Queensland Rail

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TrainsInfo/status/903113554143977472

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/903115234478481409

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/COBrienBris/status/903107070949339136

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ShaneDoherty9/status/903108557838548992

[red dragin]

https://twitter.com/COBrienBris/status/903107070949339136

They left it till the last bit of August so they can still meet their promise/pass the buck.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ShaneDoherty9/status/903132947292626944

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland Rail heads to Fair Work Commission over external hiring

Queensland Rail and the train drivers' union are set to go head to head in the Fair Work Commission.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has lodged a formal dispute with Queensland Rail to stop the operator proceeding with external recruitment.

QR is pursuing a resolution through the Fair Work Commission, with a hearing scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

Hiring external drivers and guards with no prior QR experience were key recommendations in the Strachan inquiry, sparked after mass cancellations, partly caused by a lack of train crew.

Queensland Rail and the unions are appearing before a Fair Work Commission hearing on Thursday afternoon.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the government had implemented the Strachan inquiry and was in the process of implementing all the recommendations from the report.

"I want to acknowledge and thank all Queensland Rail employees, including drivers and guards, for their hard work over the past months to help fix the trains," she said.

Ms Trad said one of the core recommendations was opening recruitment to drivers and guards externally.

"Unfortunately, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union is holding up this process," she said.

"Queensland Rail has consistently worked in good faith with the unions and believe they have met all their obligations under the existing enterprise agreement."

Ms Trad said she made no apologies for fixing the trains.

"We are determined to ensure that this reform process continues," she said.

The Fair Work hearing was listed for 2.30pm, for an application to deal with a dispute, before Commissioner Paula Spencer.

Opposition Transport spokesman Andrew Powell accused Labor of being beholden to the unions.

"[Premier] Annastacia Palaszczuk has about as much chance of fixing the trains as New South Wales winning 10 Origin series in a row," Mr Powell said.

During estimates, Ms Trad announced external recruitment would open during August for drivers without prior QR experience.

QR had previously called for applications for new train drivers, with a requirement they had to have worked as a QR driver in the past.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/903137283473211392

[ozbob]

If we have train strikes layered on the bus strikes the RBTU is sending themselves surely into oblivion.

LNP will simply privatise the lot!

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail fail: RTBU formally disputes external driver recruitment

THE Fair Work Commission has rejected union complaints over Queensland Rail's move to externally recruit train drivers, ruling the State Government can place its job advertisements.

The matter went to an urgent conciliation meeting this afternoon after the Rail Tram and Bus Union lodged a formal dispute with Queensland Rail in an attempt to stop the external recruitment and potentially commence industrial action against the Government.

With QR set to publish job advertisements, the move led the operator to pursue a resolution through the Fair Work Commission.

The commission dismissed the union's argument that the enterprise bargaining agreement prevented QR from recruiting workers other than from inside the organisation.

The Government had argued that it had complied with the EBA, having first run internal recruitment before moving to external recruitment.

The Rail Tram and Bus Union threatened to revolt in July over the announcement that recruitment of drivers would be thrown wide open to all Queensland jobseekers.

Earlier today, Transport Minister Jackie Trad said QR had worked in good faith with the unions and believed it had met all obligations under the existing enterprise agreement.

"Queensland Rail are now pursuing a resolution through the Fair Work Commission, as this is the appropriate forum for this to occur," she said.

"We make no apologies for fixing the trains and giving Queensland commuters the services they deserve.

"We are determined to ensure that this reform process continues."

RTBU state secretary Owen Doogen first threatened industrial action when Ms Trad made the announcement in July that external recruitment would begin.

"Let me make it clear, ­neither the QR CEO, the QR chairman of the board or the Transport Minister can override the provisions of the ­federal enterprise agreement, which provides for guards and then other employees, such as station staff, being provided with the opportunity for selection for driver positions before external employees," Mr Doogan wrote to members at the time.

"If QR seeks to broaden their interpretation of the agreement in a way which disadvantages our members, the union will use the dispute ­settling procedure to protect members' positions."

The result of the provision has meant drivers were internally recruited only, and has come under fire as being partly responsible for a dire train crew shortage that led to City-train timetable chaos last year.

Full external recruitment was a key recommendation of the Strachan review and occurs in other states.

The Courier-Mail has attempted to contact Mr Doogan for comment today.

