Queensland Rail

[ozbob]

Latest media: ' Qld Govt still believes it is open & transparent. Really? '
> https://t.co/6MtU7KZ1ko#qldpol #auspol@AnnastaciaMP pic.twitter.com/grOdP90Lem

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 30, 2017

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

1st May 2017

Queensland Government still believes it is open and transparent. Really?

Good Morning,

Pinch punch first day of the month!

Meanwhile the Queensland Government still believes it is open and transparent.  Really?

[ Couriermail: Queensland Government denies it's withholding public information
> http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government-denies-its-withholding-public-information/news-story/2057dd7e8bdf165c2e3640ed75f0e659 ]

Where is the report into the signalling issues on the Redcliffe Peninsula Line?  Are the issues actually resolved?

Where is the business case for Cross River Rail?

Where are the details of the New Generation Rollingstock contracts and why are the new trains still not in regular revenue passenger service?
We are not being told the full story are we?  After all, it is us citizens that are paying for this botch.

Why is the Citytrain Response Unit not publicly releasing reports as we were informed they would?

Why is specific station, route and stop passenger load data hidden in Queensland?  Is it to hide the poor network design and integration inflicted on the SEQ community by the transport authorities?

When will the above information be made available please?

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.msg191574#msg191574
&  https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12649.msg191746#msg191746 ]

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

3rd May 2017

What does the Citytrain Response Unit actually do?

Still no updates on Citytrain Response Unit  http://www.cru.qld.gov.au/reports.html

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

Good Morning,

The so called Citytrain Response Unit ( http://www.cru.qld.gov.au/index.html superficial fluff in our opinion) has not tabled any recent public reports.  This is despite a commitment to ' regularly publish public reports on progress ' (see below). Can someone please define ' regularly publish public reports ' please?

We would have thought monthly reasonable hey?

What an ongoing shambles it all is.

Any news on the New Generation Rollingstock trains or perhaps the signalling issues on the Redcliffe Peninsula Line?
#askingforQueenslanders

Blunder on.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Reference:

http://www.cru.qld.gov.au/index.html

Quote
Citytrain Response Unit

The Citytrain Response Unit was established by the Queensland Government on 8 February 2017 in response to the Queensland Rail Train Crewing Practices Commission of Inquiry (Strachan Inquiry) Final Report delivered on 31 January 2017.

The Citytrain Response Unit will monitor, independently audit and report on the implementation of the 36 recommendations contained in the Strachan Inquiry Final Report as well as lead reviews of the governance, legislative framework and structure of passenger rail service delivery in Queensland.

Jacqui Walters has been appointed as Chair of the Citytrain Response Unit and will report directly to the Responsible Ministers for Queensland Rail.

The Citytrain Response Unit will regularly publish public reports on the progress being made to implement the 36 recommendations of the Strachan Inquiry.

The Citytrain Response Unit will be active for an initial period of 12 months.

Last updated 08 March 2017

[ozbob]

Media: ' What does the Citytrain Response Unit actually do? '
> https://t.co/FOmXsCVtA4#qldpol #railfail @jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP pic.twitter.com/vgKcyhq8Gv

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 2, 2017

[ozbob]

Mr Nick Easy CEO QR was just interviewed on 4BC by Ben Davis.

Towards the end of the interview Mr Easy mentions a suggestion from punters for SMS alerts. 
I have alerted Mr Easy to the fact that Queensland Rail used to have such a system ' Erail '. 

Interview > here!

[achiruel]

I imagine they prefer social media because sending out 50,000 SMS for every delay or cancellation could get expensive rather quickly even if they're only paying 1c each or something.

[tazzer9]

I imagine they prefer social media because sending out 50,000 SMS for every delay or cancellation could get expensive rather quickly even if they're only paying 1c each or something.

QR should try and get integrated with tripview, or an app like that.

[BrizCommuter]

Citytrain Response Unit - Ineffective Bureaucracy?
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2017/05/citytrain-response-unit-ineffective.html

[ozbob]

Citytrain Response Unit - Ineffective Bureaucracy?
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2017/05/citytrain-response-unit-ineffective.html

Sent to all outlets too.

