Easter 2017

[techblitz]

A public statement and introduction from the new CEO would be a start......they haven't even updated the website to show that he is CEO....do they outsource this as well? 1 web designer thrown 50 bux & called in when needed?
Myself and many other paying passengers minds would be put to ease if the new CEO came out in the next week or so & outlined his 6+ month action plan to all paying passengers.....as Stillwater suggests...some local meetings and/or on-hand staff @ stations to communicate his plans would be appropriate....but judging by their dirty trains and outdated ELT page.....they probably cant even afford the staff....

[dancingmongoose]

I'll be adding any more social media comments from today into the aforementioned blog post, so that there is a permanent record of the backlash.

Very concerned that this isn't the last time we'll see hourly weekend services.

I can also recommend saving angry comments to archive.org for a permanent record.

[BrizCommuter]

Trains running 15 mins late on Ipswich and Springfield Lines a few hours ago. 

(TransLink service advisory has since been removed).

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

10 April 2017

Moving on with improvement Queensland Rail / TransLink

Good Morning,

The first weekend of reduced rail services over.  How terribly sad to see the once great Queensland Rail reduced to a level of service delivery failure that one would have only dreamed of in nightmares.

It is our view that such a reduced service timetable must never be inflicted on the travelling public again.

It is time the planners at Queensland Rail and TransLink looked at options for maintaining acceptable service levels  by changing the overall operational patterns.

Time to consider this. Two options:

1. Modify the weekend operating pattern so that branch lines have shuttles and all stoppers Caboolture<>Ipswich, Ferny Grove<>Beenleigh ( 2tph). Shuttles on the rest (2tph).  There will be transfers but everywhere would get 30 minute, run express services Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast every hour.

or

2. Have rolling closures of the network eg one weekend take out Ipswich/Rosewood/Springfield.  Do concentrated track work.

Next weekend close say Northgate <> Gympie North, Shorncliffe.   and so forth.

It is very embarrassing that the Ferny Grove line this past weekend (track closure) had a better service than the open rail lines in the main ..  :conf

Under option 1 (preferred) bus/rail connections are a lot less problematical, and key bus timings could be adjusted if this was permanent, say until 2018.

The impact of the School holiday/Easter timetable in breaking the bus/rail connections was not properly considered in our opinion.

For example some feedback from TransLink Facebook:

" I was shocked when I found this out today. The funny thing is the 500 bus leave 4 mins before the train is due so you have to wait another hour for a bus home. If the trains changes should the buses not change to meet the trains. Why does this not happen."

Breaking the bus/rail connections really does hurt folk.  It has been not been given enough consideration by Queensland Rail and TransLink.  There are only two ways to mitigate it.  Increase train frequency or get back to clock face.

I will be in Melbourne for Easter.  Trains will be running every 10 minutes on the lines I travel on there in the main.  What a contrast to the mess in SEQ hey?

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ Attached: QR's Easter Rail Fail - The Backlash Begins > http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2017/04/qrs-easter-rail-fail-backlash-begins.html ]

[ozbob]

Trains running 15 mins late on Ipswich and Springfield Lines a few hours ago. 

(TransLink service advisory has since been removed).

Yo, I picked that up. See > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1862.msg190837#msg190837

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/123901

Delays 15 mins: Ipswich and Springfield line

Ipswich & Springfield line trains are delayed up to 15 minutes both directions between Sherwood and Corinda stations due to a level crossing incident Sherwood.

Technicians are on site

There was a LX incident at Sherwood.  The TransLink service advisory lists/notices are not permanent they drop off after a period, that is why I do my best to capture them in real time.  They really do not want the bad news around for long.

[ozbob]

Latest media: &#39; Moving on with improvement @QueenslandRail / @TransLinkSEQ
> https://t.co/4IiCe3VqtM#qldpol@jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP pic.twitter.com/IKii4lRgAH

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 9, 2017

[ozbob]

A public statement and introduction from the new CEO would be a start......they haven't even updated the website to show that he is CEO....do they outsource this as well? 1 web designer thrown 50 bux & called in when needed?
Myself and many other paying passengers minds would be put to ease if the new CEO came out in the next week or so & outlined his 6+ month action plan to all paying passengers.....as Stillwater suggests...some local meetings and/or on-hand staff @ stations to communicate his plans would be appropriate....but judging by their dirty trains and outdated ELT page.....they probably cant even afford the staff....

I understand the CEO QR intends to get out on trains in the near future to talk to passengers.

That can only help.   

[BrizCommuter]

Hey, QR, I see you have deleted all of your negative Facebook comments related to Easter Rail Fail for a second time. If you need a reminder, they are all here:
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2017/04/qrs-easter-rail-fail-backlash-begins.html

[ozbob]

Over the Easter long weekend, services will run to different timetables, check https://t.co/mqAiJdEXFL for more details. pic.twitter.com/m3duy0pBbD

— Metro Trains (@metrotrains) April 9, 2017

^

. @jackietrad @QueenslandRail this is what service looks like ...#qldpol https://t.co/uR2nN9naO2

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 9, 2017

#FleeQLD

[ozbob]

All FB posts deleted by @QueenslandRail are available here
> https://t.co/o6KP2WP6Ci#qldpol#youarewelcome@jackietrad pic.twitter.com/JP4KDxHCQi

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 9, 2017

[ozbob]

[Mr X]

Is deleting those QR facebook posts illegal?

