Queensland Rail

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/916938683055464449

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail drivers and guards rake in millions of dollars worth of overtime

TAXPAYERS have shelled out $26 million in overtime payments to train crew since the rail fail saga began a year ago.

The high cost is contained in newly-released overtime payments for Citytrain drivers and guards, that detail fortnightly pay periods since the crewing shortfalls last October that sparked rolling cancellations and led to major recriminations across Queensland Rail.

It shows drivers earned $15.3 million in overtime payments to mid-September and guards raked in an extra $10.7 million as workers were asked to take extra shifts so services could run.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the base salary that would have been paid to drivers and guards — had there been enough to make up shifts without the use of overtime — would have totalled $14.6 million.

It means normal services cost the Government an extra $11.4 million in the past year simply because Queensland Rail don't have enough staff.

Opposition transport spokesman Andrew Powell said Queenslanders were paying more but getting less because the Labor Government had allowed rail unions to run the show.

The Strachan inquiry found union breaks had put increased pressure on the roster and contributed to the crisis as drivers spent less and less of their shift actually driving.

"This is yet more evidence of the terrible cost the Palaszczuk Labor Government's rail fail has inflicted on all Queenslanders," Mr Powell said.

"At the end of the day, taxpayers and commuters are paying for Labor's rail fail and getting 1800 fewer rail services every month."

Ms Trad said overtime was a standard part of traincrews' working patterns, just like other industries that relied on shift workers, and strict fatigue rules were in place.

"The Queensland Rail train crewing commission of inquiry recommended that Queensland Rail 'deliver and maintain a structural surplus of train crew to enable operations to be conducted without the systemic reliance on overtime'," she said.

"Queensland Rail is working towards this goal and opened up external recruitment for traincrew in August 2017."

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Taxpayers foot $12 million bill for train-replacement buses

Queensland Rail has spent more than $12 million hiring buses and almost $30,000 on taxis to replace train services over 11 months.

More than $8.6 million was spent from February 1 to August 31 alone on replacement rail buses for planned track maintenance track closures and upgrades.

Planned maintenance accounted for the majority of spending.

Buses for unplanned events in the same period cost $894,788, with $547,236 of that attributable to unexpected problems caused by Cyclone Debbie in March.

Unplanned track closures can occur due to customer issues, signal and power faults, mechanical issues, extreme weather events or bridge and boom gate strikes.

Queensland Rail usually organises rail buses as a replacement but in some exceptional circumstances, affected customers are provided with a taxi service.

Over the same seven-month period, $23,001 was spent on taxi vouchers, of which $6335 was attributed to Cyclone Debbie.

The details were revealed following a question on notice by the LNP, tabled in State Parliament.

From October 1, 2016, to the end of January 2017, $4.2 million was spent on replacement rail buses - similar to the $4 million figure for the same period the previous year.

There was $6308 spent on taxi vouchers for customers from October to the end of January - a jump on the $566 spent the same period the previous year.

October marked the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula line, which was followed by hundreds of cancellations, including in October and Christmas Day, due to a driver shortage and other issues, which were later identified in the Strachan inquiry.

Opposition Transport spokesman Andrew Powell said the figures were evidence of the terrible cost taxpayers and commuters were paying for "Labor's rail fail".

"Since Labor's rail fail began, a staggering $12 million has been spent on replacement rail buses and nearly $30,000 has been spent on taxi vouchers for customers left behind by cancelled trains," Mr Powell said.

But Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Jackie Trad said Cyclone Debbie wreaked havoc on the state, including its rail network.

"More than half of the costs of unplanned rail replacement buses were a direct result of Cyclone Debbie and I'm disappointed the LNP are trying to politicise this," she said.

Ms Trad said QR closed sections of the rail network to complete maintenance and upgrades to maintain safety and reliability.

"We organise replacement buses and taxi vouchers for SEQ commuters to minimise the disruptions and ensure Queenslanders travel safely," she said.

[ozbob]

Impacts are widespread ..

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

Queensland Parliament Hansard
https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_10_10_DAILY.pdf

Adjournment

Sunshine Coast, Public Transport

Mr McARDLE (Caloundra—LNP) (8.15 pm): I rise to address the House on a nonconforming
petition prepared by Lisa West and Rebecca Shepperson requesting a direct bus service from
Mooloolah township to Maleny State High School. The petition has been signed by 118 people, many
of whom currently have children attending Maleny State High School or will have additional children or
their first child so attending. People who will have children attending that school in 2022, 2024 and 2026
have signed the petition requesting this bus service.

