Timetable from 29th July 2019, 2nd March 2020

[ozbob]

Couriermail 3rd August 2019 page 17

Whistling while they work saves on delays

TRAIN station platform staff are being praised for blowing their whistles "long and loud" to speed up departures as Queensland Rail battles to save its punctuality performance.

Managers have praised staff in an internal email for having their "whistles ready" to get trains moving faster on the first day of the long-awaited return of a full train timetable on Monday.

"If we can safely save 10 seconds at 6 stations on a train's run, we deliver that train and its passengers to its destination a minute earlier," QR manager Ron Degraaf said in the email, seen by The Courier-Mail.

"While our customers are happy with the increase in the number of train services, the increase also means there is more impact if a train runs late, so it is imperative that we keep dwell times at stations to an absolute minimum. That means whistles are your best friend again!!" he continues.

It shows the intense pressure on staff as QR battles to avoid losing ground on its punctuality targets with the return of 430 services axed in the October 2016 "Rail Fail".

Tied to big executive bonuses, QR's on-time target is among the toughest in Australia, with 95 per cent of services having to arrive within four minutes of schedule for most lines. But punctuality fell to a dismal 84 per cent during the "Rail Fail".

QR figures released for June show the network's daily on-time running is now at 96.06 per cent, excluding "force majeure" issues deemed out of its control.

Also still in progress at QR is a key recommendation of an independent inquiry into the train driver shortage that recommended slashing overtime by hiring a surplus of drivers. But, as revealed by The Courier-Mail this week, that will now take until December 2020

– a year later than planned.

[achiruel]

Cleveland was always going to be a struggle with the single-track section. Not sure why Caboolture and RPL are having so many issues.

[Cazza]

Give it time. Obviously, the data (and therefore percentages) will always be affected drastically with only a few days of data recorded, compared to a longer and more even spread of results. Wait a month or so and then we can make comment.

[achiruel]

^ You're probably right about Caboolture and RPL. They both have the potential to improve. I still maintain that Cleveland will be hampered by the single track section. Even a partial duplication, say Birkdale-Wellington Point, would probably help.

[ozbob]

Peak daily OTR since 29th July 2019 - Week 1

https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/forcustomers/otr/dailyotr













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

Table of the line averages for the 5 days peak daily data published for week 1. 

RPL & Cleveland struggling at peak.  Sunshine Coast has gone well!

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

6th August 2019

First week of the new 29th July 2019 Citytrain timetable - peak OTR analysis

Good Morning,

First week daily peak on-time running (OTR) data of the new July 29th timetable has been published ( https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/forcustomers/otr/dailyotr ) and we analysed the results for interest ( https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=13628.msg225540#msg225540 ) . This is a good result overall.

Only two lines (Cleveland and Redcliffe Peninsula) had Force Majeure (FM) adjusted combined peaks OTR significantly < 95%.  Caboolture is just under the 95% benchmark.

The changes in peak stopping patterns on the some of the services on the Sunshine Coast line seem to have improved OTR performance on that line too.

Table of the line averages for the 5 days peak daily data published for week 1.



This is a good beginning for the new era! Well done Queensland Rail.

Best wishes,

Robert

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

[ozbob]

Daily peak on-time data as reported by @QueenslandRail
For first week of 29 July 2019 timetable
RPL & Cleveland still struggling at peak. Sunshine Coast has gone well!https://t.co/HKCLEAVoFJ ...#qldpol
Good overall results. Well done!#qldpol @MarkBaileyMP @SteveMinnikinMP pic.twitter.com/eQhLoUvAP8

— RAIL_BoT_Forum (@railbotforum) August 5, 2019

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

[BrizCommuter]

Feedback from users of the 6:40am Ferny Grove to Park Road service. This had been moved from platform 1 to 3 at South Bank which is inconvenient for most passengers trying to access the river side of the station. The service also keeps getting held and delayed at South Brisbane waiting for late running inbound services before it can switch tracks.

