Easter 2017

[achiruel]

I think you are a bit harsh.  Newcastle has similar frequencies.

Newcastle doesn't even have rail services to the CBD anymore, so not really a fair comparison!

[STB]

http://www.abc.net.au/radio/brisbane/programs/mornings/mornings/8407228

36 min 55 seconds

Thanks Matt L. (TransLink) for calling the real reason why they moved from clock face.  It is so passengers to and from BNE have better connection options.

WTAF !

The normal train timetable UP airtrain misses UP Ippy by 2 minutes.  Why this the sudden onset of concern for ensuring connections with Airtrain?

The whole network is pushed over for a few passengers on Airtrain ...  I am really struggling now to comprehend all of this.

I am going to pretend I am in Melbourne on an all stops to Frankston now ...

I call BS at Matt Longland (and I do know Matt, he was working at the time I was working at TL where he was the Sunshine Coast Planner - Senior Network Planner when he joined TransLink in 2006).

A quick rundown from what I've seen so far has the Caboolture and Kippa Ring (I refuse to call it Redcliffe Peninsula) lines causing a 30-31min wait for the next Airport line at Eagle Junction (the natural transfer station for those lines to the Airport), in both directions!

Also the Shorncliffe line only has a 4min transfer window at Eagle Junction on the inbound (from Shorncliffe to Airport).

I'm continuing to work through this so it will be interesting to see the results.

I also think it's an absolute copout to say it's to connect with the Airport line, if the Airport Line is operating every 30mins, having hourly services on the other lines can still work if it sticks to the normal departure times without compromising the bus connections (for the most part - I need to look at it in more detail), and what makes the Airport line more special than say Stradbroke Island, ferry connections, hospitals (eg: route 272) etc.  Not having detailed patronage figures in that radio interview certainly didn't help his case either.

[Stillwater]

The bunker mentality ... is it afflicting QR, TransLink and TMR?

https://mmadan.wordpress.com/2006/04/10/silos-why-the-bunker-mentality-is-a-corporate-liability

[ozbob]

^^ Thanks STB.  As I noted above I was really struggling to comprehend it all.  Looks like we are being served bullsh%t on multiple levels.

It is  so hard to trust them now, and with good reason. 

Once you have finished your analysis we will parcel it all up.  I am sure a certain radio journalist would be very interested.

Onwards to oblivion!

[ozbob]

I have made a permanent recording of the relevant interviews yesterday with Steve Austin on ABC Radio Brisbane.

First myself on the School holiday/Easter Timetable and NGR, and then Matt Longland DDGTransLink on the timetable.

7th April 2017

MP3 file 25 MB > http://backontrack.org/docs/media/abcbris7apr17.mp3

[ozbob]

There was really no need to move from clock-face in reality.  I think they realise they have really botched it and they are now attempting to feebly justify their botch!  It is appalling the treatment that has been dished out to the travelling public of SEQ with this abomination of a timetable.  I am glad I stood up for the public!

I did warn you @jackietrad
Public has been treated with contempt by incompetent clowns ..
> https://t.co/kCVtII5EaW#qldpol #railfail2 pic.twitter.com/l8nQF4p1Mx

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 7, 2017

[brissypete]

Apparently the crap timetable is only a minor issue according to Translink.

[petey3801]

A quick note, the very tight (ie: 0min) connections have actually been made aware to traincrew and controllers so they can ensure the connections.
Also, with regards to the different timings of trains, no idea about the rest of the network but for sector 1 at least, everything is all stations (CAB/KPR at least), which will alter timings anyway (but still keeps 30min frequency PET-City). Also, they would have needed to change timings on both sides (Ippy, Springfield, Kippa amd Cab) to make sure the trains were an even 30mins apart between Darra and Petrie instead of a 15/45min cycle.
Doesn't make it any easier to swallow, but may provide an explanation for S1 at least.

[ozbob]

Thanks. 

Yes, it is all a bit frustrating.  We finally seem to getting to the bottom of the timing changes.  I really think had they put out a detailed rationale when they released the news last week, it would have lot easier for all to handle for all. 

Much more care and attention is needed for the bus/rail connections, they have really only considered train/train and just dismissed the rest in the main.

In fact I thought it very ironic that Matt L. DDGTransLink in the interview was highlighting the fact that TransLink is an ' integrated network ' and then acknowledging that they had broken the integration .. 