Opposition transport spokesman Andrew Powell claimed Labor was being controlled by the unions.

"The unions caused this mess and Labor can't, won't and don't know how to bring them to heel," he said.

"(Premier) Annastacia Palaszczuk has about as much chance of fixing the trains as NSW winning 10 Origin series in a row.

"The union movement says jump and all Labor does is say how high and can we get you a cuppa as well?"

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

All the other states external recruitment is the norm.  Only in Queensland does it cause an issue.

QR has exhausted internal options.  Only reasonable to go external to get the numbers up to the required levels.

How on earth are they going to get back to an adequate timetable otherwise?  The more this #railfail festers on the more probable Queensland Rail will end up disappearing into the ether sadly.  Surely the unions can grasp that?  Apparently not ...   

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Queensland Rail fights off union challenge, will be able to hire external drivers

Queensland Rail (QR) has fought off an attempt by the rail union to block drivers being hired externally, paving the way for the operator to hire new drivers to fix south-east Queensland's crippled network.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union lodged a formal dispute with QR yesterday, leading to a closed-doors hearing at the Fair Work Commission on Thursday.

The commission ruled QR could proceed with external recruitment.

A driver shortage was one of the main factors behind a series of breakdowns the network experienced last year, which saw mass cancellations and reductions in services around south-east Queensland.

It prompted an inquiry into Queensland Rail operations, which recommended the Government look to fill the void by hiring externally.

As of last month, QR had trained just 28 of the 200 new drivers needed to stabilise its roster, with people already employed by QR in other roles considered for driver training in the first instance.

The union has previously claimed external recruitment would override provisions in the enterprise bargaining agreement for drivers which ensured candidates already employed by QR would be considered first.

Earlier, Transport Minister Jackie Trad accused the union trying to stall plans to fix the rail network.

"Queensland Rail has consistently worked in good faith with the unions and believe they have met all their obligations under the existing enterprise agreement," Ms Trad said.

"We make no apologies for fixing the trains and giving Queensland commuters the services they deserve.

"We are determined to ensure that this reform process continues."

Opposition transport spokesman Andrew Powell said the Labor Government was unable to bring the unions into line.

The union has been contacted for comment.

[ozbob]

Even ' Segway Scotty ' has a free kick ..   

https://twitter.com/tennewsqld/status/903160528343752704

[SABB]

If I were a betting person, I would put my money on the Unions. Why ?  Because the driver training staff are all highly likely to be union members. 

[red dragin]

Trainee Driver & Guard job ads have appeared since I last checked at about 5.30pm.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

1st September 2017

Queensland Rail: Recruitment Open To ALL

Greetings,

RAIL Back on Track welcomes the decision of the Fair Work Commission to permit Queensland Rail to seek train crew applicants from the public.

RAIL Back on Track encourages all who may have an interest in working for Queensland Rail to register their interest at the links below.

Trainee Driver - Application
http://careers.pageuppeople.com/544/caw/en/job/669789/trainee-driver

Trainee Guard - Application
http://careers.pageuppeople.com/544/caw/en/job/669791/trainee-guard

Queensland Rail has effectively exhausted the pool of internal applicants and to boost train crew to the required numbers for future rail operations it is necessary recruit externally, as all other rail operators do in Australia from time to time.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Reference:

FWC Decision:

Queensland Rail Transit Authority T/A Queensland Rail v Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union; Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees (C2017/4811)

https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/decisionssigned/html/pdf/2017fwc4547.pdf

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/903291244759072768

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail fail: RTBU formally disputes external driver recruitment

LUCRATIVE train driving positions have been thrown open after the powerful rail union lost a last-minute bid to keep control of the organisation's closed-shop recruitment rules.

The Rail Tram and Bus Union was slapped down when the Fair Work Commission rejected its argument that Queensland Rail had not exhausted internal ­recruitment drives before flinging job ads open to all.

The requirement, enshrined in the drivers' enterprise bargaining agreement, meant drivers were internally recruited only.

It came under fire as being partly the cause of a train crew shortage that led to last year's timetable fiasco.

The urgent conciliation meeting was called by QR after the union lodged a formal dispute with the organisation in an attempt to stop imminent job ads from running.

But the union was rolled after the Fair Work Commission threw out the its complaint and directed it to hold internal discussions with QR if any other issues arose.

QR chief executive Nick Easy says a train driver and guard recruitment campaign was now live, as recommended by the Strachan review.

