Easter 2017

[ozbob]

Back in time with @QueenslandRail 
Reduced service timetable puts public transport back decades in SEQ.
@jackietrad 
#qldpol pic.twitter.com/gvej1pgCoA

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 3, 2017

[Derwan]

Wouldn't it be better to run rail-replacement buses on one or two lines in order to maintain a half-hourly service?

I'm sure they could find enough bus drivers (from the various companies) who are willing to get the overtime during the Easter weekend.

[ozbob]

The thought has occurred but I don't think that is really fair in the end.

I was more than prepared to accept that for Easter, a reduced service timetable was going to occur.  What has myself and many others really upset is that they changed the times from the normal clockface timings not only for Easter but the preceding weekend. I reckon they plan to use this weekend timetable fiasco for the rest of the year, they lack the moral fortitude to say so at present. 

The bus network particularly outer is based on the rail times.  Not only have they reduced the frequency to one that is very difficult to use, they have made most connections very problematical.  There is something seriously wrong with Queensland Rail and TransLink.   My 5 year old grand daughter could do better ..

This is the final straw for me.  The sooner both organisations are expunged the better!

[ozbob]

Just been having a quick look at some of the key bus routes that currently connect with trains in the Redlands, and looks like all connections are gone during that time.

Examples include:

Route 272 - Cleveland to Victoria Point servicing Redland Hospitals
On the inbound route 272 arrives at :32 on the hour, the train will depart at :31 on the hour, meaning the bus has missed the train by 1min
On the outbound the train arrives at Cleveland at :04 on the hour with route 272 departing at :25 on the hour meaning a 21min wait.

Route 274 - Cleveland to Victoria Point Jetty
On the inbound route 274 arrives at :30 on the hour with the train departing at :31 on the hour, meaning you only get 1min to transfer between bus and train with an hour wait if you miss that connection.
On the outbound route 274 departs at :05 on the hour with the train arriving at Cleveland at :04 on the hour which means a 1min connection (unlikely as it takes at least 2mins to reach the bus stop depending on how fast you walk it and get through the Go Card gates).

Route 250 - Carindale to Redland Bay Marina via Capalaba, Cleveland and Victoria Point
On the inbound route 250 arrives at :06 on the hour with the train departing at :31 on the hour, which is a 25min wait.
On the outbound route 250 departs Cleveland station at :24 on the hour with the train arriving :04 on the hour which is a 20min wait.

Route 255 - Cleveland to Birkdale
On the inbound route 255 arrives at :13 every second hour (7:13; 9:13 etc) - Saturday only, with the train departing Birkdale for the city at :39 on the hour - a 26min wait.
On the outbound route 255 departs at :20 every second hour (7:20; 9:20 etc) - Saturday only, with the train arriving Birkdale at :56 on the hour - a 24min wait.

[ozbob]

On the northside / Redcliffe:

Route 690 - Redcliffe to Sandgate.

Sandgate station - Route 690 arrives at :56 on the hour at Sandgate station, the train to the city will depart at :22 on the hour - a 26min wait.
Sandgate station - Route 690 departs at :00 on the hour at Sandgate station, the train from the city will arrive at :04 on the hour, missing the bus by 4mins.
Kippa Ring station - Route 690 arrives at :51 on the hour at Kippa Ring station, the train to the city will depart at :32 on the hour - a 41min wait.
The outbound connection doesn't seem to be too bad to be honest, which is lucky and complete fluke I think given the changes.

I haven't had time to check the other connections, but my guess is that the connections will be rather destroyed as the bus timetables are built around the train timetables.

[ozbob]

Weekends 526 bus arrives at Redbank rail at 45 minutes past the hour.

Inbound rail departs at 36 minutes past the hour.  So another botched connection with a wait time of 51 minutes. 

Throw in a cancellation due to ' operational issue ' one could be waiting near on two hours ...

Normally inbound 22 and 52 minutes past the hour. A 7 minute transfer window which is generally fine.

[SurfRail]

At least the busiest rail connections at this end of the system run every 15 minutes (704, 709, 740, 750) or every 30 minutes (735, 745, 760, 765) on weekends, so cutting rail frequencies back while an inconvenience is not as likely to result in a huge wait depending on which bus you catch.  Not so lucky in other parts of the region where any bus could land you there at the wrong time.

It's pretty embarrassing that Auckland is now outperforming us.  They didn't even have electric trains as short a time as 4-5 years ago.