The trip to Maleny State High School for students who live in Mooloolah is to firstly catch a train
from Mooloolah to Landsborough train station, wait up to 20 minutes at Landsborough then catch a bus
to Maleny State High School. The home trip is the reverse of that process. The document which I now
table raises three points within its text as to why this process is not acceptable.

Tabled paper: Nonconforming petition regarding a direct bus service from Mooloolah township to Maleny State High School.

Firstly, it raises the question of child safety. The document refers to children as young as 11
undertaking this trip, and the concern of parents is that their children are at risk from sexual predators
and bullying. Sadly, in today's society these risks are only too real and parents have every right to be
concerned. Secondly, the document states—

Trains do not always run to schedule. There has been incidents where the rail service has not run at all or when alternatives (Rail
Bus) are available is not guaranteed that this service will arrive before the school bus service leaves Landsborough.

Isn't that the truth—that under Labor trains either do not run at all or are late? According to Lisa
and Rebecca, this issue is impacting on their children and indeed the children of Mooloolah are at the
'mercy of the public rail system'.

Thirdly, parents are unable to obtain financial assistance for getting their children to and from
school, which the document states costs $1,216 per year per child. Along with surging power bills, this
is one more cost-of-living impost upon these families. Those who signed the petition only have their
children's best interests at heart. They are concerned that they get to their school by the quickest route
possible and safely.

Both Lisa and Rebecca are determined mothers who see a risk to their children and the children
of others in the Mooloolah area. They have taken the only step possible in gathering their community
to bring this matter to the attention of the House. They see this House as their last port of call. I
congratulate them on their action. In conclusion, I intend forwarding a copy of the petition to the Deputy
Premier in the hope of having their concerns addressed.

[Stillwater]

It is pathetic that we all are "AT THE MERCY OF THE PUBLIC RAIL SYSTEM."  We are 'at QR's mercy.  They suffer us as passengers on a mediocre service that is unreliable, especially for Sunshine Coast residents.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/918512947680309248

[ozbob]

A letter to the Ed Queensland Times 19th October 2017 page 13

Future looks bleak for failing rail system

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/920797913294315521

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/LNPQLD/status/921164746027565056

[BrizCommuter]

https://twitter.com/LNPQLD/status/921164746027565056

...and who froze driver recruitment LNP?

[#Metro]

Whether you agree or not, blaming the opposition for something that happened three years ago and was overseen by someone who has now left parliament isn't going to fly with the electorate.

It's like "someone who doesn't even work here anymore is responsible!"

What can anyone do about that?? 

Legally, the buck stops with the minister and the premier of the day.

[ozbob]

In the case of the NGR design failure.  Pretty easy to determine who was at fault.  This is way we want a Commission of Inquiry .. nothing but the truth!!

Meanwhile ..

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/921287529885614081

[Stillwater]

Minister says we may not know Commonwealth games timetable until March 2018.    

[ozbob]

Minister says we may not know Commonwealth games timetable until March 2018.    

To be fair, I think that is with respect to the numbers of the NGR trains that will be running.  As I now understand it the GC rail timetables are to be published in January 2018.

Consultation on the QR/DTMR application for exemption from the DDA for the non compliant NGRs might start next week.  That normally goes for around 4 weeks I am informed.  Then AHRC then has to consider the feedback etc.  I don't think any NGR trains will be running any time soon hey?  Even if an exemption is granted, it probably will not be until Jan/Feb 2018.

[ozbob]

Couriermail 21st October 2017 page 25

No train numbers for Games

[techblitz]

https://twitter.com/LNPQLD/status/921164746027565056

...and who froze driver recruitment LNP?

They are beyond giving a sh%t about some 'staff recruitment freeze' well over 12 months ago...
Labor have had 12 months to improve things and so far ditto.....
This is where we are 12 months on...

https://www.facebook.com/QueenslandRail/posts/1734825366535816

This morning it took 3 trains to get from Central Station to South Bank. Firstly, the Park Road train got to Roma Street and terminated due to "operational issues". Second, the Gold Coast train (express from Park Road), after we had all piled on, was to run express from Roma Street due to "late running". Luckily the third train managed to run to timetable!! In between all this, the Cannon Hill train was cancelled for no given reason!!
Come on guys. Let's get the existing network operating properly before building new tunnels under the Brisbane River!!

