Planned closures - discussion

[ozbob]

After travelling to Sydney this weekend and experiencing another city's rail replacement first-hand, I'd like to make the following observations:

• bus replacement in Sydney is free
• all replacement buses in Sydney are timetabled
• the timetable for the Airport bus was next to useless because in addition to the track closure there was heaps of roadworks with lane closures in the CBD. Apparently Sydney Trains doesn't communicate with the roads people, because it really wasn't a good time for track closure!

Points 1 and 2 should be the standard here now.  It is not sadly ..

Point 3, cluster-fuks in planning seem to be a problem with transport bureaucracies all over hey? 

We are living in cluster-fuk HQ land here ..   

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> North Coast Rail replacement buses to reduce wait times

RAIL replacement buses will improve connectivity and wait times for southeast Queensland commuters, as Queensland Rail undertakes maintenance this weekend.

There will be a combination of express and all-stop services between Bowen Hills, Shorncliffe, Kippa-Ring, Caboolture, Nambour and Gympie North and timetables available for customers who will be able to plan their journey ahead of this weekend's closure.

"Some customers will no longer have to add an hour to their journey, as in previous trials of rail replacement buses at other train stations," TransLink head Matthew Longland said.

There will be dedicated route numbers, online timetables and passenger information, providing customers an experience similar to catching a standard bus route.

TransLink has been trialling timetabled rail replacement buses for a number of lines across the southeast Queensland network.

"We've been pleased with the performance of previous trials and have received positive feedback about the availability of timetables," Mr Longland said.

Passenger information will be installed at stations and bus stops while new maps and timetables have been produced to keep customers informed.

"TransLink, Queensland Rail and bus operators' staff will be available at key stations," Mr Longland said.

There will be 13 inbound and outbound routes including:

R347 - Bowen Hills express to Northgate and then express to Sandgate
R348 - Northgate all stations to Shorncliffe
R600 - Bowen Hills express to Petrie and then express to Caboolture
R601 - Bowen Hills express to Northgate and then express to Petrie
R603 - Bowen Hills all stations to Northgate
R605 - Northgate all stations to Petrie
R607 - Petrie all stations to Caboolture
R608 - Petrie all stations to Kippa Ring
R609 - Caboolture all stations to Nambour
R610 - Bowen Hills express to Nambour
R611 - Bowen Hills express to Landsborough
R612 - Bowen Hills express to Gympie North stopping only at Yandina, Eumundi and Cooroy
R613 - Bowen Hills express to Northgate, then express to Petrie, then express to Caboolture and express to Gympie North stopping only at Nambour, Yandina, Eumundi and Cooroy

This weekend's maintenance is scheduled from about 2.45am on Saturday, June 1 until last service on Sunday, June 2.

For more information on the trial visit translink.com.au or call 13 12 30 anytime and remember your Gocard.

[tazzer9]

So pomona, cooran and local heavyweight traveston will see no services this weekend.  Pretty impressive how only 4 extra stops adds up to more than 1 hour of travel on Rail replacement buses

[ozbob]

Thanks Tazzer for the heads up ..

Sunshine Coast Rep is chasing it up ...

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1134122677839355905

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1134227513800970240

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1134225146493804545

[ozbob]

I have sent a FB Messenger message to TransLink:

Hi TransLink.  With the track closure this weekend I have checked the rail replacement bus timetable for the Gympie North bus tomorrow R612 ( https://jp.translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/timetables/bus/t/r612/outbound/2019-06-01?
pageDirection=After&pageTo=0600)  and it appears that Traveston, Pomona and Cooran will not have a service, bus or rail.  Is this correct?  I was planning on possibly going to Pomona.  Thank you.  Robert

[SurfRail]

I believe that is the case (as it was during the last timetable shutdown).

[ozbob]

I believe that is the case (as it was during the last timetable shutdown).

If it was the case we missed it.  Is this the first time for the R612 being published?  In any case I think it is appalling to be bypassing Cooran & Pomona particularly. 

[ozbob]

I have sent a FB Messenger message to TransLink:

Hi TransLink.  With the track closure this weekend I have checked the rail replacement bus timetable for the Gympie North bus tomorrow R612 ( https://jp.translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/timetables/bus/t/r612/outbound/2019-06-01?
pageDirection=After&pageTo=0600)  and it appears that Traveston, Pomona and Cooran will not have a service, bus or rail.  Is this correct?  I was planning on possibly going to Pomona.  Thank you.  Robert

Received this response from TransLink ...

