RAIL Back On Track New Generation Rollingstock Public Inquiry - discussion

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail network fails again with service cancellations and delays

QUEENSLAND'S ongoing "Rail Fail" has bitten commuters once more as waves of service cancellations and delays trigger major disruptions across the state's brittle train network.

Still recovering from the October 2016 timetable meltdown, Queensland Rail has recorded 50 service cancellations or delays since it was gripped by a series of "Freaky Friday" failures on Friday the 13th last week.

Another three issues on Sunday were caused by congestion and "heavy passenger loading".

Some services were delayed up to 45 minutes, TransLink's Twitter notifications show.

The rolling disruptions follow a July 7 incident in which one of the state's newly commissioned New Generation Rollingstock trains damaged overhead lines, triggering 20-minute network-wide delays.

Sixty passengers were trapped in another train for an hour in a tunnel due to the power issue.

QR yesterday said the problems on Friday were caused by multiple separate issues, most notably an electrical fault, a mechanical fault and two separate medical issues.

Chief executive Nick Easy said six NGR trains had also been removed from service as a precaution to be inspected by the manufacturer as a result of an earlier mechanical fault.

He said the trains were returned to service yesterday morning.

Mr Easy said the disruptions equated to only 2.11 per cent of the 1192 services on Friday.

But Rail Back on Track advocate Robert Dow said the latest problems reinforced the need for an inquiry into the heavily delayed $4.4 billion NGR contract to buy 75 new trains.

"I understand a lot of it's to do with the aged trains that should have been replaced in 2016 but because of delays with the NGR project they are still up and running," he said.

"We are seriously concerned because it seems the NGR trains are still being very slow to be introduced into service and this is having an impact in terms of increases in mechanical issues, rollingstock issues and unreliability. The root problem is that the NGR trains are late."

He said frustrated commuters were "abandoning the rail network" because of its unreliability.

The NGR trains are to be modified at a cost to taxpayers of at least $150 million to fix design issues, including a failure to comply with disability access legislation.

QR stated in September the trains were "urgently required to replace an ageing fleet".

Both the Palaszczuk Government and State Opposition have committed to releasing secret Cabinet papers in a bid to show how the NGR project hit problems.

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

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 17th July 2018 page 17

Getting to the bottom of continuing rail issues

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1018896231693627392

[ozbob]

" .. Chief executive Nick Easy said six NGR trains had also been removed from service as a precaution to be inspected by the manufacturer as a result of an earlier mechanical fault. .. "

A well placed comment Mr Easy.  Thank you .. 

[PoliticalFootball]

Wouldn't surprise to see NGR mentioned more often now. People within the organisation are starting to get pretty sick of Bombardier/NGR. They are getting hard to keep defending.

[ozbob]

Wouldn't surprise to see NGR mentioned more often now. People within the organisation are starting to get pretty sick of Bombardier/NGR. They are getting hard to keep defending.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1019257985518862336

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

18th July 2018

Public transport crisis now manifest!

Good Morning,

The rail network is floundering.  There were 24 rail service disruption notices posted by TransLink yesterday on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1019249162812993536

This is another sign of the impact on Queensland Rail of the botched NGR project.

Urgent action is now needed on a number of levels.

The NGR project management needs to be removed from DTMR and given over to Queensland Rail.  Working through an incompetent agency is compounding the problems with NGRs.

Move to form a proper statutory authority, we suggest Public Transport Queensland.  Public Transport must be removed from DTMR.

The NGR Inquiry must be advanced.  We still need another 50 six car trains (above the present 75 NGR trains being slowly rolled out) to properly service the rail network post Cross River Rail.  This acquisition process must start soon.  The NGR Inquiry will identify the mistakes made such that they are never repeated again.

Our public transport network is being smashed, it is broken.  Time for action!

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.msg211236#msg211236 ]

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1019622139329052672

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 19th July 2018 page 17

Rail network in dreadful state

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1019674512038588416

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1020409366472679424

[ozbob]

Govt has just announced NGR Inquiry 

More soon ...