[ozbob]

^ there are just too many of these type of situations occurring these days TB.  Poor timetable frequency, unreliable train fleet, leads to the outcomes observed above.  I have grave doubts about CRR; if ALP  Government doesn't get returned after #qldvotes wave goodbye ...

Railfail is going to have a definite effect of the election outcome.  It is not good, far from it.  The latest boo boo with the NGR off the rails is not helping much either.  There really is a problem in Ms Trad's office in my opinion.  Their communication is pitiful.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_10_24_DAILY.pdf

Ministerial Statements

Queensland Rail

Hon. JA TRAD (South Brisbane—ALP) (Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport and Minister for
Infrastructure and Planning) (10.59 am): We are continuing to make progress on our plan to fix the
trains and provide excellent public transport services to Queenslanders. Queensland Rail has
implemented a number of initiatives to improve and fast-track training. Over the past 12 months, 38
additional drivers have commenced driving trains on our network. As at 13 October, 128 applicants had
been selected for trainee-driver positions, with 86 trainee drivers currently in training and all driver
training schools for 2017 filled. In August, Queensland Rail opened recruitment to external applicants.

This 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 service for Queenslanders. On-time
running returned to over 95 per cent for the September quarter and cancellations have significantly
decreased over the past year. As of 30 September, 13 of the 36 Strachan inquiry recommendations
have been completed and work is well underway on all of the remaining 23 recommendations.

Recently, we have seen improved forecasting and modelling tools enable Queensland Rail to
better identify and manage stress, providing customers with advanced notice of the timetable changes
required to deliver reliable services during stress periods. Queensland Rail is overhauling and
modernising its training programs to decrease training times while also ensuring trainees receive
world-class training both in the classroom and on the track.

Through commuter catch-ups, customers have the opportunity to provide feedback to
Queensland Rail. This important feedback is being used to grow and evolve initiatives to improve
customer experience right across the network. TransLink is currently upgrading the TransLink app on
the back of customer feedback to improve the customer experience.

It is this government, the Palaszczuk Labor government, that is getting on with the job of fixing
the trains. We are committed to delivering the high standard of public transport that Queenslanders
deserve.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Consultants paid $10m to fix QR's rail fail debacle

QUEENSLAND Rail spent $10.5 million on consultants to help fix its rail crisis last year because it did not have the required in-house expertise.

The massive spend – which dwarfs the 2015/16 spend by fourfold – brings the total cost of the train crisis to $51 million since mass cancellations brought the organisation into disrepute a year ago.

New figures show the organisation's 2016-17 consultancy bill was a whopping $8.5 million, compared to just $2.1 million the previous year.

About $8.1 million of that was spent implementing the Strachan review – deployed to review the underlying issues of the "rail fail" – which cost an additional $2.5 million.

The hefty bill adds to the $26 million spent on overtime payments to train crew over the past 12 months so QR could properly staff its services, and the $14.4 million cost of replacement buses and taxis during the height of cancelled services from October to January.

QR says external assistance was needed to help fix its deep-seated problems because it did not have the know-how within the organisation.

"As part of our commitment to fixing the trains and implementing all recommendations of the Strachan Commission of Inquiry report, Queensland Rail has engaged external consultants as necessary to assist with the delivery of a range of crucial business improvements which required additional expertise," chief executive Nick Easy said.

He said all work being done was to deliver a world-class service to southeast Queenslanders.

Opposition transport minister Andrew Powell said the cost of consultants was unacceptable.

"The cost of Labor's rail fail is rocketing towards $50 million when you add it all up, and that simply isn't good enough," he said.

[#Metro]

QR says external assistance was needed to help fix its deep-seated problems because it did not have the know-how within the organisation.

"As part of our commitment to fixing the trains and implementing all recommendations of the Strachan Commission of Inquiry report, Queensland Rail has engaged external consultants as necessary to assist with the delivery of a range of crucial business improvements which required additional expertise," chief executive Nick Easy said.

