Translink Policy of Depredation and Deception

[mufreight]

It would seem that the Management of Translink is under the impression that the commuters of this state exist only to justify the existence of a growing bureauracy specalising in incompetence now seeking to add arrogance to its achievements.
At the present time Translink still has not finalised an operating agreement with QR Passenger for the operation of passenger rail services for the 2009/2010 year and is trying to reduce the operation payment from the figure of $630 million that it is understood was paid for the operation of services 2008/2009 to $380 million.

When one considers the inflationary cost increases over the past year and the Premiers and Transport Ministers statements that rail passenger services will be increased and to do so QR will need an increased payment that is understood to be in the region of $730 million then the absurdity of the actions of Translink management is obvious, more so since it has come to light that TransLink intends to appoint someone from the London and Midland Railway to the position of Railway Director on a salary of $350000 a year plus perks.

This is at the same time as TransLink is trying to reduce payments to private bus operators who want to provide additional services despite increasing operating costs for less money and has failed to fund services such as the Citylink service that was operated between Ipswich and Indooroopilly via Kiralee and Kenmore making a 35 minute journey now a 2 1/2 hour or longer endurance trial.

Perhaps it is now time for a CMC investigation into the manner in which deals are done with "mates" and that long suffering commuters get an explanation as to how TransLink can appoint someone into a fat cat position without such a position being advertised or public scrutiny of the appointment or the person being appointed.

The proposed salary of the person appointed to this unnecessary and unjustified position would pay for the operation of an additional peak passenger service for a year.

Obviously time for this Government to review Translink.

[ozbob]

If those figures are correct then we have a major problem looming.  And why would TransLink need a rail director ?  QR runs trains not TransLink ...

The government is losing control rapidly.

The performance of the London and Midland is also not good at all ...

--> http://www.londonmidland.com/your-journey/performance/

[ozbob]

Found this:

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=3879&NewsAreaID=2

FASTER, MORE FREQUENT SERVICES GET CLOSER ON THE WEST COAST

Monday 18 August 2008 16:26

Work to introduce over a third more services on the west coast main line and significantly cut journey times will be getting a massive boost over the August bank holiday weekend, and the days that follow, as Network Rail continues substantial improvement work along the route.

Over 4,000 engineers will be working to build a bigger, better railway at seven major locations covering over 130 miles of the west coast main line. They will be installing new track, new points, a new subway, new platforms, new signalling and refurbishing a 450m flyover.

Peter Strachan, Network Rail route director, said: "Next year will see a massive increase in services along the west coast main line and a dramatic cut in journey times. Our work continues over the August bank holiday weekend, and the days that follow, and it is vital for the successful conclusion of the improvement programme.

"There is a huge prize to be had come New Year when passengers will enjoy over a 30% increase in services. Our task is to try and keep disruption to a minimum but there will be significant changes to timetables over the coming two weeks."

The seven locations of major improvement work are:

    * Stoke - new track and overhead line and signalling work
    * Lichfield - new signalling, lengthening platforms and overhead line work
    * Nuneaton - new signalling, new track and new points,
    * Rugby - opening two new platforms, new subway (involving use of a massive crane), refurbishment of 450m flyover, new track, new points and signalling and overhead line work
    * Milton Keynes - new track and extending a platform
    * Berkhamsted (nr Hemel Hempstead) - refurbishment of the subway
    * Harlesden (nr Willesden) - new track and new sets of points

Andy Thomas, operations director at London Midland, said: "The latest rail improvement work are part of an almost ?9bn investment to deliver better rail services.

"This investment will mean that London Midland is able to bring services back to the heart of the Trent Valley, giving local communities there a rail service for the first time in many years.

?In the meantime, our passengers may face some disruption to their journeys. We don't take this lightly, and are working in partnership with both Network Rail and other train operators to keep disruption to a minimum and keep passengers informed about changes to their journeys, along with the ultimate benefits of this work."