BrizCommuter:
Citytrain Response Unit - Ineffective Bureaucracy?
> https://t.co/KSLCJ3Bbcd#qldpol #railfail@jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP pic.twitter.com/9APhbs3IEc

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 4, 2017

.@jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP @QLDLabor @LNPQLD @brisbanetimes @QuestNewspapers @qld_times @7NewsQueensland @9NewsQueensland @SteveAustinABC @JoAnnMillerMP On going secrecy indicates failure of a high degree hey?
Come clean with the truth - if you have the moral fortitude ..#qldpol #cashforfail

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 4, 2017

More ineffectual bumbling ... Yo! It is banana-land & #railfail@QueenslandRail @TransLinkSEQ @TMRQld @N_Scales_TMR @AnnastaciaMP #qldpol https://t.co/XShdGFX71q

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 4, 2017

[ozbob]

Hey @AnnastaciaMP @jackietrad
Major problem with #railfail & #NGR ...
Time you stopped listening to sycophants & bumblers ..#qldpol pic.twitter.com/sGnzqVvhp3

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 4, 2017

[#Metro]

#FleeQld

[ozbob]

I imagine they prefer social media because sending out 50,000 SMS for every delay or cancellation could get expensive rather quickly even if they're only paying 1c each or something.

Yes, the reason why Erail was canned essentially was that QR was having a lot of technical issues with the SMS platform, and they thought that the social media tools would suffice, a reasonable assumption.   You can get line specific alerts via the Translink app.

[ozbob]

 

[ozbob]

#Palaszczuk Govt making real progress in #fixingthetrains by recruiting 250 guards, exceeding our target by 25%! #qldpol pic.twitter.com/6NOR8vGvLe

— Jackie Trad (@jackietrad) May 7, 2017

[ozbob]

7 News --> More than 250 guards training for Qld Rail

More than 250 applicants have been selected for trainee guard positions at Queensland Rail, as the organisation implements measures to prevent further bungles.

Insufficient staff led to a series of rostering bungles late last year and the subsequent Strachan Inquiry into the issue recommended building and maintaining a surplus level of train crew, including drivers and guards.

Queensland Rail said it has now selected 255 candidates to train as guards, 25 per cent more than recommended, while 40 guards have already been trained and are working on the southeast Queensland rail network.

[tazzer9]

Has someone told jackie that guards are pretty useless at being able to drive the trains.  No point having a guard without a driver

[ozbob]

8th May 2017

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

Queensland Rail back on track with trainee guards

More than 250 successful applicants have been selected for trainee guard positions at Queensland Rail, exceeding the recruitment target by 25%.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport Jackie Trad said the Palaszczuk Government was delivering on the Strachan Inquiry recommendations.

"Getting recruitment back on track at Queensland Rail is central to our plan to fix the trains and we are already seeing great outcomes," Ms Trad said.

"The Strachan Inquiry recommended QR develop and maintain a structural surplus of train crew, so I'm delighted we've achieved this significant milestone.

"Queensland Rail has now selected 255 successful candidates for trainee guard positions, with almost 40 guards already fully trained and serving commuters.

"This is in addition to our trainee drivers where we have already recruited 106 drivers, past the halfway mark of our target of 200.

"With so many new recruits we have expanded classroom sizes, introduced mentors and have started using a new state of the art simulator to ensure we can train guards and drivers faster.

"This is a huge step forward and means Queensland Rail will be better prepared for operational changes and challenges into the future."

Queensland Rail Chief Executive Officer Nick Easy said the trainee guards were already progressing through training schools.

"We have a rolling program of training schools for both drivers and guards and since October, we've already had 39 guards complete their training and out servicing commuters on the network," Mr Easy said.

"Our guards play a vital role in delivering a great service to commuters, including updating passengers during journeys, administering first aid and providing boarding assistance to our elderly and disabled customers.

"We're also placing more importance than ever before on the communication skills we are teaching guards, to ensure our customers are receiving the information they need about their service."

Queensland Rail Chair Phillip Strachan said reaching this recruitment milestone for guards demonstrated strong steps forward in implementing his recommendations.

"Through undertaking my report, it was clear that QR should be aiming for an oversupply of train crew and they are making significant inroads to ensure they have a steady pipeline of trainees to achieve this," Mr Strachan said.

ENDS

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Qld Rail trains more guards after bungle

More than 250 applicants have been selected for trainee guard positions at Queensland Rail, as the organisation continues to deal with the fallout from issues which led to a series of bungles last year.

Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said 255 candidates have been chosen for trainee guard positions, 25 per cent more than recommended by the Strachan Report into a series of rostering cock-ups brought on by insufficient staff.

"We are also in the process of selecting another 100 drivers, they are going through the full recruitment and selection process right now, and 70 per cent of those drivers have passed the psychometric testing," Ms Trad said on Monday.

Forty guards have already been trained and are active on the southeast Queensland rail network.

As the government tried to reassure commuters that action was being taken to address the train crew shortage, commuters on the Cleveland line were on Monday fuming over a train breakdown that doubled their commute time.