A private external organisation would likely have different international expertise and experience to draw on, particularly if they are a

large multinational corporation like MTR or SNCF.

Indeed, much of this money would have gone straight to Deutsche Bahn AG and the timetabling firms.

If you wanted to run QR more like Deutsche Bahn, couldn't you just get Deutsche Bahn?

The rest might be CRU (a guess).

CRU was supposed to fix things hey? Turns out they don't even generate much in the way of reports either.

[ozbob]

The organistation and delivery of public transport in Queensland is largely dysfunctional!

Some isolated pockets of resistance eg. Gold Coast Light Rail,  SEQ Fare structure, but overall very fuked up IMHO!

[Stillwater]

Citytrain Response Unit to the Rescue!!  Not.       

[#Metro]

Citytrain Response Unit to the Rescue!!

The CRU cannot do anything. They are not an executive organisation that has the power to hire and fire.

All the CRU can do is produce reports. So we can read about the things that we already know!

[ozbob]

 

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/923579516835864576

[SABB]

The sad thing is that QR's lack of technical skills is, by and large, self inflicted.  QR actually paid the staff who possessed its intellectual knowledge to leave. What caused it was/is their very generous Voluntary Early Retirement Scheme (VERS).  Staff with 30 years service can leave with nearly two years pay  under the QR VERS. These long serving staff would have held a significant portion of QR's technical and operational knowledge. Why didn't they pass it on ?  It didn't happen because of the way that the VERS works. If you told your boss that you planned to retire so that he could appoint an understudy, you immediately ruled yourself out from getting a VERS. A boss that has been told to reduce staff is NOT going to give a redundancy to someone who will retire soon. So no one admitted that they were going to retire. They just waited until a VERS was available and left as soon as the VERS was given.

[ozbob]

Some Letters to the Editor in today's Couriermail 28th October 2017 page 55

[HappyTrainGuy]

The sad thing is that QR's lack of technical skills is, by and large, self inflicted.  QR actually paid the staff who possessed its intellectual knowledge to leave. What caused it was/is their very generous Voluntary Early Retirement Scheme (VERS).  Staff with 30 years service can leave with nearly two years pay  under the QR VERS. These long serving staff would have held a significant portion of QR's technical and operational knowledge. Why didn't they pass it on ?  It didn't happen because of the way that the VERS works. If you told your boss that you planned to retire so that he could appoint an understudy, you immediately ruled yourself out from getting a VERS. A boss that has been told to reduce staff is NOT going to give a redundancy to someone who will retire soon. So no one admitted that they were going to retire. They just waited until a VERS was available and left as soon as the VERS was given.

It wasn't QR that offered it and employees weren't waiting for it. Round 1 was part of the split of the freight, network design and passenger side. Round 2 was part of the razor gang that came in the day after Newman changed the staff to public servants to make the business look as lean as possible for privatisation. On paper it made the business look great but it firmly on the back of the QR/Aurizon split set in motion the chain of events that we now have in the public eye and once again its those outside of QR playing games rather than addressing the issues at its core. It was also a way to cut front line staff without admitting it. The state wanted to cut about 550 full time jobs but instead ended up with close to 1500 staff in total leaving - either under the vers or by being made redundant. To be eligible you had to have served over 10 years and the payout was based on how long you had been there. Hence why you had staff with lots of years jumping onto it. You also had those staff who were in the firing line for getting made redundant also taking it up (if they were able to do so). Design and planning was moved away from QR to TMR so QR basically became a consulting position with little say. Hence why there have been a number of infrastructure and planning issues such as the Lawnton to Petrie project, NGR and the MBRL project to name a couple. The second issue was the Newman public service employment freeze. Now you had 1500 jobs that had to be filled by existing staff all while being unable to hire additional staff. The prime example of this is the driver training school. And the sad thing was this just wasn't at QR. There was a similar chain of events that went on at TMR and Translink. All of which has continued to be a pain in the ass of public transport in Brisbane and SEQ.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/926488686178451457

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Election 2017: LNP's plan to fix rail system

RAIL commuters will be warned of train delays faster and in "plain speak", more train drivers would be hired and unions cut out of hiring under a State Opposition plan to fix the "rail fail".

The Liberal National Party will tomorrow unveil its plan to repair the broken rail network just more than a year after a driver shortage forced the Government to axe hundreds of train services.

