Queensland Rail - Commonwealth Games timetable

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Commonwealth Games rail fail: Services slashed to meet needs

QUEENSLAND Rail will be forced to close an entire line and slash services across the southeast to plug more than 600 gaps in rail services to the Gold Coast during the Commonwealth Games.

Options to fix holes in its proposed Games timetable, which involves services running every 10 minutes, are understood to include shutting down the Shorncliffe line during the April event to free-up trains and crew, according to internal QR sources.

QR also plans to use buses and taxis to substitute some rail services, raising questions about whether it would force commuters on to already congested Gold Coast roads during the event.

And in a further rail fail, the Gold Coast's light rail stage two opens today (sic opened Dec 17) with no heavy rail connection due to scheduled track maintenance.

The plan to divert services to the Gold Coast followed QR identifying more than 600 scheduled services that could not be delivered due to a lack of resources, QR sources revealed.

It comes more than a year after a critical shortage of train drivers forced the rail network into meltdown and triggered the shift to a heavily stripped-back timetable.

Exacerbating the Games headache is a major delay in rolling out new trains under the State Government's troubled $4.4 billion New Generation Rollingstock program.

The program is over 18 months late, with just three of 75 NGR trains so far running.

As revealed in August, a secret appraisal of QR by German Rail Operator found 18 NGR trains were needed to service the Games.

But Rail Back on Track transport advocate Robert Dow believed travelling by rail during the Games would be "a nightmare" and QR would "strip the other lines" to service the event.

"The other lines are going to have reduced services, very poor connections," he said.

"We'll only have a minor incident on the Gold Coast line and everything stops.

"I think the real problem is (a shortage of) train crew."

He also criticised the late public release of the Games timetable.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

31st December 2017

Rail fail continues on into 2018 !

Good Morning,

Good bye to 2017 and rail fail?  Nope ...  according to the Couriermail today we are set for more rail reductions to service the Gold Coast line for the Commonwealth Games. Couriermail --> Commonwealth Games rail fail: Services slashed to meet needs

We have long suggested that we would end up with service reductions on most lines, with even line closures to support the increased frequency on the Gold Coast line.  Some service reductions are to be expected but if we have  a repeat of what is happening this weekend, with major suburban lines reduced to one hour service frequency, with the Sunshine Coast Line suffering a two hour service frequency the public transport network will simply not cope.

Yesterday passengers were again stranded at Landsborough as no connections between bus and rail.

See > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12983.msg202350#msg202350 )

8 people wanting to get to either Maroochy,buderim,caloundra stranded at landsborough after jumping off the 1.33 arriving train when the buses(615,605) left landsborough at 1pm. Next buses leave at 4.03....so naturally they have all turned to ubers,taxis.
Why the frickin hell couldn't translink try and get sunbus to co-ordinate with QR`s timetable better?? .
ITs beyond a joke trying to use the sunshine coast network on weekend counter peak.
Literally un-useable...

This is repeated across the entire network with the shambolic rail timetable when we have the worst service frequency of any rail operator in Australia and New Zealand.  While SEQ was languishing with one hour services even Adelaide Metro was running trains at 30 minute frequency ( https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12983.msg202349#msg202349 ).  What a disastrous outcome for SEQ.  Little wonder there is now great concern with how the public transport is going to cope for the Commonwealth Games.  We need details of the proposed Games timetables not spin and bluster thank you.

Good luck Mr Bailey.  You have been handed a ' hospital pass ' by the outgoing Transport Minister.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/947164326762127360

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/947159197573005312

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/947216415538388992

[ozbob]

Editorial Couriermail --> In efficiency of rail and road services threaten smooth running of Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

IN JUST 94 days, the eyes of much of the world will be focused on southeast Queensland. The 2018 Commonwealth Games, opening on the Gold Coast on April 4, is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the region to a global audience, likely to be up to 1.5 billion people.

But get it wrong, and many billions more will know about it. Years of careful planning and implementation since we secured the event in 2011, meant we have avoided the fear and panic about budget blowouts and unfinished facilities, which has dogged similar events elsewhere.