[ozbob]

Queensland Rail is now delivering the worst rail service frequency in the entire nation without a doubt.

Yes, it is rather embarrassing that jurisdictions such as Auckland, Perth, Adelaide are out performing Queensland Rail by considerable margins.

Thank God I am off to Melbourne for Easter.  Some real frequency even throughout Easter!

[Derwan]

The thought has occurred but I don't think that is really fair in the end.

Whatever they do - it's not fair.  Having a service every 30 minutes is better than one every hour - even if it's a bus instead of a train.

[STB]

Just checked route 258 - Cleveland to Toondah Harbour and for the most part that service is affected - it's the dedicated bus that connects between the station and Stradbroke Island Ferries.

On the inbound, route 258 arrives at :04 on the hour (most of the day), the train departs Cleveland for the city at :31 on the hour - a 5min connection blown out to a 27min connection.

On the outbound, route 258 departs at Cleveland at :38 on the hour (most of the day), the train arrives at Cleveland at :04 on the hour - a 34min connection.

You could seriously walk from Toondah Harbour to Cleveland station in that timeframe!

And guess one of the most popular places for visitors to go to during the Easter break - Stradbroke Island!

[ozbob]

^ thanks STB.   Really is a mess for the average punter ...

[ozbob]

The thought has occurred but I don't think that is really fair in the end.

Whatever they do - it's not fair.  Having a service every 30 minutes is better than one every hour - even if it's a bus instead of a train.

Maybe they should revert to rail 30 minute shuttles on Shorncliffe (Northgate <> Shorncliffe), Springfield (Springfield Central <> Darra), Cleveland (Cleveland <> Park Road) and RPL(Petrie <> Kippa Ring).  Run 30 minute Ipswich <> Caboolture, Ferny Grove <> Beenleigh with one hour GC and Sunny Coast flyers.  This means all lines 30 minute frequency, albeit with transfers. Rosewood and Doomben one hour shuttles.

[Stillwater]

SBT raises an interesting point.  Little or no thought put into where people will be travelling over Easter.  Stradbroke Island would be one.  Ipswich rail museum would be another.  Australia Zoo (bus connection at Beerwah) Gold Coast etc.  The Easter timetable seems to have been the product of people in white coats in a sterile laboratory, with no contact with the outside world.

[brissypete]

Can't they just sack the ELT and tell them it's due to "operational issues" that seems to be a valid reason

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

[HappyTrainGuy]

Probably done it to recoup some of that overtime crews have been putting in.

[ozbob]

Can't they just sack the ELT and tell them it's due to "operational issues" that seems to be a valid reason

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

 

[ozbob]

Probably done it to recoup some of that overtime crews have been putting in.

Understood.  But moving from standard clockface times is brain-dead stuff ...

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Media release 4th April 2017

SEQ: Call for free travel 8/9th April and Easter 2017 for SEQ public transport

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has called for free rail travel on the SEQ public transport for the reduced service Queensland Rail Easter and School holiday timetable.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"A new low point in mediocrity for SEQ public transport has been reached with the proposed Queensland Rail Easter and school holiday timetable.  Not only has train service frequency been reduced to hourly, two hourly on the Sunshine Coast Line, but the timetable moves train times from the standard, well established clock face timings, and in so doing wrecking bus/rail connections."

"The outer bus timetables are based on the standard clock face timings for rail.  Change the rail times arbitrarily the integrated network collapses.  There will often be very long waits for people to use the network.  Under these circumstances travel should be free, as the travelling public is being punished for Queensland Rail's inability to deliver a proper service level."

"For some examples of the impact of the non-standard timings for this proposed rail timetable see below.  This proposed reduced rail service timetable is putting public transport back decades in SEQ.  It is not acceptable. People will struggle to get around, why should they pay fares for this very poor service?  The worst in Australia for capital cities with a rail network by a country mile."

"It is alarming to reduce service frequency to very poor levels, but to also move from the standard clock face timings is incomprehensible.  Both Queensland Rail and TransLink have failed South East Queensland with this bizarre timetable.  It is a further display of utter contempt for South East Queenslanders sadly, something we are getting used too under a succession of failed State Governments."

Contact:

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

References:

1. Easter 2017 --> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12713.msg190388#msg190388

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

Weekends 526 bus arrives at Redbank rail at 45 minutes past the hour.
Inbound rail departs at 36 minutes past the hour with new timetable
So another botched connection with a wait time of 51 minutes.
Throw in a cancellation due to ' operational issue ' one could be waiting near on two hours ...
Normally inbound 22 and 52 minutes past the hour. A 7 minute transfer window which is generally fine.

