30 Oct 2008: SEQ: Call for an urgently needed Citytrain service ...

[ozbob]

Media Release 30 October 2008

SEQ:  Call for an urgently needed Citytrain service on the Ipswich Railway line in early peak and an invitation to the Transport Minister to come for a ride

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has consistently highlighted the continuing increase in passenger congestion on the Ipswich railway line during peak times.  There is now a major overcrowding issue on the service that leaves Ipswich at 6.14am.  An additional service leaving Ipswich at 5.59am, or failing that a service from Darra at around 6.32am, would go a long way in relieving this unsafe overloading.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Myself and other RAIL Back On Track members regularly travel on the Ipswich railway line and particularly on the 6.14am service from Ipswich to the CBD, Monday to Fridays. From Indooroopilly onwards, this service is on most days seriously overloaded; many passengers are left behind at the further inbound stations as the train reaches over 1200 passengers on board.  These trains in a 6 car configuration are only meant to be carry around 998 at a maximum for short periods only, and should be operating at around 750 passengers maximum loading as a practical comfortable safe working limit."

"As we approach oppressive summer conditions were are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of passengers. It is interesting to note that in Melbourne, a 6 car set is considered to be overloaded if 798 passengers is exceeded and the operator Connex is then breached. Note that the railway gauge in Melbourne is 5'3' and the trains are a lot more roomy.  The railway gauge for Citytrain is 3'6". This highlights just how serious the congestion on Citytrain is becoming."

"We have been pointing out this particular problem for over two years. It seems no one is actually concerned about railway lines other than the Gold Coast in a meaningful pro-active way.  Besides the Ipswich line, serious overloading problems are also occurring on the Caboolture line.  Immediate additional services on both lines during the pre-peak and early peak are needed."

"We extend an invitation to the Minister for Transport, Mr John Mickel, to join with us on the 6.14am service from Ipswich to see what crush congestion is all about.  We can board at Oxley railway station any weekday morning at 6.44am."

Contact:
Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

4BC News have followed up on this release.  Thanks for the interest.

[Fares_Fair]

We are getting this same sort of congestion on the Caboolture leg and beyond of the Nambour 5:30am service. It's appalling to have women standing for 3/4 hour in stuffy and overcrowded conditions.
It's very difficult to get off at the Airport (Eagle Junction) stop and egress safely with one's luggage in tow.

I have sighted correspondence from QR Passenger Services that says they are looking at an extra service or services for the Ipswich line and Caboolture line to be accommodated in a new timetable slated for release early next year.
Any more details on what this may include would be very much appreciated.

Regards,
Fares_fair.

[ozbob]

Thanks for your comments Fares_Fair!

Yes we have been highlighting this for some time both CAB and IPS

Very hopeful that something will be done now.

eg.

Media Release 8 March 2008 ? released again 3 April 2008

SEQ:  Congestion ?crushing? commuters

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and advocate for public transport commuters has said the congestion on the Translink QR Suburban rail network has now reached a crisis point.  Short and long term strategies must be enacted immediately in the interests of safety and well being of passengers and crew. The recently announced increases in trains and timetable changes are not even enough to match growth in the last three years let alone meet future demands.

Robert Dow said:

?This week I assisted a school girl who had fainted on an overloaded suburban train as it arrived at Roma St (1).  We have also had reports of commuters being forced to actually terminate their journey and leave trains due to them being unable to tolerate the cramped conditions.  I have also observed many instances of intending passengers standing back at stations as it is obvious there is no more room on the train for them.?

?As the fuel crisis starts to bite, more and more citizens will turn to our public transport. There is no more room on many peak services. This week I monitored passenger numbers on the 6.44am train (Monday to Friday service) Oxley to the city.  Monday to Thursday the train is arriving at Roma St with anywhere from 1100 to 1200 passenger or more (2).  The design limit for these trains in a 6 car configuration is 1000 passengers (3). Similar loadings are being experienced on the other lines such as the Caboolture line and Beenleigh/Gold Coast.?

