Queensland Rail - Commonwealth Games timetable

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 19th March 2018 page 15

Commuters' confusion



https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/975470818254729216

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/975400608978018304

Couriermail --> Street entertainers to help ease public transport congestion during the Commonwealth Games

TRANSPORT bosses will literally send in the clowns under a radical plan to ease pressure on the strained Queensland Rail network during next month's Commonwealth Games.

The Palaszczuk Government has confirmed it will pay roving performers and live acts to divert crowds exiting Commonwealth Games events en masse in a bid to stagger the arrival of rail passengers at Gold Coast train stations.

Transport planning has been identified as a key pressure point for the Games, with the rail network playing a crucial plank in easing gridlock on Gold Coast roads.

Just one train seating 750 people will take 468 cars off the road, planning documents show.

But the Games coincides with a time of intense pressure for Queensland Rail, which is still in the grip of a train driver shortage and faces a potentially disastrous court challenge that could sideline its New Generation Rollingstock fleet, blowing a hole in its Games planning.

Documents released to the State Opposition under Right to Information reveal one strategy to ease peak-hour pressure is to "stagger the flow of customers" by entertaining them en route.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said a range of themed entertainment was planned at key transport facilities to keep games spectators "engaged and entertained on their journey".

He said the entertainment would help spread out arrivals and departures around big events.

Entertainment includes roving performers between Nerang station and Carrara stadium.

"The performers will engage with spectators to encourage walking to and from the stadium, reducing queuing and keep people moving," Mr Bailey said.

"This is all part of the colour and excitement of the Games – we want people to enjoy their Games experience from the moment they step on the station.

Screens will also be installed at Helensvale and Nerang stations to play films and sporting highlights.

But State Opposition leader Deb Frecklington said Labor should be more focused on getting the trains to run on time rather than "trotting out circus acts or magic shows."

"Labor's ongoing rail fail and Commonwealth Games planning debacle would make Queenslanders sceptical that everything will run smoothly," she said.

QR faces ongoing uncertainty over the ability to continue using new trains that do run foul of disability access laws, despite the state arguing the trains were desperately needed.

The Australian Human Rights Commission this month released a preliminary decision rejecting an application by the State for an exemption to the rules to meet Games' demand.

Mr Bailey has previously insisted the problem trains would still run during the event.

[BrizCommuter]

Well at least there is a good redeployment opportunity for the DG-TMR!

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsSC/status/975487579742072832

[ozbob]

Free kicks abound ..

https://twitter.com/PaulineHansonOz/status/975624557770948609

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

[Cazza]

Can we just take a moment to appreciate that London had more frequent off-peak trains in 1863 than most of Brisbane does today?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielbowen/40577769782/in/dateposted/

[ozbob]

Can we just take a moment to appreciate that London had more frequent off-peak trains in 1863 than most of Brisbane does today?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielbowen/40577769782/in/dateposted/

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/975639768179642368

[not_available]

Can we just take a moment to appreciate that London had more frequent off-peak trains in 1863 than most of Brisbane does today?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielbowen/40577769782/in/dateposted/

Any records on service cancellations et cetera?
The worst thing about the games timetables is the one-hour weekend frequency. Just another part of the perfect disaster in the making.

EDIT: Don't forget the 2 hour SC line frequency. M1 carpark both ways from Coolangatta to Caboolture? (& possibly beyond?)

[Fares_Fair]

This is Queensland..

Someone plays a song..  and it becomes transport policy.

#clowningaround

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/975889221817843712

[BrizCommuter]

Service reduction flyers were being handed out by TransLink staff at Enoggera this morning. Punters not looking happy!

[ozbob]

I received some feedback from a Commonwealth Games volunteer who had been given some inconsistent information by the TransLink Call Centre relating to when the 24 hour services commence on the Gold Coast Line.  He is involved in volunteering on Monday the 2nd April (2nd dress rehearsal for opening ceremony) and finishes late.  He was told he could catch the train home to Brisbane because it would be running 24 hours. He checked the journey planners and found no trains.  TransLink kept telling him there were 24 hours trains on the day.  It is not the case, the 24 hour services commence on the 5th April.

As Fares Fair has looked at the Games timetables extensively I asked him to have a look at it.  Thanks FF.

Confirmed 24 hour services commence the 5th of April.

Final advice.

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/977352378830807040

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/977352527372083203

[achiruel]

Seems there is an odd service on Monday night, departing Varsity Lakes 11:02pm, Robina 11:05pm then Nerang 11:31pm. I can only assume the long hold time at Nerang is to be waiting for the shuttle buses to deliver all the volunteers to the station.

Edit: this journey is on the online timetable but not the PDF, which suggests maybe it's some kind of afterthought.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/978088643855175685

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/979464930750472192

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/979527386684248064

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> South-east public transport upheaval for Easter and Commonwealth Games

Good Friday signals the start of more than two weeks of changes across the south-east Queensland public transport network, with Easter weekend reductions and cuts to suburban train lines so Gold Coast services can be tripled for the Commonwealth Games.

During the Easter long weekend, from Good Friday until the last service on Monday, trains will run hourly on all lines except for the Gold Coast and Airport which will operate every half-hour.

TransLink spokesman Martin Bradshaw said while patronage usually dropped over the long weekend, customers needed to plan ahead with the reduced timetable in place.

"Most public transport services will run to special Easter timetables with either weekend or public holiday timetables," Mr Bradshaw said.

"Brisbane's 20 high-frequency bus services will continue to run across the weekend every 15 minutes including: 60, 61, 66, 100, 111, 120, 130, 140, 150, 180, 196, 199, 200, 222, 330, 333, 340, 345, 385, 412 and 444.

