Perth visit December 2017

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942635190228205568

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942639164620644352

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942639595329486848

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942639981293576192

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942641727432622081

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942641576714551296

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942707014601342981

[ozbob]

Just departing Midlands.
Little late

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942726225176309761

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942715451917746176

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942731182097104897

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942764717776412673

[ozbob]

Plan to travel around on the Transperth network today.  Time is 4.40am now in WA.

First up, to Canning Bridge to go to the gym at Applecross.  First outbound service on the Mandurah line is ~ 5.30am.

Forecast temp 25oC Perth today so no heat track restrictions to be concerned with. Hot in Adelaide and Melb hope it cools down a bit by the time I get to Melb (Friday).

Great trip on the Prospector.  It is amazing the number of freighters we passed heading east as we tracked back to Perth from Kalgoorlie ( at least 6 ).  Track is in very good nick, has to be with the amount of freight carried.  The driver view cam setup is great!

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942865754487078913

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942869806193131520

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942873575395958784

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942882334239440899

[#Metro]

Any photos of the train station with a bus interchange on the roof?

[ozbob]

Canning Bridge is one but there is a better example. Gazza suggested Warwick but not sure if that's correct name. Checking with a local contact. Will head there today.

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942897952019714049

[ozbob]

Warwick is correct. Canning Bridge, if you're on the Mandurah line. Stirling, Warwick, Whitfords and Joondalup all have overhead bus interchanges on the Joondalup line.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942930560363651072

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942936285609463808

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942936527662809088

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942937354515316736

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942943000358936578

Going to Warwick now..

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942952825687908352

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942953660153081856

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942955173931921408

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942964680737173505

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942964934115074048

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942981651730120704

[ozbob]

Lots of passengers all lines today
Mandurah / Butler particularly.
There is still hope for SEQ but much to be done yet! 🏋

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railmaps/status/942983454416814080

[red dragin]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/942981651730120704

That is quite ingenious.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/943290428270329856

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/943302199509098496

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/943372724256120832

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/943389449043374080

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/943387455423524864

[ozbob]

Think I might go an have a look at this tomorrow.

Curtin's driverless bus

> http://research.curtin.edu.au/institutes-centres/driverless-bus/



Catch Train Thornlie Line, Perth Stn Platform 4
(Stop Number 99004) to Oats Street Stn Platform 2 (Stop Number 99072)
09:07am - 09:19am (12 mins)

Walk To Oats St Bus Rd Stand 2
(Stop Number 11291)
About 3 mins (33 metres)

BusCatch Bus 998, Oats Street Station
(Stop Number 11291) to Curtin University Bus Station (Stop Number 11699)
09:23am - 09:33am (10 mins)

[Stillwater]

Oh, the many ways TMR can stuff up the introduction of this technology to Queensland!   Nooooooo   

[ozbob]

Oh, the many ways TMR can stuff up the introduction of this technology to Queensland!   Nooooooo   

Why is it Perth can get it so right but Brisbane struggles on?  Clearly it has a lot do with how the organisations are structured.  Really is quite an eye-opener seeing how well the PT network here in Perth meshes together.  The PTA of WA is our preferred model for PTQ -  the last few days have just made me more determined to keep pushing for this essential reform.

The trains run like clockwork and frequent on Transperth.  Buses work well, and connect to rail as appropriate.

Suggestions to TransLink and QR to go and visit Perth to see how to run things properly are just scoffed at.  This is another sign of the very flawed self absorbed culture there permeates DTMR, and QR to some extent.  BCC needs to brought into the PTQ tent if we are really going to break the chains of mediocrity.  Until some major reform process occurs it will remain very piecemeal the PT nework in SEQ.  Some bright spots ( eg. GCLR ) but overall a disconnected poor frequency mess.

Large numbers of passengers travelling on the Perth network.  ' Frequency is freedom '.  The Transperth staff are present on the network all over, friendly and will help as requested.  Not in your face though, everything just happens in a ' no fuss ' style.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/943574219723390976

It really is mind boggling that DTMR thinks that partial platform raising is adequate.  Such half baked measures are really just making more longer term problems in terms of full compliance and so forth.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/943581503837028352

[Stillwater]

We should force the hand of the Queensland Government.  The members on this forum should put their hands in their pocket and present the new(ish) Minister, Mr Bailey, with a cheque that covers the cost of a return airfare to Perth for someone, and maybe the cost of a pie.  I am in for a couple hundred of dollars.