Charlie Stevens boarded a city-bound train at Manly, a trip that usually takes about 45 minutes.

But he was still on the train after an hour and a half, due to a broken down train further up the line.

"The trains frequently break down or are delayed. And I'm still baffled about their decision to use three-car trains during peak hour."

Just a fortnight ago, Mr Stevens endured another long commute on the same line, when a train was inexplicably held up at a station platform.

At one point, a woman stuck on the train began to panic.

"She was getting claustrophobic, starting to panic and she was like 'I've got to get off this train, I've got to get off this train!'."

It came as the government continued to work on new trains ordered from India which have a number of problems including braking, line-of-sight issues and disability access.

Ms Trad admitted the cost of the $4.4 billion project is expected to rise due to the work, but they will have more trains available for next year's Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

" ... "The trains frequently break down or are delayed. And I'm still baffled about their decision to use three-car trains during peak hour." ... "

Even random pax can pick it!   

[achiruel]

Brisbanetimes --> Qld Rail trains more guards after bungle

More than 250 applicants have been selected for trainee guard positions at Queensland Rail, as the organisation continues to deal with the fallout from issues which led to a series of bungles last year.

Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said 255 candidates have been chosen for trainee guard positions, 25 per cent more than recommended by the Strachan Report into a series of rostering cock-ups brought on by insufficient staff.

"We are also in the process of selecting another 100 drivers, they are going through the full recruitment and selection process right now, and 70 per cent of those drivers have passed the psychometric testing," Ms Trad said on Monday.

Forty guards have already been trained and are active on the southeast Queensland rail network.

As the government tried to reassure commuters that action was being taken to address the train crew shortage, commuters on the Cleveland line were on Monday fuming over a train breakdown that doubled their commute time.

Charlie Stevens boarded a city-bound train at Manly, a trip that usually takes about 45 minutes.

But he was still on the train after an hour and a half, due to a broken down train further up the line.

"The trains frequently break down or are delayed. And I'm still baffled about their decision to use three-car trains during peak hour."

Just a fortnight ago, Mr Stevens endured another long commute on the same line, when a train was inexplicably held up at a station platform.

At one point, a woman stuck on the train began to panic.

"She was getting claustrophobic, starting to panic and she was like 'I've got to get off this train, I've got to get off this train!'."

It came as the government continued to work on new trains ordered from India which have a number of problems including braking, line-of-sight issues and disability access.

Ms Trad admitted the cost of the $4.4 billion project is expected to rise due to the work, but they will have more trains available for next year's Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

" ... "The trains frequently break down or are delayed. And I'm still baffled about their decision to use three-car trains during peak hour." ... "

Even random pax can pick it!   

Nothing baffling about it. There's simply insufficient rollingstock. They're not doing it to be petty or for some nefarious reason.

DTMR have royally screwed up the NGR project. This is not to take blame away from QR regarding their royally screwing up pretty much everything else relating to the rail network.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail fail: Citytrain Response Unit draws derision

A SPECIAL unit set up to oversee the recommendations of an inquiry into southeast Queensland's "rail fail'' has been branded ineffective and "unnecessary fluff'' by commuter advocates.

The establishment of a rail review office, since renamed Citytrain Response Unit, to monitor, audit and report on Queensland Rail's response was one of the recommendations of the Strahan Inquiry into crewing problems and timetable chaos.

But Robert Dow, spokesman for lobby group RAIL Back On Track, says it has simply added another unneeded layer of bureaucracy and was doing little to keep passengers abreast of what, if any, progress QR is making.

"There is still a lot of uncertainty around what is happening,'' he said.

"All we see as public transport users are ­reduced services timetables, questions over reliability and ongoing delays in recruiting additional drivers."

The Queensland Government was unable to say how much the response unit would cost to run. It has been set for an initial 12-month period.

The unit has a core team of five full-time staff. Chairwoman Jacqui Walters works there up to three days a week.

Ms Walters, an organisational change expert, initially worked full-time to set up the unit that was announced in February. She reports to Transport Minister Jackie Trad.

Mr Dow said it was up to QR's highly paid board and executives to implement the changes highlighted by the Strahan inquiry.

He said the addition of the response unit was more baffling given that Phillip Strahan, who conducted the inquiry, had since been appointed QR chairman.

"Could there be anyone better placed to ensure his recommendations are carried out?" Mr Dow said.

"It is unnecessary fluff''.

The Citytrain Response Unit is required to release quarterly progress reports, but the lobby group says updates should also be issued at least monthly to keep commuters informed.

