June 29: Overloading on the Ipswich Line and Communication

[ozbob]

RAIL Back On Track - Media Release 29 June 2007

Overloading on the Ipswich Line and Communication

RAIL ? Back On Track (http://backontrack.org)  a web based community organisation for the promotion of rail throughout Australia has again called for a revision of train timetables on the Ipswich line.

Robert Dow said

?Today at Central I waited for the 4.21pm service to Ipswich.  4.21pm came and went.  At about 4.29pm an announcement was finally made to the effect that the 4.21pm service to Ipswich had been cancelled for operational reasons.  Operational problems do arise but timely communication to stranded passengers is necessary to keep them from being upset and concerned.?

?The next service, 4.38pm to Ipswich arrived and left Central grossly overloaded. Subsequently intending passengers were left stranded at Roma St, Milton and Toowong stations. They were unable to board the train.?

?RAIL Back On Track has previously alerted Translink and QR to the possibility a simple timetable change that would go a long way in helping ease the now chronic congestion and overloading on the 4.38pm service to Ipswich from Central. If the 4.21pm service is cancelled as it was today, it becomes a desperate battle to get on to the next train.?

?There is presently a service from Central to Redbank that leaves Central at 4.12pm.  This train has a light passenger loading as it follows the 4.06pm Central to Ipswich.  The next service is a 4.21pm Central to Ipswich, which is then followed by the 4.38pm Central to Ipswich.  The 4.38pm Central to Ipswich is experiencing chronic heavy passenger loadings; it would help if the 4.12pm Central to Redbank service was re-timetabled to leave Central at say 4.30pm.  This would allow for more passengers to use the 4.38pm service to Ipswich in reasonable comfort.  This is a simple practical solution which would go a long way to improving service for patrons.?

?It is time that something was done to address the congestion and confusion being directed at passengers.  A fare rise impacts on Monday (2nd July), no wonder commuters are annoyed.  They pay their money and they can?t get on the train!?

Contact:

Administration
admin@backontrack.org 
RAIL Back On Track

http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

An article posted on the Courier Mail said services cancelled because flu hits staff, drivers and guards.
It highlights how precarious the Citytrain system is.  It is a bit sad Citytrain can't inform their passengers in a timely manner.

Click here for Courier Mail Story

[ozbob]

The following has been sent to Citytrain and others.

---------------
Greetings,

No doubt you have seen the Courier Mail article posted at 3.35pm (below).
If that is an accurate report, it is very concerning that the QR spokesperson thinks the 'cancellations are not a big deal'.
Ask the bewildered passengers waiting on the platforms for cancelled trains if it is not a big deal?

The attitude by QR and Citytrains towards commuters leaves us all shaking our heads at times. Timely communications will go a long way to keeping people onside.
For example when I was waiting for the 4.21pm service from Central to Ipswich today, no announcement was made that the service was cancelled until about 4.29pm.
At the point people were pushing into the platform areas for carriage doors and muttering away. If a timely announcement had been made then most folks just then accept that and wait patiently for the next service.

People are understanding if they know what is going on. Staff will get the flu, it is that time of the year.
It is unfortunate that the fares are going up in price from Monday. People are rightly upset that they are paying more and cannot get on the train.

Best wishes

Administration RAIL Back On Track
http://backontrack.org


> Trains cancelled as flu hits staff
>
> Martin Philip
>
> June 29, 2007 03:35pm
>
> SIX Brisbane train services have been cancelled this afternoon as a result of flu-induced staff shortages.
>
> Cancellations have been reported on the Beenleigh and Cleveland lines, as the city train network braces for the Friday afternoon commuter rush.
>
> At one stage, hundreds of people at Central Station were affected by the cancellations.
>
> A Queensland rail spokesperson blamed the cancellations on the flu, which had reduced the ranks of available drivers and train guards.
>
> ``We have had some cancellations but it is due to driver shortages, due to the flu,?? the spokesperson said.
>
> The cancellations were ``not a big deal?? and the extent of service disruptions was being investigated, the spokesperson said.
>
> Normal timetables were expected after 6pm.
>
> http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21988918-952,00.html

[ozbob]

Have a read of the comments left by bloggers on the Courier Mail story.

Click here  scroll down that page to see the comments.

Many people are obviously a bit tired of the treatment they receive - congestion, cancellations and non-communications.

Ozbob
Admin

[ozbob]

The following response has been received from the Minister of Transport and Main Roads Office.
It is published with the express permission of the Minister's staff.  Thanks for your response and permission.

It does clarify why the 4.12pm service cannot be moved at this time.

Also clarifies the 'not a big deal' comment.  Glad that has been cleared up.

---------------------


Mr Robert Dow
admin@backontrack.org

Dear Mr Dow

Re: Citytrain services on Ipswich train line

Thank you for your emails of 29 June 2007 to the Honourable Paul Lucas MP,
Minister for Transport and Main Roads about the Citytrain services on the
Ipswich train line.  The Minister has asked that I respond on his behalf.

The Queensland Government, through TransLink and QR Limited (QR), is
dedicated to promoting the benefits of public transport and is committed
to providing the travelling public with a safe, reliable and efficient
service.

The decision to cancel services is not made lightly.  When these
circumstances arise, every effort is made to minimise the impact on
passengers and cancellations are equally spread across all rail corridors.

I have been advised that the on-line Courier-Mail article of 29 June 2007
to which you refer was the result of a verbal response from a QR media
representative to The Courier-Mail's on-line journalist regarding a number
of unexpected train cancellations.

QR has advised the comment about the cancellation of five services as 'not
a big deal' was an off-hand generalisation to the journalist in an attempt
to put into context the resulting impact on the network.

I am advised that the five cancellations which occurred represented less
than 5% of Citytrain's total services for the afternoon.  As soon as QR
became aware of the content of the on-line article, contact was made with
The Courier-Mail and the article was immediately corrected.  This initial
article was only on-line for 30 minutes prior.  QR regrets the content of
this article did not express QR's genuine concern regarding the impact the
cancellations would have on commuters.

QR acknowledges the late advice to passengers of the cancellation of the
4.21pm train from Central to Ipswich was disappointing.  Regrettably, the
decision to cancel this service was made only just prior to its scheduled
running and advice to major stations then followed.  As a consequence of
this cancellation, the following Ipswich service departing Central at
4.38pm was full.
Please be assured that TransLink and QR share your frustration over this
occurrence and apologises for the inconvenience caused.

With regards to your suggestion to alter the departure time of the 4.12pm
Redbank service, QR has advised it is unable to alter this service.  The
service in question currently terminates at Redbank station at 4.48pm.  It
then runs empty to Dinmore before returning to Redbank to form the 5.11pm
service.

As the following service from the city departs Central at 4.21pm, arriving
at Redbank at 4.59pm, the Ipswich line cannot accommodate a later
departure time for the 4.12pm service to Redbank.

I trust this information is of assistance.  If you require any further
information about this issue, please contact Ms Kathryn Davies, Contracts,
TransLink on (07) 3167 4167 who will be pleased to assist.

Yours sincerely

PAUL SORENSEN
Senior Policy Advisor