Planned closures - discussion

[Cazza]

The 7:06pm Mrs Macs Sausage Roll Dinner will be cancelled due to an operational issue.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/977068129057517578

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/979103683781607424

[Cazza]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/174741

Good to see this has come out nice and early! Almost 3 weeks notice.

[achiruel]

And still no rail replacement timetables. Pathetic. NSW has been doing them for years!

[brissypete]

And still no rail replacement timetables. Pathetic. NSW has been doing them for years!

And they were done for GC2018 Beenleigh line replacement so it can be done

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/992141086398152704

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/InclusionMoves/status/992222853155110912

[techblitz]

today I jumped off a 460 along with a few others who had suitcases heading to the valley....they didnt know of the weekend trackwork so had to tell them the irritating news.
I suggested jumping back on the 460 to CC then valley bus because:

1 >> Oxley rd traffic will delays the buses heavily.

2 >> Sherwood has no elevators to the platform for suitcases.

3 >> They could also be waiting for another 30+ minutes for the railbuses & trains to sync.

Alls well ends well....the 460 driver waited for them to tag off @ richlands & return aboard the 460 

And this is why the metro assessment team gave TFB  a better customer service rating that the private operators......its not the private operator....its trying to connect into rail where the private operator loses points.

[ozbob]

Nice work TB 

[techblitz]

Thanks My good deed for the day....as they had already tagged on I reminded them to tag back off from the other side so they wouldn't b hit with that nasty little ten dollar penalty.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/996267273689038848

[achiruel]

Is there any way QR could be requested by the organisers of an event (Panyiri) to move this trackwork to a different weekend next year? It's really not a good weekend to have inner city track closures for a weekend when 50,000 people are expected in Musgrave Park. Or will QR's attitude be "screw you, move the festival"? I'm expecting the latter.

[ozbob]

^ thanks for the heads up re Paniyiri.  They won't change it, particularly a major closure such as this. 

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/996296388953571329

[achiruel]

I understand they won't change it for this year, but next? Surely there's some flexibility in their scheduling and they could doo Caboolture/Shorncliffe/Ferny Grove/Ipswich on that weekend instead? Because this is I think the second or maybe third year the inner city closure has clashed with Panyiri.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/996940875317108736

^

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/996943317148446720

[ozbob]

The 104 bus ( Corinda to PA Hospital ) provides a connection between Corinda and Yeerongpilly rail stations.
It only runs Mondays <> Fridays.  When there is a major closure inbound from Yeerongpilly and Corinda as
for this weekend, it would be very handy to have a shuttle bus between Corinda and Yeerongpilly so pax can
avoid enduring the long rail bus replacement via the CBD when travelling between Ipswich, Springfield lines
and Beenleigh, Gold Coast lines.

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/997249636715778049

[achiruel]

I'm not quite sure how the closure works at the junctions, but would it be possible to run either the Ipswich & Springfield trains to Yeerongpilly or the Beenleigh & Gold Coast trains to Corinda?

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1000051704212078592

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1001655691038347264

^

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1001656688263348224

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

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1001580194610769921

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/QueenslandRail/status/1006054946515456000

[Cazza]

Just noticed a slither of the Tennyson Line appearing on that map. Went to look on the QR network map and it's there too. Any reason?

It's the same line code/colour on the map as the Exhibition Loop (Special Events Services) so that may be why. Although it doesn't show Tennyson Station. Strange.

[achiruel]

Just noticed a slither of the Tennyson Line appearing on that map. Went to look on the QR network map and it's there too. Any reason?

It's the same line code/colour on the map as the Exhibition Loop (Special Events Services) so that may be why. Although it doesn't show Tennyson Station. Strange.

The line is still there, and sometimes services are run via it (e.g. during major tennis events), but Tennyson station is completely closed and at least partly demolished. It won't be used again any time soon.