[SurfRail]

Services like this would be prime candidates for through-routing and short-turnbacks at places like Yeerongpilly, Corinda, Northgate etc instead of all piling up in the immediate CBD fringe.

[achiruel]

Services like this would be prime candidates for through-routing and short-turnbacks at places like Yeerongpilly, Corinda, Northgate etc instead of all piling up in the immediate CBD fringe.

Yeerongpilly only has 2 platforms, so probably not a good choice.

[BrizCommuter]

Services like this would be prime candidates for through-routing and short-turnbacks at places like Yeerongpilly, Corinda, Northgate etc instead of all piling up in the immediate CBD fringe.

I'm assuming that this service runs empty outbound beyond Park Road and forms another inbound Beenleigh Line service.

[SurfRail]

Services like this would be prime candidates for through-routing and short-turnbacks at places like Yeerongpilly, Corinda, Northgate etc instead of all piling up in the immediate CBD fringe.

Yeerongpilly only has 2 platforms, so probably not a good choice.

Counterpeak headway isn't exactly high though, is it?  The point is to improve that, and do it in a way that gets extra peak capacity for places closer to the city by turning out fresh trains.  There are still paths available, and there will be even more when CRR is done (plus 3 platforms at every station from Dutton Park to Kuraby)

[timh]

Services like this would be prime candidates for through-routing and short-turnbacks at places like Yeerongpilly, Corinda, Northgate etc instead of all piling up in the immediate CBD fringe.

Yeerongpilly only has 2 platforms, so probably not a good choice.

Counterpeak headway isn't exactly high though, is it?  The point is to improve that, and do it in a way that gets extra peak capacity for places closer to the city by turning out fresh trains.  There are still paths available, and there will be even more when CRR is done (plus 3 platforms at every station from Dutton Park to Kuraby)

In the long term couldn't Yeerongpilly be pretty easily upgraded to have more platforms? I'm looking particularly on the outer tracks; it seems like there would be room enough for 2 side platforms. It wouldn't take too much (in my uneducated opinion). That way you could potentially have services terminate here very easily.

[achiruel]

^ I'm not sure Yeerongpilly is an ideal place for future terminating trains tbh. Altandi is a much better choice for short workings on the southern line - interchange to/from Gold Coast trains and the plethora of buses that use Mains Rd. Yeerongpilly is largely irrelevant now that no trains go via Tennyson; maybe some for tennis specials but that's about it.

[SurfRail]

^ That won't be the case when the Clapham stabling yard is built.  I think we'll see services entering CRR from the north going at least to Yeerongpilly to terminate since there's no other spot to do it.  Knowing how things happen here they'll probably run out of service from Boggo Road.

[SurfRail]

Hmm.

[brissypete]

Hmm.

Probably because Ekka loop trains don't tend to be timetabled. I think they show as Extra on PIDs. Still it looks bad.

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

[BrizCommuter]

Late again thanks to the 6:40am from Ferny Grove getting held at South Brisbane before it's conflicting move.

[ozbob]

https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/mediacentre/ExtraservicesMarch2020

From Monday 2 March, Queensland Rail will add an extra 32 weekly services to its South East Queensland (SEQ) timetable each week, in addition to five service extensions. On this date, Queensland's newest trains – the New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) fleet – will also be deployed to the Sunshine Coast line for the first time.

We've reviewed our operations across SEQ and have identified an opportunity to deliver these service improvements, within our existing available resources. These changes will also reduce empty train running across the region by 1,460 kilometres per week – delivering extra services for our customers instead.

These improvements will deliver the largest number of weekly train services ever offered across SEQ and follows the introduction of 462 extra weekly services and 200,000 extra seats to our timetable in 2019.

