Queensland Rail - Proposed Commonwealth Games Train Frequencies

[Cazza]

This is an idea on how to operate the network during the Commonwealth Games if Rail Fail is still continuing. I have reduced most lines to operate as a shuttle service to allow for more trains, drivers and guards on the Airport/Gold Coast Lines (as there are very, VERY little of those available). This proposal has the frequencies listed during off-peak.
This network should be as a last resort and not an excuse to do nothing about the trains. Some of lines (e.g. Cleveland) may be able to have a frequency increase to 15 or 20 mins but only if there are resources available. Better to be safe then sorry.

The network should be run as follows:

Nambour -> Caboolture (train/bus shuttle)
Caboolture -> Ipswich
Rosewood -> Ipswich (train shuttle)
Kippa-Ring -> Petrie (train shuttle)
Doomben -> Eagle Junction (bus shuttle)
Springfield -> Darra (train shuttle)
Cleveland -> Park Rd (train shuttle)
Ferny Grove -> Kuraby
Airport and Shorncliffe -> Gold Coast


Nambour -> Caboolture (Train Shuttle): Trains every 1 hour (1tph) from Nambour to Caboolture (all stops Nambour - Beerwah, then express to Caboolture). Trains and buses will depart and arrive at Caboolture every alternate 30 mins. Sunshine Coast trains will connect with every 2nd Ipswich-bound service (and visa-versa). Less distance for trains running on Sunshine Coast Line allows more trains to be deployed on other lines across the network.
Current weekend timetable (as at Sat 17th June): 57 mins from Nambour to Caboolture (all stops; approx. 50 mins for service running express Beerwah to Caboolture). Max trains required at one time (off-peak): 1 per direction= 2 trains total.
*If necessary, could run as 3 car services instead of 6 cars
Nambour -> Caboolture (Bus Shuttle-Route 649): Buses every 1 hour (1 bph) from Landsborough and Caboolture (all stops including Australia Zoo). Buses and trains will depart and arrive at Caboolture every alternate 30 mins. Route 649 will connect with every 2nd Ipswich-bound service (and visa-versa).
Current 649 timetable (as at Sat 17th June): 42 mins from Landsborough to Caboolture (including Australia Zoo). Max buses required at one time (off-peak): 1 per direction= 2 buses total.
Combining both bus and train, there will be some sort of connection to and from the city from Caboolture station. Gympie North trains will run as normal but minor timetable adjustments may be necessary.

Caboolture -> Ipswich: Trains every 30 mins (2tph) from Caboolture to Ipswich (Limited Stops). This service will run all stops from Caboolture to Northgate then express to Eagle Junction then all stops to Ipswich.  The Sunshine Coast, Kippa-Ring, Doomben and Springfield lines will feed into this line. This line will be the first line to get a frequency upgrade during the the Commonwealth Games period (an increase to 15 mins would be optimal) if resources permit.
Current weekend timetable (as at Sat 17th June): 2 hours 2 mins from Caboolture to Ipswich (all stops). Max trains required at one time (off-peak): 5 per direction= 10 trains total (30 mins) or 20 trains total (15 mins).

Rosewood -> Ipswich (Train Shuttle): Trains every 1 hour (1tph) from Rosewood to Ipswich (all stops). Service timed to arrive at Ipswich approx. 5 mins before Caboolture-bound service and to depart Ipswich approx. 7 mins after Ipswich-bound service is scheduled to arrive. Less distance for trains running on Rosewood Line allows more trains to be deployed on other lines across the network.
Current weekend timetable (as at Sat 17th June): 21 mins from Rosewood to Ipswich. Max trains required at one time (off-peak): 1 train total (as the line will be operating with an hourly frequency and it takes 21 mins from end to end (42 min round trip), only one train will be required. It will operate as a 3-car EMU only).

Kippa-Ring -> Petrie (Train Shuttle): Trains every 30 mins (2tph) from Kippa-Ring to Petrie (all stops). Service timed to arrive at Petrie approx. 5 mins before Ipswich-bound service and to depart Petrie approx. 7 mins after Caboolture-bound service is scheduled to arrive. Less distance for trains running on Kippa-Ring Line allows more trains to be deployed on other lines across the network.
Current weekend timetable (as at Sat 17th June): 16 mins from Kippa-Ring to Petrie. Max trains required at one time (off peak): 1 per direction= 2 trains total.