Mr Strahan said he was happy with the unit's role and the frequency of reporting.

"I think it's vital to have an independent central unit available and responsible for ensuring the commission of inquiry's recommendations are appropriately carried out," he said.

"(The unit's) reporting will keep commuters and the wider public up to date with Queensland Rail's work that's going on to improve passenger rail service delivery."

Ms Walters said that as well as providing comprehensive' quarterly reports, the unit was working towards a recommendation on an integrated public transport model for the state.

"We have a unique opportunity to transform public transport service delivery in Queensland and take it to the next level,'' she said.

Ms Trad said: "We committed to implement all of the Strahan inquiry recommendations to fix the trains, and that is what we are doing.''

" ... Ms Trad said: "We committed to implement all of the Strahan inquiry recommendations to fix the trains, and that is what we are doing.'' .. "

Errrrr .. the trains are NOT FIXED DP !  They are plagued with issues ...

" ...  the unit was working towards a recommendation on an integrated public transport model for the state. .. "

This is obvious.  Do not need more expense in working that out hey? >>  Public Transport Queensland

[ozbob]

Is this really needed to get back on track? > https://t.co/nmkdDWy4hH #qldpol
only in Queensland. The state of #railfail ...

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 9, 2017

. @jackietrad @AnnastaciaMP @QLDLabor @LNPQLD @AndrewPowellMP
" Fix the trains " they are certainly not fixed at present hey?#qldpol https://t.co/9FTGvtIUrd

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 9, 2017

[BrizCommuter]

8th May 2017

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

Queensland Rail back on track with trainee guards

More than 250 successful applicants have been selected for trainee guard positions at Queensland Rail, exceeding the recruitment target by 25%.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport Jackie Trad said the Palaszczuk Government was delivering on the Strachan Inquiry recommendations.

"Getting recruitment back on track at Queensland Rail is central to our plan to fix the trains and we are already seeing great outcomes," Ms Trad said.

"The Strachan Inquiry recommended QR develop and maintain a structural surplus of train crew, so I'm delighted we've achieved this significant milestone.

"Queensland Rail has now selected 255 successful candidates for trainee guard positions, with almost 40 guards already fully trained and serving commuters.

"This is in addition to our trainee drivers where we have already recruited 106 drivers, past the halfway mark of our target of 200.

"With so many new recruits we have expanded classroom sizes, introduced mentors and have started using a new state of the art simulator to ensure we can train guards and drivers faster.

"This is a huge step forward and means Queensland Rail will be better prepared for operational changes and challenges into the future."

Queensland Rail Chief Executive Officer Nick Easy said the trainee guards were already progressing through training schools.

"We have a rolling program of training schools for both drivers and guards and since October, we've already had 39 guards complete their training and out servicing commuters on the network," Mr Easy said.

"Our guards play a vital role in delivering a great service to commuters, including updating passengers during journeys, administering first aid and providing boarding assistance to our elderly and disabled customers.

"We're also placing more importance than ever before on the communication skills we are teaching guards, to ensure our customers are receiving the information they need about their service."

Queensland Rail Chair Phillip Strachan said reaching this recruitment milestone for guards demonstrated strong steps forward in implementing his recommendations.

"Through undertaking my report, it was clear that QR should be aiming for an oversupply of train crew and they are making significant inroads to ensure they have a steady pipeline of trainees to achieve this," Mr Strachan said.

ENDS

If the poorly designed NGR requires two guards, they'll need a hell of a lot more than 50 extra guards!

[Stillwater]

Is it time for a restructure of bureaucracy within the Queensland Government, specifically targeted at dismantling the Department of Transport and Main Roads and better integrating its functions with other government departments and also establishing Public Transport Queensland?

The silo thinking within TMR is not serving Queensland well.  TMR building major rail infrastructure at arm's length from QR has had inherent problems.  And let's not go anywhere near the NGR debacle.  There is an uneasy relationship between TMR and QR and an uncoordinated line of accountability that allowed the driver shortage to go hidden for so long.  The Citytrain Response Unit is a band-aid, and we have lots of bits tacked on to a structure that needs to be pulled apart and rebuilt.

TMR is about building infrastructure.  But, these days, infrastructure must be built in conjunction with the private sector, we have TODs, the need for 'value capture' to government for the investment it makes and we have the inter-connection between the provision of transport infrastructure and urban renewal, best illustrated by Gold Coast Light Rail.

To hold the whole shambles together in Queensland, at a political level, we have the 'super portfolio' of Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning.  That's Jackie Trad.  We have all these different agencies, in different departments working away at things that are supposed to be co-ordinated, but the co-ordination occurs at the top, in a political office.