[techblitz]

https://www.facebook.com/TransLinkQLD/posts/2546562468703136

3 hours for this city worker to get from Ormeau to southbank.
The more translink drag this inability to let passengers know when their railbus is going to turn up....the more they will hijack whatever weekend rail patronage is left......on all lines..
They are creating an 'untrustable' system.

[Cazza]

Down in Sydney, they actually publish route numbers, maps and EVEN TIMETABLES for rail replacement services. See here:
https://transportnsw.info/alerts/details#/6021193
https://transportnsw.info/routes/details/temporary-buses/50t1/0150T-1

Why can't Translink?

I've already drawn up concepts for replacement services here: https://www.google.com.au/maps/d/edit?mid=1j-1hBZBlxm7iTLVrwD26LAgbG_Q&ll=-27.586045241286108%2C152.99667835000002&z=9

Timetables and maps are desperately required. Just describing where the replacement bus will stop is not good enough. You're probably more lucky to win the lotto than to turn up within 15 mins of a replacement bus that will take you to where you need to go.

[ozbob]

I going to Melbourne next Saturday.  There are closures on the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines, I plan to go to Pakenham on Sunday.

http://www.metrotrains.com.au/planned-work/buses-on-sections-of-the-lines-saturday-30-june-to-sunday-8-july/

" The replacement bus timetables will be made available asap. "

I think we will start a serious push for TransLink to snap out of the dumb mediocrity they are in and seek rail replacement bus timetables. 
As pointed out above this gives the punters a fighting chance of sorts.   

I also like the way Melbourne explains the various bus options, express, all stations etc. with route diagrams.

See this document for an example: https://www.metrotrains.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/June-30-8-July-DL-WEB-FINAL-1.pdf

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

24th June 2018

TransLink need to publish rail  replacement bus timetables

Good Morning,

It is well overdue.  TransLink should be publishing rail replacement bus timetables during track closures.  TransLink track closure notices include the generic " Please plan your journey in advance and allow approximately 60 minutes extra travel time. " ( e.g. https://translink.com.au/service-updates/179626 ).  How can intending passengers plan when it is up to the transport ' gods ' when buses will come and go, no timetables and there is no indication in the journey planner other than a disruption to normal service?

A recent post on Facebook demonstrates how the lack of rail replacement timetables impact:
https://translink.com.au/service-updates/179626

Both Melbourne and Sydney publish rail replacement bus timetables. It is time it was done in SEQ, particularly as track closures seem to be a constant these days. Melbourne does rail replacement schematics well too ( https://www.metrotrains.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/June-30-8-July-DL-WEB-FINAL-1.pdf ). These explain in a simple to grasp manner the patterns of service rail replacement buses will be operating (express and stopping patterns).

Again TransLink is left floundering doing the mediocre thing, which might suit them but certainly not passengers.  Time for a proper public transport authority, with the clout and resources to turn public transport around. TransLink is dominated by a roads focussed organisation (DTMR), and which together, have managed to turn public transport in SEQ into a right royal mess of missed connections and poor service frequency!

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1010568057037545473

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1010568543463587842

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1010573574732578817

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1010608782450122752

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1010609572732551168

[ozbob]

Facebook is going off!

>> https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/2098361713511338

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1010739540582019072

[techblitz]

this response from translink hides the real truth.

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. It is advised to allow an additional 60 minutes travel time, this can occur while waiting for a service and travelling on one

note the 'and'.

Translink seem to think there is 'nothing to see here' because they state 'up to 1 hour while 'waiting' for your bus....and then up to an hour while 'travelling' on your bus.
This is what is really happening early mornings when there are less railbuses operating.... making it a combined total of up to 2 hours....at least.


If they cannot timetable due to traffic flows,planning etc....even though they easily nailed it for the comm games....then the least they could do is extend a bit of courtesy to new users/infrequent travellers and forewarn people better of the real wait times at varying times of the day eg: early mornings...which clearly are messing people around the most.

