RAIL Back On Track New Generation Rollingstock Public Inquiry - discussion

[ozbob]

The claim by the ALP that the LNP brought  ' half price trains ' in India is not really fair.

A single 6 car unit will be cheaper than 2 x 3 car, simply because of 2 versus 4 cabs.  Cabs are an expensive part of a train.

There would have also been an economy of scale too in a sense as 75 trains is a reasonably sized order.

The NGRs were designed as DOO units as well. Hence the cost now of retrofitting screens in the cabs for guards ($50 million).

This  inquiry process is quite useful in clarifying some of the false claims were have heard constantly from both sides of the political fence hey?  And we have only just begun ...



Looking forward to more ..

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/1/29/new-trains-for-half-the-price Accessed 3 April 2018

Media Statements

JOINT STATEMENT

Treasurer and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Tim Nicholls

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

New trains for half the price

A multi-billion dollar contract to deliver 75 new trains in South East Queensland will save taxpayers more than $11 million per train.

Treasurer Tim Nicholls and Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said Bombardier NGR Consortium has been contracted to design, build, finance and maintain the new trains under a 32-year contract valued at about $4.4 billion.

"Under this deal we are delivering 75 six-car trains at almost half the price of what the previous Labor government paid for its rollingstock," Mr Nicholls said.

"The contract will deliver the new trains over the next five years and maintenance for a 32-year operational period, at a fixed price, so there are no hidden surprises for taxpayers.

"This project is a perfect example of the Newman Government delivering on its election promises by providing better infrastructure and better planning, working with the private sector to deliver cost-effective projects."

Mr Emerson said this was the largest single public transport investment by any Queensland Government and would expand the existing fleet and replace old rollingstock.

"This project will provide almost 500 full-time local jobs, including 150 full-time new ongoing maintenance positions at the modern, purpose-built maintenance facility at Wulkuraka in Ipswich West," Mr Emerson said.

"This investment will increase the capacity of our rail fleet by about 30 per cent and will mean more trains more often.

"Unlike the previous Labor government we have been able to deliver new trains for less by paying around $13.7 million per six-car set compared with Labor who paid almost twice that amount.

"All new trains will be fitted with modern features to increase passenger comfort and safety and will be compatible with the existing rail network and the new Underground Bus and Train network."

Bombardier Transportation Senior Adviser Dan Osborne said Bombardier was pleased to continue its long-term relationship with Queensland.

"We're continuing to support the state's rail system, as we have done since the 1970s," Mr Osborne said. 

Arrival and testing of the first of the new trains will begin in late 2015.

[ENDS] 29 January 2014

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/981030986543636480

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

4th April 2018

Queensland Rail RTI Disclosure Log - not updated

Good Morning,

The Queensland Rail RTI Disclosure Log ( https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/about%20us/Right%20to%20Information/Pages/OurLists.aspx ) has the last release as of 28/01/15.  (Accessed 0155 hours 4th April 2018).

A polite request to the Minister for Transport and Queensland Rail for an explanation has been ignored as usual > https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/980551221290319872

There is nothing on the page to indicate why the last release is over three years ago?

What is going on please?  The Right to Information Act 2009 should not be ignored.

In view of the substandard rail service we now endure it is expected that RTI Information concerning Queensland Rail will be of significant interest to the wider public. After all they are ones suffering, not the cashed up Queensland Rail Executive Leadership Team and the cashed up staff.  Is this another sign of the Queensland Rail fail culture in control once more? Another sign  of the open and transparent Queensland Government?

We look forward to an explanation and perhaps some RTI releases.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/981200698653093888

[ozbob]

28 October 2010 Sydney Morning Herald --> Tender tease for Downer as it wins QR train deal Accessed 7 April 2018

DOWNER EDI has won a $190 million contract from Queensland Rail to build two high-speed passenger trains servicing the Brisbane-Cairns rail corridor.

But the win could turn out to be little more than a consolation prize if it misses out on a much larger tender to build 200 three-car train sets for the same company, to be decided early next year.

''The real prize is that 200 train set contract,'' said a Commonwealth Bank analyst, Ben Brownette.

The Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, said the new trains would be able to run at speeds of up to 160km/h, cutting five hours off the travel time of the old Sunlander.

The two high-speed tilt-trains will be built at Downer's Maryborough facility in Queensland.

The government has been under pressure to provide work for the facility. Unions are angry at Queensland Rail's decision to tender for 200 trains at once, compared with the usual 30, making the project more attractive for international competitors.

A spokesman for the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, Brad Hansen, said the Sunlander contract win would help maintain a consistent workflow at the Maryborough factory, but winning the larger Queensland Rail contract was vital. The union has said up to 1000 jobs could be lost if the contract went interstate or offshore.

Downer, in a joint venture with the Canadian firm Bombardier, has been shortlisted for the 200-train contract, with UGL-Rotem and Mitsubishi-CAF.

Mr Brownette said the Sunlander contract could eliminate a significant bargaining chip at its disposal - the need for the government to keep work at Maryborough.

''Now that they've won this contract and these people [in Maryborough] are employed for a period of time ... it might put them back on an even footing with the other short-listed bidders,'' he said.

Downer's credibility has been under siege after delays and cost blow-outs on its billion-dollar NSW Waratah rail contract for the state's CityRail network.

But Mr Brownette said the Waratah trains were more complex to build and would not have played a big part in Queensland Rail's decision to award the contract.

Downer's chief executive, Grant Fenn, said the tilt-trains would be delivered progressively from 2013.

[ozbob]

http://warrentruss.com.au/electorate.php?id=1691  Accessed 7 April 2018

Trains for Queensland should be made in Maryborough

11th February, 2011

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss said that he is dismayed that the Queensland Labor Government is prepared to sacrifice local rail jobs and dishonour a commitment to buy 38 three car passenger trains worth $380 million, from Maryborough.

"I am horrified that the Bligh Labor Government would break its budget promise and risk local jobs when it knows how important the rail industry is to the battling Fraser Coast economy," Mr Truss said.

"That the Bligh Labor Government has cancelled an existing commitment to Downer EDi and put the order out to international tender is reprehensible," Mr Truss said.

"At the last State election, Anna Bligh promised to create 100,000 new jobs. How can anyone believe her word when her Government acts so frivolously in dishonouring orders and offering the jobs to overseas workers.

"The train contract is a source of local employment and key regional economic driver that Ms Bligh's Government can control. She has a clear choice to either secure the future of local rail jobs or send them off to Asia.

"I feel for the employees and their families who have become very anxious at the antics of the Bligh Labor Government and its whole rail fiasco.

"We have been waiting for more than 12 months for an announcement on the 200 rail car tender which has been delayed and delayed," Mr Truss said.

"First we had the 200 rail car contract opened up to international bidders. Then Labor's promise to protect Queensland Rail jobs under the privatisation deal evaporated days after Anna Bligh sold Queensland Rail. Now Labor has welshed on its promise that 102 three car passenger carriages will be supplied locally.

"Surely the problems that the New South Wales Government has had in sourcing trains from overseas should be warning enough for the Queensland Government to use reliable and proven suppliers.

"We have a world class train manufacturing facility in Maryborough. Bombardier and Downer EDi and their workers have a proven track record of supplying a high quality product at a competitive price to Queensland Rail.

"The message for the Queensland Government is simple. Trains for Queensland should be made in Maryborough."

[ozbob]

