Article: QR faces huge fine over rail delays

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

QR faces huge fine over rail delays

QR faces huge fine over rail delays
Tony Moore
May 15, 2009 - 4:31PM

Queensland Rail was fined $6.7 million for not getting their trains to run on time in 2007-08 and is set for a second large multi-million fine for its performance during 2008-09.

Commuters waited up to 50 minutes this morning on the Ipswich line after a broken bolt was found on a rail line in a tunnel between Roma Street and South Brisbane stations.

It caused delays on the Ipswich, Caboolture, Shorncliffe and Ferny Grove lines in the morning peak hour.

Translink fines Queensland Rail if it does not meet the target of having 92.4 per cent of Citytrain services run on time each financial year.

Queensland Rail received a multi-million fine for getting 91.15 per cent of its peak hour services on time in last financial year and has averaged just 91.2 per cent of trains on time in the March quarter this year.

For the first nine months of the 2008-09 year, 92.2 per cent of trains have run on time, still below the 92.4 per cent performance level set by Translink.

The performance of Queensland Rail has left commuters stranded on several occasions in the past month, raising questions about their performance.

In the past month, Queensland Rail has not met their performance levels, with the figures slumping to 80 per cent of trains on time on May 8 and 85 per cent on May 11.

The performance for this morning is expected to be well below the 80 per cent level of morning services running on time due to 70 trains being late and 10 trains cancelled.

More than 45,000 commuters were delayed for work this morning.

It is expected to put even further strain on Queensland Rail's ability to reach the 92.4 per cent level of standard expected by Translink.

Translink's CEO Peter Strachan has already called for Queensland Rail passenger services officials to meet him next week as they thrash out answers to QR's declining passenger rail service standards.

"I'm determined that customers receive a service that meets a world class standard," Mr Strachan said.

Meanwhile a Translink spokesman confirmed QR was close to being fined for the second year in a row.
"It is on the cusp, I suppose," the spokesman said.

Queensland Rail and Brisbane Transport -who run the Brisbane City Council bus network are Translink two biggest customers, carrying 60 per cent of passengers.

The Queensland Opposition has consistently argued that Queensland Government needs to boost the investment to its Citytrain fleet.

[O_128]

thsi article really ahs it wrong the majority of the delays were on the southern lines with up to 45min delays. I am surprised that no services were rerouted through tennyson

[ozbob]

The loop off the Tennyson line towards the City is closed at the moment due to the track works going on between Corinda and Sherwood.   That's why.

Regards
Bob

[Arnz]

Great.. The government is 'fining itself' again  , that's "real smart" for the 'smart' state 

[ozbob]

Yes, it is bit non-sensible to say the least ...   

[O_128]

Great.. The government is 'fining itself' again  , that's "real smart" for the 'smart' state 

So the government fines QR then gives it back to them anyway that makes sense. If QR were private this would make sense. QR needs to taken off trans link which effectively is just another bureaucratic level and is duplicating management fees.