The coordination, cooperation and synergies must be realised much lower down.  The structure is wrong.

It is time to have serious discussion about Public Transport Queensland, an umbrella where QR would sit and integration of other TMR functions with arms of state government responsible for funding infrastructure and planning SEQ.  They sit in separate silos at present.  To our detriment.

What are the models?

Tasmania has a 'Department of State Growth', where its equivalent of TMR sits.  "The Department of State Growth actively pursues investment, facilitates major projects, supports business and industry to grow, and ensures we are investing strategically in infrastructure.  The department also works closely with business and industry to address barriers to growth, including red and green tape, to provide a skilled workforce, develop our cultural industries and ensure efficient cost-effective transport and logistics systems."

In other words it is not just about the hard road and rail infrastructure.  Its focus is finding cost-effective transport and logistics systems.

In South Australia, the bureaucracies are brought together within the administrative structure of government, not just in the Minister's office, with all the political overtones there.

South Australia has a Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure.  Regional Development, urban planning and transport are brought together under one roof.  Is this the way forward for Queensland?

In SA, the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure "works as part of the community to deliver effective planning policy, efficient transport, and valuable social and economic infrastructure. By harnessing the diversity of our purposes and people we strive to achieve positive outcomes that will improve the lifestyles of all South Australians every day."

It is about a focus on people and how they get around, but people first.

[Stillwater]

Gee, that Citytrain Response Unit is a font of information, isn't it.  NOT.   

[#Metro]

The CityTrain Response Unit is a paperwork production unit.

It cannot respond to whatever is going on at Queensland Rail because it does not have authority to act (i.e. hire and fire).

It is purely public servants observing other public servants and then writing reports on that. I assume those reports go directly to

gov't and not everyone in the wider world because, you know, Queensland Government might look bad.


An agency that actually does have authority (TransLink / Department of Transport and Main Roads) would reasonably have warned

and then fired Queensland Rail as the operator. Just like Connex was fired and replaced. Except that's not possible in Queensland

because it is taboo. Queensland Rail is guaranteed business no matter what.


And so the CRU and every other agency can't really do much but make the best of a bad situation. It will be resolved... eventually.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_05_23_DAILY.pdf

23rd May 2017  Ministerial Statements

Queensland Rail

Hon. JA TRAD (South Brisbane—ALP) (Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport and Minister for
Infrastructure and Planning) (9.46 am): Last weekend marked 100 days since I was sworn in as the
Minister for Transport. In that time, I have been focused on fixing the trains and implementing the
recommendations of the Strachan inquiry. In that time, Queensland Rail has accelerated the
recruitment of drivers and guards, opening external applications to drivers with previous Queensland
Rail experience. Of the 200 additional drivers required, Queensland Rail has selected 106 drivers, with
62 currently in training. We have extended our target of 200 additional guards, with Queensland Rail
selecting 263 guards, 55 of whom are currently in training.

Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: One moment, Deputy Premier. Member for Glass House, you are warned under
standing order 253A. Member for Burleigh, if you persist, you will follow that lead.

Ms TRAD: We are also fast-tracking training. QR has formed a partnership with GHD and the
Centre for Excellence in Rail Training that will support the implementation of best practice training
programs. Queensland Rail has also invested in training additional driver and guard route mentors,
recruiting additional tutors and increasing training school capacity for both drivers and guards.
Customers will also notice a significant improvement in customer service. Queensland Rail is enhancing
the way it engages with its customers, including by holding commuter catch-up sessions with
Queensland Rail staff, including the CEO and myself, travelling on the network to listen to feedback.
Our stations are also in the spotlight with an additional $6 million allocated to refreshing stations and
improving the customer experience.

I am determined to continue to fix the trains. We have a plan to put Queensland Rail back on
track and we are delivering on that plan

[ozbob]

LOL

Couriermail http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/queensland-government-parliament-sitting-may-24-2017/news-story/821b437777ce2b46eab8415f8904afd6

Edited Parliamentary commentary Question Time

Rail stress: Jackie Trad's inability to provide the results of a stress test on Queensland Rail's timetable will be considered by the Speaker.

Speaker Peter Wellington today agreed to consider an Opposition complaint that the Deputy Premier still had not complied with an order to provide the information to the Parliament by March 1.

Opposition Transport spokesman Andrew Powell said the delay was now three months."I ask that you consider this matter and rule on when the delay constitutes a contempt of Parliament and what remedies are available to the House," he said.

Mr Wellington said he would. ..

#railtimetablestresstestfail  < whatever that really means ...