?The 44 new three car trains will only increase capacity by 30% when all are in service.  The last three years has seen at least a 30% increase in patronage alone.  It is little wonder then that congestion is out of control.?

?Long term, RAIL Back On Track believes that a further additional 50 three car trains will be required to be in service no later than 2012 to provide the capacity that will be required.?

?In the short term some smart thinking and actions are required.  For a start, it is possible with the Go Card to allow people who travel outside the traditional peak times a significant discount on their travel to help to reduce peak congestion.  Melbourne has recently expanded the free travel before 7am trial from two lines to all lines of their suburban rail network, such was the response by commuters (4).?

?We would suggest that an immediate action would be to give free travel on all modes of public transport, not just rail, Monday to Friday if commuters touch on before 6.30am.  This would help relieve some of the morning peak congestion and help uptake of the Go card as well.?

?A commuter education program as to the tips for a comfortable journey on congested services needs to be rolled out. For example, active encouragement to move down the aisles. RAIL Back on Track has suggested such campaigns before (5).?

?QR and Translink need to consider running intermediate sweeper services running a few minutes before heavily loaded long haul services. For example, the train that leaves Ipswich Monday to Friday at 6.14am which is the 6.44am service from Oxley is overloaded by about Indooroopilly.  If a service Darra to Bowen Hills left Darra at 6.35am this would sweep up the short haul commuters and leave the 6.44am service from Oxley under the design limit. Similar strategies can be done on the northern and southern lines.?

?The massive expenditure on roads needs to be directed to sustainable transport solutions for the future now to ensure the capacity is available today and tomorrow.? said Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track.

Reference:

1.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=143.msg2288#msg2288

2.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=585.0

3.  http://www.citytrain.com.au/about/fleet/emu/emu.asp

4.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=599.0

5.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=96.msg187#msg187

Contact:

Robert  Dow

Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Media Release 26 October 2008

SEQ:  Citytrain Cattle Class Congestion Cures

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has suggested that some immediate innovation will help to ease the peak congestion crises on many of the peak QR Citytrain services.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Why is it that nothing much seems to happen in terms of addressing the immediate congestion crises on Citytrain?  We are all waiting for more services and track capacity but this is going to take some time due to the previous neglect the network and QR passenger services endured."

"Here are some things to do now to help ease the immediate problems.  RAIL Back On Track is concerned for passengers well being, particularly as we are now entering the summer period. The air-conditioning units on the trains are not always working properly.  Will passengers be fined if they take water to avoid dehydration during the congestion crush peaks?"

"Introduce early-bird and off peak incentive ticketing on the go card. For example if a passenger touches on with a go card before 6.30am to commence their journey give them another 30% discount.  Introduce off-peak ticketing on the go card as well, additional 30% if journey commenced after 9am and before 3.30pm and after 7pm."

"Implement a passenger education campaign to encourage more efficient load distribution of passengers on the trains.  Some guards do try to encourage passengers to move down the aisles but much more can done. Encourage passengers to fan out on stations."

"Remove seats around the doors.  Fit more hand holds, for example in the centres of the EMU carriages to allow more standing room with less crush.  Consider fitting more flip-seats.  These can be folded up during peaks to make more standing room, but are able to be used as normal seats in off peak times."

"The Government should encourage more employers to allow flexible work hours where possible. Continue decentralisation of government and major business services."

"The peak congestion is causing concern to many passengers.  Time for action!"

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Also published in the Sun-Herald 2nd November 2008 page 21

Trains run past comfort zone

Trains run past comfort zone
Tony Moore | November 2, 2008 - 6:14AM

MORE than 1200 people cram into some trains on Brisbane's busiest line,  a public transport lobby group says.

Queensland Rail says such a peak-hour crush does not breach safety guidelines but Translink sets comfort levels at 1000 passengers a train.

Rail: Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said Brisbane's western and northern rail routes  the Ipswich and Caboolture lines  were worst affected by the peak-hour overload.