New Generation Rollingstock Depot: Case Study Report  January 2015

Abstract

This report summarises the findings of a case study on Queensland's New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) Project carried out as part of SBEnrc Project 2.34 Driving Whole-of-life Efficiencies through BIM and Procurement. This case study is one of three exemplar projects studied in order to leverage academic research in defining indicators for measuring tangible and intangible benefits of Building Information Modelling (BIM) across a project's life-cycle in infrastructure and buildings. The NGR is an AUD 4.4 billion project carried out under an Availability Payment Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the Queensland Government and the Bomabardier-led QTECTIC consortium comprising Bombardier Transportation, John Laing, ITOCHU Corporation and Aberdeen Infrastructure Investments. BIM has been deployed on the project from conceptual stages to drive both design and the currently ongoing construction at the Wulkuraka Project Site. This case study sourced information from a series of semi-structured interviews covering a cross-section of key stakeholders on the project. The present research identified 25 benefits gained from implementing BIM processes and tools. Some of the most prominent benefits were those leading to improved outcomes and higher customer satisfaction such as improved communications, data and information management, and coordination. There were also a number of expected benefits for future phases such as: • Improved decision making through the use of BIM for managing assets • Improved models through BIM maturity • Better utilisation of BIM for procurement on similar future projects • New capacity to specify the content of BIM models within contracts There were also three benefits that were expected to have been achieved but were not realised on the NGR project. These were higher construction information quality levels, better alignment in design teams as well as project teams, and capability improvements in measuring the impact of BIM on construction safety. This report includes individual profiles describing each benefit as well as the tools and processes that enabled them. Four key BIM metrics were found to be currently in use and six more were identified as potential metrics for the future. This case study also provides insights into challenges associated with implementing BIM on a project of the size and complexity of the NGR. Procurement aspects and lessons learned for managers are also highlighted, including a list of recommendations for developing a framework to assess the benefits of BIM across the project life-cycle.

New Generation Rollingstock Depot: Case... (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/295402940_New_Generation_Rollingstock_Depot_Case_Study_Report [accessed Apr 07 2018].

[ozbob]

21 November 2013 Government News -->  Queensland taps Bombardier to replace ageing train fleet Accessed 7 April 2018

The Queensland government has tapped the Bombardier NGR Consortium as the selected tenderer to supply a new fleet of 75 six-car passenger trains in a major overhaul of the state's public transport system.

The big win for the Bombardier-led bid puts it at the front of the New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) project that aims to provide the new trains, maintain them for 30 years and construct and maintain a new maintenance centre at Wulkuraka.

Once the contract is inked, the Consortium consisting of Bombardier Transportation Australia, John Laing, ITOCHU Corporation and Uberior will be expected to deliver the trains to be in service by December 2018 to meet the growing demand for rail services in south-east Queensland.

Boosting the number of passenger trains in south-east Queensland has become a major priority for the Newman government because of the significant population growth in the area over the last 20 years.

Although the new trains will be built and designed to operate on the new $5 billion Underground Bus and Train project, the government isn't officially revealing the total price tag of the 75 new trains because the contract with the Consortium has yet to be finalised.

Premier Campbell Newman said the NGR is the largest order of new trains in Queensland and lives up to the government's election promise to deliver better planning and infrastructure.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson said the contract will be finalised in the coming months with the testing of the first completed train expected to commence in late 2015.

The rail industry has heartily welcomed Queensland's rail renewal and expansion project after the federal Coalition government dumped previous rail funding offers after it won office in September.

Australasian Rail Association (ARA) chief executive Bryan Nye said he was "glad to see the Newman government take ownership of this project and ensure its future."

"It is good to see that state governments like Queensland, even in tough economic times, recognise the importance of public transport investment to ensure our cities are productive, liveable and better connected into the future," Mr Nye said.

"With Brisbane's inner city rail network reaching its absolute capacity within the next 5 years, providing an extra river crossing in the CBD will ensure Brisbane's entire transport network doesn't grind to a halt.

"This investment in critical infrastructure for Brisbane will see eased congestion in the CBD, more public transport routes into the city and more people and freight going on rail," Mr Nye said.

The Rail Association chief also applauded combining the rail tunnel with an extension of Brisbane's busway network because it will potentially alleviate congestion on the Victoria Bridge section of the busway network.

"This project is like hitting two birds with one stone, breaking bottlenecks on two public transport systems at once", Mr Nye added.

"With the average passenger train removing 525 cars off the road, Brisbane is sure to see an improved quality of its environment, society and economy because of this world leading project," Mr Nye said.

