Reported service disruptions rail - no longer in use

[achiruel]

I would agree with all the above except person struck by train. The reason this isn't reported is because it goes against the guidelines for reporting suicides in the media. I'm happy for this to remain as "police incident".

[ozbob]

I would agree with all the above except person struck by train. The reason this isn't reported is because it goes against the guidelines for reporting suicides in the media. I'm happy for this to remain as "police incident".

" ... it is understood that a person struck by a train needs some care, but surely most of the other situations can be clearly spelled out? ... "

other jurisdictions eg. Sydney and Melbourne do report ' person struck by train ' as the need arises. It is not always a fatality, sometimes they report person injured by a train. That notwithstanding as I stated it need not be reported because QLD is different.  The problem I have observed though QR and TL often report a fatality as a ' police incident ' when the QPS Media are actually reporting a fatality.  Police incident can be many things.  At least when they do report person struck by a train everyone knows that there will be significant delays. 

Sth Morang line: Services resuming with major delays Keon Park-Sth Morang after a person was hit by a train. Info: https://t.co/9k2eekuBcm.

— Metro Trains (@metrotrains) May 5, 2017

#WesternLine Partial closure btwn St Marys & Penrith due to a fatality at Kingswood. Buses operating a replacement service. pic.twitter.com/z47cMtb9X8

— T1 Sydney Trains (@T1SydneyTrains) May 4, 2017

But the important point is this.  I have never seen either Metro Melbourne or Sydney Trains use ' operational issue ' to explain a delay/cancellation. 

[HappyTrainGuy]

I don't know their actual reasoning behind it but I think it was more of a safety policy towards staff - similar to banning the old elastic neck ties that staff had - and to prevent copycats as there were a number of incidents that the media reported on (the ones that caused peak hour delays) that had people copying in the days following.

It seemed to come about after staff (sometimes not even at affected stations) were copping more anger from some passengers over delays were a person had been hit by a train. The police incident seemed to limit the anger (from what I saw during delays early on) but it seems since the rise of social media, smart phones and the internet everyone wants to know what happened and the anger has started to come back because of the blanket approach of a police incident covering some kids tresspassing to someone being fatally struck by a train.

Quite strange really.

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/127351

3.02pm Roma Street - Varsity Lakes train delayed 20 mins

The 3.02pm Roma Street to Varsity Lakes train is delayed 20 minutes due to an operational issue.

This train is now due to arrive at Varsity Lakes Station station at 4.42pm.

[ozbob]

^

" operational issue " what does that mean @TransLinkSEQ @QueenslandRail @jackietrad ? https://t.co/ocK63pRTpc

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 7, 2017

[Stillwater]

In Queensland, those preparing these reports are lazy.  Whether it is someone on the tracks unauthorised, a police pursuit onto railway land, a suicide, a death, someone struck while crossing, -- the additional question is not asked.  That is, 'what is the nature of the police incident?'  It is easy to do.

I also suspect that those controlling the notices are authorised to use only a certain number of phrases to describe the nature of the disruption or delay.

Perhaps that is where we should start - ask the question ' what are the various categories that operators are authorised, without seeking permission from superiors, to publish and tweet?  Can we have a list please?'

[James]

I've written about this incident before, and at the risk of repeating myself I will again.

"Police incident" is incredibly vague and frustrating. One time I was stuck aboard a train for over three hours due to a "police incident" which was later revealed (by the media) to be a body on the tracks. How it got there, no idea, as there was no sudden breaking and it was on a very inaccessible part of the railway line. At least if you know if it is due to a deceased person and that an investigation needs to be carried out, that you can expect to be waiting a while. Can't really rely on QR to tell passengers what is going on can you?

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/127371

5.05am Caboolture to Bowen Hills train is delayed

The 5.05am Caboolture to Bowen Hills train is delayed 15 minutes due to a mechanical issue.

This train is now due to arrive at Bowen Hills station at 6.07am.