"We are committed to becoming a modern, world-class railway and boosting our train crew numbers is critical to increasing services for our customers," he said.

RTBU state secretary Owen Doogan, who did not return calls, first threatened a revolt in July after the Government announced recruitment would be thrown wide open.

"Neither the QR CEO, the QR chairman of the board or the Transport Minister can override the provisions of the ­federal enterprise agreement, which provides for guards and then other employees ... being provided with the opportunity for selection for driver positions before external employees," he wrote at the time.

[SteelPan]

What an alternate reality the "powers that be" in Quuueeennnsslllaaannnndddd have been, over clearly many years, to allow such insane practices to develop....the Rail Union, is fairly there, to represent the legitimate work related interests of their members, not tell the employer how they may carry out their strategic recruitment interests.



Also, not a good look for the wider union movement, so much for their long-standing commitment to opening up work opportunities for a broader cross-section of the community!   

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Concern union action could escalate as Queensland Rail starts hiring train drivers externally

Queensland Rail (QR) has started recruiting train drivers from outside the organisation for the first time, but there are concerns the move will see the rail union call strike action.

Yesterday afternoon, QR won a Fair Work Commission hearing against the Rail, Tram, and Bus Union (RTBU) which wanted to keep the job appointments in-house.

The move was swiftly followed by advertisements for drivers and guards in the press and online.

Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Jackie Trad welcomed the commission's swift decision.

    "We committed to implementing all the recommendations of the Strachan Inquiry and external recruitment is an absolutely critical part of that," she said.

"I want to thank and commend all Queensland Rail employees, including drivers and guards, who have been working incredibly hard throughout the reform process."

The driver shortage was one of the main factors behind a series of breakdowns in the train network last year.

The subsequent Strachan Inquiry recommended the State Government fill the void by hiring externally a move the RTBU argued was in breach of the enterprise bargaining agreement.

The Queensland Government hopes the union will respect the Fair Work Commission's decision, and not escalate the dispute with strike action.

The union was not available for comment after the commission's decision.

Queensland Rail chief executive officer Nick Easy said negotiations would continue with the RTBU through the recruitment process.

"Boosting our train crew numbers is critical to increasing services for our customers," Mr Easy said.

Overall, 100 new drivers have been appointed from within QR, but a further 100 are needed and are set to be filled from outside the organisation to stabilise the organisation's roster.

Trainee guard positions have also been advertised.

The advertisement reads: "Queensland Rail is seeking safety conscious and customer-focussed individuals to join its team".

Those applying must have permission to work in Australia and medical clearance.

[SABB]

Has it dawned on QR and the Government that this really has nothing to do with where the new drivers are sourced from. The RTBU members don't want anymore drivers as it will mean reductions in their take home pay. I think that the rail fail was a stunt that has monumentally backfired on the RTBU. QR's previous use of voluntary early retirement has resulted in many areas being short staffed. I know of maintenance staff almost doubling their salary because they have to work almost every weekend. Very few people hear about it because they aren't crazy enough to cause another rail fail and risk losing their overtime.
- why is it that the driver shortage only showed up 3 weeks after the start of Redcliffe services.  If there was such a driver shortage, why didn't it happen sooner.
- my contacts tell me that more than 30 drivers called in sick on Christmas day.
The Strachan Report recommends that QR has to have enough drivers so that overtime is not required. Does anyone really think that the RTBU is going to accept this and lose the overtime willingly.
Remember the RDO rort from the 1980s. There was purported to be a sick list roster where a driver was required to report in sick so that another driver had to work on their RDO and subsequently received higher pay for that day.

[#Metro]

- why is it that the driver shortage only showed up 3 weeks after the start of Redcliffe services.  If there was such a driver shortage, why didn't it happen sooner.

There was a shortage (apparently normal practice) and this was "patched up" using an overtime pool of staff.

And it was sufficient to cover for random extra staff demand.

But Redcliffe line isn't random extra staff demand - it is a permanent increase in demand for staff.

So the system that always worked before ... broke down.