Doomben -> Eagle Junction (Bus Shuttle): Buses every 30 mins (2bph) from Doomben to Eagle Junction (all stops). Due to patronage and lack of resources, the Doomben Line will run as a bus shuttle rather than a train service.
Timetable:
Doomben to Ascot: 3 mins
Ascot to Hendra: 3 mins
Hendra to Clayfield: 3 mins
Eagle Junction to Clayfield: 3 mins
=approx. 12 mins total
*As this is a bus only shuttle and there is no available timetable, I am estimating the times.
Max buses required at one time (off-peak): 1 per direction= 2 buses total.
Shuttle bus route and stops: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1VLUnBxcy_HqObyAY4k0TuSjniRA&ll=-27.423333233737296%2C153.0628216&z=15

Springfield -> Darra (Train Shuttle): Trains every 30 mins (2tph) from Springfield to Darra (all stops). Service timed to arrive at Darra approx. 5 mins before Caboolture-bound service and to depart Darra approx. 7 mins after Ipswich-bound service is scheduled to arrive. Less distance for trains running on Springfield Line allows more trains to be deployed on other lines across the network.
Current weekend timetable (as at Sat 17th June): 9 mins from Springfield to Darra. Max trains required at one time (off-peak): 1 (as the line will be operating with a 30 mins frequency and it takes 9 mins from end to end (18 min round trip), only one train will be required).

Cleveland -> Park Road (Train Shuttle): Trains every 30 mins (2tph) from Cleveland to Park Road (all stops). Customers will be able to transfer at Park Road for buses and trains into the city and trains to the Gold Coast. Less distance for trains running on Cleveland Line allows more trains to be deployed on other lines across the network.
Current weekend timetable (as at 17th June): 49 mins from Cleveland to Park Rd. Max trains required at one time (off-peak): 2 per direction= 4 trains total.

Ferny Grove -> Kuraby: Trains every 30 mins (2tph) from Ferny Grove to Kuraby (all stops). GC Line will cover from Tinder Park->Beenleigh. GC trains will stop at Kuraby to assist the interchange between services.
Current weekend timetable (as at Sat 17th June): 1 hour, 14 mins from Ferny Grove to Kuraby. Max trains required at one time (off-peak): 3 per direction= 6 trains total.

Airport and Shorncliffe -> Gold Coast: Trains every 15 mins (4tph) from Domestic Airport to Varsity Lakes and every 15 mins (4tph) from Shorncliffe to Varsity Lakes (Limited Stops). Trains will combine to give a frequency of 7.5 mins between Eagle Junction and Varsity Lakes. This is because the track capacity of the Airport Line spur can only handle trains every 15 mins (4tph) per direction. This service will stop at:

Shorncliffe
Sandgate
Deagon
North Boondall
Boondall
Nudgee
Banyo
Bindha
Northgate
Nundah
Toombul

OR

Brisbane Domestic
Brisbane International

THEN

Eagle Junction#
ex.#
Bowen Hills#
Fortitude Valley
Central
Roma St
South Brisbane
South Bank
Park Road
ex.
Altandi
ex.
Kuraby*
ex.*
Loganlea*
ex.*
Beenleigh*
Ormeau
Coomera
Helensvale
Nerang
Robina
Varsity Lakes

Current weekend timetable (as at Sat 17th June): approx. 1 hour 45 mins from Domestic Airport to Varsity Lakes (expressing Albion and Wooloowin). Max trains required at one time (off-peak) plus extra trains to Shorncliffe (just under 30 mins between Shorncliffe and Eagle Junction): Shorncliffe Line section: 24 mins Eagle Junction to Shorncliffe (trains every 15 mins); 2 trains required/direction (4 total).
Airport Line Section: 11 mins Brisbane Domestic to Eagle Junction (trains every 15 mins): 1 train required/direction (2 total).
GC Line Section: 97 mins Eagle Junction to Varsity Lakes (trains every 7.5 mins): 14 trains required/direction (28 total).
Total trains: approx. 30 trains total.

*As all Beenleigh Line trains terminate at Kuraby, trains every 30 mins will run all stops from Beenleigh to Kuraby (preferably a service to/from Shorncliffe).
#Caboolture Line services stop at these stations. Customers for Albion and Wooloowin can catch this service.


Total number of trains at one time (off-peak):
=approximately 60 trains (Caboolture/Ipswich Line at 30 min frequency. Add 10 more for 15 min frequency)
1 driver + 1 guard per train:
= 60 drivers and 60 guards
1 driver + 2 guards per train:
=60 drivers and 120 guards

In addition to the train frequencies, route 605 should have an increased frequency to consistently every 1 hour during the day. This means that it connects to every Nambour-bound/Caboolture-bound train at Landsborough so passengers are able to easily transfer from bus to train and from the Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast where the Commonwealth Games are being held.

If anyone has any feedback, please say so and I will add it in.


Edit 28/6/17: Added in Doomben Line Shuttle bus link and changed formatting.