Extra services from 2 March 2020

 

Line	Departs	Time	Arrives	Time
Monday to Friday
Springfield Inbound	Springfield Central	6:27am	Central	7:08am
Beenleigh Inbound	Beenleigh	4:33am	Central	5:39 am
Cleveland Outbound	Central	4:17 am	Cleveland	5:20 am
Cleveland Inbound	Cleveland	8:24pm	Central	9:26pm
Sunshine Coast* Inbound	Nambour	5:38am	Central	7:26am
Gold Coast Outbound	Central	2.44pm	Varsity Lakes	4:07pm
Shorncliffe Outbound	Central	5:28am	Shorncliffe	6:05am
Early Saturday morning only
Springfield Inbound	Springfield Central	12:09am	Central	12:50am
Springfield Inbound	Springfield Central	12:39am	Central	1:20am

 

* Note: This service currently departs from Caboolture but will be extended to commence from Nambour from 2 March 2020,

offering an additional morning peak service for customers at stations between Elimbah and Nambour. 

Extra morning peak service for Sunshine Coast Line

From 2 March, we'll extend an existing Caboolture train, to have it start from Nambour at 5:38am. The train will arrive at Central station at 7:26am, providing an additional option for Sunshine Coast line commuters during the busy morning peak period.

Caboolture line customers can continue to board this service when it departs Caboolture station at 6:35am. Alternatively, existing services commencing from Caboolture are also available at 6:23am and 6:47am.

The altered service will stop all stations between Nambour and Petrie, then run express from Petrie to Bowen Hills, stopping only at Northgate and Eagle Junction.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

5th February 2020

Extra Queensland Rail Citytrain services from the 2nd March 2020

Greetings,

Good news that Queensland Rail has been able to deliver a further 32 extra weekly Citytrain services from the 2nd of March 2020.

( https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/mediacentre/ExtraservicesMarch2020 ).

This builds on the 29th of July 2019 Citytrain timetable to achieve the greatest number of weekly train services ever offered on the Citytrain network.

These services have largely been able to be delivered by reducing empty train running (' dead running ').  We thank Queensland Rail for this initiative. 

Dead running is dead money!

As Queensland Rail progressively moves to more decentralised train stabling, empty train running will be further reduced.

New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) trains will be introduced on the Sunshine Coast line for the first time as well from the 2nd March 2020.  We are still hopeful for further service improvements in time for the Sunshine Coast line, a line that is overdue for a greater span and improved frequency of service.

Nevertheless, we are grateful for these additional services.  Thank you.

Best wishes,

Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1224956013142364161

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2020/2/5/extra-train-services-arrive-for-south-east-commuters

Media Statements
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Wednesday, February 05, 2020

Extra train services arrive for south east commuters

South east rail commuters are set to benefit from more than 12,000 additional seats, with the Palaszczuk Government today announcing 32 new weekly services for the south east.

The services, which start from March 2, have been introduced in response to feedback from passengers and will join the extension of an inbound Caboolture service through to Nambour.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said together with the 462 weekly services added last year, it meant there would be 212,000 extra seats across the south east compared to the same time last year.

"We're delivering more train services than ever before," Mr Bailey said.

"Close to 190 million trips were taken on public transport in 2018-19, and after two record years, we're on-track for another record 12 months when it comes to patronage.

"That's why we're backing commuters with more trains, a $371 million statewide smart ticketing system, more than $357 million in train station accessibility upgrades and the largest public transport project in Queensland's history: the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail."

A full table of the 32 new weekly services can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/yt4orm3tfvpvcae/Capture.PNG?dl=0 (external site)
Queensland Rail CEO Nick Easy said the organisation had been reviewing its operations across South East Queensland and identified an opportunity to deliver these service improvements, within its existing available resources.

"These changes will reduce empty train running across the region by 1,460 kilometres per week – delivering extra services for our customers instead," Mr Easy said.

Queensland Rail CEO Nick Easy said in addition to the extra morning peak service, NGR trains would also be introduced on the North Coast line for the very first time, with the fleet providing a more modern onboard experience including larger windows, high-backed seats for improved safety, a new colour scheme and seating, and digital LCD screens.

"The trains will operate 45 weekly services on the line, replacing older train models, and their deployment will be supported by a new NGR stabling facility coming online at Woombye.