He said his group's volunteers were counting passengers on trains in Brisbane's morning peak.

''We regularly travel on the Ipswich railway line, and particularly on the 6.14am service,'' Mr Dow said.

''From Indooroopilly onwards, this service is  on most days  seriously overloaded.

''Many passengers are left behind at the further inbound stations as the train reaches over 1200 passengers on board.

''These trains, in a six-car configuration, are only meant to carry around 998 ... for short periods only.

''They should be operating at around 750 passengers maximum loading as a comfortable safe working limit.''

Queensland Rail (QR) disputed Rail: Back on Track's figures and said new services would start early next year. QR issued a statement saying it ''does not have data to support the 1200 passenger claim''.

''A six-car train can carry approximately 1000 passengers, although this capacity figure is a comfort measure, rather than a safety measure,'' the statement said.

Mr Dow said a six-carriage train carrying 798 passengers was considered ''full'' in Victoria.

He said hefty fines applied if Connex, which runs Melbourne's suburban train system, exceeded the limit.

Queensland Rail this month scuttled any plans to compensate passengers if its services fail to meet standards.

However, it has added two new ''early-bird'' services to the Ipswich and Caboolture lines and was monitoring their patronage.

The new services were part of a $585 million roll-out of 44 three-carriage trains announced last month.

Fifteen train services now run through Indooroopilly between 6.55am and 8.38am each weekday.

''Since February, QR has added 57 extra carriages to the fleet and by early 2009 we will have added another 24,'' QR said.

Transport Minister John Mickel said commuters would soon see ''approximately one new train coming off the production line each month''.

Thanks to Brisbanetimes for following up our media release with this story.

The fact remains that many services do have more than a 1000 passengers on board. When one considers the limit that applies in Melbourne on the broader gauge (5'3") 798, and we are regularly carrying a 1000 or more on our smaller units, it is obvious that at times the situation is not satisfactory.

We have received a lot of feedback concerning overloading and genuine concern for well being of passengers in cramped conditions. 

[ozbob]

From the Westside News click here!

Ride our train Minister

WOMEN fainting, passengers stuck in doors, and others left on the platform ? welcome to the peak-hour run on the Ipswich rail line.

Long-suffering commuters have challenged State Transport Minister John Mickel to take a ride on an early morning train on the Ipswich line to see the overcrowding they say is becoming dangerous.

Last week, the Westside News took a peak-hour ride to Milton from Wacol, where by 6.37am it was already standing room only.

At Toowong, people were being left on the platforms, while one commuter who tried to cram aboard got stuck in the doors and was pulled aboard the packed train by other passengers.

Rail lobby group Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said: ?The overcrowding on the Ipswich line is a serious problem, and it?s not one which has just developed overnight.?

?Maximum capacity for this train is 998 people, for a short amount of time. We?ve regularly counted over 1200 people crammed in here.

?A couple of weeks ago I had to get first aid for a young girl who fainted after standing in an overcrowded carriage for over half an hour.?

The group invited Mr Mickel to ride the peak-hour train but he declined, saying as Transport Minister he habitually took public transport without ceremony in order to see what commuters were experiencing.

Mr Mickel said: ?I regularly see the loading figures for trains and as a result we have supplied extra services for that line.
?In the near future we will also have approximately one new train coming off the production line each month.?

TransLink Transit Authority spokesman Adam Nicholson said 24 new trains were to be added to QR?s fleet by the first quarter of 2009.

?Enhancements to the urban rail network timetable will take place during the first half of 2009,? Mr Nicholson said.

?These have been timed to coincide with the introduction of enhancements to connecting bus services.

?Two early services were added to the Ipswich and Caboolture lines last month. TransLink and QR are monitoring the patronage of the new early bird services.?

Back on Track?s Robert Dow said an additional peak-hour train leaving Ipswich at 5.59am would ease conditions considerably.