Chris Gibb, managing director, Virgin Trains, said: "I would like to apologise to all our customers who will experience disruption over the bank holiday weekend. We shall be doing everything possible to provide as much capacity and information as possible during this particularly difficult period. For anyone travelling between Saturday 23 August and Sunday 7 September I would ask that they re-check their journey details 24 hours before travelling with the Virgin Trains website.?

There is little other major disruptive work affecting main lines over the August bank holiday weekend as manpower and resources are concentrated on completing the improvements to the west coast main line.

For more details on Network Rail's improvement work visit www.networkrail.co.uk

For alterations to travel www.virgintrains.co.uk or www.nationalrail.co.uk, or contact the National Rail Enquiry Service on 08457 48 49 50

[ozbob]

Found this, coincidence?

http://www.mkrailusers.org.uk/News.php#News57

London Midland MD to quit
06 July 2009
MK Rail Users have learned today that London Midland Managing Director, Steve Banaghan is leaving his post this month to take up a new position overseas

In an e-mail received today, Steve Banaghan says ?I would like advise you that I will be leaving London Midland this month to take up an international position. After a long career working predominantly in the rail industry in the UK I am now taking up an opportunity to work abroad once again, working in a different transport system. Whilst the last few months have been challenging for everyone involved with London Midland, the business has begun to improve performance and I have no doubt that London Midland has a successful future ahead.?

Steve Banaghan has presided over probably the worst period of travel experienced since the new city of Milton Keynes was founded. Whilst Network Rail can take a large portion of the blame for the misery imposed, London Midland, from the very early days of the new franchise to the present day, can take a majority of that blame aimed those who run the West Coast line with such ineffective consequenses.

Following pressure from rail user groups, MPs, ORR and local and national press, London Midland have improved considerably over the last few months but whether the improvements made bring lasting benefits, remains to be seen.

The Go Ahead Group, owners of London Midland, has announced that the new MD for London Midland will be Mike Hodson, currently the Operations Director at Southeastern, the appointment taking effect from Monday 20 July. MK Rail Users will be seeking early talks with Mike Hodson.

[ozbob]

Some history:

I wonder who was at the National Express Group in Melbourne?  A Mr Peter Strachan was appointed in 1999 " ... National Express Group's new operations in Victoria will be managed by the Group's Transition Director, Peter Strachan ..." http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/nx1/media/news/corp_news/pr1999/1999-06-25/?pbAdd=4495604

I wonder if a Mr Steve Banaghan was there as well?

http://www.rtbu-nat.asn.au/93.html (below)

Melbourne?s tram system re-united

By Phil Altieri, Assistant Secretary, Tram & Bus Division, Victorian Branch

On April 18, 2004, Metrolink Victoria P/L trading as Yarra Trams, assumed the responsibility of running Melbourne?s entire tram system. The Victorian Labor Government and Yarra Trams had negotiated new franchise arrangements.
Phil Altieri


National Express Group abandoned public transport in this city in December 2002. The State Labor Government, was offering substantial increases in funding for all operators ($1 billion) over five years, but despite this, National Express Group still pulled the pin, clearly demonstrating that they had no commitment to deliver a decent public transport system here in Melbourne.

The RTBU was in constant conflict with National Express, regarding many issues such as: protecting members conditions, extending working hours, abolishing our penalty rates system, reducing sick leave, abolishing PLDs and RDOs. Their plan to erode our hard fought conditions never eventuated, due to the strong unity among all RTBU members, and because the people booted out the Kennett Government in 1999. National Express were hoping the Kennett Liberal Government would pave the way for them to make a fast buck after eroding workers conditions, like they did in Britain with Thatcher.

National Express recently sold their bus business in Melbourne to Ventura Bus Lines. We are happy to see the back of them. Any employer who thinks they can exploit workers to make money can get on their bike.

The RTBU Tram & Bus Division welcomes the Victorian Labor Government's decision to re-unite this great tram system and their decision to more adequately fund Public Transport in Melbourne.

The union made it crystal clear to Yarra Trams that while we are happy to work with them to improve public transport, we will not take a backward step on our members' conditions and entitlements.