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

Route 272 - Cleveland to Victoria Point servicing Redland Hospitals
On the inbound route 272 arrives at :32 on the hour, the train will depart at :31 on the hour, meaning the bus has missed the train by 1 min
On the outbound the train arrives at Cleveland at :04 on the hour with route 272 departing at :25 on the hour meaning a 21min wait.

Route 274 - Cleveland to Victoria Point Jetty
On the inbound route 274 arrives at :30 on the hour with the train departing at :31 on the hour, meaning you only get 1min to transfer between bus and train with an hour wait if you miss that connection.
On the outbound route 274 departs at :05 on the hour with the train arriving at Cleveland at :04 on the hour which means a 1min connection (unlikely as it takes at least 2mins to reach the bus stop depending on how fast you walk it and get through the Go Card gates).

Route 250 - Carindale to Redland Bay Marina via Capalaba, Cleveland and Victoria Point
On the inbound route 250 arrives at :06 on the hour with the train departing at :31 on the hour, which is a 25min wait.
On the outbound route 250 departs Cleveland station at :24 on the hour with the train arriving :04 on the hour which is a 20min wait.

Route 255 - Cleveland to Birkdale
On the inbound route 255 arrives at :13 every second hour (7:13; 9:13 etc) - Saturday only, with the train departing Birkdale for the city at :39 on the hour - a 26min wait.
On the outbound route 255 departs at :20 every second hour (7:20; 9:20 etc) - Saturday only, with the train arriving Birkdale at :56 on the hour - a 24min wait.

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

On the northside / Redcliffe:

Route 690 - Redcliffe to Sandgate.

Sandgate station - Route 690 arrives at :56 on the hour at Sandgate station, the train to the city will depart at :22 on the hour - a 26min wait.
Sandgate station - Route 690 departs at :00 on the hour at Sandgate station, the train from the city will arrive at :04 on the hour, missing the bus by 4mins.
Kippa Ring station - Route 690 arrives at :51 on the hour at Kippa Ring station, the train to the city will depart at :32 on the hour - a 41min wait.
The outbound connection doesn't seem to be too bad to be honest, which is lucky and complete fluke I think given the changes.

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

Just checked route 258 - Cleveland to Toondah Harbour and for the most part that service is affected - it's the dedicated bus that connects between the station and Stradbroke Island Ferries.

On the inbound, route 258 arrives at :04 on the hour (most of the day), the train departs Cleveland for the city at :31 on the hour - a 5min connection blown out to a 27min connection.

On the outbound, route 258 departs at Cleveland at :38 on the hour (most of the day), the train arrives at Cleveland at :04 on the hour - a 34min connection.

You could seriously walk from Toondah Harbour to Cleveland station in that timeframe!

And guess one of the most popular places for visitors to go to during the Easter break - Stradbroke Island!

[ozbob]

Media: &#39; SEQ: Call for free travel 8/9th April and Easter 2017 for SEQ public transport &#39;
> https://t.co/uVP87t0YMS#qldpol@jackietrad pic.twitter.com/Q89xtUqHpm

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 3, 2017

[ozbob]

To further compound the problems on the weekend with this farcical timetable, Mrs Ozbob is doing Examination Invigilation at QUT this weekend.  Students will need to allow hours extra to make examination deadlines, apart from all the shift workers etc. struggling to get to their employment.  Just shows how out of touch the transport authorities are with community transport needs.

[BrizCommuter]

To further compound the problems on the weekend with this farcical timetable, Mrs Ozbob is doing Examination Invigilation at QUT this weekend.  Students will need to allow hours extra to make examination deadlines, apart from all the shift workers etc. struggling to get to their employment.  Just shows how out of touch the transport authorities are with community transport needs.

...and I bet most of those students are not aware of the changes either.


BrizCommuter - QR's Easter Rail Fail - Brisbane vs Everywhere Else
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2017/04/qrs-easter-rail-fail-brisbane-vs.html

[ozbob]

 

Also sent to all outlets.

Really is a disgrace #railfail hey?