"To ensure the smooth rollout of the trains and to boost our customer service, we'll be ramping up our staff presence at Glass House Mountains, Beerwah, Landsborough and Palmwoods stations from March 2."

For more information visit www.translink.com.au (external site) 

ENDS

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 7th February 2020 page 13

Welcome news for Citytrain services

[ozbob]

Redland City Bulletin --> Qld govt to give Cleveland line two more nighttime and early morning rail services

South east rail commuters will get more than 12,000 additional seats, with the state government announcing 32 new weekly services for the south east.

The Cleveland line will get two services, a 4.17am Central Station to Cleveland and a 9.26pm Cleveland to Central Monday to Friday

The services, which start from March 2, will join the extension of an inbound Caboolture service through to Nambour.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said added to the 462 weekly services opened last year, it meant there would be 212,000 extra seats across the south east.


Oodgeroo MP Mark Robinson welcomed the additional services but said the timing fell well short of meeting the need for more seats and express services during morning and late afternoon peak times.

"Having welcomed the two new services, it is clear they don't solve the major problems stemming from Labor's rail fail," Mr Robinson said.

"The 4.17 am city service might help a few people who spent the night in the city and need to travel back first thing in the morning, but not many are likely to use it and young commuters are more likely to take an Uber.

"The 8.24pm service might assist those wanting to visit the city at night but this will not assist peak times when services are needed most."

Mr Robinson said it was common knowledge that Labor had a bad track record on the Cleveland line.

"Since Redlands Coast commuters rate the duplication of the line from Manly to Cleveland as top priority, way above the cross-river rail, the Cleveland Line duplication should be granted priority status, if the government is in any way serious about fixing problems and growing commuter confidence on the Cleveland line."

Mr Bailey said the government was delivering more train services than ever.

"Close to 190 million trips were taken on public transport in 2018-19, and after two record years, we're on-track for another record 12 months when it comes to patronage," he said.

"That's why we're backing commuters with more trains, a $371 million statewide smart ticketing system, more than $357 million in train station accessibility upgrades and the largest public transport project in Queensland's history: the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail."

Queensland Rail chief executive Nick Easy said the organisation had been reviewing its operations and would deliver the services, with existing resources.

"These changes will reduce empty train running across the region by 1460 kilometres per week - delivering extra services for our customers instead," Mr Easy said.

[ozbob]

Jimboomba Times --> Extra trains for Logan commuters from March 2 as 32 new services come to south-east Queensland

Logan commuters can catch another train to Brisbane from next month, when 32 new services come to south-east Queensland.

Another service will depart Beenleigh station at 4.33am every weekday, arriving at Brisbane Central at 5.39am.

The service will start on March 2, along with extra trains from Cleveland, the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Shorncliffe.

Transport and main roads minister Mark Bailey said with the 462 weekly services added last year, there would be 212,000 extra seats across the south east.

"We're delivering more train services than ever before," Mr Bailey said.

"Close to 190 million trips were taken on public transport in 2018-19, and after two record years, we're on track for another record 12 months when it comes to patronage."

The plan supported commuters, he said.

Queensland Rail CEO Nick Easy said the organisation had been reviewing its operations across South East Queensland and identified an opportunity to deliver these service improvements, within its existing available resources.

"These changes will reduce empty train running across the region by 1,460 kilometres per week - delivering extra services for our customers instead," Mr Easy said.

"The trains will operate 45 weekly services on the line, replacing older train models, and their deployment will be supported by a new NGR stabling facility coming online at Woombye.

"To ensure the smooth rollout of the trains and to boost our customer service, we'll be ramping up our staff presence at Glass House Mountains, Beerwah, Landsborough and Palmwoods stations from March 2."

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> New train service coming to Springfield

A NEW train service is coming to Springfield starting next month.

Member for Jordan Charis Mullen said from March 2, commuters heading into Brisbane could catch a weekday service leaving Springfield Central at 6.27am and arriving at Central station by 7.08am.

It's part of 32 new weekly services being introduced by the Palaszczuk Government in response to feedback from passengers.