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/127371

5.05am Caboolture - Central train cancelled Bald Hills - Bowen Hills, mechanical issue

The 5.05am Caboolture to Central train has been cancelled between Bald Hills and Bowen Hills stations due to a mechanical issue.

The next Kippa-Ring to Central train departed Bald Hills station at 5.42am.

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

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/127376

6.38am Nambour-Central train delayed 14 mins

The 6.38am Nambour to Central train is delayed 14 minutes due to an operational issue.

This train is now due to arrive at Central station at 8.43am.

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

The 6.38am Nambour to Central train is delayed 14 minutes due to a mechanical issue.

— Queensland Rail (@QueenslandRail) May 7, 2017

:conf

[tazzer9]

I am happy with reporting person struck by train or fatality as it means nobody is going to get angry at staff or emergency services for the delay.   It doesn't explicitly say whether the person struck was committing or attempting suicide, apart from those who know enough about that particular location.   (we all know when police incident comes up at certain stations, you know its a suicide) but the average person doesn't know that.

Its the only form of delay where the average person is completely understanding for the delay.

[Fattious]

Inbound from Morningside this morning

7:42 services passes platform empty
7:56 service held up at Buranda due to breakdown at Park Road

No Comms.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/861335169491456002

7.19 Central-Coopers Plains train been cancelled South Brisbane
The 7.19 Central to Coopers Plains train has been cancelled at South Brisbane station due to an operational issue.

The next Central to Coopers Plains train will depart Central at 7.34am.

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

Again QR says this another mechanical issue

https://twitter.com/QueenslandRail/status/861335508894466049

[ozbob]

I am calling it 

Cluster-fuk!

[ozbob]

The 8.02am Coopers Plains to Central train has been cancelled. https://t.co/yYP0sndanM #TLAlert #TLBeenleighline

— TransLink (@TransLinkSEQ) May 7, 2017

The 8.04am Kuraby to Central train has been cancelled. https://t.co/yYP0sndanM #TLAlert #TLBeenleighline

— TransLink (@TransLinkSEQ) May 7, 2017

There were more cancellations and delays, was not able to get them all (taking the grand girl to school).

[STB]

Its the only form of delay where the average person is completely understanding for the delay.

Lol, not always, I've heard people so impatient they've actually have had a go at the Guard telling them that they'd be happy to run over the body just so they can get home! 

On the flipside, I remember a story from some years ago of someone being hit by a train at Coorparoo during peak hour.  Some business suit guy came up red in the face and yelled at the Guard to depart the train, the Guard immediately replied to him with a sure, we can leave but we'd be running over that body over there.  The business suit guy immediately stammered an apology and slunk off back to the carriage.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Brisbane trains: Delays hit commuters

COMMUTERS have had to put up with a string of delays across the southeast rail network this morning, with several services cancelled.

At least five services were cancelled due to a "mechanical issue", while many more were delayed.

Among the services affected were the Manly to Central train and Central to Shorncliffe train, where delays are expected to last up to 22 minutes.

Translink has also confirmed that commuters travelling to Southbank and South Brisbane stations via the Cleveland line will need disembark at Dutton Park and transfer to a Ferny Grove train.

Queensland Rail apologised for the delays in a statement this morning released on Twitter.

"Customers travelling on the Cleveland line are currently experiencing delays, we apologise for these delays and thank you for your patience," the statement read.

Delays with NGR is not helping at all hey ...

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/127441

9.33am Central - Gympie North train delayed 21 mins

The 9.33am Central to Gympie North train is delayed by up to 21 minutes due to an earlier mechanical issue.

This train is now due to arrive at Gympie North station at 1pm.

[SurfRail]

Instead of "mechanical issue", why can't they say "failed train" or "faulty points motor" or one of any number of more useful expressions?

"Operational issue" should be banned outright.

[DayboroStation]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/127376

6.38am Nambour-Central train delayed 14 mins

The 6.38am Nambour to Central train is delayed 14 minutes due to an operational issue.