[ozbob]

My wife is heading into town on the 11.41am ex Goodna this morning.  Nine news want to do an interview there as well, re NGR.

Be interesting to see pax numbers.

[achiruel]

Also, with regards to the different timings of trains, no idea about the rest of the network but for sector 1 at least, everything is all stations (CAB/KPR at least).

Most NBR trains are still part express, but stopping at inner north stations (Albion/Wooloowin/Toombul/Nundah). Of course a lot of NCL services are CAB-NBR shuttles anyway. Interestingly, Gympie North seems to get an extra train each way on Saturday. Not sure what the reason behind this is.

[brissypete]

Just attempted to travel Fairfield to Corinda but kicked off at Yeerongpilly asked guard and she said train runs empty to Corinda!  Its announced as a Corinda train and journey planner lists it.  QR frustrates me even more.

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

[ozbob]

Just attempted to travel Fairfield to Corinda but kicked off at Yeerongpilly asked guard and she said train runs empty to Corinda!  Its announced as a Corinda train and journey planner lists it.  QR frustrates me even more.

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

Can only ask ?

Why are pax told to detrain at Yeerongpilly on Corinda via Yeerongpilly services
See> https://t.co/Np9ZfhL09U@TransLinkSEQ @QueenslandRail

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 8, 2017

[brissypete]

Just asked myself on translink facebook, shall see if any response.  Yeah im only doing it for the novelty but genuine pax would be pretty irritated.

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

[tazzer9]

A guard said to detrain at yeerongpilly for me, but the station staff over rode and said it would run to corinda only.   Tennyson must still be considered an active station as PID's say express yeerongpilly to corinda AND the the button voice things at corinda say all stations to doomben except tennyson.

[tazzer9]

The train arriving at corinda now from tennyson is displaying special.   The one I arrived on said corinda. ( said corinda from doomben and the driver even attempted to get via sth brisbane on)

[brissypete]

A guard said to detrain at yeerongpilly for me, but the station staff over rode and said it would run to corinda only.   Tennyson must still be considered an active station as PID's say express yeerongpilly to corinda AND the the button voice things at corinda say all stations to doomben except tennyson.

Which service was that on?  I tried the one that left Yeerongpilly at 10am

[tazzer9]

It would have been that one.  I stayed on and had no problems.  Although, i was the only one who remained on.   I heard the station guy on the microphone saying it would stop at corinda only.    On another note, they really should have left the connection to platform 2 at yeerongpilly.    And the westlander had around 6 people on it.

[STB]

Okay, had a look at the other lines this morning for connections between the Airport line and the other lines to see what the heck Matt Longland was talking about, and I still call BS at his line of wanting to connect with the Airport trains.

Things I found was that the Kippa Ring and Caboolture trains arrive at the same time as the Airport train is departing from Eagle Junction (in both directions).  Secondly, the Doomben line has a 24min and 21min connection (depending if you are heading to the Airport from Doomben or heading to Doomben from the Airport) at Eagle Junction.  Finally the trains from Shorncliffe only allow a 4min connection at EJ for the Airport lines.

Basically, the trains aren't lined up to the Airport line as Matt first said in that radio interview.

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

Cleveland Line to Airport Line (Transfer at Central station)				Transfer time
Arrives from Cleveland:	:30	Train departs from Central to Airport:	:37	7mins
Arrives from Airport:	:48	Train departs to Cleveland ex Central	:00	12mins
Ipswich Line to Airport Line (Transfer at Central)
Arrives from Ipswich:	:19	Train departs from Central to Airport:	:37	18mins
Arrives from Airport:	:48	Train departs to Ipswich ex Central	:03	15mins
Springfield Line to Airport Line (Transfer at Central)
Arrives from Springfield:	:49	Train departs from Central to Airport:	:03	14mins
Arrives from Airport:	:18	Train departs to Springfield ex Central:	:33	15mins
Caboolture Line to Airport Line (Transfer at Eagle Junction)
Arrives from Caboolture:	:49	Train departs from EJ to Airport:	:49/:20	31mins
Arrives from Airport:	:06/:36	Train departs from EJ to Caboolture:	:36	30mins
Kippa Ring Line to Airport Line (Transfer at Eagle Junction)
Arrives from Kippa Ring:	:19	Train departs from EJ to Airport:	:49/:20	30mins
Arrives from Airport:	:06/:36	Train departs from EJ to Kippa Ring:	:06	30mins
Shorncliffe Line to Airport Line (Transfer at Eagle Junction)
Arrives from Shorncliffe:	:45	Train departs from EJ to Airport:	:49	4mins
Arrives from Airport:	:36	Train departs from EJ to Shorncliffe:	:44	8mins
Doomben Line to Airport Line (Transfer at Eagle Junction)
Arrives from Doomben:	:25	Train departs from EJ to Airport:	:49	24mins
Arrives from Airport:	:06	Train departs from EJ to Doomben:	:27	21mins
Transfer times highlighted when transfer time is less than 5mins and greater than 20mins.
Beenleigh line excluded.
Ferny Grove line excluded due to track closure and rail replacement bus in use, timetable not reliable.
Sunshine Coast line excluded due to variation in Nambour to City trains – most trains are shuttles to connect with trains ex Caboolture.