[tazzer9]

Is deleting those QR facebook posts illegal?

Just frowned upon, like ... on an airplane.

[ozbob]

For those who may not have noticed, the Easter PDFs are now available ( have been for a day or so ).

A very mediocre effort these timetables of course ...

#FleeQLD

[dancingmongoose]

Is deleting those QR facebook posts illegal?

It is no different to removing a post-it note from their office door

[Otto]

On Sunday, I stopped to pick up a lady waiting at the Morningside Station bus stop on Wynnum rd. She was very unhappy. She intended to catch a train from Morningside Station to visit her parents who lived near Park Rd station so she told me. After waiting 45 minutes, she thought the trains must not be running and decided to go to the bus stop instead. You can guess what turned up at the station by the time she got to the bus stop. She did not know about the changed timetable and she was not able to make it back to the station for the train.
Another happy QR Customer Passenger. !!

[ozbob]

Thanks for that feedback Otto. It replicates many such sad occurrences.  The punters are being belted and I am not happy.

[achiruel]

Regardless of what one thinks of the actual timetable, I really think all these people complaining about no notification of changes must be walking around all day with their head in the sand (figuratively speaking), there have been posters placed in prominent positions at stations (at least those I've been to, five last weekend), and all over social media (Facebook/Twitter) and widespread coverage in online media and on radio. Seriously, what else do they expect? TransLink to doorknock every household in SEQ to let them know? Even then, some people wouldn't be home.

[ozbob]

I hear you, but there is a significant element that do not use smart phones etc.

Once upon a time I used to travel along the Ipswich line by horseless carriage to alert people on station platforms that there was a track closure and the trains are not coming, they need to catch the buses!  It was that bad. ( I was keen hey?    )

One particular Sunday it was so bad at Goodna (about 20 pax waiting for non existent trains) that I rang up the then Transport Minister (the present Premier today) to spit the dummy about the lack of clear signage etc.etc. It was from that a much better signage system etc. was developed for track closures.

Last Friday I made some pleas with Queensland Rail to improve the communications about the changes to the rail timetables, that was done to some degree.  Sadly though,  when they do change the regular timetables, always some folks that don't quite get it.  It is a lot better though than what it was.

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 1th April 2017 page 19

QR service reduced to a 'nightmare' level

[#Metro]

Goodbye QR, Goodbye QR... QR Goodbye..

From the Facebook Page:

Will there be any drivers or are we expected to push?

[ozbob]

Letter to Ed @qld_times
QR service reduced to a &#39;nightmare&#39; level
> https://t.co/4aG8ANt5Ot#qldpol #railfail@jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP pic.twitter.com/9R1JQPk7RT

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 10, 2017

^

#auspol #nswpol #springst #politas #qldpol #saparli #ntpol #wapol #actpol#Adelaide would be nice too for Easter#youareverywelcome#FleeQLD https://t.co/Yn8WIowLaO

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 10, 2017

[SABB]

Back in the early 1990s, the General Manager of the Sydney City train network took all of the cars off his senior managers and told them to catch the train to work. That way, they would understand how their passengers/customers were being treated.  I understand that Cab vouchers were provided to take managers from home to different stations. Perhaps QR should consider a similar idea. Bob Ansett used to make his managers serve at the counter for one day each week.

[ozbob]

Was just interviewed by 7 News re Easter Timetable, at my residence. Makes a change from the kiss n' ride at Goodna ..

Hopefully make the cut for this evenings news ...

[tazzer9]

They haven't been really straight forward about the changed timetable.    A small poster on the station building for a few days before is nothing.  There hasn't been much on social media either.

[BrizCommuter]

They haven't been really straight forward about the changed timetable.    A small poster on the station building for a few days before is nothing.  There hasn't been much on social media either.

The signs need to be at the entrance/exit of the platforms where possible to maximise foot traffic. Having a few signs next to a ticket window is quite limiting.

[ozbob]

.@QueenslandRail is under fire over train service cuts for the Easter long weekend. @MyleeHogan #7News https://t.co/f0Q7CT6g5y

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) April 11, 2017

^

#qldpol from point A to B, add an extra 2 - 4 hours.
Worst train frequency in Oz. Broken bus/rail connections. Reliable?@AnnastaciaMP https://t.co/32aeWNVFdy

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 11, 2017

Nice cameo by the Westy!! (live cross at the end)   

None of the power group cares too much for the punters stuffed around by the failed bus/rail connections hey?

Utter shambles the pretense by TransLink and Queensland Rail of being customer focussed and the promotion of an integrated network.

Utter frogsh%t!

Worst train frequency for all major capitals.  A measure of the failure sadly.