[ozbob]

The response from TransLink is a scripted response from a call centre operative.  Communications is outsourced.  TransLink itself is isolated and up their backsides sadly.

There is no valid reason why there should not be rail replacement bus timetables. Sydney and Melbourne can manage it with more road congestion issues than SEQ.

It is time TransLink was made to do the basics for passengers. Their mediocrity needs to be sorted.

Most closures are repetitive in time.  A set of timetables is drawn up and then maintained and published as needed.

I was assured by Mr Scales in November 2016 that the problems with the vague fare policy on rail replacement buses would be addressed.  Nothing happened.  I don't have any confidence left in Mr Scales, or DTMR when it comes rail. 

TransLink needs to be taken down to the back paddock, and put out of its misery ... 

We need DMR and Public Transport Queensland, a discrete stand alone authority away from the contagion at DMR.

[ozbob]

This is an interesting study.

Australia's public servants: dedicated, highly trained ... and elitist
https://www.themandarin.com.au/94692-australias-public-servants-dedicated-highly-trained-and-elitist/

It concludes with

In short, our research found evidence that public servants do not act as democratic theorists might hope or predict. A clear democratic conduit between citizen and policymaker is largely absent. In part, this seems due to many public servants' unjustified attitudes of elitism toward the ordinary citizens they purport to serve.

This is the problem in a nutshell and explains why things are very disengaged from the punter in effect.
Also why so many things are terribly botched.

The lack of rail replacement bus timetables in SEQ is another manifestation.

" We know best, they mutter, supping tea and scones .. "

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

25th June 2018

Strong FB response to TransLink need to publish rail replacement bus timetables

Good Morning,

Strong response to our Facebook post on the need for proper rail replacement bus timetables.

See > https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/2098361713511338

This is yet another example of the public transport failure endemic in SEQ.

It is time that TransLink was dragged kicking and screaming from their '  customer remote comfort zone ' in DTMR and we formed a stand alone authority -  Public Transport Queensland, a real champion for public transport.

TransLink under the auspices of DTMR has delivered failure.  Our public transport network is a disconnected, low-frequency shambles, that is forcing people away and onto congested roads.

Time to get cracking with the essential reform.

Any leaders around?  Or do we continue with the sycophantic clowns of bumble!

Have a nice day.

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

Sent to all outlets:

24th June 2018

TransLink need to publish rail  replacement bus timetables

Good Morning,

It is well overdue.  TransLink should be publishing rail replacement bus timetables during track closures.  TransLink track closure notices include the generic " Please plan your journey in advance and allow approximately 60 minutes extra travel time. " ( e.g. https://translink.com.au/service-updates/179626 ).  How can intending passengers plan when it is up to the transport ' gods ' when buses will come and go, no timetables and there is no indication in the journey planner other than a disruption to normal service?

A recent post on Facebook demonstrates how the lack of rail replacement timetables impact:
https://translink.com.au/service-updates/179626

Both Melbourne and Sydney publish rail replacement bus timetables. It is time it was done in SEQ, particularly as track closures seem to be a constant these days. Melbourne does rail replacement schematics well too ( https://www.metrotrains.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/June-30-8-July-DL-WEB-FINAL-1.pdf ). These explain in a simple to grasp manner the patterns of service rail replacement buses will be operating (express and stopping patterns).

Again TransLink is left floundering doing the mediocre thing, which might suit them but certainly not passengers.  Time for a proper public transport authority, with the clout and resources to turn public transport around. TransLink is dominated by a roads focussed organisation (DTMR), and which together, have managed to turn public transport in SEQ into a right royal mess of missed connections and poor service frequency!

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1010915197299523584

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1010925909170196482

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 25th June 2018 page 13

Rail replacement bus timetables needed

[brissypete]

The rail replacement during comm games worked with full timetables, route numbers, real time info in apps and better signage than weekend closures. So why can't this be replicated for weekend closures.

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