[achiruel]

Hmmm, was just about to go see if I could get one a Corinda train at Yeerongpilly. Might be wasting my time. Perhaps I'll go to the Gold Coast tonight and see if I can get on the Varsity Lakes to Nerang express instead.

[tazzer9]

Hmmm, was just about to go see if I could get one a Corinda train at Yeerongpilly. Might be wasting my time. Perhaps I'll go to the Gold Coast tonight and see if I can get on the Varsity Lakes to Nerang express instead.

Just get on.  The station guy at yeerongpilly is okay with it.   It is revenue service and is advertised as such.  It is such a quick service between the city and corinda via yerrongpilly.  Feels faster than the ipswich expresses.

Only thing is at corinda, they don't really advertise that the service is via south brisbane.   So if you needed to get off between milton and grcaeville, you are stuffed.  All stations except tennyson doesn't mean much to non rail fans

[achiruel]

Okay, had a look at the other lines this morning for connections between the Airport line and the other lines to see what the heck Matt Longland was talking about, and I still call BS at his line of wanting to connect with the Airport trains.

Things I found was that the Kippa Ring and Caboolture trains arrive at the same time as the Airport train is departing from Eagle Junction (in both directions).  Secondly, the Doomben line has a 24min and 21min connection (depending if you are heading to the Airport from Doomben or heading to Doomben from the Airport) at Eagle Junction.  Finally the trains from Shorncliffe only allow a 4min connection at EJ for the Airport lines.

Basically, the trains aren't lined up to the Airport line as Matt first said in that radio interview.

There's actually a note in the Caboolture line PDF asking passengers to notify the station attendant or train guard if they need to connect to the Airport line.

[tazzer9]

Why would they need to tell the driver or guard if they need to connect.  Do they need to be reminded of how to do their job.

[achiruel]

Why would they need to tell the driver or guard if they need to connect.  Do they need to be reminded of how to do their job.

I imagine because of the 0 minute connection at EJ, perhaps they radio to the Airtrain crew and ask them to hold for a minute.

Incidentally, I'm now at Yeerongpilly station and the station staff actually announced that the Corinda service is running today. Perhaps it's to help Ipswich or Springfield pax to avoid having to go via Roma St to get to the tennis?

[ozbob]

Passengers wait patiently at Goodna for the next service. Regular announcements re changed times. pic.twitter.com/ocC2tmJYbY

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 8, 2017

[ozbob]

Okay, had a look at the other lines this morning for connections between the Airport line and the other lines to see what the heck Matt Longland was talking about, and I still call BS at his line of wanting to connect with the Airport trains.

Things I found was that the Kippa Ring and Caboolture trains arrive at the same time as the Airport train is departing from Eagle Junction (in both directions).  Secondly, the Doomben line has a 24min and 21min connection (depending if you are heading to the Airport from Doomben or heading to Doomben from the Airport) at Eagle Junction.  Finally the trains from Shorncliffe only allow a 4min connection at EJ for the Airport lines.

Basically, the trains aren't lined up to the Airport line as Matt first said in that radio interview.