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_05_24_DAILY.pdf

24th May 2017

PRIVILEGE

Failure to Comply with an Order of the House by a Minister

Mr POWELL (Glass House—LNP) (2.07 pm): I rise on a matter of privilege suddenly arising.
Mr Speaker, as the Clerk has just informed the House, the Deputy Premier has now failed to comply
with an order of the House to produce the outcome of the Queensland Rail chair's 'stress test' since
1 March 2017—a period of nearly three months. Notwithstanding the correction of the record by the
Premier yesterday, I ask that you consider this matter and rule on when the delay constitutes a contempt
of parliament and what remedies are available to the House.

Mr SPEAKER: I will consider the matter.

[ozbob]

More trouble in paradise - #railfail on steroids ..
Who is the weakest link @AnnastaciaMP ?#qldpol
Passengers continue to be treated poorly pic.twitter.com/nEoEAO9cc8

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 24, 2017

[ozbob]

Couriermail Parliament Commentary

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/question-time-live-final-parliament-sitting-day-of-the-week/news-story/6defa5b527ab297e041cb539ff76702a

SPEAKER Peter Wellington has found the Deputy Premier has no case to answer over claims she's dragging her heels releasing the results of a stress test on Queensland Rail's City Train timetable.

The House had earlier passed an order to require her to table the information and the Opposition yesterday asked Mr Wellington to consider at what point the three-month delay was a contempt of Parliament. Mr Wellington agreed to consider the matter but today said there had been no date with which to comply on the order. "Therefore, no contempt arises," he said. He said Ms Trad had explained the delay to him and assured him she would comply with the order.

This state is fuked !

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail: Job ads restricted to former train drivers

TRANSPORT Minister Jackie Trad's office stipulated that a Queensland Rail job advertisement for desperately needed train drivers was to be restricted to "former QR drivers only".

Documents obtained under Right to Information reveal Ms Trad's chief-of-staff personally authorised the February job advertisement that triggered fresh criticisms of a union "closed-shop" deal.

"Please proceed to place ad for former QR drivers only in this weekend's Courier-Mail," Ms Trad's chief-of-staff wrote in an email to QR's HR department on February 9.

A staffer then sent it on, saying: "Here is the approval for us to go external for ex-QR drivers."

The advertisement created controversy for the State Government when it appeared days later, as it ignored a key recommendation of the Strachan Inquiry into QR driver shortages.

Inquiry head Phillip Strachan in January recommended scrapping union rules barring outsiders from applying for driver jobs and opening them to all applicants, regardless of experience.

Mr Strachan found little progress in hiring drivers and linked a "structural undersupply" of train crew to soaring overtime, with the State Government later agreeing to all changes.

Copies of draft job advertisements, released to The Courier-Mail under RTI this week, reveal QR had been poised to open the driver jobs to anyone with train-driving experience.

The draft job advertisement called for applications from either ex-QR drivers or anyone who had train-driving qualifications and recent experience driving trains.

But a second approved version of the ad was created the same day omitting the word "or" – essentially locking out anyone without prior QR experience, including interstate drivers.

Adding to the closed-shop accusations, Ms Trad was forced to intervene weeks later when ex-QR drivers working for freight operator Aurizon suddenly had their applications rejected.

A spokesman for Ms Trad last night said the Government was committed to full external recruitment via a staged process and it was appropriate her office saw details of the ad.

She said the decision to initially progress with experienced QR drivers was based on advice from QR that it would "be able to fast-track training".

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Editorial: Sun yet to shine in Queensland Rail's new dawn

QUEENSLAND Rail is rapidly becoming a soap opera rather than a transport provider, as the debacles of last year under the transport minister Stirling Hinchliffe trundle on through 2017, undermining public confidence in what was once a respected institution.

We learned that the minister who took Mr Hinchliffe's role, Jacki Trad, was forced to intervene in a closed-shop jobs scandal after Queensland Rail, desperate for new train drivers, rejected dozens of applications from experienced drivers from outside QR.

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

Then we learned the directive behind the closed shop deal was issued from Ms Trad's own office by her chief-of-staff.

In the latter part of 2016, former transport minister Hinchliffe held on grimly as rail services were thrown into disruption across the southeast following the completion of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line in early October – a service this state had waited more than one century for.

With more than 100 train cancellations recorded in one day alone, it was clear QR was suffering critical staff shortages and poor management.

That debacle, which left many residents facing cancelled train services in the midst of their Christmas break, cost taxpayers more than $17 million.

About $4.2 million was spent driving stranded passengers in replacement buses and taxis, while train driver overtime cost more than $10 million.