Early works on the 5.4 kilometre tunnel are expected to start in 2015 and be completed by 2021.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/11/18/preferred-tenderer-for-new-queensland-trains Accessed 7 April 2018

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier
The Honourable Campbell Newman

Treasurer and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Tim Nicholls

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Monday, November 18, 2013

Preferred tenderer for new Queensland trains

The delivery of 75 new six-car trains for the Queensland fleet is a step closer with Bombardier NGR Consortium being announced as the preferred tenderer.

Premier Campbell Newman said the fleet would be a boost to public transport and would be built to operate on the new and innovative Underground Bus and Train project.

"The New Generation Rollingstock project is the largest order of new trains in Queensland and lives up to this Government's election promise to deliver better planning and infrastructure," Mr Newman said.

"Unlike the previous Labor government we are committed to increasing capacity on our growing network not driving people away by slugging them with 15 per cent fare increases.

"The day after announcing one of the most innovative public transport solutions in the world, we are getting on with the job of delivering a new passenger fleet to travel on the steeper slopes needed for the Underground Bus and Train project."

Treasurer Tim Nicholls said the Government was securing the best deal for Queensland by using an availability payment public-private partnership finance option.

"There has been a rigorous procurement process with tenderers having to demonstrate value for money and innovation in their bids," Mr Nicholls said.

"The project team has entered into negotiations with the Bombardier NGR Consortium, comprising Bombardier Transportation Australia, John Laing, ITOCHU Corporation and Uberior."

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said all 75 trains were to be delivered and in service by December 2018 boosting the existing train fleet to meet the growing demand for rail services in south-east Queensland.

"The contract includes purchasing 75 new six-car trains, maintenance of the trains for a period of around 30 years, and construction and maintenance of a modern, purpose-built maintenance centre at Wulkuraka in Ipswich," Mr Emerson said.

"The contract will be finalised in the coming months with the testing of the first completed train expected to commence in late 2015."

Transport and Main Roads is delivering the project in partnership with Projects Queensland.

[ENDS] 18 November 2013

[ozbob]

Research continues into the background of the botched NGR project. If the State does not move forward with a Commission of Inquiry/Parliamentary Inquiry into all circumstances of this failure we will have our own Public Inquiry.
> https://t.co/MkEh2XRD9d#qldpol #NGRfail pic.twitter.com/FFOTmZ9Ir9

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 11, 2018

[ozbob]

Corview* --> New Generation Rollingstock accessed 14th April 2018

Client | Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads/ Queensland Rail Limited
Location | Queensland
Role | Business Case Manager, Economic Advisor, Transaction Manager and Advisor, Commercial Manager

The New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) involved the procurement and maintenance of up to 100 new six-car electric passenger trains and associated maintenance facilities for the city network to add to the existing fleet and replace aging rollingstock.

The project was originally developed and taken to the market as a Design Build Maintain (DBM). The procurement under a DBM was progressed to within three months of contract close. Following a change of state government, the delivery model was amended to a Design Build Finance Maintain (DBFM), the transaction process was restructured and the contract under the DBFM reached financial close in January 2014.

Corview's engagement was to provide a Business Case to secure an investment decision and appropriately source the funding for the project, provide commercial advisory services and to transaction management services effectively leading the project to a successful procurement outcome.

The New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) involved the procurement and maintenance of up to 100 new six-car electric passenger trains and associated maintenance facilities for the city network to add to the existing fleet and replace aging rollingstock.

The project was originally developed and taken to the market as a Design Build Maintain (DBM). The procurement under a DBM was progressed to within three months of contract close. Following a change of state government, the delivery model was amended to a Design Build Finance Maintain (DBFM), the transaction process was restructured and the contract under the DBFM reached financial close in January 2014.

Corview's engagement was to provide a business case to secure an investment decision and appropriately source the funding for the project, provide commercial risk advisory services and transaction management services, effectively leading the project to a successful procurement outcome ...

* https://www.corview.com.au/

Corview is a leading management consultancy, providing advisory services to a wide range of government and industry clients on major commercial, infrastructure, building and services projects.