Traveston, Pomona and Cooran will be serviced by buses as required. These stations are not included in the schedule due to very low patronage. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We will update our customer information to make this clearer. - Jess

First thought, how will the bus driver know that a pax is waiting at Traveston to be picked up?

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1134278959560921088

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1134286630187962369

[ozbob]

Ok, thanks to Tazzer9 for the heads up we were able to follow this up.  I am rather annoyed that this was done with no attempt to inform the public of the fact that rail replacement buses were not scheduled to service Traveston, Pomona and Cooroy.  It is so damn typical of the blatant non-transparent culture that permeates through the silos of bumble.  It is a bit late in the day to tell them to call 131230 to arrange a service. Still better late then never I guess ..

"  the price of liberty is eternal vigilance .. "  particularly in Queensland ... 

[Stillwater]

The official QR signs at the three bypassed stations state that buses will replace trains this coming weekend, so the expectation is created that buses will call at these stations.  Locals have been forced to put up their own signs referring people to the TransLink hotline.  Notification to ring the hotline should have been out there weeks before and signs warning of 'no trains, no buses' should have been erected at the affected stations.

As to low patronage, these sorts of messes and the regular late running or no-show by the GympieLander have created doubts about the service north of Nambour.

Mate tells me that regular permanent shuttle buses are in the mix of considerations for stations between Nambour and Gympie North, and this after station upgrades at Cooran (finished), Pomona (underway) and Eumundi (yet to start).

[ozbob]

It is almost as if they are trying to drive people away from using public transport services, rail and/or bus   

I can imagine someone turns up to catch the Gympie-Lander at Pomona.  Sees the buses replacing trains signage and looks out expectantly for a bus that is not going to show!  Unless said passenger rings TransLink and tries to convince them that they need to let the R612 bus driver know that there are passengers at Pomona.   It is worse than a cluster-fuk this.  It is CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT.

Court Martial the fuking lot for gross ineptitude !!

[SurfRail]

There really is a "she'll be right" attitude at play.  They only get about 2/3rds of the job of a competent transport system done, let alone an excellent one.

I was in Vancouver recently (and will be ending up back there again at the conclusion of my current trip).  Words cannot express how superior their TransLink is, and it isn't just the built form of Vancouver in play.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1134360518922084352

[ozbob]

There really is a "she'll be right" attitude at play.  They only get about 2/3rds of the job of a competent transport system done, let alone an excellent one.

I was in Vancouver recently (and will be ending up back there again at the conclusion of my current trip).  Words cannot express how superior their TransLink is, and it isn't just the built form of Vancouver in play.

Thanks.  It is always half-baked stuff down under in banana-land.  Nothing is going to change either, the Palaszczuk Govt lacks the courage to sort it out.  Happy to let mediocrity reign.  It once looked impossible for the present mob to be booted out at the next election.  I don't think they will be that confident now, so you would think they would make an attempt to do the right thing but it appears they happy to let the incompetent bureaucracy jump all over them as the gravy train rolls on and crashes into the buffers ...   

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

1st June 2019

Rail replacement buses on the Sunshine Coast Line this weekend 1 & 2 June 2019 - an important alert for passengers

RAIL Back On Track members discovered that the R612 rail replacement bus for the Gympie North services was scheduled to not service Traveston, Cooran and Pomona railway stations. This was most disturbing to us so we raised it directly with TransLink and others. TransLink's response was " Traveston, Pomona and Cooran will be serviced by buses as required. These stations are not included in the schedule due to very low patronage. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We will update our customer information to make this clearer. - Jess "

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1134276336518860801

TransLink then added to the service update at https://translink.com.au/service-updates/227471 " If you are travelling from Traveston, Cooran or Pomona stations, please call 13 12 30 to arrange a service.".

One of our local Sunshine Coast members subsequently reported that " The official QR signs at the three bypassed stations state that buses will replace trains this coming weekend, so the expectation is created that buses will call at these stations. Locals have been forced to put up their own signs referring people to the TransLink hotline. Notification to ring the hotline should have been out there weeks before and signs warning of 'no trains, no buses' should have been erected at the affected stations. " https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3025.msg223066#msg223066

This is a very disappointing and serious sign of the contempt that Sunshine Coast seems to be treated with regard to public transport, particularly the limited and often cancelled or delayed services between Nambour and Gympie North. If you need to catch a R612 bus service from either Traveston, Cooran or Pomona this weekend you will need to alert TransLink well before the timed departure of the R612 bus. It is little wonder that locals have lost confidence in their limited public transport service. TransLink need to focus on improvements not service failures.