[ozbob]

Yo. OT was approaching 30%, system was just coping (in fact best period of OTR for years believe it or not).  Coinciding with the new timetable post opening of RPL were changes in some work rules, including the infamous ' 20 minute ' comfort break after 3 hours or so.  The extra crew demands for the extra services and the work rules changes broke it.  Simple fact.  I was requested to promote rolling back to the pre-RPL timetable and shuttles on the RPL, which I did.  Some within QR felt they could have coped (just) with that.  That never eventuated as the political cost of shuttles on the  ' new ' railway was a bridge to far for most.  Rest is history ...

Yes SABB, regular OT has been part of the rewards for a long time.  Not that unusual for a railway, most run up to 10% OT or so.  That is manageable. When it hits 30% that is a clear sign of problems. The first sign of major problems was on the 30th September, the Friday before the new timetable on the following Monday.

I am pleased that the QR CEO is Nick Easy.  Mr Easy used to run Melbourne Port, he has a lot of experience with unions.  Maritime unions are sometimes difficult to deal with.  The new EGM City Train Nick King, has a strong rail background.  I am pleased too he is at QR, brings a good extensive rail background without being indoctrinated with QR ' culture '.   For QR to survive the unions should accept that sometimes it is best to cooperate.  Rewards will then accrue in time.

[red dragin]

The RTBU can potentially gain nearly 200 new members, more with probably easily swayed into joining (if I get through, the would join), giving them more power.

I don't see the problem if no more current staff want to drive.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/leahycartoons/status/903404600031551488

[brissypete]

Good to see the union didn't get their way on this, lets hope they dont start strikes on trains.  With ongoing bus disputes would end up an even bigger mess.

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

[ozbob]

Advertisement Couriermail 2nd September 2017 page 16

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/903738510682632193

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Just 17.5 per cent of required new QR train drivers ready to roll

Talking points

    Phillip Strachan said problems did not stem from one issue, but compounding factors that accumulated over time.
    The driver shortage became known following the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line, with hundreds of services cancelled.
    Queensland Rail plans to hire 200 new drivers and 200 new guards to restore reliability.

Queensland Rail has trained 35 of the 200 new train drivers needed to restore reliability to the timetable.

Philip Strachan's inquiry into the failings at QR that led to mass cancellations in 2016 found there was a shortage of drivers and an over-reliance on overtime to meet an expanded timetable after the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line.

Queensland Rail has 35 of the 200 required new train drivers working on its network.

Mr Strachan recommended opening driver and guard recruitment to external applicants with no prior rail experience - and hiring 200 new train drivers and 200 new guards - but, in February, the door was only opened to people with prior QR experience.

Fairfax Media can reveal more than 100 trainee drivers and 260 trainee guards have been recruited.

There are now 35 new drivers and 97 guards fully qualified and working on the network.

In July, that number was 28 drivers behind the console and 77 guards trained.

Driver training has been fast-tracked from an average 18 to 12 months to complete, with the aim to bring that down to nine months.

QR chief executive Nick Easy said the operator was making significant process in recruiting and training more drivers and guards, following recruitment activities internally and with past QR employees.

"We are committed to becoming a modern, world-class railway and boosting our train crew numbers is critical to increasing services for our customers," he said.

QR opened recruitment to external applicants with no prior experience on Thursday night. QR would not answer questions about the number of new applications it had received since then.

A south-east Queensland trainee driver earns a base salary of $92,315, while a qualified driver makes $98,211, with five weeks' annual leave and free rail travel to work.

Trainee guards earn $81,237, while qualified guards make $92,315.

Potential train drivers must pass an online application, along with cognitive and psychomotor assessments.

They must attend an information session, group exercises, a panel interview, and have reference checks, a health assessment and national police check before receiving an offer of employment.

The health examination can include hearing, vision and musculoskeletal, heart function, cholesterol and glucose blood levels, psychological health, sleep patterns and substance use tests.

On Thursday, QR and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union went head-to-head in the Fair Work Commission over the hiring of external train drivers.

The RTBU had lodged a formal dispute with QR to stop the operator proceeding with external recruitment.

QR pursued a resolution through the commission, which ruled in the government's favour on Thursday afternoon.

Mr Easy said QR would continue to work in good faith with the unions through the recruitment process.

Asked if the new train drivers would be ready for the Commonwealth Games in April 2018, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said: "Of course we're expecting that to be the case."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/904374760750030848

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/904375146869252096

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/904376019120930816

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/904379038700941312

[Stillwater]

From the Brisbane Times article: Asked if the new train drivers would be ready for the Commonwealth Games in April 2018, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said: "Of course we're expecting that to be the case."