"There will also be temporary bus stop closures and route diversions at various times across Brisbane as the Queen's Baton Relay passes through suburbs.

"Additional trains and shuttle buses will run pre- and post-the Brisbane Roar versus Central Coast Mariners game, the Brisbane Broncos versus Gold Coast Titans game and the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony dress rehearsals."

However, from Tuesday onwards the specially-designed Commonwealth Games timetables will take effect, meaning service blackspots and buses replacing some suburban trains. The changes will help Queensland Rail to provide 24-hour services on the Gold Coast.

Trains will run at a 10-minute frequency on the Gold Coast during the Commonwealth Games, with the only exception being between 1am and 5am when services will operate every hour.

Either side of the Games, April 3-4 and 16-20, Gold Coast trains will operate every 15 minutes during peak periods and every half-hour off-peak.

The Gold Coast light rail network from Helensvale to Broadbeach will also run 24 hours a day, with extra services during peak hours.

Caboolture, Cleveland, Ferny Grove, Ipswich, Redcliffe Peninsular, Shorncliffe and Springfield services will run every 15 minutes during peak times, every half-hour off-peak and hourly on weekends and public holidays.

The Airport line will run every 15-30 minutes during peak times and every half-hour during off-peak, weekends and public holidays.

Beenleigh trains will operate every 15 minutes during peak periods and every half-hour off-peak either side of the Games, April 3-4 and 16-20. During the Games themselves, buses will replace trains on the Beenleigh line from April 5-15.

The Doomben line will run every 30 minutes during peak and off-peak times, but reduce to an hourly frequency on Saturdays and there will be no services on Sundays.

Rosewood trains will operate every 30 minutes or better during peak times, every hour off-peak and hourly on weekends and public holidays.

The Sunshine Coast line will be reduced to a 30-minute frequency during peak times, a 90-minute frequency off-peak and services every two hours on weekends and public holidays.

For more information about getting to and from the Games, visit getsetforthegames.com

[BrizCommuter]

A bit of satire for you all: QR to add new sporting events to GC2018!
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2018/04/qr-to-add-new-events-to-gc2018.html

[brissypete]

A bit of satire for you all: QR to add new sporting events to GC2018!
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2018/04/qr-to-add-new-events-to-gc2018.html

Missed an event for Beenleigh line passengers with no service for 10 days and additional travel time for replacement buses and additional walking time to said bus service.

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

[BrizCommuter]

A bit of satire for you all: QR to add new sporting events to GC2018!
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2018/04/qr-to-add-new-events-to-gc2018.html

Missed an event for Beenleigh line passengers with no service for 10 days and additional travel time for replacement buses and additional walking time to said bus service.

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

Considered it, but couldn't think of an event title.

[ozbob]

A bit of satire for you all: QR to add new sporting events to GC2018!
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2018/04/qr-to-add-new-events-to-gc2018.html

Sent to all outlets.  Certain amount of truth in satire ..   

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/980313144730861568

[BrizCommuter]

^ Thanks!

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/GetSet2018/status/980610805329809409

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/GetSet2018/status/980686302713704448

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/GetSet2018/status/980709665209274368

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/980841243931426816

[BrizCommuter]

Quite a few "crowded" pm peak services observed tonight despite it being school holidays. The week after the games running the same reduced timetable is not going to be looking good!

[ozbob]

 

Also a possibility that EMUs might be heading north of Caboolture over the next few weeks as well. I hope they use the more reliable units.

[achiruel]

Also a possibility that EMUs might be heading north of Caboolture over the next few weeks as well. I hope they use the more reliable units.

Have they put time for the four-minute comfort stop into the timetable as well? 

[brissypete]

An observation regarding signage at a to be closed Beenleigh line station (Fairfield), some additional signage has gone up today in the form of 2 signs detailing bus replacement and 1 directional sign towards bus stop. However in my opinion based on what I see during trackwork if the currently installed signage is the extent of QR efforts to inform passengers at the station then there will be many passengers waiting on the station during the 10 day closure. 1 entrance to Platform 1 has no obvious signage at this stage.

Hopefully there will be further signage from Thursday morning. I did suggest to QR some weeks ago that platforms should be physically closed.

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

[Arnz]

Also a possibility that EMUs might be heading north of Caboolture over the next few weeks as well. I hope they use the more reliable units.

Have they put time for the four-minute comfort stop into the timetable as well? 

Most likely not if a EMU finds its way north of Caboolture since the timetables are based on the IMUs (there are slight delays of up to 5 minutes if a older SMU or EMU finds its way north of Cab due to the timings between Cab and Beerburrum and between Glasshouse and Landsborough based on the 140km/h IMUs).  The older units' slower speed also gobbles up the fat built into the timetable for the entire Petrie to Nambour stretch.

However, 6-car SMU260s have been already common north of Cab since the start of the S.H.I.T/Comm Games timetables this month (including the dunny breaks at Caboolture in both directions).  So, won't be surprised if a 3-car or 6-car EMU finds its way north of Cab over the duration of the Comm games.

[ozbob]

A Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 4th April 2018 page 13

Alternative look at track failures in lead-up to the Games

[BrizCommuter]

^ great to see that published!

[ozbob]

 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/981294649741471744

[brissypete]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/981294649741471744

Except if you live in Zone 1 and traveling further inbound than Park Rd the Free buses don't save you any money at all. On a positive note the frequency is far better than the trains on other lines.

Tomorrow will be interesting.

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

[techblitz]

slowly the complaints are filtering through on social media from non comm games commuters about successive gold coast buses not turning up or successive gold coast trains running late....unable to board pm outbound kipparing trains and the worst one so far on the Ipswich line all stops....trains so full that people have had to stand in between the carriages.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/981448905656274944

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/981449537335242752

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/981451535447089152