picked out. Just the hand-picked union reps are the only ones who are allowed
to apply, because the ones who left Queensland Rail when those opposite flogged off QR National in
a fire sale are banned from applying. Are we being asked to believe that the Deputy Premier only just
found this out? Rail advocates have been saying it for weeks. It is starting to sound increasingly
ominous.

If you thought it could not get any worse than the minister who found out about train cancellations
by tweets, this minister gives the member for Sandgate a run for his money! We now have ministerial
memos by media. The Deputy Premier had to be told about flaws in her own plan to fix QR by the
media. The Deputy Premier might put herself on a pedestal above her mediocre colleagues, but she is
still just a know-nothing minister in a do-nothing government. This is the minister who was warned by
a whistleblower back in October 2015 about the impending rail fail crisis.

Mr Walker: What did she do?


Mr POWELL: I take that interjection from the member for Mansfield. What did she do? Nothing.

A big NFA was the direction given from her office—no further action. The minister then wrapped that
ticking time bomb up and handed it over to the member for Sandgate: 'Here's one that I prepared
earlier.' When it blew to bits in the face of the member for Sandgate, the Deputy Premier swept back
in, saying, 'Only I can wrangle the unions. I can wrangle my union mates into line,' she told the Premier
to get back as the transport minister. It does not matter who from the Labor Party is the transport
minister; the RTBU bosses are really in charge of the Queensland Rail closed shop. The member for
South Brisbane might consider herself the alternative Premier, but if she thinks she can run a train
service she is in an alternate reality.

[#Metro]

A reply has been posted in the CT thread ---> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12563.msg189829#msg189829

Ms PALASZCZUK: And why they stopped recruitment. We know that they were trying to get
Queensland Rail ready for sale. That is what those opposite were doing. They were getting ready to
privatise Queensland Rail. They were stripping it back. They got Peter Costello in—the old mate of the
LNP's. They got Peter Costello in because the then Treasurer could not do the—

Er, Red Team actually sold QR. Pot & Kettle situation. 

[ozbob]