About to do an interview on 4BC

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/7/23/next-generation-rollingstock-inquiry

Media Statements
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Monday, July 23, 2018

Next Generation Rollingstock inquiry

Retired District Court Judge Michael Forde will conduct an inquiry into the procurement of Queensland's Next Generation Rollingstock (NGR) trains, and their failure to comply with disability laws.

His appointment was approved by cabinet this morning.

Mr Forde will be able to access relevant documents in the procurement process including technical specifications, design approvals and cabinet documents.

Mr Forde will commence his inquiry in August and report to the government with recommendations late this year.

Mr Forde's full terms of reference will be released once approved by Executive Council.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1021289561064812544

[ozbob]

Just completed an interview on 4BC with Mark Braybrook Drive re this announcement.

Understand Inclusion Moves is also doing ABC Brisbane & Gold Coast.

[Stillwater]

The terms of reference will be critical.  Will it just be limited to disability access issues or run to the complete procurement process for NGR trains.

Obviously, the government saw that the matter was being taken out of its hands the more Ozbob sought RTI data.  It had no choice but to call its own inquiry.

[ozbob]

Fares Fair will be chatting with ABC Brisbane tomorrow morning as well.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Former judge to lead Queensland Rail rollingstock inquiry

RETIRED District Court Judge Michael Forde will lead an inquiry into the troubled $4.4 billion rollout of new trains for southeast Queensland.

Cabinet signed off on his appointment on Monday.

It comes after The Courier-Mail revealed both former premier Campbell Newman and the Palaszczuk Government had agreed to publicly release cabinet documents related to the $4.4 billion new generation rollingstock rollout.

The NGR project – initially begun under the former Bligh Government and then progressed by the former Newman government – has been plagued with problems.

The trains were months behind sche­dule and beset with nagging design issues including disability access problems.

Delivery of the trains was halted in March over design issues.

The Government then announced it would spend $100 million fixing the disability access flaws, awarding the contract to firm Downer with the work to be undertaken at its Maryborough works.

The Government released a statement this afternoon, more than a month after former transport minister - now Treasurer - Jackie Trad and Mr Newman agreed to the release of the Cabinet documents.

"Mr Forde will be able to access relevant documents in the procurement process including technical specifications, design approvals and cabinet documents," the statement read.

"Mr Forde will commence his inquiry in August and report to the government with recommendations late this year.

"Mr Forde's full terms of reference will be released once approved by Executive Council."

Mr Forde was last year at the helm of the government's inquiry into the tow truck industry, which led to 22 recommendations, including capping private parking tow fees at $250 and regulating private towing.

The recommendations were adopted in a Bill that went before State Parliament earlier this year.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

23rd July 2018

Next Generation Rollingstock inquiry

Greetings,

RAIL Back On Track welcomes the Premier's announcement today of an inquiry into the Next Generation Rollingstock.
( http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/7/23/next-generation-rollingstock-inquiry ).

Accordingly, RAIL Back On Track will now suspend our own inquiry ( https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?board=88.0 )
pending details of the full terms of reference being released.

We have full confidence in Retired District Court Judge Michael Forde. We also note that Judge Forde also recently conducted the Inquiry into the Tow Truck Industry, which lead to numerous recommendations and, fixing the problems with unscrupulous operators.

The key question for us is why were non DDA non DSAPT compliant NGR trains ordered? It has been a requirement since 2002 for new passenger rollingstock to be compliant.  It is important that future procurements of rollingstock be compliant.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1021304080663117826

https://twitter.com/InclusionMoves/status/1021305342313914368

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Train inquiry to examine why NGR carriages don't comply with disability laws

The bungled rollout of Queensland's newest fleet of trains, which have been plagued by defects and disability access issues, will be probed by a government inquiry.

The New Generation Rollingstock trains were delivered more than 18 months late from an Indian builder, and required more than $150 million of extra funds to modify major defects, to ensure they worked properly.

Hundreds of problems needed to be rectified across at least 35 trains, including braking, air-conditioning, ventilation and sightlines for train drivers.

The $4.4 billion trains also failed disability access tests, with the Human Rights Commission refusing the Government an exemption from disability compliance laws.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Monday evening retired District Court Judge Michael Forde would conduct an inquiry into the procurement of the trains, and their failure to comply with disability laws.