Edit 3/8/17: Every second Airport-bound train to run to Shorncliffe due to limited track capacity on Airport spur. Removed Shorncliffe Line Train Shuttle. All trains on the Shorncliffe Line now run between Shorncliffe and Varsity Lakes at 4tph with Gold Coast Line stopping pattern. Caboolture Line trains now run express between Northgate and Eagle Junction.
*Not sure whether Caboolture or Shorncliffe Line trains should run express between Northgate and Eagle Junction. Have put in Caboolture Line to save that extra couple of mins + Shorncliffe Line trains are running at 4tph*

Edit 21/9/17: Modified required trains for GC and Airport/Shorncliffe Lines.

[ozbob]

Nice work.  I think this is the sort of thing QR should do for the off peak  ' school holiday ' timetables etc. whilst they are in trouble crew wise.

[#Metro]

We should ask Jackie Trad, Stratchan and Easy to model it. Give it to Giro to test it out.

[Cazza]

If it was to be implemented, it could be trialled on a couple of the weekends leading up to the Games so people are aware of what the go is

[#Metro]

If it was to be implemented, it could be trialled on a couple of the weekends leading up to the Games so people are aware of what the go is

Thank you for this constructive feedback.

Yes, the weekends leading up to the CG will almost certainly require service cuts to reduce the risk that comes with overtime peaking.

[tazzer9]

The only thing I would change is since the airport line can only handle of a maximum of 4 trains an hour, is that you could probably not make shorncliffe line a shuttle service and it through routed to the gold coast.

[Cazza]

The only thing I would change is since the airport line can only handle of a maximum of 4 trains an hour, is that you could probably not make shorncliffe line a shuttle service and it through routed to the gold coast.

Yeah true, forgot about that. When the station at Skygate is built (if it ever will), making it double platform would boost capacity

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

30th August 2017

A solution to the present railfail timetable crisis

Good Morning,

RAIL Back on Track Members are now extremely concerned that Queensland Rail will not be able to deliver a satisfactory timetable leading up to, during and after the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Almost daily now we are seeing escalation in service alterations, delays, and cancellation due to mechanical issues due to the aging fleet and a maintenance deficit (see > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1862.msg197164#msg197164 ).  The New Generation Rollingstock  train project remains in limbo.  There appears to be little hope of new train relief for many many months.

When rail fail first impacted, 30th September 2016 ( 334 days ago! ) we did suggest that Queensland Rail to revert back to the timetable that was in operation prior to the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line and run train shuttles Petrie <> Kippa Ring until crew issues stabilised.  This was what Queensland Rail did in January 2011 when the Richlands first opened.  Shuttles between Darra <> Richlands ran until the full implementation of the Sector One timetable in June 2011.

Due to the present limitations of crew and trains our members have suggested that it might well be necessary for Queensland Rail to revert to a new timetable that includes more train shuttles.  This timetable would maintain a higher train frequency, better connections with other rail and bus services and use less crew resources.  We think that if the reduced service ' School Holiday ' timetable is used leading up the Commonwealth Games and during the public transport network will be disconnected, dysfunctional and most certainly collapse. The downside of such a timetable is that more passengers will have to transfer but that is a small price to pay to maintain integrity of the network.

RAIL Back On Track Member Cazza has suggested the following broad approach:

https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12830.msg194231#msg194231

The network should be run as follows:

Nambour -> Caboolture (train/bus shuttle)
Caboolture -> Ipswich
Rosewood -> Ipswich (train shuttle)
Kippa-Ring -> Petrie (train shuttle)
Doomben -> Eagle Junction (bus shuttle)
Springfield -> Darra (train shuttle)
Cleveland -> Park Rd (train shuttle)
Ferny Grove -> Kuraby
Airport and Shorncliffe -> Gold Coast

This is gone into great detail here >  https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12830.msg194231#msg194231

A similar approach in summary is here > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12844.0

We respectfully request that these timetables be modelled and implemented if appropriate.

We cannot afford a collapse of our public transport for the Commonwealth Games.  The public has suffered enough already.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Media: A solution to the present railfail timetable crisis
> https://t.co/QeaU4hAVWz#qldpol
action must be taken now to avert disaster .. pic.twitter.com/qQglS0Jsw1

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) August 29, 2017

[Cazza]

 

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail drivers to get incentive payments during Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

QUEENSLAND Rail has booked up units on the Gold Coast for the Commonwealth Games and will offer train drivers "incentive payments" to ensure they show up to work during the event.

Internal QR documents obtained by The Sunday Mail reveal negotiations are underway to offer a "Games incentive payment" to train drivers and other staff to deter them from calling in sick.

The initiative comes after a horror 12 months for the rail network in which an ongoing driver shortage caused mayhem, including the embarrassing cancellation of hundreds of services last Christmas Day.

The "incentive" shows QR is going to great lengths to prevent a repeat of that meltdown, and it comes amid a scramble to train new drivers and prepare problematic new trains for service.