With operations in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, our team of industry professionals specialise in:

    Strategy and planning
    Project development
    Economics
    Data analytics and visualisation
    Investment and finance
    Commercial and delivery management

Our expertise enables our clients to make informed investment decisions and manage complex infrastructure transactions across all phases of project development and delivery.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/985676514170552321

[achiruel]

The NGRs were designed as DOO units as well. Hence the cost now of retrofitting screens in the cabs for guards ($50 million).

And where was the plan to convert the QR suburban network to be suitable for DOO by the end of 2016 or thereabouts? Non-existent? So which idiot decided to buy DOO trains for a non-DOO network? I hope the inquiry names and shames that person.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

19th April 2018

NGR trains non-compliance is not going away ...

Good Morning,

Any progress with the rectification plan for the non-compliant New Generation Rollingstock trains?  They are non-compliant and are operating without the protection of a legal exemption ( https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/legal/exemptions/exemption-applications-under-disability-discrimination-act-1992-cth ) .

The entire SEQ rail network is at risk should a successful injunctive action force the ' State of Queensland ' to cease operating the non-compliant NGR trains.  The best defence is to lock in a proper rectification plan and commence the necessary works.

Still no response to our call for a proper Commission of Inquiry/Parliamentary Inquiry into this botched project.  We will be proceeding with our own New Generation Rollingstock Public Inquiry in 24 days if no Government response ( https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=13073.0 ). What a sad indictment that would be on the State if we are forced to proceed.  A State that ' talks the talk, but seriously fails to walk the talk '.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

How the many many people involved in the cascading levels of failed governance structure that signed off NGR are still in jobs I will never know? Time for inquiry @Robert_Dow if your job title is below you should be concerned. #railfail pic.twitter.com/t9rQCuB70F

— Geoff-InclusionMoves (@InclusionMoves) April 21, 2018

[#Metro]

Consultants get paid $$, pretty much one of the main costs of government after public servant wages, lawyers and PR. Gov't needs consultants because MPs are elected for their values not their expertise. Perhaps you could consider becoming a disability/accessibility consulting firm and then charge c.a. $100/hr for your time.

PS: that diagram is a MESS! So many teams and committees. The communications would have looked like spaghetti.

1. Contract review meeting
2. Project monitoring committee
3. NGR Project Team
4. NGR Program Leadership Team
5. NGR Program Director
6. QR Operational Readiness Program Control Group (QR Side)
7. NGR Program Control Group
8. Program Steering Committee

9. Director-General of TMR

Out of interest, I decided to put this in BBQ terms:

1. BBQ Supplier contract review meeting
2. BBQ Monitoring committee
3. BBQ Project Team
4. BBQ Leadership Team
5. BBQ Director
6. BBQ Operational Readiness Group
7. BBQ Control Group
8. BBQ Steering Committee

Customer: Director-General of the BBQ

You couldn't organise a BBQ with that mess of a structure, so how could the NGRs be organised that way??

[ozbob]

Disclosure log Queensland Rail

https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/about%20us/Right%20to%20Information/Pages/OurLists.aspx

Doesn't seem to be up to date.

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/980551221290319872

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/980552322899046401

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/987526732365250561

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/987539807717871616

[ozbob]

Consultants get paid $$, pretty much one of the main costs of government after public servant wages, lawyers and PR. Gov't needs consultants because MPs are elected for their values not their expertise. Perhaps you could consider becoming a disability/accessibility consulting firm and then charge c.a. $100/hr for your time.

PS: that diagram is a MESS! So many teams and committees. The communications would have looked like spaghetti.

1. Contract review meeting
2. Project monitoring committee
3. NGR Project Team
4. NGR Program Leadership Team
5. NGR Program Director
6. QR Operational Readiness Program Control Group (QR Side)
7. NGR Program Control Group
8. Program Steering Committee

9. Director-General of TMR

Out of interest, I decided to put this in BBQ terms:

1. BBQ Supplier contract review meeting
2. BBQ Monitoring committee
3. BBQ Project Team
4. BBQ Leadership Team
5. BBQ Director
6. BBQ Operational Readiness Group
7. BBQ Control Group
8. BBQ Steering Committee

Customer: Director-General of the BBQ

You couldn't organise a BBQ with that mess of a structure, so how could the NGRs be organised that way??