By early February, Mr Hinchliffe was gone after an inquiry, paid for by taxpayers and headed by consultant Phillip Strachan, released some worrying findings.

The Strachan report found, among other things, that Queensland Rail drivers took an average of 18 months to complete their training – seven months longer than their NSW counterparts.

Mr Strachan made a key recommendation that union rules barring outsiders from applying for driver jobs be scrapped and positions be opened to all applicants.

The driver shortages were found by the report to have been exacerbated by plunging train crew productivity.

That low productivity was caused, at least in part, by restrictive crewing rules agreed to by unions and QR management.

Mr Strachan, who conducted 102 interviews and reviewed nearly 8000 documents in compiling his report, uncovered a worrying culture inside QR of complacency, poor decision-making processes and a lack of willingness to share "bad news''.

After receiving his report in February, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk attempted to use it as a circuit breaker, declaring a " new dawn''.

"I want a clear path forward, I want to make sure that we never see what has happened in the past happen again,'' the Premier said.

Queenslanders have every right to expect an improvement in the performance of a service they underwrite with hundreds of millions of dollars in annual tax contributions.

The appointment of Ms Trad to the ministry was, presumably, an attempt to get a crucial public service back on track.

But it's clear that, if we have witnessed a "new dawn'', it's not necessarily brighter.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Is it time for a stand-alone public transport body in Queensland?

Is time running out for Queensland Rail as we know it?

Since October 2016 Queensland Rail has had a terrible time getting trains to arrive  on time.

Queensland Rail's March 2017 figures now show one in every 10 trains does not arrive on time.

Should the Queensland government now look at having a non-government transport operator putting in a bid to run Queensland Rail?

That has happened in Melbourne, almost 20 years ago. Ninety-nine per cent of their trains now arrive time.

If Queensland did allow someone else to run our passenger trains, would it really mean more than $3 billion could be saved by 2040, as Infrastructure Australia reported on Friday?

Or would it mean major job losses and a similar level of service, with a different coat of paint, as Queensland's Rail, Tram and Bus Union believes.

Two years ago, there were problems with the new Melbourne Metro, which were reported by Fairfax Media.

Interestingly, the private consortia running the Melbourne Metro received $1.18 billion in subsidies and $11.78 million in "incentive payments" in 2013-14, but there was criticism their trains were simply skipping stops to meet "on time" running targets.

That was 2015.

Is it better now?

Earlier this year, Fairfax Media also reported dumb, sexist and bullying behaviour from Melbourne Metro train drivers.

    "Queensland Rail needs to understand that their future is on the line here."
    Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow

Melbourne Metro says the problems are not widespread and its on-time running is improving, not worsening like Queensland Rail.

Many questions should be asked about Queensland Rail and Transport for Brisbane, Brisbane City Council's bus division.

In south-east Queensland are we – as commuters – satisfied with the performance of Queensland Rail in failing to have enough drivers to cope with expansion on the south-east Queensland train network?

Should Queensland have a stand-alone "Public Transport Queensland" which runs all buses, trains and ferries, similar to Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia?

Are we satisfied – as commuters, with the job Queensland Rail and the Department of Transport did when the new rail line from Kippa Ring was delayed for months because two communications systems did not talk to us.

Should we – as commuters – worry when Commissioner Phillip Strachan handed down an extremely critical report into an under-performing Queensland Rail on February 27, 2017?

Is it time that a stand-alone transport operator also ran Brisbane City Council's bus operations?

In August 2016, it was revealed that some Brisbane City Council bus services were taking 25 minutes longer to complete their runs than their timetables allowed.

Brisbane City Council' s deputy mayor and Public and Active Travel committee chairman Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane City Council would not change its Transport for Brisbane division, which runs Brisbane City Council buses.

"Council has no plans to change its current contract arrangements for Transport for Brisbane, under which Council is a service provider to Translink," Cr Schrinner said.

"Brisbane City Council has one of the largest and the most modern bus fleet in Australia, which is a result of significant investment in recent years.  This financial year alone Council is investing $122.6 million into bus infrastructure and services."

What about our CityCats, which are already run in a franchise agreement with Brisbane City Council?

There have been complaints about CityCats colliding with rowers in 2012 and 2015 and staffing issues emerged in November 2015.

Cr Shrinner said Brisbane City Council's 10-year contract with Transdev to run the CityCat fleet expired in 2020 and they were happy with Transdev's performance.

However, Queensland's two major parties were both virtually silent about the public transport report when it was issued on Friday morning.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk only answered questions about the ability of any savings – the $3.3 billion – being able to be directed to Brisbane's $5.4 billion Cross River Rail underground rail project linking Brisbane's north and south.