"We've seen a huge spike in our community hopping on board public transport," Ms Mullen said.

"It's why this year we begin construction of a new $44.5 million multi-level commuter car park at Springfield Central, introduced new bus services and from next month a new peak inbound train," she said.

Together with two new late-night trains on Fridays, it brings the total number of weekly services on the Springfield line to 606.

The two Friday extra late-night services will depart Springfield Central at 12.09am and 12.39am.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said together with the 462 weekly services last year, the 32 new weekly services meant there would be 212,000 extra seats across the south east compared to the same time last year.

"With close to 190 million trips taken on public transport in 2018-19 - the second record year of patronage growth - and another record year projected, we're delivering more train services than ever before," Mr Bailey said.

"We're backing commuters with more trains, a $371 million statewide smart ticketing system, more than $357 million in train station accessibility upgrades and the largest public transport project in Queensland's history: the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail."

For more information head to www.translink.com.au

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> New peak train in booming area to 'ease' morning congestion

A NEW morning peak hour train will help ease congestion on the Springfield line for commuters travelling into Brisbane according to a public transport advocate.

The service, which will leave Springfield Central station at 6.27am and arrive at Central station by 7.08am, will begin on March 2.

Two new late-night train services on Fridays, departing from Springfield Central at 12.09am and 12.39am, are also being introduced.

Member for Jordan Charis Mullen said this would bring the total number of weekly services on the Springfield line to 606.

RAIL Back On Track spokesman Robert Dow said the new train services, as well as the three new Springfield bus services introduced last month, were a "big win" for the area.

"There has been morning peak congestion coming in on trains from Springfield, so the addition of this 6.27am service Monday to Friday is very welcome," he said.

"There is a bit of a gap between 6.09am and 6.39am. A lot of people get on these trains, particularly at Oxley, Corinda and even Indooroopilly and Toowong.

"It's good to see they're trying to do something to relieve that congestion that has been a common feature.

"The Springfield line is being looked after. Ipswich is coping all right at the moment."

A Hino Poncho bus has been in operation on the new 533 Spring Mountain route since January 28, connecting commuters of the rapidly growing area to other services in Springfield Central.

The 527 and 528 services, which were formed by splitting the former 522 route in two, also began late last month.

"It's going to be a fairly significant development up there (in Spring Mountain)," Mr Dow said.

"It's good to have public transport in there early. It starts to get people used to the idea that public transport will be available to them.

"Hopefully it will result in people deciding to get to the station by the bus rather than drive.

"I think bringing Springfield station into the bus network is a very good move. Springfield station would be one of the best railway stations on the network, just in terms of the design of it."

====

Queensland Times 13th February 2020 page 4

Rail service aimed to ease morning crush

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1233643451578605568

[ozbob]

It would appear that due to problems with the NGRs concerning air conditioning/mould issues QR is struggling to deliver the upgraded March the 2nd timetable.  This is evidenced by a number of 3 car services replacing previous 6 car services.  Numerous reports of over crowding etc. as a consequence.  But many passengers do realise better a 3 car, than no service.

The high level of ' train faults ' reported as a cause of service disruptions (delays/cancellations) suggests that it might be not just NGRs having some issues.

Don't forget the NGRs have to all go to Maryborough at some time for the DDA botch fix, and this is planned to roll on to at least 2024.

Some of the QR (non NGR) fleet may be undergoing maintenance too, compounding the operating shortage.

One thing is very clear, there are not enough trains to deliver a proper service following CRR.

QR has no real option but to continue operating the unreliable ICE because of the failure to equip other units with ATP. 

Not looking to good folks ...

I am going to be very critical here.  When QR started to re-introduce 3 car services, and when the mould issue with the NGRs first appeared they should have gone public with proactive information.  It was only when the media broke that the facts start to become clear.  They have not learnt much over rail fail it seems.

Communication improvement was highlighted as something needed in the Strachan Inquiry.  The old culture festers on sadly ...