NGR cooking team demo ... 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/990252925111844864

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

29th April 2018

New Generation Rollingstock Public Inquiry Countdown

Good Morning,

Two weeks before we proceed with our New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) Public Inquiry.
Preparation for the Inquiry proceeds > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?board=88.0

A State that manages to order non DDA DSAPT compliant new trains considering that has been a requirement since 2002 needs to be held to account.  If the State will not examine the factors contributing to the NGR $4.4 Billion project failure then we will have to do it for them.  A sign of an extremely dysfunctional Government and Bureaucracy for sure, but that is the circus that is Queensland transport these days.

A leadership vacuum throughout Government.  A transport portfolio in disarray.  Don't forget the State's disregard of the AHRC's rebuttal of the temporary exemption application by the State for the NGRs means the non compliance still has a long way to go.  It is possible that the NGR trains could be the subject of an injunction action.  Since the State has starting withdrawing the problematical EMU trains it is foreseeable that the rail network could be thrown into an even worse crisis than the present chronic rail fail situation.

The key questions we will examine should our inquiry proceed are:

Why were non DDA non DSAPT compliant trains ordered? It has been a requirement since 2002 for new passenger rollingstock to be compliant.

Why was the order reduced from 100 to 75 six car trains?

Who signed off on the design?

Was Queensland Rail consulted on design of the new trains?

When did the ' State of Queensland ' first know they had acquired non compliant trains?

Why did it take till September 2017 for an application for a temporary exemption be made to AHRC when Disability Advocates and others had been warning of accessibility issues since 2015?

Who decided that new non compliant trains could be used on the network without the protection of an exemption? Did the Queensland Rail Board approve of this action?

The ball is in your court ' State of Queensland '.  Can you find the courage to return serve or will you continue to cower deeper into the shadowy halls of incompetence, cover-up and bungle?

Have a nice day.

Regards
Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/990261585980547074

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

30th April 2018

800 days since NGR 701 towed to Wulkuraka

Good Morning,

Today marks the 800th day since NGR 701 was triumphantly towed to Wulkuraka on the 19th February 2016.





NGR 701 is presently at Redbank Workshops on ' agistment '



NGR 701 (left) with NGR 715 at Redbank Workshops 29th April 2018.

If this is it not a testament to failure what is?

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

29th April 2018

New Generation Rollingstock Public Inquiry Countdown

Good Morning,

Two weeks before we proceed with our New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) Public Inquiry.
Preparation for the Inquiry proceeds > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?board=88.0

A State that manages to order non DDA DSAPT compliant new trains considering that has been a requirement since 2002 needs to be held to account.  If the State will not examine the factors contributing to the NGR $4.4 Billion project failure then we will have to do it for them.  A sign of an extremely dysfunctional Government and Bureaucracy for sure, but that is the circus that is Queensland transport these days.

A leadership vacuum throughout Government.  A transport portfolio in disarray.  Don't forget the State's disregard of the AHRC's rebuttal of the temporary exemption application by the State for the NGRs means the non compliance still has a long way to go.  It is possible that the NGR trains could be the subject of an injunction action.  Since the State has starting withdrawing the problematical EMU trains it is foreseeable that the rail network could be thrown into an even worse crisis than the present chronic rail fail situation.

The key questions we will examine should our inquiry proceed are:

Why were non DDA non DSAPT compliant trains ordered? It has been a requirement since 2002 for new passenger rollingstock to be compliant.

Why was the order reduced from 100 to 75 six car trains?

Who signed off on the design?

Was Queensland Rail consulted on design of the new trains?

When did the ' State of Queensland ' first know they had acquired non compliant trains?

Why did it take till September 2017 for an application for a temporary exemption be made to AHRC when Disability Advocates and others had been warning of accessibility issues since 2015?

Who decided that new non compliant trains could be used on the network without the protection of an exemption? Did the Queensland Rail Board approve of this action?

The ball is in your court ' State of Queensland '.  Can you find the courage to return serve or will you continue to cower deeper into the shadowy halls of incompetence, cover-up and bungle?