'Of course' - the definitive.  'Expecting that to be the case' - qualifier.

Spoken like a true politician.  We are going to be in strife come the Commonwealth Games - shortage of trains and drivers.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane Times article: Asked if the new train drivers would be ready for the Commonwealth Games in April 2018, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said: "Of course we're expecting that to be the case."

'Of course' - the definitive.  'Expecting that to be the case' - qualifier.

Spoken like a true politician.  We are going to be in strife come the Commonwealth Games - shortage of trains and drivers.

By April 2018 there will be more train crew available. My main concern is with rollingstock, and reliability.

How many NGRs will be in service?  15? 5? Zero? Hard to say considering the ' cone of silence ' ...

[BrizCommuter]

QR's Rail Fail - yet more hourly shame!
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2017/09/qrs-rail-fail-yet-more-hourly-shame.html

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets &

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/905098788045447168

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Safety investigation after train ran red signal, causing rail chaos

Queensland Rail has been under constant pressure since the bungled introduction of the Kippa Ring rail line. One issue identified in a report was a failure to escalate problems.

The national transport safety regulator is investigating a possible safety breach at one of Brisbane's busiest train stations after south-east Queensland's rail network was thrown into chaos on Tuesday afternoon.

Delays, initially up to 45 minutes, affected all rail lines through peak hour after an empty train ran a red signal at Roma Street station.

"As part of its investigation, the ATSB will interview the driver of the train and review recorded data from the signal system and from the train," a spokesman said.

On Wednesday, Mr Easy confirmed the train had run a red signal, damaging a "claw lock" on a set of points, which control when trains change tracks.

He said QR crews worked into the night to have the problem fixed by about 9.50pm.

"At approximately 4.33pm, Queensland Rail experienced a points issue at Platform 8, Roma Street station, after a train passed a red signal," he said, in a statement.

"The train was empty, and was travelling at a slow pace entering Platform 8 at the time of the incident.

"The platform was clear of all other rail traffic at the time."

Mr Easy stood by his comments made on Tuesday evening that the delays were caused by a "points issue", saying giving customers timely information was one of QR's top priorities.

"A set of points was damaged during the incident, and it was this points issue that prevented the movement of the train and the provision of normal services until the track could be thoroughly inspected and repaired," he said.

"Queensland Rail's EGM Citytrain clearly stated in media interviews yesterday evening that the overall circumstances of the incident would be considered as part of an investigation."

Mr Easy said the organisation would undertake a full investigation and had reported the incident to the ATSB.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad apologised for the delays on Tuesday evening, also blaming a "points fault".

"On a big heavy rail network like Queensland Rail, there are going to be points faults occasionally," she said.

"There are going to be electronic faults in the system.

"There's going to be live animals who get the system down, like possums and flying foxes, which we've seen over the past couple of months.

"We run a large network and on occasion things go wrong."

The ATSB spokesman expected the investigation to take several months but said any safety issues identified before the investigation finished would be immediately passed on to those involved.

Crikey, we were all mislead.  It was a SPAD that resulted in the damage to the points.  Being a bit duplicitous were they not hey?

I am reasonably confident judging by the comments made by Ms Trad at the time that she, like us just thought it was a routine ' points failure ' ...

Basically left Ms. Trad to hang out and dry too!   

Culture!!

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/905465212903473152

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/905465453329268737

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_09_06_DAILY.pdf

Ministerial Statements

Queensland Rail

Hon. JA TRAD (South Brisbane—ALP) (Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport and Minister for
Infrastructure and Planning) (2.16 pm): The Palaszczuk government is committed to fully implementing
the Strachan inquiry recommendations. We are continuing to deliver on our plan to drive improvements
at Queensland Rail and deliver better—

Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Thank you, members. I find the Deputy Premier is not being provocative. I will
take the appropriate action if members interject.

Mr Walker interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: No. Thank you, member for Mansfield. The Deputy Premier has the call.

Ms TRAD: It seems every time I talk about public transport I am provoking those opposite
because we know they do not like public transport.

Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: All right. Thank you, members. We have been going 15 minutes.