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

Cleveland Line to Airport Line (Transfer at Central station)				Transfer time
Arrives from Cleveland:	:30	Train departs from Central to Airport:	:37	7mins
Arrives from Airport:	:48	Train departs to Cleveland ex Central	:00	12mins
Ipswich Line to Airport Line (Transfer at Central)
Arrives from Ipswich:	:19	Train departs from Central to Airport:	:37	18mins
Arrives from Airport:	:48	Train departs to Ipswich ex Central	:03	15mins
Springfield Line to Airport Line (Transfer at Central)
Arrives from Springfield:	:49	Train departs from Central to Airport:	:03	14mins
Arrives from Airport:	:18	Train departs to Springfield ex Central:	:33	15mins
Caboolture Line to Airport Line (Transfer at Eagle Junction)
Arrives from Caboolture:	:49	Train departs from EJ to Airport:	:49/:20	31mins
Arrives from Airport:	:06/:36	Train departs from EJ to Caboolture:	:36	30mins
Kippa Ring Line to Airport Line (Transfer at Eagle Junction)
Arrives from Kippa Ring:	:19	Train departs from EJ to Airport:	:49/:20	30mins
Arrives from Airport:	:06/:36	Train departs from EJ to Kippa Ring:	:06	30mins
Shorncliffe Line to Airport Line (Transfer at Eagle Junction)
Arrives from Shorncliffe:	:45	Train departs from EJ to Airport:	:49	4mins
Arrives from Airport:	:36	Train departs from EJ to Shorncliffe:	:44	8mins
Doomben Line to Airport Line (Transfer at Eagle Junction)
Arrives from Doomben:	:25	Train departs from EJ to Airport:	:49	24mins
Arrives from Airport:	:06	Train departs from EJ to Doomben:	:27	21mins
Transfer times highlighted when transfer time is less than 5mins and greater than 20mins.
Beenleigh line excluded.
Ferny Grove line excluded due to track closure and rail replacement bus in use, timetable not reliable.
Sunshine Coast line excluded due to variation in Nambour to City trains – most trains are shuttles to connect with trains ex Caboolture.

Thanks STB.  Nice work!

Doesn't really ' fly ' the Airtrain explanation for going off clock-face hey?

Pigs do .. < there are two, proof!

[ozbob]

Hmmm, was just about to go see if I could get one a Corinda train at Yeerongpilly. Might be wasting my time. Perhaps I'll go to the Gold Coast tonight and see if I can get on the Varsity Lakes to Nerang express instead.

Just get on.  The station guy at yeerongpilly is okay with it.   It is revenue service and is advertised as such.  It is such a quick service between the city and corinda via yerrongpilly.  Feels faster than the ipswich expresses.

Only thing is at corinda, they don't really advertise that the service is via south brisbane.   So if you needed to get off between milton and grcaeville, you are stuffed.  All stations except tennyson doesn't mean much to non rail fans

I used to enjoy the morning peak service that used to start at Corinda via Yeerongpilly for town.

My favourite was the rail motor.  It was replaced by ICE for a while too.

[tazzer9]

Why would they need to tell the driver or guard if they need to connect.  Do they need to be reminded of how to do their job.

I imagine because of the 0 minute connection at EJ, perhaps they radio to the Airtrain crew and ask them to hold for a minute.

Incidentally, I'm now at Yeerongpilly station and the station staff actually announced that the Corinda service is running today. Perhaps it's to help Ipswich or Springfield pax to avoid having to go via Roma St to get to the tennis?

The tennis is the reason. But it makes the point of why haven't they done this for other major tennis tornaments?   
On a sad note, Everything at tennyson is now gone.   Surprising they kept everything for so long, and even did upgrades on it.   

[achiruel]

Another odd thing; every service while I was at Yeerongpilly used platform 1. Even a freight that was headed via Tennyson went past platform 1.

[tazzer9]

Most outbound freights use platform 1 as to avoid congestion on the dual gauge line.   Thats fairly normal, many times I have seen empty coal trains idling next to platform 1 waiting for their signal. But a few years ago they removed a set of points allowing trains from tennyson to use platform 2 at yeerongpilly. 

[Stillwater]

From the QR website:

"Queensland Rail is passionate about community involvement and is a railway industry leader for practical, innovative ways of working with communities. We aim to be Australia's best performing railway."

[dancingmongoose]

Why would they need to tell the driver or guard if they need to connect.  Do they need to be reminded of how to do their job.

I imagine because of the 0 minute connection at EJ, perhaps they radio to the Airtrain crew and ask them to hold for a minute.

Incidentally, I'm now at Yeerongpilly station and the station staff actually announced that the Corinda service is running today. Perhaps it's to help Ipswich or Springfield pax to avoid having to go via Roma St to get to the tennis?