And yet, just three months out, one major question mark still hangs over GC2018 – transport. The fragility of southeast Queensland's public transport system was dramatically exposed by the ''rail fail'' of 2016.

Heads rolled but the legacy remains, with reduced services and efforts to recruit and train additional crew ongoing.

It has been exacerbated by the troubled New Generation Rollingstock program, with just three of 75 new trains in service so far.

Now QR sources have revealed that plugging 600 gaps in services for the event could require closing down an entire line – Shorncliffe – and using buses and taxis.

Assurances from Government and QR that all will be well carry little weight, especially when they will not detail plans.

Equally, repeated claims from Commonwealth Games chairman Peter Beattie and his team that the road system will be able to cope with the enormous volumes generated by the event, are drawing growing scepticism.

Three times in the past week, the M1 motorway has been choked with nose-to-tail traffic stretching for up to 60km as holidaymakers and day-trippers head for the beaches.

Southeast Queensland's rail and road infrastructure has fallen years behind the standard needed to cater for our growing population.

And budgetary constraints and political standoffs between state and federal governments mean we are not investing billions as Sydney and Melbourne are doing, to resolve problems.

Our transport system is about to be pressure-tested in front of the world.

Failure will not only mean monumental embarrassment, but long-term economic damage. Southeast Queensland is in an international battle to attract businesses and talent to create the new industries that will ensure future prosperity.

The minimum they expect is efficient rail and roads capable of supporting international events as well as the daily needs of the population.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/947215573850644480

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/947221369187475456

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsGoldCoast/status/947200458631680000

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/947265643639742464

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/947213704281563136

[#Metro]

^^ Wow, now the Shorncliffe line is slated for shutdown. Did I hear that right?

Surely now, with allegedly unlawful trains running on the network, random timetables, and entire lines proposed for total closure during

Commonwealth Games, PLUS twelve months of "grace period" AND an election in between to turn it around it must now be conceded that

Queensland Rail must face competitive tendering for the right to operate passenger services on the SEQ Rail network.

[Stillwater]

What's disappointing is that these make-do, on-the-run half-arsed solutions are being passed off a serious and considered planning.  One fully expects that if a girder on the GC Line is found to be showing signs of cracks and weakness, TMR's solution would be to import Coolies from South-East Asia to stand beneath it and hold it up.  What's proposed is not good planning.

And let's not forget that the TMR/QR answer to the NGR fiasco is to break the law (DDA) and seek forgiveness, and an exemption afterwards.

[tazzer9]

Jackie Trad said there would be no line closures?   Who is correct? The CM or a politician.  In my experience neither are.

[#Metro]

^ Probably run 1 train in the am and 1 train in pm so it's not technically closed.

[InclusionMoves]

There just has to be something we are missing. Running NGR now so they can't use PWD and their 'demands' as an issue. Yet still only 3 NGR's and massive reductions in service. A strong opposition and or independent inquiry is the only way to dig into this deep enough 

Jackie Trad said there would be no line closures?   Who is correct? The CM or a politician.  In my experience neither are.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/947277287291961344

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Re: Rail fail continues on into 2018 !

Greetings,

In view of the fact the line closures have been mentioned for the Commonwealth Games rail timetable.

This extract from the Queensland Parliament Hansard of 16th June 2017 is worth noting:



Best wishes,
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

31st December 2017

Rail fail continues on into 2018 !

Good Morning,

Good bye to 2017 and rail fail?  Nope ...  according to the Couriermail today we are set for more rail reductions to service the Gold Coast line for the Commonwealth Games. Couriermail --> Commonwealth Games rail fail: Services slashed to meet needs

We have long suggested that we would end up with service reductions on most lines, with even line closures to support the increased frequency on the Gold Coast line.  Some service reductions are to be expected but if we have  a repeat of what is happening this weekend, with major suburban lines reduced to one hour service frequency, with the Sunshine Coast Line suffering a two hour service frequency the public transport network will simply not cope.

Yesterday passengers were again stranded at Landsborough as no connections between bus and rail.

See > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12983.msg202350#msg202350 )

8 people wanting to get to either Maroochy,buderim,caloundra stranded at landsborough after jumping off the 1.33 arriving train when the buses(615,605) left landsborough at 1pm. Next buses leave at 4.03....so naturally they have all turned to ubers,taxis.
Why the frickin hell couldn't translink try and get sunbus to co-ordinate with QR`s timetable better?? .
ITs beyond a joke trying to use the sunshine coast network on weekend counter peak.
Literally un-useable...

This is repeated across the entire network with the shambolic rail timetable when we have the worst service frequency of any rail operator in Australia and New Zealand.  While SEQ was languishing with one hour services even Adelaide Metro was running trains at 30 minute frequency ( https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12983.msg202349#msg202349 ).  What a disastrous outcome for SEQ.  Little wonder there is now great concern with how the public transport is going to cope for the Commonwealth Games.  We need details of the proposed Games timetables not spin and bluster thank you.

Good luck Mr Bailey.  You have been handed a ' hospital pass ' by the outgoing Transport Minister.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

I am doing interviews with 7 News and 9 News shortly.

[ozbob]

I am doing interviews with 7 News and 9 News shortly.

Done a brief interview with 7.  9 on hold for now as Queensland Rail has called a press conference for 1pm today.  Highly unusual so say the least.  Could be about safety tonight / and today's ' revelations '.

About 100 pax waiting for the 12.27pm ex Goodna.  No demand??  Very hot on the platform, I would expect many of them would have been for the non existent 11.57am service as well.   Utter disgrace our rail network sadly.  Even Adelaide runs rings around it these days, and that is saying something ...

[InclusionMoves]

Best if I just leave it with the official statement and not comment.

I am doing interviews with 7 News and 9 News shortly.

Done a brief interview with 7.  9 on hold for now as Queensland Rail has called a press conference for 1pm today.  Highly unusual so say the least.  Could be about safety tonight / and today's ' revelations '.

About 100 pax waiting for the 12.27pm ex Goodna.  No demand??  Very hot on the platform, I would expect many of them would have been for the non existent 11.57am service as well.   Utter disgrace our rail network sadly.  Even Adelaide runs rings around it these days, and that is saying something ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/QueenslandRail/status/947306335237849088

[ozbob]

^ No absolute denial as was given by the Premier in Parliament.

My guess is line closures are truly in the mix sadly.

Done the interview with 9 News now too.

Busy day!   

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/947323852643692544

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/947326893425963010

[Cazza]

Why are they so against running shuttles on most lines instead of closing them altogether? It reduces the amount of resources needed and keeps all lines on a 30 min or better frequency.

https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12830.msg200710#new

[ozbob]

Why are they so against running shuttles on most lines instead of closing them altogether? It reduces the amount of resources needed and keeps all lines on a 30 min or better frequency.

https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12830.msg200710#new

I have raised the notion of shuttles with QR as you describe.  They seem to reject it because it is too hard and probably creates too many crew issues.

They are just comfortable with the status quo it seems.  Innovative timetabling is a bridge too far with this mob.

[ozbob]

While we are at it high time that Queensland Rail / TransLink stopped the ' reduced demand ' spin is why we ' reduce services '.

Total bullsh%t.  Demand is reduced because they reduce the services basically.   Far better when they come out with these reduced service timetables to say the truth.  ' We don't have enough crew considering leave entitlements, rosters and so forth.  So we have to reduce the services. '

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/945218830707474432

[ozbob]

Status quo ...

[ozbob]

 

https://twitter.com/DarrenCurtis9/status/947340423650930688

[BrizCommuter]

The Comm Games volunteers are in the process of receiving their work rosters, yet there is no timetable for them to plan how they will get to work. Epic fail!

[InclusionMoves]

Thats is actually a bloody excellent point!!

The Comm Games volunteers are in the process of receiving their work rosters, yet there is no timetable for them to plan how they will get to work. Epic fail!

[#Metro]

QR needs to release a draft timetable for all lines during the games. Will have to be yet another timetable for the whole network if they cut services on other lines.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/947381644729520128

[ozbob]

9 News --> 'Rail and M1 fail' concerns ahead of Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

Visitor demands on public transport during the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games are expected to push the system beyond its limits.

With just three months to go before the major sporting event, there are fears there will be massive commuter problems during the 11-day event.