"Mr Forde will be able to access relevant documents in the procurement process including technical specifications, design approvals and cabinet documents," Ms Palaszczuk said in a statement.

The full terms of reference were yet to be decided.

The Newman government ordered the trains from the Bombardier-led consortium called Qtectic in January 2014, saying at the time they were coming in at half the price the previous government paid for Rollingstock.

The delivery of 75 trains was expected by the end of 2016, but on-track testing uncovered significant problems, and the rollout was halted in March 2017.

Since then, more than 35 of the trains have been delivered, with the first service between the Gold Coast and Brisbane Airport run at the end of 2017.

The Premier said the inquiry was approved on Monday morning by cabinet and will commence in August, with a report to be submitted to the Government with recommendations late this year.

Mr Forde previously led an inquiry into Queensland's tow truck industry, which recommended a capped fee for private parking removals.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Bombardier maintained its original position that the NGR trains were built to the specifications provided at the time.

"The trains were designed in Queensland by a very dedicated team of industry professionals, and they've been built especially for Queensland commuters," the spokesperson said.

"We look forward to the terms of reference becoming available."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1021315099909242881

[InclusionMoves]

Absolutely agree Stillwater terms of reference critical. Will be pushing for it to be more than a paper review. Disabled community among others must have a voice. Also critical it not only looks at procurement but rollout. Huge lessons to be learned in whether you should roll out an inferior product,

Geoff

The terms of reference will be critical.  Will it just be limited to disability access issues or run to the complete procurement process for NGR trains.

Obviously, the government saw that the matter was being taken out of its hands the more Ozbob sought RTI data.  It had no choice but to call its own inquiry.

[#Metro]

Retired District Court judge Michael Forde will have access to secret cabinet documents as part of an investigation into Queensland's beleaguered new train fleet.

Mr Forde has been appointed to head an inquiry into the procurement of the Next Generation Rollingstock trains and their failure to comply with disability laws.

Retired judge to have access to cabinet documents in train probe
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/retired-judge-to-have-access-to-cabinet-documents-in-train-probe-20180723-p4zt5f.html

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Retired judge to have access to cabinet documents in train probe

Retired District Court judge Michael Forde will have access to secret cabinet documents as part of an investigation into Queensland's beleaguered new train fleet.

Mr Forde has been appointed to head an inquiry into the procurement of the Next Generation Rollingstock trains and their failure to comply with disability laws.

His appointment was approved by cabinet on Monday morning.

Mr Forde will be able to access documents involved in the procurement process including technical specifications, design approvals and cabinet documents.

He will begin his inquiry in August and report to the government with recommendations late in 2018.

Mr Forde's full terms of reference will be released once approved by Executive Council.

Both sides of politics have thrown blame on the other for the problems with the $4.4 billion NGR.

The trains have disability access issues, including the toilets and pathways being too small for wheelchairs.

In March, the Human Rights Commission denied the state a temporary exemption to disability discrimination laws, but Queensland Rail decided to keep the trains on the tracks.

The Queensland government had asked for an exemption for three years while it fixed the problems with the trains.

Ordered under the previous LNP government, the first NGR trains were due to be operational in mid-2016, but after the discovery of significant issues, including problems with braking, airconditioning, sight lines for drivers and disability access, delivery was halted in March 2017.

The Human Rights Commission questioned why the LNP Newman government procured non-compliant trains in 2013 and why the Palaszczuk Labor government had not fixed the problems before they entered passenger service in 2017.

The exemption refusal meant people with a disability had the right to bring a legal complaint under the Disability Discrimination Act.

Labor's first televised attack ad before last year's state election targeted former LNP leader Tim Nicholls over the NGR.

The government announced integrated services company Downer would fix the trains at Maryborough, with about $100 million to be spent making them disability-compliant.

Mr Forde last year led an inquiry into the operation of the tow truck industry in Queensland.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/CampbellNewman/status/1021321560022429696

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1021325100241448960

[ozbob]

Just completed an interview on 4BC with Mark Braybrook Drive re this announcement.

Understand Inclusion Moves is also doing ABC Brisbane & Gold Coast.