This train is now due to arrive at Central station at 8.43am.

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

The 6.38am Nambour to Central train is delayed 14 minutes due to a mechanical issue.

— Queensland Rail (@QueenslandRail) May 7, 2017

:conf

I was one of the many waiting at Central for the Ipswich train to come through. Two of the four doors on the first two carriages were "locked", which didn't help with passengers getting on/off. Could this have been the mechanical / operational issue?

Given that the delay was known for an hour before arrival time at Central, I was surprised that one of the preceding Roma Street terminators didn't get switched to run through to Ipswich, and the late train taken out of service at Roma Street.

ps Just an observation, but there seems to be a lot of "locked" doors recently.

[#Metro]

They should just list "gov't failure" as the reason. 

[BrizCommuter]

Inbound from Morningside this morning

7:42 services passes platform empty
7:56 service held up at Buranda due to breakdown at Park Road

No Comms.

Was the broken down train an EMU by any chance?

[ozbob]

4.17pm Central-Manly train express Park Road-Cannon Hill station due to operational issue. https://t.co/1B0O1vAMle #TLAlert #TLClevelandline

— TransLink (@TransLinkSEQ) May 8, 2017

" operational issue " is a non explanation. Please succinctly state real reason for delay, variation, cancellation. Thanks.@jackietrad https://t.co/TPQmd91OkJ

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 8, 2017

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/127501

4.30pm Nambour-Central train delayed 25 mins

The 4.30pm Nambour to Central train is delayed 25 minutes due to an operational issue.

As a result, this train is now due to arrive Central station at 6.53pm.

' Operational issue ' does not explain the cause of delays/cancellations
> https://t.co/u0Fy6P5CUf#qldpol@jackietrad @QueenslandRail https://t.co/6rKUptu1cF

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 8, 2017

[Fattious]

Looks like it was an EMU

https://mobile.twitter.com/superbrudd/status/861342697713352704/photo/1

What was interesting is that they cancelled the service before it to use it to shunt the disabled train on to the platform.

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/127511

5.35pm Caboolture-Northgate train delayed 25 mins

The 5.35pm Caboolture to Northgate train is delayed 25 minutes due to an earlier operational issue.

As a result, this train is now due to arrive Northgate station at 6.37pm.

[ozbob]

One has to take any TransLink service disruption notice with a grain of salt.

Twice this morning TransLink was reporting a service variation as due to ' operational issue ' when Queensland Rail was reporting the cause as ' mechanical issue '

TransLink is a sad joke.  Outsourced mumbo jumbo ..

[ozbob]

 

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

9th May 2017

' Operational issue ' does not explain the cause of delays/cancellations

Good Morning,

The  universal term ' operational issue ' continues to be used by TransLink on service disruptions.  It is not improving communications just irritating passengers.

There are mixed messages galore. Example from yesterday.

TransLink put out this service disruption notice:

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/127376

6.38am Nambour-Central train delayed 14 mins

The 6.38am Nambour to Central train is delayed 14 minutes due to an operational issue.

This train is now due to arrive at Central station at 8.43am.

Queensland Rail tweeted this disruption notice around the same time:

https://twitter.com/QueenslandRail/status/861332483886809088

Queensland Rail‏ @QueenslandRail

The 6.38am Nambour to Central train is delayed 14 minutes due to a mechanical issue.

What is more useful for passengers? 

Clearly the Queensland Rail advice is, as at least it indicates the true, albeit general nature, of the reason for the delay.

TransLink use outsourcing to communicate with the passengers.  It is not a good system.
Clumsy, distant from actual TransLink staff and operators, and often leads to misinformation and frustrated confusion.

How about improving this important line of communication please? 

Is that within the mediocre capabilities of our transport authorities or is even this simple task beyond them?