The tennis is the reason. But it makes the point of why haven't they done this for other major tennis tornaments?   
On a sad note, Everything at tennyson is now gone.   Surprising they kept everything for so long, and even did upgrades on it.

They usually just run shuttle buses Corinda - tennis centre - Yeerongpilly. I expect that they're only running trains to make up for the shite frequency

[ozbob]

Despite the best efforts of Queensland Rail staff at stations, control and crew, the reduced services have not gone down well. 

We did expect it wouldn't. I pointed out to Queensland Rail yesterday that a problem with this was going to be the simple fact that there are a lot of folk that only travel on the weekend.  They will not necessarily be aware of the service reductions.

Not happy at Queensland Rail facebook are the punters ..

https://www.facebook.com/QueenslandRail/posts_to_page?ref=page_internal

eg.

It's taken me 3 hours to get from Bethania to Nundah due time timetable changes.
I've just lost a $100 job now as I have missed my appointment. I only allowed 1.5 hours to travel this short distance.
I feel like moving away to a real city with modern services.
Brisbane is a second rate city with third rate transportation.
The slowest, over priced trains I have seen anywhere.
What a rip off!

Queensland Rail has a new CEO as of 03/04/2017 and the first cutbacks happened this weekend 8th & 9th April 2017. Wrong cutbacks as five days into the 100-day plan to improve customer confidence in Queensland Rail and the first cutback has been to reduced more passenger services. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk the first cutback should of been the Queensland Rail Senior Management Team with a second cutback to the next level of Queensland Rail management. Seems "bad culture" sill runs Queensland Rail. So again the rail travelling public have missed the train again. Annastacia please call the next state election as Queensland has now had three bad Premiers in a row and sadly two of these Premiers have been from the Labor party.

[BrizCommuter]

From the QR website:

"Queensland Rail is passionate about community involvement and is a railway industry leader for practical, innovative ways of working with communities. We aim to be Australia's best performing railway."

April Fools Day was 8 days ago.

[ozbob]

When the Mrs returns from the City today, after working at QUT.  She will either catch the Ippy to Goodna, or rather than wait > 30 minutes I advised her to catch the Springfield train and I will travel by horseless carriage to Richlands and pick her up there.

Not everyone can do this of course.

[#Metro]

Despite the best efforts of Queensland Rail staff at stations, control and crew, the reduced services have not gone down well. 

We did expect it wouldn't. I pointed out to Queensland Rail yesterday that a problem with this was going to be the simple fact that there are a lot of folk that only travel on the weekend.  They will not necessarily be aware of the service reductions.

Not happy at Queensland Rail facebook are the punters ..

https://www.facebook.com/QueenslandRail/posts_to_page?ref=page_internal

Time to get a new operator!

For those who do not believe, we will have a LIVE re-run of this fiasco next weekend. 

#QR4EVA

PS: Is it possible to get a boot icon for the forum? Would be very useful to have in discussions about booting operators, politicians and various senior management.

[ozbob]

There are plenty of boot gifs and what not.  Just search for them ..

[ozbob]

The PTA WA has it right.  Not competing with the world, just matter of fact service delivery ..

" The PTA is committed to providing a quality passenger transport service to the public. "

http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/our-system/customer-service

[ The more I look at the overall structure etc. of the PTA, it is clear they are so far in front of TransLink et al. it is both disturbing and embarrassing. ]

[ozbob]

Oh dear ... oh dear ...

My wife, daughter and son in law all travelled on the last Up Ippy/Rosewood service. It was 15 minutes late.

There has been no official announcement of that fact on service updates etc. 

It does appear that they are not reporting late running now today ( cancellations too? ).

Unforgivable ... how sad they are now burying failure .. very difficult to have much respect now sadly.

https://www.facebook.com/TransLinkQLD/posts_to_page?ref=page_internal

Rosewood train 15 minutes late?!
You have less services and you still can't run on time.
Great, thanks 👍 Incompetence.

[#Metro]

Oh dear ... oh dear ...

My wife, daughter and son in law all travelled on the last Up Ippy/Rosewood service. It was 15 minutes late.

There has been no official announcement of that fact on service updates etc. 

It does appear that they are not reporting late running today ( cancellations too? ).

Ask for a refund. It is like a bad restaurant that wrecks your order and still charges you for it.

They should not be charging fares for this level of service. There is still time to cancel next weekend's fares.