The new franchise arrangements between the State Government and Yarra Trams will deliver extensions to the tramway network, increased services, increased funding, ongoing commitment to rolling stock and infrastructure maintenance, a new operations centre in South Melbourne and much more. These arrangements are for a five year term, with the option of a further twelve months.

The Public Transport industry is a growth industry with excellent job security and conditions. Membership of the Victorian Branch of the RTBU has increased by 23 per cent since this industry was privatised and will further increase with new recruitment currently underway.

M> Trains (National Express) went broke, and Connex picked up the pieces.

[ozbob]

http://www.railnews.co.uk/opinions/interviews/2008/02/15-steve-banaghan.html

Curriculum Vitae

Name: Steve Banaghan

Career: Managing director, London Midland, since November 2007.

Managing director, Central Trains, from February 2005, having joined as deputy MD in 2004.

Operations director, ScotRail, 2002-2004.

Duty manager at Victoria for Gatwick Express, followed by various management posts for National Express Group, including in its Australian operations.

Joined BR in 1978 to work as a clerk in the signals and telecomms department at Croydon, then in the traffic department.

Interests: Watching sport, especially football and cricket. While he now has few chances to watch Millwall, his new home at Worcester allows visits to the county cricket ground.

[mufreight]

The question of probity arises here with Translink appointing someone with a less than rail positive industry track record to a position that is highly questionable as to its need on an overpriced salary without the due process of the position being advertised in an appropriate manner.
Bearing these points in mind, and considering the Premiers recent statements with regard to bad apples and corruption, the Premiers statement with regard to having promised redundant fat cats that they would not be dismissed while she is selling off the state to pay for them, then this appointment of another mate on a salary reported to be $350.000.oo annually while Translink is failing abysmally to provide a reliable public transport system because as it is claimed by Translink of costs is another reason to fully investigate the probity of this further manference with public funds.

[Derwan]

Going through recent advertisements published on the QLD Government's Smartjobs site, these are all the TTA jobs advertised since 1 June 2009, their levels and salary ranges:

Manager (Legal Services) - SO1 ($109,456 - $114,525)
Manager (Busways & Facilities) - SO2 ($100,167 - $104,390)
Advisor (Media & Issues) - AO6 ($72,515 - $77,584)
Senior Advisor (Media & Issues) - AO7 ($81,140 - $87,005)
Principal Advisor (Media & Issues) - AO8 ($89,898 - $95,082)
Web Developer - AO6 ($72,515 - $77,584)
Senior Advisor - AO6 ($72,515 - $77,584)
Senior Communications Officer - AO6 ($72,515 - $77,584)
Web Manager - AO7 ($81,140 - $87,005)
Program Support Officer - AO6 ($72,515 - $77,584)
Senior Network Analyst - AO7 ($81,140 - $87,005)
Program Manager - AO8 ($89,898 - $95,082)
Network Planner - AO6 ($72,515 - $77,584)
Senior Network Planner - AO8 ($89,898 - $95,082)
Safety and Security Manager - AO8 ($89,898 - $95,082)

Notice that there isn't a position with a salary below $72,515?  This is where our public transport money is going.  Another top-heavy government agency!

[ozbob]

I wonder. Are those new positions are existing positions re-advertised?   

[Paul.Zenon]

TransLink intends to appoint someone from the London and Midland Railway to the position of Railway Director on a salary of $350000 a year plus perks.

Obviously time for this Government to review Translink.

Personally I would be really surprised if a high flying exec from Britian would come halfway around the world to work for only $350K AUD.

I wouldn't be in the least surprised if it wasn't twice that figure.

Normally international appointments for top jobs like this would be easily $500K or more.

But I guess it would never be known as this is an exec contract appointment and highly confidential.

[mufreight]

Personaly on reading up on this persons track record he would probably go anywhere to get a job, as for the supposed salary of $350.000.oo . Well based on his nett worth as an employee based on his recorded history in the industry the most that many would consider as a justifiable salary being generous would be in the region of A$35.000.oo but I personaly doubt that he could even make a decent cup of coffee or clean a toilet properly.