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

6th May 2017

' Operational issue ' does not explain the cause of delays/cancellations

Greetings,

Mr Nick Easy CEO Queensland Rail on 4BC Radio the other day indicated that he wants communications to improve.

How about TransLink and Queensland Rail  detail succinctly actual cause of delays in all cases.

The reason ' Operational issue ',  is very vague and just causes angst.

' Operational issue ' is a nice meaningless way of telling passengers they're not important enough to know the real reason behind the cancellation and/or delay.
[ https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1862.msg189640#msg189640 ]

It is understood that a person struck by a train needs some care, but surely most of the other situations can be clearly spelled out?

Some suggestions:

Locomotive failure.

Train failure.

Derailment.

Sick passenger.

Sick crew.

Person struck by train.

Bridge strike.

Level crossing / boom gate strike.

Signal fault.

Track fault.

Points failure.

Telemetry fault.

Rostering problem.

Trespasser in corridor.

Police incident.

Power failure.

Vegetation on line.

Vehicle on line.

Broken rail.

Broken wheel.

And so forth ...

Thanks.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Media: 'Operational issue' does not explain the cause of delays/cancellations
> https://t.co/cnDWRieupR#qldpol@jackietrad @AndrewPowellMP pic.twitter.com/UdBJ3GokEw

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 8, 2017

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/127636

5.56am Gympie North-Roma Street train delayed 10 mins

The 5.56am Gympie North to Roma Street train is delayed 10 minutes due to a mechanical issue.

This train is now due to arrive at Roma Street station at 8.58am.

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/127786

15 min delays: Beenleigh line, both directions

The Beenleigh line is delayed due to a signal fault at Bethania station.

As a result, customers travelling in both directions are to expect residual delays of up to 15 minutes.

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/127771

4.29pm Roma Street-Ferny Grove cancelled Bowen Hills-Ferny Grove

The 4.29pm Roma Street to Ferny Grove train is cancelled between Bowen Hills and Ferny Grove stations due to a police incident at Windsor station.

As a result, the next Roma Street to Ferny Grove train will depart Roma Street Station at 4.37pm.

[ozbob]

VLine is good at detailing issues as well. No hiding behind ' operational issue ' ...

16:58 SCS-Traralgon is currently delayed due to the late dock of the forming service. It is anticipated to run approx. 20 minutes late.

— V/Line GippslandLine (@vline_gippsland) May 9, 2017

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/127786

20 min delays: Beenleigh & Varsity Lakes lines, both directions

All Beenleigh and Varsity Lakes lines are delayed due to an earlier signal fault at Bethania station.

As a result, customers travelling in both directions are to expect residual delays of up to 20 minutes.

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/127821

8.11am Central-Ferny Grove train delayed 10 mins

The 8.11am Central to Ferny Grove train is delayed 10 minutes due to a mechanical issue.

This train is now due to arrive at Ferny Grove station at 8.52am.

​

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/127816

6.59am Beenleigh-Central train delayed 10 mins

The 6.59am Beenleigh to Central train is delayed 10 minutes due to a mechanical issue.

This train is now due to arrive at Central station at 8.21am.

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/127851

Trains Suspended: Gold Coast - Airport, Beenleigh - Ferny Grove

Beenleigh, Ferny Grove, Gold Coast and Airport line trains are suspended both directions stations due to a Bridge strike at Moorooka and Park Road station. Customers can expect delays of up to 30 minutes.

Bridge inspectors are en route.

No alternative transport has been arranged.

[tazzer9]

pretty impressive to hit the dual gauge bridges as well at both locations.  Or is QR just too lazy to use it.

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/127851

Trains Suspended: Gold Coast - Airport, Beenleigh - Ferny Grove

Beenleigh, Ferny Grove, Gold Coast and Airport line trains are suspended both directions stations due to a Bridge strike at Moorooka and Park Road station. Customers can expect delays of up to 30 minutes.

Bridge inspectors are en route.

No alternative transport has been arranged.

^ resumed ..