You can use the TransLink journey planner ( https://translink.com.au ) select ' Find timetables ' and enter R612 to find out the timings for this service.

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

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/2649091531771684

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1134485331045076992

[ozbob]

Passengers ...

I would be OK with Traveston on request but both Cooran and Pomona should be rail replacement bus standard stops.  Yandina has less annual pax than Pomona 

Table from https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=13340.0

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast RBoT Rep Jeff Addison was on ABC Radio Sunshine Coast this morning highlighting the rail replacement bus situation with Traveston, Cooran and Pomona Stations this weekend.

Thanks Jeff !   

[ozbob]

I have been advised that ABC Radio Sunshine Coast is now making regular community service announcements about the arrangements for rail replacement bus from Traveston, Cooran and Pomona this weekend.   

[Stillwater]

Independent of the Jeff Addison interview, ABC Sunshine Coast radio is making public service announcements that passengers using replacement buses at Traveston, Cooran and Pomona this weekend must make bookings through TransLink.   

They are doing so after Mr Addison provided them with the necessary information.  Why didn't TransLink do this? 

[techblitz]

Why didn't TransLink do this?

In terms of customer service.....TL seem to work on a numbers paradigm only....so if you are ever in the minority as a commuter eg: small patronage at a train station....expect to be treated more as a liability than a benefit.
In this case....calling up a local radio station to relay important shutdown info for locals was just thinking too far ahead and/or not worth the effort.
Translink just don't seem to realise that you are better off paying attention to the smaller things & making that EXTRA effort so as to improve your image in the area of customer focus.
Stuff like this when publicized simply negates it...

[achiruel]

Passengers ...

I would be OK with Traveston on request but both Cooran and Pomona should be rail replacement bus standard stops.  Yandina has less annual pax than Pomona 

Maybe I'm just being difficult but I wouldn't have an issue with Cooran being on-demand either, but Pomona definitely not.

Is part of the issue how far the bus needs to travel off the highway to get to these stops? Would it have made more sense to have an accessible maxi-taxi available to convey these passengers to Cooroy, considering the likely small numbers?

[ozbob]

Locals have confirmed that Cooran and Pomona is not a problem. If the bus is going into Pomona may as well do Cooran as well. With the new station at Cooran and soon to be completed station at Pomona the locals reasonably expect basic services.

[Cazza]

Also pleasing to note that Railbus services and times are available on Google Maps too.

[ozbob]

Why didn't TransLink do this?

In terms of customer service.....TL seem to work on a numbers paradigm only....so if you are ever in the minority as a commuter eg: small patronage at a train station....expect to be treated more as a liability than a benefit.
In this case....calling up a local radio station to relay important shutdown info for locals was just thinking too far ahead and/or not worth the effort.
Translink just don't seem to realise that you are better off paying attention to the smaller things & making that EXTRA effort so as to improve your image in the area of customer focus.
Stuff like this when publicized simply negates it...

Let's face it TB, TransLink have blown it once again.  The punters who have been relying on the Gympie-Lander have been suffering significantly with the constant delays, and cancellations due to the failing ICE sets for quite a while now.  It would have been good if all attempts were made to look after them with better information and service during the track closures.  A lot of punters along the line have abandoned ship and have had to drive to Nambour to have some certainty that they can get to Brisbane on time and back home at a reasonable hour .  It is now 12 years or so since we first raised the need for more services between Nambour and Gympie North.  There is a development of late.  Due to our rail shuttle campaign early in the year the authorities are looking at supplementing the two daily rail services with rail buses between Nambour and Gympie North.  Due to a complete lack of vision there is no chance of extra trains at present.  Buses will be better than nothing, and in time rail will take over hopefully.

[Paul B]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/rail-replacement-bus-stops
Fortitude valley inbound stop link = not found
they didn't bother to give live tracking to northgate and nundah?
guess this falls under 'operational issue' 

[300LA]

This evening we have AFL @ the gabba, Rugby @ Lang Park, Trackwork on the northern lines and the Northern busway (Roma St - Normanby) being resurfaced.

Surely there is some person/department responsible for coordination of trackworks/roadworks with other events (or vice versa).

[SurfRail]

Nope.  It's all reactive.

[ozbob]

This evening we have AFL @ the gabba, Rugby @ Lang Park, Trackwork on the northern lines and the Northern busway (Roma St - Normanby) being resurfaced.