"It could be a complete rail and M1 fail," Liberal National Party member Ros Bates said.

Queensland Rail Chief Executive Nick Easy said there has been a vast re-jig of service schedules in the lead up to the Games.

"We are working on a time table and it will include adjustments to all services .. this is a very large scale international event," Mr Easy said.

The solution to cater for more services to the Gold Coast could see Brisbane lines scaled back, or replaced with other transport.

"For Palaszczuk to say people need to get on buses and taxies and cut out complete rail lines just to get people to the Commonwealth Games is quite ludicrous," Ms Bates said.

While there is no confirmation on which services will be impacted during the Games, some reports suggest the Shorncliffe branch line will be completely shut-down in order to send more trains to the Gold Coast.

Queensland Rail said they wouldn't rule out the closure, but are working to prevent it.

"There are no plans to close services on the Shorncliffe line," Mr Easy said.

The 2018 Commonwealth Games officially open on April 4, and run until April 15.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/947381861948391424

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

1st January 2018

Another year, another year of rail fail!

Good Morning and Happy New Year!

Let's hope that rail fail is put to bed this year.  Punters have had enough of the worst performing railway in Australia and New Zealand.  This is a fact.

Yesterday, during numerous interviews Mr Easy CEO Queensland Rail did not give an absolute committment that there would not be line closures.
(For example https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/947381644729520128 & https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/947381861948391424 )

This is extraordinary considering that the Premier of Queensland Ms Palaszczuk has already given that committment in Parliament on the 16th June 2017.

A question to the Transport Minister by me if the Premier's committment is still valid,  remains unanswered at this point in time. (see > https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/947326893425963010 ).

In view of an absolute denial by Mr Easy we can only assume there will be some line closures.  We have always expected service reductions during the Games as there is still a crewing shortfall at Queensland Rail particularly, and the Gold Coast line will need a considerable frequency increase. We accept that.  When the Premier gave the committment in Parliament last June we were some what comforted that all lines would remain intact.

What has changed?  It is now very uncertain as to what is going happen.  Commonwealth Games volunteers are already receiving their work rosters. We are sure they would like to know the rail timetable in order to start planning their travel, let alone visitors to the Games.

What a sad and sorry mess.  It is now day 458 since the first wave of cancellations associated with rail fail which occurred on the 30th September 2016 ( https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12846.msg194853#msg194853 ).

Public has been suffering cancellations, delays, and reduced service since then.  We are into the third calendar year of rail fail!  Surely this mess could have been sorted by now?  Who comes first?  Union mates or the travelling public?

SEQ is becoming the laughing stock of Australia sadly.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12829.msg202393#msg202393 ]

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/947519887542403072

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> No plans to close Brisbane train line during Commonwealth Games: QR

Queensland Rail's chief executive denies there are plans to close a north Brisbane train line to meet demand during next year's Commonwealth Games but says the timetable is yet to be finalised.

Nick Easy repeatedly said on Sunday there were "no plans" to close any line, following media reports all services on the Shorncliffe line would be diverted to the Gold Coast, though he would not categorically rule it out.

"There are no plans to close services on the Shorncliffe line," he said.

"However, there will be an adjustment in services given this is a large, international-scale event where there'll be a significant increase in demand on the Gold Coast."

Mr Easy said commuters across south-east Queensland would still have access to QR services, but there would be changes to the regular timetable.

There are ' no plans ' because they have not finalised the timetable?   Find that a bit strange to be frank ...

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/947522702985719809

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/947523658477576193

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/947525048713191424

[ozbob]

One of my sisters in Melbourne said she saw me on news there.  So this story (yesterday) went national.

[BrizCommuter]

QR Hits Rock Bottom!
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2018/01/qr-hits-rock-bottom.html

[not_available]

One of my sisters in Melbourne said she saw me on news there.  So this story (yesterday) went national.

By April our glorious Rail Fail will be on the world stage 

The timetable for everything bar the GC line will probably be in the same league as the 'reduced demand' timetable currently in place.

SEQ: Great place to live if (and only if?) you live less than 100m from work.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/947701069588525056

Sent to all outlets as well.  Thanks Briz 

Also up on FB > https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/1896139510400227