Conditions on the Ipswich rail line look set to become an election issue for the Indooroopilly electorate, with both sitting Green Member Ronan Lee and LNP candidate Scott Emerson indicating they would campaign on rail issues.

Just for the record, the quote:

?A couple of weeks ago I had to get first aid for a young girl who fainted after standing in an overcrowded carriage for over half an hour.?

Is not quite correct, I said a number of months ago ... etc.

[ozbob]

The article from the Westside news was put up on the Courier Mail web site click here!

Commuters challenge John Mickel to ride Ipswich line train

Commuters challenge John Mickel to ride Ipswich line train
Article from: The Courier-Mail

November 11, 2008 02:25pm

COMMUTERS have challenged Transport Minister John Mickel to take a ride on a peak-hour Ipswich line train to see the "dangerous" overcrowding.

Women fainting, passengers stuck in doors, and others left on the platform - commuters say these are  typical of a journey on the Ipswich rail line.

Rail lobby group Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said: ?The overcrowding on the Ipswich line is a serious problem, and it?s not one which has just developed overnight.?

The blog is interesting reading .... LOL

[ozbob]

Blog comments:

Graig Johnstone's CM blog

G'day Craig and Bloggers,

Just a minor correction, I actually assisted the passenger who fainted in April not a couple of weeks ago as reported.  The congestion has not happened overnight.

You might be interested to check out our forum at RAIL Back On Track where there is a lot of interesting corroborating comment and discussion --> RAIL Back On Track

The fundamental issue is a lack of proper resourcing of QR Passenger services. This occurred over a seven year period as passenger numbers climbed through the roof.  QR crew do a great job with the resources they have at their disposal.  There are some immediate timetable initiatives that do need to be considered, eg. a service leaving Ipswich at 5.59am (M to F) and a add some early peak services from Caboolture.  The Caboolture line also has some serious overloading issues too.  Then as the extra trains and crew become available progressively add more services to the timetables.

QR admit that they regularly run up to 1000 passengers which is their stated limit (6 car 496 seating, 504 standing total 1000 = already 84 standing per car).  They won't admit to carrying more than that although they do from my and others observations. Particularly on the Caboolture and Ipswich lines.

This is intriguing as the limit that is aimed for in Melbourne is 798 (trains are bigger in Melbourne due to the wider railway gauge of 5'3' compared to 3'6' in Queensland), and QR themselves reckon that 750 is the practical loading for our system. The fact that they admit the trains are carrying routinely up to a 1000 is a bit of a worry.  There are many occasions where the 1000 limit is exceeded.  One day coming into Roma St on a grossly overloaded service a school girl fainted and I helped in the first aid on the platform at Roma St.  We have had reports of similar things on the Caboolture line as well.

I usually count the first or last carriage.  When I get on the seats are full (I check) and then I count the people standing.  I then note the net gain at subsequent stations.  Not that hard to do.  It is very difficult to do the same from the CBD though, although with practice it is easy to judge.  The first and last carriages tend to have slightly less loading than the centre cars, so a count based on the 1st or last carriage is also probably a small underestimate as well, when multiplied by 6.

Hope this of interest.

Regards
Robert

Response to the CM Blogger Craig:

G'day Craig,

Check out RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org
If we get our point of view in the media then it must be because it resonates with the media, our members and readers too!

We do a lot more than whine mate, we actually put forward suggestions and solutions.  We give praise, we are very grateful for the outstanding job our rail crew do, and regularly highlight the positive aspects. The media tends to only highlight the negative aspects, rarely the positive. We can't control that nor should we.

The fact is Craig, QR Passenger services have been under-resourced for years. We are only now seeing some catch-up. When people are turned away from public transport prior to 7am because of over-loading, it is a fair thing to highlight.

Happy travelling!

Cheers
Robert

[ozbob]

There was an item on congestion on the Caboolture and Ipswich lines particularly on the Channel 7 News Brisbane tonight.

Interviews with passengers and Mr Scurrah.  Good to see it highlighted.