Have a nice day.

Regards
Robert

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

[ozbob]

A Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 30th April 2018 page 13

Hold account for trains

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/990690238354767872

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/990697008301129728

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/991355183018921985

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/991356265329651712

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/992605072432316418

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/992606620365479936

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/992607249255153664

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/992616919990611968

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/994311377589223424

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/994325330688069632

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/994977144689197057

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/994978878492819456

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/995385745316593664

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/995505893289611264

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/995695156241182720

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/995698296730533889

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/995774474048815104

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/996062029386399744

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/996486283542257664

[ozbob]

Draft letter of invitation.

Addressees:

PALASZCZUK, Honourable Annastacia [Ms]
Premier and Minister for Trade
1 William Street, Brisbane Qld 4000
(PO Box 15185, City East Qld 4002)
Email: thepremier@premiers.qld.gov.au

TRAD, Honourable Jacklyn Anne (Jackie) [Ms]
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Partnerships
1 William Street, Brisbane Qld 4000
(GPO Box 611, Brisbane Qld 4001)
Email: deputy.premier@ministerial.qld.gov.au
treasurer@ministerial.qld.gov.au

BAILEY, Honourable Mark Craig
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
1 William Street, Brisbane Qld 4000
(GPO Box 2644, Brisbane Qld 4001)
Email: transportandmainroads@ministerial.qld.gov.au

FRECKLINGTON, Deborah Kay (Deb) [Mrs]
Leader of the Opposition and
Shadow Minister for Trade
Opposition Office:
Level 7, Mineral House, 41 George Street, Brisbane Qld 4000
(PO Box 15057, City East Qld 4002)
Email: reception@opposition.qld.gov.au

MINNIKIN, Steven James (Steve)
Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads
Unit 1, Millennium Business Centre, Millennium Bvd,
Carindale Qld 4152
(PO Box 1565, Carindale Qld 4152)
Email: chatsworth@parliament.qld.gov.au

HINCHLIFFE, Honourable Stirling James
Minister for Local Government, Minister for
Racing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs
1 William Street, Brisbane Qld 4000
(PO Box 15009, City East Qld 4002)
Email: lgrma@ministerial.qld.gov.au

NICHOLLS, Timothy James (Tim)
Shop 1, 729 Sandgate Road, Clayfield Qld 4011
(PO Box 281, Clayfield Qld 4011)
Email: clayfield@parliament.qld.gov.au

POWELL, Andrew Carey
Shadow Minister for State Development,
Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning
Suite 4, 70 Maple Street, Maleny Qld 4552
(PO Box 727, Maleny Qld 4552)
Email: glass.house@parliament.qld.gov.au

KATTER, Robert Ignatius (Robbie)
Mount Isa Electorate Office:
Mt Isa Trades & Labour Council Building,
74 Camooweal Street, Mt Isa Qld 4825
(PO Box 1968, Mount Isa Qld 4825)
Email: traeger@parliament.qld.gov.au

BERKMAN, Michael Craig
Suite 1, 49 Station Road, Indooroopilly Qld 4068
(PO Box 423, Indooroopilly Centre Qld 4068)
Email: maiwar@parliament.qld.gov.au

ANDREW, Stephen Seymour James (Steve)
The Sarina Centre, Central Street, Sarina Qld 4737
(PO Box 56, Sarina Qld 4737)
Email: mirani@parliament.qld.gov.au

BOLTON, Sandra Leigh (Sandy) [Ms]
Suite CB05, Noosa Civic, 28 Eenie Creek Road, Noosaville Qld 4566
(PO Box 1447, Noosaville BC Qld 4566)
Email: noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au

^ all above have been emailed an invitation.