Ms TRAD: We are continuing to deliver on our plan to drive improvement at Queensland Rail
and deliver better public transport for commuters across South-East Queensland.
Queensland Rail operates a large network and occasionally incidents occur which can cause
delays, as we saw last night. Queensland Rail is working hard to improve performance and provide a
more resilient network that can recover quickly from disruptions.
I can also inform the House that last week Queensland Rail opened recruitment to external
applicants. Jobseekers interested in pursuing a career as a train driver or guard can now apply through
Queensland Rail's website.

Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Thank you, members. I will start to make rulings if members persist. You have
the call, Premier.

Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Member for Hinchinbrook, I will give you the benefit of the doubt but no further.

An honourable member interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Well, I have kicked him out before and he did not do it and he was very charitable
at the time. Deputy Premier, you have the call.

Ms TRAD: Achieving this milestone is not the only progress we are making towards fixing the
trains and getting back on track to delivering an efficient and reliable public transport network for
Queenslanders. As at 31 August, 103 applicants have been offered trainee driver positions. Since
October last year, 35 additional drivers are now driving trains on the South-East Queensland network.
Currently, there are 77 trainee drivers in training, with all driver training schools for 2017 filled.
We have an additional 97 guards in service since October, and we have implemented a number
of initiatives to fast-track the training process to get more train crew on the job faster. There is a range
of measures being undertaken to accelerate training and these include recruiting an extra 10 tutor
drivers and 10 tutor guards, and there are more than 80 drivers to mentor new trainees and streamline
on-track training, freeing up driver trainers to work with more new recruits.

Since October last year driver training duration has averaged approximately 13 months. This is
a significant reduction of nearly 30 per cent compared to the previous average of nearly 18 months. We
have improved forecasting and modelling to enable Queensland Rail to better identify and manage
stress periods, providing customers with advance notice of any timetable changes required to deliver
reliable services during stress periods. Through more than 20 commuter catch-ups, customers have
had the opportunity to provide feedback to Queensland Rail. This feedback has been instrumental in
identifying and expanding initiatives to improve customer experience across the network.

We are committed to modernising Queensland Rail and delivering an integrated customer
focused public transport network. The Palaszczuk government is committed to fixing the trains and
transforming the public transport network to ensure we provide Queenslanders with a reliable,
convenient and world-class public transport system.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_09_06_DAILY.pdf

Questions without notice

Queensland Rail

Mr NICHOLLS: My second question without notice is also for the Premier. Once again last night,
in the middle of peak hour and after 320 days of Labor's 'rail fail', South-East Queensland commuters
were left stranded and in the dark with virtually no communication from Queensland Rail. How long do
commuters have to put up with the hand wringing and the apologies from the Deputy Premier before
we finally see real action and the trains running on time?

Ms PALASZCZUK: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for that question. Last night I saw the
Deputy Premier on Channel 9. She apologised to commuters for the delay. I, too, would apologise to
commuters for that delay.

Mr Bleijie: Did she tell you she was doing it first?

Ms PALASZCZUK: We are more than happy for you to go on TV any night of the week!

Mr Bleijie: Name the place and the time and the TV and I'll be there.

Ms PALASZCZUK: I take that interjection as well. You can take your little pet rat with you, too.
Honourable members interjected.

Ms PALASZCZUK: You are the person who did it!

Mrs Frecklington: Seriously.

Ms PALASZCZUK: I take the interjection from the member for Nanango. Since speaking in the
House yesterday, yet another minister wants to come to Kingaroy with me. It is increasing.

Mrs Frecklington interjected.

Ms PALASZCZUK: We are all looking forward to it.

Mr SPEAKER: Premier, can you come back to the question that was asked, please?

Ms PALASZCZUK: We are delivering for Kingaroy and we are delivering for all of Queensland.
We are a government that delivers because we are a government that listens.
Opposition members interjected.

Ms PALASZCZUK: That is right: continue to carry on like that because you are the same as you
were when you were in government—

Mr SPEAKER: Premier, one moment please. You are provoking the opposition. I do not think
you are answering the question that was asked. Have you anything further to—

Ms PALASZCZUK: I have been provoked, Mr Speaker.

Mr SPEAKER: No. There is provocation on both sides. Do you want to resume your seat or do
you have anything relevant?

Ms PALASZCZUK: Yes. I am advised that Queensland Rail experienced a points issue at
platform 8 at Roma Street Station last night and that trains—
Honourable members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Members, I know we have all been a bit excited this afternoon, but we will come
to order. The Premier has the call and her answer is relevant.