BrizCommuter - QR&#38;#39;s Easter Rail Fail - Brisbane vs Everywhere
> https://t.co/dd3ZFPT6a0#auspol #nswpol #springst #qldpol #saparli #wapol pic.twitter.com/MICLO7MeJC

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 3, 2017

[ozbob]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2017/04/qrs-easter-rail-fail-brisbane-vs.html

QR's Easter Rail Fail - Brisbane vs Everywhere Else


Melbourne - Easter trains up to every 10 minutes

BrizCommuter's most recent blog post looked at the awful news that Queensland Rail (QR) will reduce train frequency to hourly services over the Easter Weekend (14-17th April 2017), and the weekend before (8th/9th April 2017). It is not known whether this is directly caused by the lack of drivers issue, or whether it is an excuse for QR to reduce their driver overtime costs. In this blog post, BrizCommuter shows how bad this situation is, comparing Brisbane's rail services on these affected days to other cities in Oceana. Typical daytime service frequencies at stations 10km from CBD are shown.

Brisbane - 60 minutes (1tph)
Melbourne - 10 to 20 minutes (3 to 6tph)
Sydney - 15 minutes (4tph)
Perth - 15 minutes (4tph)
Adelaide - 30 minutes (2tph)
Auckland - 30 minutes (2tph)
Wellington - 30 minutes (2tph)

Winner of Easter Egg Train Hunt is Melbourne, with up to a 500% more frequent train service than Brisbane over the Easter period. Sydney and Perth are in joint second place, with four times as many trains as Brisbane.

Adelaide, which has half the population of Brisbane, has experienced improved service frequencies in recent years. Aside from a couple of short branch lines, Adelaide will be running twice as frequent train services than backwards Brisbane. In fact, its light rail line (outside of the scope of this comparison) will be running trams four times more frequently than Brisbane's trains over Easter.

Auckland, a city slightly smaller population than Brisbane on its own (excluding the rest of SE Queensland) manages to run a 30 minute train service on it's recently electrified rail network. Finally, Wellington, with a population of just 1/10th of Brisbane, still manages to run train services at twice the frequency of failed rail operator QR. It is thus confirmed that Brisbane will have the worst Easter train service of all Oceana (Australia and New Zealand) urban rail systems.

Sadly it is not just the frequency and number of train services where Brisbanites and SE Queenslanders will be missing out. Due to the Easter services running at different clock face times than usual, usual bus and train connections will be missed. So far, TransLink and QR have failed to effectively communicate the Easter service changes to customers, which will result in some commuters having a very nasty Easter Egg surprise from QR.

[BrizCommuter]

Heard an announcement about hourly services at Roma St this morning. No mention of change to clockface times.

No announcements heard onboard trains, and no service change posters seen.

[#Metro]

This is international worst practice.

Noted a few peak hour cancellations too.

Hard to see how even Connex would do a worse performance.

Time to call for an EOI for interested tenderers.

[ozbob]

Upcoming timetable service changes: Sat 8/4 & Sun 9/4 + Easter w/e.
Plan your journey ahead, visit https://t.co/GIk77HxbOd or call 13 12 30 pic.twitter.com/Bc5Qb6jNeQ

— Queensland Rail (@QueenslandRail) April 3, 2017

^

Some universities have exams scheduled on Sat 8/4.
Very difficult this poor excuse of a timetable @jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP #qldpol https://t.co/HsCGpoVoAF

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 3, 2017

[ozbob]

Easter train frequency around Oz & NZ
> https://t.co/MMcBWtKOf3#qldpol
pathetic, fancy being behind Adelaide! 😋 pic.twitter.com/v4zvlGzdrH

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 3, 2017

^

And they have moved from standard clockface times so bus/rail connections are broken. As I said, cluster-fuk !#qldpol#getsworsebytheday https://t.co/6IVL0Qc1K2

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 3, 2017

[ozbob]

Still no PDF timetables for this fiasco ...

[ozbob]

To further compound the problems on the weekend with this farcical timetable, Mrs Ozbob is doing Examination Invigilation at QUT this weekend.  Students will need to allow hours extra to make examination deadlines, apart from all the shift workers etc. struggling to get to their employment.  Just shows how out of touch the transport authorities are with community transport needs.

...and I bet most of those students are not aware of the changes either.

When I was academic I used to warn the students via email when there were track closures around examinations ( lot of exams are on Saturdays)  ..  not sure what happens these days.  Hopefully someone is switched on enough to alert them.  My wife said students will turn up late on Saturday due to this #railfail timetable with failed bus/rail connections. Really is a stressor for the students.  They will need to leave hours ahead to have a chance of getting to CBD on time.  Unbelievable hey?