It will include a plan to "stand up" to the rail unions over closed-shop rules at Queensland Rail that have hampered attempts to immediately advertise train driver vacancies externally.

"We will ensure a full and permanent external recruitment process at Queensland Rail to fill Labor's driver shortfall," Mr Nicholls said.

"All Queenslanders should be able to apply to be a train driver, not just the ones picked by the unions," he said.

Mr Nicholls also pledged to hire more drivers and speed up training by fast-tracking a program in which drivers are trained on particular rail corridors to get them behind the controls sooner.

Communications about train delays will also be announced on rail platforms in plain and simple language "rather than using rail jargon or bureaucratic speak".

The change is aimed at giving passengers a chance to make alternative plans to avoid delays.

"A big bugbear of commuters is the poor communication from TransLink and QR any time there is an issue," Mr Nicholls said.

"Passengers want clear announcements, which tell them what the issue is and updates on it being resolved," he said

"They don't want to be treated like mugs, that's why we will overhaul QR's communications."

The Strachan Commission of Inquiry into QR this year recommended better communications to "restore public confidence", but passengers have continued to complain about a lack of timely information, including those trapped on a broken-down train for almost three hours in August.

The LNP will also appoint an independent verifier and mediator to get the troubled New Generation Rollingstock trains running for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April.

Major project delays have led to mounting doubts about whether the trains can be ready in time.

Executive bonuses at QR will also be frozen until the operator lifts its performance under an LNP government. It comes after public anger over rail chiefs pocketing thousands of dollars in bonuses at the height of the rail timetable collapse last year.

Annual reports show $280,000 of bonuses were paid out in the 2015/16 financial year.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

LNP's plan to fix the rail system?

Good Morning,

Interesting little yarn in today's Couriermail: Queensland Election 2017: LNP's plan to fix rail system

Hate to be negative but there is not much detail there of a real plan.  Hopefully there might be some more substance later today.

For the benefit of Mr Nicholls.  The fundamental issue with the Not Going Right (NGR) trains  at present is their non compliance with the DDA and DSAPT.  A fact that the former Newman LNP Government had a lot to do with.  They were also ordered configured for Driver Only Operation (DOO) by the LNP.  The SEQ rail network is not set up for DOO, it would require around $8 to10 billion just make all the stations fully compliant, and with full Automatic Train Protection on the network, to allow one person train crews.  Not thought out well by the previous LNP Government, or too well by Mr Nicholls et al I am afraid.

Until the Australian Human Rights Commission determines the outcome of the application for temporary exemption, the NGR trains will not be in revenue service.   This could be months yet.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[wbj]

Does "wishy washy" fit that "policy" announcement?  I suppose releasing something more substantive, like whether they will continue CRR or scrap it again, would be too much to ask.

[ozbob]

Does "wishy washy" fit that "policy" announcement?  I suppose releasing something more substantive, like whether they will continue CRR or scrap it again, would be too much to ask.

Yo.  I know Queensland Rail has been looking at fast tracking driver training by restricting corridors initially. Not sure what their final decision was.  Recruitment has now finally been opened up.

Communication.  Yes, good luck with that. 

It is clear what has to be done re NGRs.  The LNP should be supporting a Commission of Inquiry.

Yep, " wishy washy " indeed.

[ozbob]

Update:

Couriermail --> Queensland Election 2017: LNP plans to stand up to rail unions in promise to fix state's rail fail

QUEENSLAND'S Labor Government has hit out at the Opposition's election plans to fix Queensland Rail, accusing it of copying its own action plan.

The Courier-Mail today revealed the Liberal National Party would make fixing the ongoing rail problems a priority if elected, pushing back against union-backed internal hiring rules for train drivers and guards, overhauling communications and speeding-up training.

However Transport Minister Jackie Trad issued a statement today attacking the policy announcement, saying the Government had already made strong progress implementing the recommendations of this year's independent Strachan Inquiry into Queensland Rail's timetable collapse.

"On-time running is up above 95 per cent, satisfaction is up and cancellations are down," Ms Trad said.

"The Palaszczuk Labor Government has already opened full external recruitment, improved communications and fast-tracked training.

"The LNP are really grasping at straws today. Their plan is a poor attempt at mimicking the work we have undertaken to date."