Ms PALASZCZUK: Trains continued to run through the CBD throughout the afternoon peak.
However, some customers did experience delays of between 10 to 30 minutes as Queensland Rail
worked to rectify the issue and reroute the trains. As we know, this issue was a points issue and it is a
safety issue. At the end of the day, I will not compromise safety and nor will Queensland Rail.
Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Members, the Premier's answer is relevant to the question that was asked.

Ms PALASZCZUK: I also want to acknowledge that Queensland Rail crews did work extensively
around that time to rectify the problem as quickly as they could to return trains to their normal schedule.
While speaking about trains, it is this government that is committed to building Cross River Rail in the
south-east of our state. Mr Speaker, we want to ease congestion. We want to continue to employ people
to build this No. 1 infrastructure project for the south-east of our state. It is about time that those opposite
got on board.

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

Queensland Parliament is very less than ' parliamentary ' at times hey what?   

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_09_06_DAILY.pdf

Questions without notice

Queensland Rail

Mr EMERSON: My question is to the Premier. Last night, and 182 days since the government
accepted all 36 recommendations in the Strachan report, commuters were again stranded with bugger
all information provided by QR about the long delays—

Mr SPEAKER: I find those words totally inappropriate and unparliamentary.

Mr EMERSON: I will withdraw and I will rephrase.

Honourable members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: I am in two minds if I will even allow the question. Member for Ferny Grove,
Minister for Local Government, I think you are going to be warned. 253A. Member for Indooroopilly?

Mr EMERSON: My question is to the Premier. Last night, and 182 days since the government
accepted all 36 recommendations in the Strachan report, commuters were again stranded with limited
information provided by QR about the long delays on their way home. Despite the Strachan report
recommending better communications about faults and delays, why are commuters still being left in the
dark by Queensland Rail and the Deputy Premier?

Ms PALASZCZUK: We did address this issue, but the member is now talking about
communication. My understanding from the reports that I have heard, and I am happy to stand
corrected, is that there were people out on the platforms and at the stations conveying as much
information as they possibly could at the time. Let me also make the second point very clearly: we will
not compromise safety on our rail network.

Mr Powell interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Member for Glass House! The Premier's answer is relevant. You have had a
pretty good go, member for Glass House. I call the Premier.

Mr Watts interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: You are also warned under 253A, member for Toowoomba North. If you persist
I will take the appropriate action.

Ms PALASZCZUK: Nor will we compromise safety in our hospitals. In an earlier answer I asked
the Leader of the Opposition to produce the contracts or the business case or the cabinet submission
for the new rolling stock. Since the member for Indooroopilly asked me that question, let me remind the
House of what the member for Indooroopilly told parliament, and I quote, 'The New Generation
Rollingstock, a project that we began—'

Mr NICHOLLS: I rise to a point of order. I am always in favour of a good debate at the right time,
everyone knows that, but the question was about the faults and delays with the event that occurred last
night that left commuters stranded. I ask you to rule on relevance because none of the matters that the
Premier is raising were raised in any aspect of the question.

Mr SPEAKER: My ruling is that the answer needs to be relevant. Premier, do you have anything
further that is relevant to the specific question?

Ms PALASZCZUK: It is relevant. I just want to finish the quote made by the member for
Indooroopilly. He asked me the question. He said, 'We are the ones who signed the contract.'

Mr SPEAKER: Premier, no.

Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: I think we will move on. That applies to everyone. It applies to the member for
Gaven.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

7th September 2017

SPAD > points damage

Good Morning,

A surprising and concerning revelation this morning.  The so called ' points fault ' that caused delays and cancellations to rail services on Tuesday afternoon/evening was secondary to a train damaging the points because it passed a signal at danger.  A so called SPAD (signal passed at danger).

Brisbanetimes --> Safety investigation after train ran red signal, causing rail chaos

At the time, we, the public, and presumably the Deputy Premier accepted the problem was just a ' points fault '.  There was no indication that this was secondary to a SPAD.

The Queensland Rail Citytrain suburban network does not operate with automatic train protection.  Implementation of the ETCS L2 system ( a form of ATP ) will help to reduce SPADs significantly.  It is important that the ETCS L2 project proceed at pace in our opinion. (See > http://buildingqueensland.qld.gov.au/projects/european-train-control-system-etcs-inner-city/ for information on this project).

Best wishes,
Robert

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

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https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/905478360976973825