[tazzer9]

There are so many better ways to maintain a 30 minute frequency while reducing the staff needs.   They should be looking at:
Airport - varsity lakes all stops.
Cleveland - shorncliffe all stops.   
Caboolture - ipswich all stops.
Springfield - darra shuttle.
Kippa ring - petrie shuttle.
Shorncliffe - roma st all stops.
No doomben -> use buses

All on 30 minutes frequencies.   Sure some connections will be missed, but it alot better than hourly services, which I presume is on the current express stopping patterns.

They could also use a disguise of trackwork and use buses on some sections as well.

[ozbob]

The thought has occurred but I don't think that is really fair in the end.

Whatever they do - it's not fair.  Having a service every 30 minutes is better than one every hour - even if it's a bus instead of a train.

Maybe they should revert to rail 30 minute shuttles on Shorncliffe (Northgate <> Shorncliffe), Springfield (Springfield Central <> Darra), Cleveland (Cleveland <> Park Road) and RPL(Petrie <> Kippa Ring).  Run 30 minute Ipswich <> Caboolture, Ferny Grove <> Beenleigh with one hour GC and Sunny Coast flyers.  This means all lines 30 minute frequency, albeit with transfers. Rosewood and Doomben one hour shuttles.

Yo.  They are not trying too hard, but that is par for the course with this mob these days ...

QR is heading to oblivion taking the State Government with it!   

[Mr X]

With hourly services, who would even bother? They may as well literally shut down the entire system for Easter and just replace it with frequent buses for damn all that QR is worth.

[ozbob]

But people do have to bother.  Many do not have an alternate and depend on our public transport to get around for work, study and social.  Appointments and the like.  I feel embarrassed about this timetable.  It is a real slap in the face for us all.

A sad and sorry mess. 

[#Metro]

So, we renew the QR contract, right? #madness

[Stillwater]

Can't wait to see this ....

From the website of the Queensland Audit Office:

The objective of this audit is to determine whether the state's approach to strategic transport planning enables effective use of transport resources and a long-term sustainable transport system.  Date expected: July 2017

The audit will assess whether the Department of Transport and Main Roads is achieving overall transport effectiveness and efficiency through its strategic planning and management of transport resources.
Transport is a key enabler of a number of the Queensland Government's strategic infrastructure and planning initiatives that impact the day-to-day lives of Queenslanders. A well planned and managed transport system plays an essential role in the development of a healthy, robust and growing economy — connecting communities, providing access to services and supporting commerce and industry throughout the state.

The Transport Coordination Plan (TCP) under the Transport Planning and Coordination Act 1994 provides a framework for strategic planning and management of transport resources. The TCP sets the strategic direction for Queensland's transport system over a ten year period from 2008 to 2018, providing direction for other major strategies and plans. Ten objectives have been defined that respond to the challenges and opportunities facing the transport system.

The Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program 2015–16 to 2018–19 details the transport and road projects that the Queensland Government plans to deliver over the next four years to meet the infrastructure needs of the state.

The State Infrastructure Plan (SIP) outlines a new strategic direction for the planning, investment and delivery of infrastructure in planning. It highlights indicative future service demand for public and road transport infrastructure and the need for an integrated, efficient and sustainable transport system.

[Mr X]

But people do have to bother.  Many do not have an alternate and depend on our public transport to get around for work, study and social.  Appointments and the like.  I feel embarrassed about this timetable.  It is a real slap in the face for us all.

A sad and sorry mess.

Sorry ozbob I don't think you got what I meant.
If QR is going to provide 1 hourly services on trains, would it be more beneficial just to run alternative buses provided by BT etc. instead? Not sure how that would work for GC + Sunny Coast lines.

Would be better just to actually provide services for the billion dollar infrastructure we have in place, but apparently we can't do that in qld.

[ozbob]

^^

By any objective measure DTMR is a failure with respect to public transport for SEQ.

TransLink incompetence and Queensland Rail fail is all under their watch as well.

The case is building for PTQ. 

[#Metro]

I agree with Mr X. For example, we can remove all train services from the RPL and go back to the old arrangements. Buses can work the RPL.

[ozbob]

They are not going to that for obvious reasons. 

The Government couldn't even face up to the fact that they needed to run rail shuttles on RPL until the system was sorted, although some in QR did want that.