Here is the interview.  4BC Drive with Mark Braybrook 23rd July 2018

>> https://backontrack.org/docs/4bc/4bc_brisbane_23jul18.mp3

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1021493245858209792

[ozbob]

Interview by Inclusion Moves with Craig Zonca and Rebecca Levingston on ABC Radio Breakfast 24th July 2018

Here > https://backontrack.org/docs/abcbris/IM_abcbrisbane_24jul18.mp3  8.8MB

[ozbob]

Coming up after the 7am News, former Premier Campbell Newman then our own Fares_Fair !

[ozbob]

Coming up after the 7am News, former Premier Campbell Newman then our own Fares_Fair !

Here are the interviews.  ABC Radio Brisbane hosts Craig Zonca and Rebecca Levingston

Former Premier Campbell Newman, then Fares_Fair 24th July 2018

Here --> https://backontrack.org/docs/abcbris/abcbrisbane_24jul18.mp3 MP3 19.5 MB

Thanks Jeff for stepping up to the plate!   

Very interesting viewpoints by Mr Newman.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1021510916481855489

[InclusionMoves]

Mr Newman seems to honestly believe his government was misled by bureaucracy. Whether this is true or not remains to be seen but absolute respect for him to push for something where he fully admits he does not have all the answers. We all as taxpayers need those answers.

Geoff   

Coming up after the 7am News, former Premier Campbell Newman then our own Fares_Fair !

Here are the interviews.  ABC Radio Brisbane hosts Craig Zonca and Rebecca Levingston

Former Premier Campbell Newman, then Fares_Fair 24th July 2018

Here --> https://backontrack.org/docs/abcbris/abcbrisbane_24jul18.mp3 MP3 19.5 MB

Thanks Jeff for stepping up to the plate!   

Very interesting viewpoints by Mr Newman.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1021512643830403072

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> State launches inquiry into NGR procurement

New Generation Rollingstock manufacturer Bombardier has reiterated it designed and built Queensland's new trains according to the specifications it was given, as Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Monday announced an inquiry into the trains' procurement process.

Palaszczuk has named retired District Court judge Michael Forde to conduct an inquiry into the procurement of the 75 six-car NGR train sets, and their failure to comply with disability laws.

Queensland Rail and the State of Queensland recently failed in a joint bid for an exemption from the Australian Human Rights Commission for the NGR trains, which do not all currently comply with certain sections of the Transport Standards in the Disability Discrimination Act.

The NGR fleet is undergoing changes at Downer's facility in Maryborough as a result of the compliance issues. Disability advocates have pushed for the NGR trains already on the network to be pulled until the issues are rectified, but this has not yet occurred, and the state has not indicated it is considering this option.

The disability access concerns were among a number of issues encountered throughout the $4.4 billion NGR rollout. Rectified issues during the rollout relate to driver sightlines, braking, air conditioning and ventilation.

Bombardier, which has a good track record of delivering rollingstock around the world, has indicated many of the design issues encountered were a relatively normal part of the testing process, and par for the course for any new train delivery.

Some commentators have also suggested the NGR's troubled rollout was a result of a calamitous environment at the state's passenger operator, Queensland Rail. The NGR rollout, coupled with a staffing crisis, led to a separate state inquiry, and significant turnover at the network operator throughout 2017.

In a statement, Bombardier said it looked forward to the release of a terms of reference for the NGR inquiry.

"Bombardier maintains its original position that the NGR trains have been built to the specifications provided at the time," the manufacturer said.

"The trains were designed in Queensland by a very dedicated team of industry professionals, and they've been built especially for Queensland commuters."

Palaszczuk said on July 23 Michael Forde would commence his inquiry in August, and report to the government with recommendations late this year. His full terms of reference will be released once they are approved by Executive Council.

"Mr Forde will be able to access relevant documents in the procurement process including technical specifications, design approvals and cabinet documents," the premier said.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/allysonhorn/status/1021330155006902273

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> NGR inquiry a sham, says Campbell Newman

FORMER premier Campbell Newman has slammed the State Government's appointment of a retired District Court judge to lead its inquiry into the rollout of new trains for the southeast as a "sham", claiming the Liberal National Party should have been consulted.