She also hit out at the LNP's record on managing QR, saying it had suspended driver recruitment and sacked driver trainers.

"They also bought half-price trains from India which did not even meet disability standards - we are also fixing that and the work will be done in Queensland."

Labor earlier this week accused the LNP of copying its plan to build more dams in the state's north. ...

[ozbob]

This has been quietly snuck out ...

CRU --> Transformation progress report – September Quarter 2017 (PDF, 676 KB)

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/932467730518745088

[ozbob]

Back to October 2016 ...

31/10/2016 Robert Dow from Rail Back On Track speaks about the train driver shortfall, the new NGR trains with no guard compartments and the need for a dedicated public transport minister.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail fail: Passenger survey shows dissatisfaction has almost quadrupled


Administrator of Train Back On Track Robert Dow outside the Fortitude Valley Train Station. Picture: AAP/Josh Woning

PASSENGER dissatisfaction with Queensland Rail has almost quadrupled in three years.

An annual survey by a commuters' group reveals the proportion of passengers rating southeast Queensland's train services as poor or very poor has soared from 12.5 per cent in 2014 to 48 per cent.

Rail Back On Track spokesman Robert Dow said it reflected the impact of the QR "Rail Fail" and ongoing public frustration at delays in fixing the system.

"This is really quite diabolical,'' he said.

The rail result contrasts markedly with those for other modes. The overall rating for buses has improved, less than 10 per cent of travellers think ferries are poor or very poor and light rail is virtually unchanged over the three years, at less than 10 per cent dissatisfaction.

"Rail is the only one that has nosedived," Mr Dow said. "It's really quite striking the way it has fallen off.

"I expected some effects from 'Rail Fail' but this is a lot worse than I had expected.''

The opening of the long-awaited Redcliffe Peninsula Line in October 2016 exposed a shortage of drivers that led to mass cancellations across the network and ongoing disruption and reduced timetables.

The Rail Back On Track survey of regular travellers found more than half rate the frequency and reliability of train services as inadequate.

"They (Queensland Rail) have been spinning that rail is going OK now. You don't get these kinds of results from a service that is going OK," Mr Dow said.

"This is hard evidence as to the impact on the travelling public. And still we are looking at more service reductions over the Christmas/School Holidays with no doubt a very compromised overall rail service leading up to, during and after the Commonwealth Games."

Transport Minister Jackie Trad said commuter data collected by TransLink showed satisfaction with public transport at its highest levels since 2012. "And we have on time running back above 95 per cent.

"We have been working hard to fix the trains after the deep cuts to driver training the LNP Newman-Nicholls government undertook."

"Rail Fail'' led to the resignations of QR CEO Helen Gluer and chairman Ian Klug. Transport Previous transport minister Stirling Hinchliffe stepped down following the release of the Strachan inquiry report into the debacle in February.

The latest report from the Citytrain Response Unit, set up by the Palaszczuk Government to monitor progress on QR's response to the Strachan recommendations, said "stress periods'' during the winter and September school holidays and the Ekka had been "successfully managed''.

It also noted that 128 of the 200 extra drivers needed had been selected and 36 trained since October last year. The target for full recruitment is next year.

The Strachan report said 200 more guards were also needed, but 263 have been selected and 105 trained so far.

QR chief executive Nick Easy said "significant progress'' had been made recruiting and training more drivers and guards internally and among former staff and the current external recruitment campaign was the next step in meeting the target and "ensuring a pipeline of talent for the future given some guards are expected to progress to trainee driver positions".

Meanwhile, Mr Dow branded the LNP's decision to delay the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project as "disastrous''.

He said it would result in "terminal gridlock and chronic transport failure for SEQ''.

"Cross River Rail is essential for capacity and frequency increases on the entire network and will enable the planned rail expansions to places such as Flagstone, Ripley, Caloundra and Coolangatta."

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Curtis Pitt pressured minister over pay deal after rail fail

TREASURER Curtis Pitt intervened to push through a controversial Queensland Rail pay deal to appease the state's powerful rail union, secret Government communications reveal.

The documents show for the first time the behind-the-scenes involvement by Mr Pitt in negotiations with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union over a new enterprise agreement for train drivers and guards during the ongoing "Rail Fail."