The airfare would need to be supplemented by accommodation and other costs matched by TMR money.  There is a staff professional development fund that covers these sorts of things - study leave etc.

The opportunity should be presented to an up-and-coming person within the PT planning area of TransLink/TMR to go over to Perth and work with TransPerth staff, examining their system.  The return for the RailBOT 'scholarship' would be that the person chosen would have to prepare a report, publicly available, that would discuss the introduction of the Perth model to SEQ.

This swapping of staff, or placing people 'on secondment' with a similar organisation happens in the private sector and used to occur among the various state transport agencies in years gone by.  Queensland is probably too arrogant to take part these days.

If the Minister refuses the offer, or decides to take the money and shout the whole department donuts for morning tea, we will know the stomach for reform within TMR/TransLink/QR.

Make lots of publicity involving handover of a 'big cheque'.

[ozbob]

Appreciate the suggestion Mr Stillwater. The Government boffins have the funds to do study tours. The real question is would they be bothered?

[Stillwater]

That is precisely my point.

Think of the media handling .... "SEQ commuters are so fed up with the poor standard of service they receive from the Queensland Government that they have dipped into their own pockets to show the government how it is so much better elsewhere."  etc etc

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/943648622524039169


https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/943657313285545985

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/943671521326784512

[#Metro]

We should force the hand of the Queensland Government.  The members on this forum should put their hands in their pocket and present the new(ish) Minister, Mr Bailey, with a cheque that covers the cost of a return airfare to Perth for someone, and maybe the cost of a pie.  I am in for a couple hundred of dollars.

The airfare would need to be supplemented by accommodation and other costs matched by TMR money.  There is a staff professional development fund that covers these sorts of things - study leave etc.

The opportunity should be presented to an up-and-coming person within the PT planning area of TransLink/TMR to go over to Perth and work with TransPerth staff, examining their system.  The return for the RailBOT 'scholarship' would be that the person chosen would have to prepare a report, publicly available, that would discuss the introduction of the Perth model to SEQ.

This swapping of staff, or placing people 'on secondment' with a similar organisation happens in the private sector and used to occur among the various state transport agencies in years gone by.  Queensland is probably too arrogant to take part these days.

If the Minister refuses the offer, or decides to take the money and shout the whole department donuts for morning tea, we will know the stomach for reform within TMR/TransLink/QR.

Make lots of publicity involving handover of a 'big cheque'.

Don't think it is ethical or legal to hand over money to a politician to get an outcome like that, and they get paid huge amounts already.

Staff swaps are a great idea, I think some education departments do that for teachers - their families take over each other's jobs and houses and it might even be cost neutral or minimal cost.

Trouble is "commercial in confidence" might be a barrier.

Perth staff might be a bit shocked to come to Queensland!

[Stillwater]

The money would not be for the personal use of a politician and would be to the department (TMR).  Most likely, any such offer would be politely declined and the money returned.  If pushed further, it might be accepted and put to an employee welfare fund.  But, who cares.  It is money to buy publicity showing up the woeful state of PT in SEQ.  Such an offer is in keeping with TMR/QR's own focus on image, not substance.

Among the things that impress me about Ozbob's pictures is the relatively modern passenger facilities around Perth and the excellent way in which historic elements (such as old railway station buildings) have been upgraded and incorporated into what would appear to be very functional layouts.  In Queensland, half-hearted attempts are made to the upkeep of existing facilities.

Also, again, it would appear that Perth pays attention to weather protection for passengers - not just around bus/railway stations, but along walkways to car parks, or to taxi ranks or the nearest shops.  This must involve some coordination with local councils.    in Queensland.

Signage looks excellent in Perth.  Well laid out and also, it would appear, well-lit at night.  It looks safe (no nooks and crannies for muggers to hide).

[ozbob]

At Perth airport for the flight to Melbourne.

Perth is an excellent PT system.  It is so easy to use because of the frequency (trains and buses) and connections work.
I will miss it.

Signage information is done well.  No ad wrap blocking windows of PT vehicles too.

SEQ is a shambles by comparison. 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/943978234802192385