It comes after The Courier-Mail revealed both Mr Newman and the current Labor Government had agreed to publicly release cabinet documents related to the troubled $4.4 billion New Generation Rollingstock rollout.

Acquisition of the trains began under Anna Bligh's Labor government when Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was transport minister.

The Government yesterday announced that retired District Court Judge Michael Forde would lead the inquiry.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington last month wrote to Ms Palaszczuk, encouraging the Government to appoint the state's Auditor-General, saying the office had the independence, experience and resources necessary to undertake the inquiry.

It is understood the LNP was not consulted ahead of Mr Forde's appointment.

Mr Newman said the only acceptable way forward was for full bipartisan support of the inquiry's chairperson.

"Given that this has not happened, it's clear the Government is trying to control the result to present themselves in a good light and politically damage the LNP," he said.

"While I have the greatest respect for the nominated head, he should recuse himself because of perceptions over his strong alignment to the Labor Party.

"This is a sham, it is not a proper inquiry, and if it continues in this way I will continue to call it for what it is, a sham.

"Why was the hard-hitting and independent state's Auditor-General not selected to head this inquiry?

"Are Labor afraid of what this independent public servant would have uncovered?"

The Government has been approached for comment.

Meanwhile, an advocacy group says disabled commuters have been left disadvantaged because the NGR fleet continues to operate without meeting national standards.

The trains were denied an exemption by the Australian Human Rights Commission after it was discovered they had no disabled toilets and limited access for wheelchairs.

Despite that ruling, the Government has continued to operate the trains, a decision criticised by advocacy group People with Disability Australia.

"Access to public transport is vital so that people with disability can get to work, study and recreation," spokeswoman Frances Farrant said today.

"The decision to use inaccessible trains has been outrageous and ignores the rights of people with disability to use public transport, just like everyone else."

A contract was later approved by Mr Newman's LNP government, with the first of the Indian-made trains arriving after Labor returned to power in 2015.

Delays and ongoing problems with the rollout of the 75 trains has drawn criticism from both sides of politics.

Almost 60 passengers were trapped underground last month when a fault caused by one of trains damaged power lines, leading to widespread delays.

The incident resulted in another train on the Brisbane airport line breaking down in a tunnel for over an hour, with passengers evacuated via an emergency exit and one needing medical treatment for anxiety.

Canadian company Bombardier is undertaking work to fix the trains at the railyards in Maryborough, northwest of Brisbane.

[ozbob]

^
Mr Newman seemed fairly comfortable with the Govt's proposed inquiry on ABC Radio this morning, with the caveat, like us, of waiting to see the full terms of reference.

I would have expected that the Govt would have run this past the opposition first but appears not ... 

So I guess some people have been whispering things into his ears during the day ...

[#Metro]

Really should have been the Auditor General, that's what they're there for.

[ozbob]

9 News --> Former judge to lead inquiry into flawed Queensland train fleet

Retired district court judge Michael Forde will lead the inquiry into Queensland's $4.4 billion bungled New Generation Rollingstock trains, which have been plagued with problems.

One of the biggest issues is that the bathrooms are not wide enough for wheelchairs.

Disability advocate Geoff Trappett said Jackie Trad was made aware of the issue in 2015 but the rollout could not be halted, and the bungled trains hit the tracks in December 2017.

"We've got trains which are non-compliant with federal disability standards which have been around since the mid-2000s and that's just unforgivable," Mr Trappett from Inclusion Moves said.

In a shock interview, former Premier Campbell Newman, whose government ordered the trains be built in India, admits he cannot recall the details of the designs he signed off on.

"Honestly, it's so long ago. I cannot remember. But that's again, why I'm happy to have an inquiry" he told ABC radio this morning.

He went on to say, "the submission that was brought to us would've said that the trains had to comply, for example, with the disability law. I wouldn't have signed off on something that didn't say that, so why don't they comply?"

The company hired to make these trains has issued a statement saying: "Bombardier maintains its original position that the NGR trains have been built to the specifications provided at the time."

"The trains were designed in Queensland by a very dedicated team of industry professionals, and they've been built especially for Queensland commuters."

A spokesperson also said the company looks forward to finding out how deep the inquiry will go.

Taxpayers will be keen to know how the government ended up spending billions on bungled trains.