Surely there is some person/department responsible for coordination of trackworks/roadworks with other events (or vice versa).

There is no co-ordination.  Just silos of incompetence and distrust.  The Govt has apparently given up on any attempt to sort it out with the a proper public transport authority, they lack moral courage and are just happy to post selfies on social media.  I have a feeling they will be the next to walk the electoral plank!

As far as track closures go, far too many in my opinion.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1134847144471347205

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

2nd June 2019

Wait .. there is more ....

Good Morning,

An update. Yesterday (1 June 2019) our RAIL Back On Track Sunshine Coast Spokesperson Mr Jeffrey Addison was interviewed on ABC Sunshine Coast radio concerning the arrangements for the track closure on the Northern lines this weekend (1 & 2 June 2019), with particular reference to Traveston, Cooran and Pomona stations and the arrangements for rail replacement bus services.  ABC Sunshine Coast radio also then aired regular community service announcements that informed listeners that if they intended to travel on the rail replacement buses from Traveston, Cooran and Pomona station they would need to contact TransLink. We thank ABC Sunshine Coast for their community support, pity TransLink was missing in action.

For future track closures north of Nambour would like to see both Cooran and Pomona stations be included on the normal rail replacement bus schedule.  We would be happy for Traveston to be on request only, but this must be clearly stated. With the new station at Cooran and soon to be completed station at Pomona the locals reasonably expect basic services. When you look at the Citytrain patronage north of Nambour, Yandina has less patronage than Pomona but Yandina is not a request only stop.  So TransLink's justification for not scheduling Traveston, Cooran and Pomona doesn't really make much sense.

Table from https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=13340.0
Annual patronage (obtained by RTI by RAIL Back On Track by the way - paying for data that should be freely available):



Passengers who have been relying on the Gympie North Citytrain services have been suffering significantly with the constant delays, and cancellations due to the failing ICE (InterCity Express) sets for quite a while now (years).  It would have been good if all attempts were made to look after them with better information and service during the track closures at least.  A lot of passengers along the line have abandoned ship and have had to drive to Nambour to have some certainty that they can get to Brisbane on time and back home at a reasonable hour .  It is now 12 years or so since we first raised the need for more services between Nambour and Gympie North. The Sunshine Coast needs to be treated a lot better than it is presently being dished out by our bungling transport authorities.

This weekend's debacle we hope is never repeated.

Thank you.

Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

1st June 2019

Rail replacement buses on the Sunshine Coast Line this weekend 1 & 2 June 2019 - an important alert for passengers

RAIL Back On Track members discovered that the R612 rail replacement bus for the Gympie North services was scheduled to not service Traveston, Cooran and Pomona railway stations. This was most disturbing to us so we raised it directly with TransLink and others. TransLink's response was " Traveston, Pomona and Cooran will be serviced by buses as required. These stations are not included in the schedule due to very low patronage. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We will update our customer information to make this clearer. - Jess "

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1134276336518860801

TransLink then added to the service update at https://translink.com.au/service-updates/227471 " If you are travelling from Traveston, Cooran or Pomona stations, please call 13 12 30 to arrange a service.".

One of our local Sunshine Coast members subsequently reported that " The official QR signs at the three bypassed stations state that buses will replace trains this coming weekend, so the expectation is created that buses will call at these stations. Locals have been forced to put up their own signs referring people to the TransLink hotline. Notification to ring the hotline should have been out there weeks before and signs warning of 'no trains, no buses' should have been erected at the affected stations. " https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3025.msg223066#msg223066

This is a very disappointing and serious sign of the contempt that Sunshine Coast seems to be treated with regard to public transport, particularly the limited and often cancelled or delayed services between Nambour and Gympie North. If you need to catch a R612 bus service from either Traveston, Cooran or Pomona this weekend you will need to alert TransLink well before the timed departure of the R612 bus. It is little wonder that locals have lost confidence in their limited public transport service. TransLink need to focus on improvements not service failures.

You can use the TransLink journey planner ( https://translink.com.au ) select ' Find timetables ' and enter R612 to find out the timings for this service.

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

[ozbob]

 

[red dragin]

This evening we have AFL @ the gabba, Rugby @ Lang Park, Trackwork on the northern lines and the Northern busway (Roma St - Normanby) being resurfaced.

Surely there is some person/department responsible for coordination of trackworks/roadworks with other events (or vice versa).

Whereas last weekend there was no major events in town.