The communications – finally released after a seven-month Right to information battle by The Courier-Mail – show Mr Pitt's office in early December put pressure on then-Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe to sign a draft ministerial direction ordering Queensland Rail to sign-off on a new 12 per cent pay deal over four years despite concerns it was exorbitant.

The deal would also allow new meals and personal breaks, which was warned could worsen the timetable problems.

The draft ministerial direction was emailed to Mr Hinchliffe the same day the RTBU notified QR of intended strike action.

Mr Hinchliffe's office recommended waiting for an alternative option from QR's board.

But Mr Pitt's office responded that the alternative was "unlikely to be satisfactory to the unions" and recommended urgently pushing ahead.

Mr Pitt and Mr Hinchliffe days later seemingly abandoned the formal ministerial direction but chose instead to write to QR telling it to approve the deal, subject to the introduction of a new meals and "personal needs break" being delayed three months. The deal was then approved.

Mr Pitt failed to mention the letter to QR when questioned in Parliament in February. He dismissed making a formal or informal direction at the time, but said he had "put very clearly our views" to the QR board.

Mr Pitt also told Parliament that suggestions the board was bypassed were "not correct."

However, the documents contradict this, confirming the train crew enterprise agreement was done outside of the "normal approval process".

It meant QR's Board was essentially cut out of early negotiations when an in-principle agreement was struck with the unions in October.

[ozbob]

Letter to Editor Queensland Times 2nd December 2017 page 21

Transport network is now a shambles

THERE is more confirmation of the utter shambles the transport network is becoming in southeast Queensland.

Uber data has revealed Brisbane's traffic problems are as bad as Sydney's.

Fortunately it appears Cross River Rail will continue. It is fundamental public transport be improved to help with transport options for citizens. We need roads of course, but we need to sort out our rail and bus networks particularly.

It is now 427 days since the first wave of cancellations associated with rail fail (September 30, 2016).

Seriously, how much longer can this circus continue?

Aggressive attempts must be made now to get rail services back to an acceptable frequency.

The present reduced service timetables are forcing more and more onto the already overloaded and congested roads.

No doubt there will be more hard service reductions over the summer holiday period and this will compound the perception of a failed network.

The Commonwealth Games public transport for the overall network looks rather shambolic, sadly.

The New Generation Rollingstock trains are still not in passenger revenue service after 650 days since the first unit was towed out to the Wulkuraka Maintenance Centre.

Robert Dow
RAIL Back On Track

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Rail fail: QR attempts to keep union pay rise emails secret

QUEENSLAND Rail is fighting to keep secret a series of Palaszczuk Government communications about a contentious pay rise deal with the state's powerful rail union.

The Courier-Mail has spent nine months fighting to overturn a decision by the Government to hide ministerial emails showing its dealings with the Rail Tram and Bus Union during Queensland's "Rail Fail" in which a serious driver shortage caused a rail timetable meltdown.

Former Treasurer Curtis Pitt's office objected to the release of the documents under the Right to Information Act last year, arguing to keep them off-limits due to Cabinet confidentiality.

But the Government was forced to back down and hand over about half the emails last month after a review by the Office of the Information Commissioner found they were not Cabinet material and should be made public.

The partially released emails, revealed by The Courier-Mail last month, show Mr Pitt intervened to pressure then Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe to appease the RTBU during negotiations at the height of rail crisis.

Mr Pitt's office pressed for Mr Hinchliffe to direct QR to sign-off on a 12 per cent pay rise for train drivers over four years despite QR's board raising concerns it was exorbitant.

Mr Pitt and Mr Hinchliffe ultimately opted to write to QR telling it to approve the union deal.

Documents show there were concerns at the time of the negotiations a planned union rail strike could exacerbate the crisis.

But QR is now battling to block access to the remaining Government documents.

It has made submissions to the OIC raising "strong objections" to their release on the grounds it would either be a "breach of confidence" or "contrary to the public interest."

State Opposition leader Deb Frecklington yesterday accused Labor of a "cover-up" and called for the full release of the documents.

"We are in the middle of the state's biggest rail fail and Queenslanders definitely have a right to know what involvement Labor Ministers had with the unions to cause this," she said.

A Palaszczuk Government spokesman yesterday denied a cover-up, but said the release of the remaining documents was "a matter for Queensland Rail."

"The Government has restored transparency and integrity to the administration of Government in Queensland," he said.