Mr Neil Scales
Director-General
Department of Transport and Main Roads
General business
PO Box 673
Fortitude Valley Qld 4006

Mr Matthew Longland
Deputy Director-General
TransLink
Public transport – TransLink
TransLink Division
GPO Box 50
Brisbane Qld 4001

Mr Phillip Strachan (Chair)
Queensland Rail Board
Queensland Rail
GPO BOX 1429
​Brisbane QLD 4001​​

Mr Nick Easy
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Queensland Rail
GPO BOX 1429
​Brisbane QLD 4001​​

Ms Julie-Ann Campbell
Secretary
Queensland Labor
16 Peel St
South Brisbane QLD 4101

Mr Gary Spence
President LNP Queensland
Postal Address
PO Box 940
Spring Hill QLD 4004

Mr Scott Emerson
C/- SAS Group
Level 7
241 Adelaide Street
Brisbane 4000

Mr Campbell Newman
C/- Arcana Capital
PO Box 2068
Ascot Qld 4007

^^ will be sent an invitation by post today.

==========



RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org 
             
New Generation Rollingstock Public Inquiry - Invitation for a response

May 2018

Dear

RAIL Back On Track has commenced a public Inquiry into the New Generation Rollingstock (NGR)  Project. To support the Inquiry a dedicated sub-forum has been set up on the RAIL Back On Track Main Discussion Forum. The Inquiry Forum can be viewed by the public and is located at bit.do/ngr ( https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?board=88.0 ).

An inquiry will ensure that lessons are learned in terms of procurement so that taxpayers money is not wasted in purchasing of services and products by government that does not comply with legislation. We want the true facts and circumstances brought into the clear light of day so that the failures are not repeated.

A major project failure such as the New Generation Rollingstock's non compliance for the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and Disability Standards Accessible Public Transport (DSAPT) simply cannot be swept under the carpet. It is essential a thorough and independent inquiry to into all circumstances is achieved so that failure on this scale never occurs again.

The key questions to be investigated are:

1. Why were non DDA non DSAPT compliant trains ordered? It has been a requirement since 2002 for new passenger rollingstock to be compliant.

2. Why was the order reduced from 100 to 75 six car trains?

3. Who signed off on the design?

4. Was Queensland Rail consulted on design of the new trains?

5. When did the ' State of Queensland ' first know they had acquired non compliant trains?

6. Why did it take till September 2017 for an application for a temporary exemption be made to AHRC when Disability Advocates and others had been warning of accessibility issues since 2015?

7. Who decided that new non compliant trains could be used on the network without the protection of an exemption? Did the Queensland Rail Board approve of this action?

There is a considerable amount of information available in the public domain concerning the NGR trains and the issues and circumstances involved. Additionally we will be using Right To Information (RTI) processes to seek further information as needed.

We are writing to you to invite a response on the key questions above, or any other relevant information you or your delegate  may wish to provide to our Inquiry. It would assist if any responses are sent by the close of business 31st July 2018.  Responses can be sent electronically to ngr@backontrack.org as a word document or PDF file. All responses will be published as appendices to the final inquiry report.

We hope to complete our Inquiry by 30th November 2018. The Inquiry Report will be provided to Premier and Transport Minister, Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Transport Minister, and the Speaker of Parliament, as well as being available publicly.

Thank you for your consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Robert


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

[#Metro]

In theory it should be possible to request the designs or contracts with everything censored except for the signature box and names appearing near it. That way no commercial in confidence is breached.

[ozbob]

Queensland Rail has laid their cards on the table ....  they have been off the rails for a long time now ....

A sad disingenuous culture permeates through Government, TransLink and Queensland Rail.  They are there for their own cashed up glory in my view.  I have not much respect left for the bureaucratic bumblers at all.  Not at all ...

I MUST APOLOGISE ! 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/998676117899784192

[ozbob]

....
I will first make application for financial hardship under the RTI process .  An RTI request for NGR information will no doubt require considerable processing fees.
....

I have today been advised by the Office of the Information Commissioner that the application I made on behalf of RAIL Back On Track for financial hardship status as a non-profit organisation under the Right To Information ACT 2009 (QLD) (RTI Act) has been successful.

The effect of the decision is that any processing or access charge relating to RBoT's RTI applications must be waived. The decision has effect for one year from today (22nd May 2018).

This now allows us to pursue RTI applications for the NGR Public Inquiry with no cost, and other matters in time.