According to QR documents, the payment is "aimed at maximising attendances and providing business flexibility", and it makes up for restrictions on annual leave during the event and working late schedules.

Train drivers are paid about $98,000 a year after this year winning a 12 per cent pay rise over four years, but this can rise to six figures when overtime is included.

Services Union state secretary Neil Henderson said the incentive payment was proposed by QR and would outstrip the $4-an-hour sweetener offered during the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

"It's based on the premise that people will go above and beyond what might normally be the arrangement to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible," he said.

As part of its Games preparations, QR has also booked 10 Gold Coast units, as well as accommodation in Logan and Brisbane, during the April event for "frontline security, emergency and critical incident response teams".

"Given the importance of this event, Queensland Rail is undertaking significant planning, including around resources and accommodation, to ensure our teams are appropriately staffed and situated to manage our operations throughout the Games," chief executive Nick Easy said.

Hotels near event locations are quickly booking out, with room rates of $1000 a night or more.

The preparations coincide with concerns about traffic chaos on the M1 during the event, with Government forecasts last month of a "high crash risk" on some sections, and poor travel times.

Extra rail services have been planned, but uncertainty remains over whether new trains ordered from India will be on the tracks in time after a series of setbacks delaying their rollout.

[darthcaligula666]

wow what an insight into the culture of the organisation! incentives to not call in sick? higher wages for the promotional period? is work *that* bad that the workers just decide they dont want to turn up? jesus, in our industry, as with most industries, if you are rostered, you show up for work!

[BrizCommuter]

wow what an insight into the culture of the organisation! incentives to not call in sick? higher wages for the promotional period? is work *that* bad that the workers just decide they dont want to turn up? jesus, in our industry, as with most industries, if you are rostered, you show up for work!

Shows that the unions have too much influence.

[bretto82]

wow what an insight into the culture of the organisation! incentives to not call in sick? higher wages for the promotional period? is work *that* bad that the workers just decide they dont want to turn up? jesus, in our industry, as with most industries, if you are rostered, you show up for work!

The story is a beat up it is for flexibility allowance as a lot of staff will not be able to start or finish at there Home Depot and some away from home due to the traffic issues all leave has already been canceled for some areas

[verbatim9]

It's ridiculous no other transport company would come up with such a thing. Who runs QR?  Other companies just have a good work culture including Airlines. Where people enjoy their work and get paid for what they originally signed up for. Too many concessions at QR at every angle. Soon every special event throughout the year will have some kind of incentive attached to it! 120,000 gran total salary per year (incl overtime and incentives) and counting.

[JimmyP]

"It's ridiculous no other transport company would come up with such a thing."
So the incentive payments in Sydney for the 2000 Olympic Games were a dream and didn't actually happen?
There is a lot more going on here than simply an incentove payment to turn up for work, including major rostering changes ruining any chance of any forward planning for crews (not that there is much now anyway) for significantly longer than the games period, along with leave cancellations etc.
Presumably also happening to other operational segments of QR, not just traincrew.

[#Metro]

Hi JimmyP,

Thank you for the post - it got me thinking "how did Sydney do it" and that led me to this paper!

Going for gold at the Sydney Olympics: How did transport perform?

David A. Hensher & Ann M. Brewer
To cite this article: David A. Hensher & Ann M. Brewer (2002) Going for gold at the
Sydney Olympics: How did transport perform?, Transport Reviews, 22:4, 381-399,

DOI:10.1080/01441640110121112

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01441640110121112

There are some VERY interesting things in the paper. For example, the predicted traffic chaos did not eventuate - the NRMA had to abandon their traffic survey because of a consistent decline in traffic congestion due to the massive improvement in public transport!

Road speeds improved by 50% on the road network, demonstrating that only a small percentage of traffic users have to be diverted for there to be large improvements.

It details how STA cut bus service back in Newcastle to release buses for use in Sydney (I guess this is the plan for QR, run Sunday timetable everywhere on the rail network during the week so that Gold Coast has lots of trains).

It also details how there was no real tourism boom for airline operators, with most people cancelling their flights just before the Olympics. So all the noise about a tourism boom - it might not be true.

[ozbob]

Someone suggested to me today that they had ' heard ' that there will be buses on the Springfield and RPL (Kippa Ring) lines for the games.

Not sure if true, but certainly goes against the committment made in Parliament by the Premier that there would be no line closures.

Time will tell.  I guess if ALP are no longer in Government, previous assurances mean little and the public is treated to more contempt as usual.

[petey3801]

As is typical of the Courier Mail, there is a lot left out of the article, much more to it than a simple incentive payment!

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/932465334849638400

[BrizCommuter]

^ not this week for some reason!