"I'm starting to think about Infrastructure Australia not being really serious about considering our projects, that's the message I'm starting to get," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"Once again we're changing goal posts," she said.

Transport Minister Jackie Trad was too busy with Adani Mine negotiations to answer questions about trains on Friday. She launched this response to Phillip Strachan's report into Queensland Rail's failings in late March.

But there is a lot more to Infrastructure Australia's report, that was not discussed by the Queensland Government on Friday.

Rail Back on Track – Queensland public transport commuter group – is clear that change is in the wind for Queensland Rail.

"I've felt for some time that there is grave doubt for Queensland Rail's future," Rail Back on Track's spokesman Robert Dow said.

"We really have a very serious issue now because we have very poor co-ordination between bus and rail particularly," he said.

Mr Dow believes Queensland Rail should be reshaped as part of a single public transport body, a Public Transport Queensland, which oversees all trains, buses, and ferries in different divisions.

"The only way we think things can be progressed is if pressure can be bought to bear on the original operators," he said

"I think this (report) is timely because it is following on from a disastrous period in service delivery from Queensland Rail," he said.

Queensland Rail's figures show fewer trains arrived on time in 2017 than they did last year.

In fact, Queensland Rail since October 2016 is repeatedly not meeting its own standards to have trains run on time.

Mr Dow said the public transport "franchise" debate was important, because there were several examples where franchising public transport services was working; the Gold Coast's light rail project, Brisbane's City Cats and Melbourne Metro in more recent times.

"Queensland Rail needs to understand that their future is on the line here," he said.

"If there is a change of government at the next state election, we are pretty confident the LNP would move to franchise Queensland Rail," he said.

"And I'm pretty sure they will take on Brisbane Transport (Brisbane City Council's transport arm) as well."

The Queensland Opposition's public transport spokesman Andrew Powell was unwilling to comment on Friday despite several attempts by Fairfax Media.

Fairfax Media pressed several times until we got a message.

"On this occasion we've decided not to comment on the IA report on rail," it said.

"Thanks for the opportunity."

So many questions, with so few willing to debate.

[ozbob]

[Stillwater]

The QR debacle has become a metaphor for the government itself, its administration, governance oversight and policy formulation. The 'no comment' from the Opposition reveals the other side is sheepish about its culpability in the mess, as many of the problems can be shafted back to their time in government.  The fundamental structures of government (TMR, TransLink and QR) and how they interact are flawed. QR owes much to the dedication and commitment of station staff and those liaising directly with the public. That's the only 'image' they have left.

Band-aids on band-aids need to be taken off and Public Transport Queensland put in place, but it is clear that the machinery of government in Queensland is incapable of doing this. D-G, Minister, Premier - like rabbits caught in the headlights. Frozen, not knowing which way to hop.  A daily soap opera, and day-to-day decision making at the top, too closely linked to the political manoeuvrings.

[#Metro]

NEW!! Queensland Rail Soap Opera Season 2017
Channel 10

Featuring: Jackie Trad, Tim Nicholls, Scott Emerson, Annastacia Palaszczuk, RBOT, Department of Transport and Main Roads, Paul Pluta and ARCHIELUXURY channel, lots of other MPs, swarms public relations people, high drama, grandstanding, plenty of video and photo opportunities, scandal, scary privatisation and unions



Editorial: Sun yet to shine in Queensland Rail's new dawn
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/editorial-sun-yet-to-shine-in-queensland-rails-new-dawn/news-story/9c8bdc5fec921caf193ebcb14f517fd8

QUEENSLAND Rail is rapidly becoming a soap opera rather than a transport provider, as the debacles of last year under the transport minister Stirling Hinchliffe trundle on through 2017, undermining public confidence in what was once a respected institution.

[ozbob]

The ALP are not handling this well at all are they?  Plenty of free kicks to blue ..

Apparently Labor have a new plan to solve their rail fail crisis. The only catch is you must be a previous QR driver to apply... #RailFail pic.twitter.com/feYoVPNKlO

— LNP (@LNPQLD) May 29, 2017

[ozbob]

Queensland: state of confusion > https://t.co/rmMHSmRa23 #qldpol
The State of #railfail #NGRfail #RPLfail #CRRfail too! #justsaying

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) June 1, 2017

[ozbob]

Hi Robert and Geoff, we can confirm the recruitment process for the role of EGM Customer Service & Innovation commenced last Friday. Thanks.

— Queensland Rail (@QueenslandRail) June 2, 2017