[ozbob]

 

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily 3rd June 2019 pages 1 and 3

RAIL WORKS CAUSE CHAOS



Transport falls off the rails



Sunshine Coast Daily --> Off the rails: ' Misleading ' train info strands passengers

CHILDREN and the elderly were among those left stranded at multiple Sunshine Coast train stations in a "misleading glitch" that has angered a local rail lobby group.

Passengers waited for rail replacement buses that never came at Pomona, Traveston and Cooran stations at the weekend after official signs failed to include information that those stations would be skipped.

RAIL Back on Track spokesperson Jeffrey Addison said the lack of communication destroyed what "little confidence" was left in Coast public transport.

"People are waiting there stranded for hours... all passengers matter whether it's one at a small station or 50 at a busy one," he said.

The official Queensland Rail signs at the three by-passed stations didn't include that passengers needed to call TransLink to pre-book a bus.

A passenger subsequently reported the signs were "misleading", saying the expectation was created that buses would call at the stations.

"Locals have been forced to put up their own signs referring people to the TransLink hotline," the passenger said.

While Mr Addison admitted the stations had low-patronage, he said safety should be a priority.

Last year, all three stations recorded a passenger intake of 2010 people combined.

Nearby station, Yandina was still serviced and recorded 645 passengers last year. More than 485,000 people used the outer Sunshine Coast lines in the same period.

"All passengers matter and all people matter... there could have been a child waiting for a bus there," Mr Addison said.

While he appreciated most stations were being serviced, he said communication was letting down public transport on the Coast.

"Transport is already bad enough to deter more people in future from taking the train," he said.

Mr Addison said passengers who relied on the Gympie North train had been suffering for years and most "abandoned ship" after unreliable services.

"It would have been good if all attempts were made to look after them with better information and service during the track closures at least," he said.

"The Sunshine Coast needs to be treated a lot better than what is presently being dished out by our transport authorities."

A TransLink spokesperson said track closure signs asked customers to call the hotline, saying they were posted at the stations and online last month.

They said no negative feedback had been reported to them by passengers impacted by the closures and TransLink was trialling new routes to make travel easier.

Bull dust TransLink, the number was added only after we queried the service arrangements.  These pr%%ks are getting worse ...

Traveston, Pomona and Cooran will be serviced by buses as required. These stations are not included in the schedule due to very low patronage. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We will update our customer information to make this clearer. - Jess

— TransLink (@TransLinkSEQ) May 31, 2019

TransLink then added to the service update at https://translink.com.au/service-updates/227471 " If you are travelling from Traveston, Cooran or Pomona stations, please call 13 12 30 to arrange a service.".

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

3rd June 2019

Wait .. there is more .... a lot more ...

Good Morning,

In today's Sunshine Coast Daily ( https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/off-the-rails-misleading-train-info-strands-passen/3743435/ ) TransLink are reported as stating " A TransLink spokesperson said track closure signs asked customers to call the hotline, saying they were posted at the stations and online last month. "

Well why then did TransLink add to the service update at https://translink.com.au/service-updates/227471 " If you are travelling from Traveston, Cooran or Pomona stations, please call 13 12 30 to arrange a service." only after we queried why the rail replacement buses were bypassing the three stations.  The response from TransLink " Traveston, Pomona and Cooran will be serviced by buses as required. These stations are not included in the schedule due to very low patronage. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We will update our customer information to make this clearer. - Jess "

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1134276336518860801

Not only does the Sunshine Coast have to put up with hopeless public transport arrangements, TransLink is more concerned with spin than the truth.

Hopeless!

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

Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3025.msg223094#msg223094

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

3rd June 2019

Wait .. there is more .... a lot more ...

Good Morning,

In today's Sunshine Coast Daily ( https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/off-the-rails-misleading-train-info-strands-passen/3743435/ ) TransLink are reported as stating " A TransLink spokesperson said track closure signs asked customers to call the hotline, saying they were posted at the stations and online last month. "

Well why then did TransLink add to the service update at https://translink.com.au/service-updates/227471 " If you are travelling from Traveston, Cooran or Pomona stations, please call 13 12 30 to arrange a service." only after we queried why the rail replacement buses were bypassing the three stations.  The response from TransLink " Traveston, Pomona and Cooran will be serviced by buses as required. These stations are not included in the schedule due to very low patronage. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We will update our customer information to make this clearer. - Jess "

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1134276336518860801

Not only does the Sunshine Coast have to put up with hopeless public transport arrangements, TransLink is more concerned with spin than the truth.

Hopeless!

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

Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3025.msg223094#msg223094

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1135211757570412551