#FleeQLD

[ozbob]

Can't wait ..    #FleeQLD

[Stillwater]

Is the scuttlebutt that one-hour trains (two hours for Sunshine Coast) will be the normal weekend running pattern after Easter?  In that case, would weekend bus timetables change accordingly to provide an 'integrated transport service', or does the integration come about because there is a bus stop outside a train station?

[ozbob]

Is the scuttlebutt that one-hour trains (two hours for Sunshine Coast) will be the normal weekend running pattern after Easter?  In that case, would weekend bus timetables change accordingly to provide an 'integrated transport service', or does the integration come about because there is a bus stop outside a train station?

No indication of that (yet).  If so, they can kiss their backsides good bye ( if they haven't already hey? )

Queensland Rail seem to think that if they cut services by 50%, break bus/rail connections,  and then manage to turn the out services this proof of success? Waaahaaaaa ...

No amount of spin and bluster can hide this failure at so many levels.  If the Government thinks they can limp on to an election without this being resolved (that is full timetable by January 2018) they are bigger fools than they already appear to be.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

12th April 2017

Spin does not cover up rail fail ...

Good Morning,

Memo to the Premier and Queensland Rail:

Cutting rail services by 50% (the so called School holiday/Easter timetable ( https://translink.com.au/service-updates/121051 )  and breaking the integrated public transport connections between bus and rail, and subjecting passengers to extra hours ( yes hours) in the journey times is not success. 

It is nonsensical spin to suggest it is. ( https://twitter.com/7NewsQueensland/status/851714192197402624 ).

Can the Premier please confirm if this reduced service timetable is going to be continued after Easter for normal weekends?  Passengers are very anxious as they watch their transport and mobility options disappear.  Bit like the electoral chances of the present Government in forthcoming #qldvotes.

We repeat our call for implementation of full rail service delivery by January 2018.  If Queensland Rail are unable to deliver that then it is time to look at getting an operator that will.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ Attached:  https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12713.msg190856#msg190856 ]

[ozbob]

Latest media: &#39; Spin does not cover up #railfail ...&#39;
> https://t.co/HGoKeluQ1E#qldpol@AnnastaciaMP @jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP pic.twitter.com/lbvUUbGs0y

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 11, 2017

[ozbob]

.@AnnastaciaMP @jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP @QLDLabor @LNPQLD @QldGreens @JoAnnMillerMP @brisbanetimes @QueenslandRail @MarkRobinsonMP @7NewsQueensland @TransLinkSEQ Take a bow @QueenslandRail
You are the weakest link ... worse than Adelaide !
Rail frequency around Oceania ... fact!#qldpol pic.twitter.com/rZcg2WxSMN

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 11, 2017

[ozbob]

 

[ozbob]

While engaged at the gym this morning ( 🏋🏋🏋🏋 ) I heard Mr Scott Emerson (former Transport Minister) raging against #railfail on the 4BC news.

Happy Easter Scotty ...   

[ozbob]

The 2008 Easter Tour of the @QueenslandRail Suburban/interurban Network
> https://t.co/yqcJPpQYG3#qldpol#betterdays
Oxley, we begin ... pic.twitter.com/2ruE5J37oD

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 11, 2017

[achiruel]

While engaged at the gym this morning ( 🏋🏋🏋🏋 ) I heard Mr Scott Emerson (former Transport Minister) raging against #railfail on the 4BC news.

Happy Easter Scotty ...   

Someone should've reminded him that he bears a fairly large part of the responsibility for it.

[ozbob]

A succession of mediocre Governments have all contributed to this fiasco.  None of them are worthy.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

13th April 2017

#FleeQLD for Easter

Good Morning,

Off to Melbourne today.  And I am looking forward to being able to use a proper connected public transport network with good frequency.  Trains and trams are running normal timetables essentially in Melbourne over Easter.  No service cuts as in the case with SEQ.

A failed rail operator in SEQ that has not only reduced service frequency to the worst in the Nation, but has also treated public transport users with contempt by moving from the clock face times and rendering the bus/rail connections largely ineffective and subject to long waits for users.  This compounds with the low frequency on the rail system.  TransLink has failed the community by standing aside and allowing this mess to occur.

Melbourne service notices

Yarra trams: http://www.yarratrams.com.au/using-trams/service-changes/service-changes/2017/easter-public-holidays-friday-14-monday-17-april/

VLine trains: https://www.vline.com.au/News-Alerts/News-Articles/Easter-services-2017

Metro trains: http://www.metrotrains.com.au/easter-travel-period-2017/

The only  public transport jurisdiction that is unable to properly service its community is SEQ.

My advice is to allow 2 hours longer on public transport journeys, 4 hours if heading to or from the Sunshine Coast.

Yes, it has come to this sadly.

Happy Easter!

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12713.msg190856#msg190856 ]

[ozbob]

Media: #FleeQLD for Easter
> https://t.co/zOXQlX2Wxb#qldpol@jackietrad @AnnastaciaMP @AndrewPowellMP @scottemerson @QLDLabor @LNPQLD pic.twitter.com/FobtoXFIqn

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 12, 2017

Enjoy Easter folks ... transport policy in SEQ > Tweedle Dee, Tweedle Dum