Planned closures - discussion

[ozbob]

[achiruel]

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).

I don't know about the busway works, but QR plans their trackwork at least 12 months at n advance. So perhaps you should be asking SANZAAR and the AFL if they consult QR's trackwork calendar when producing their draws.

[Stillwater]

The RailFail for Traveston, Cooran and Pomona rail commuters featured at item No.5 in the Ch 9 Sunshine Coast news bulletin tonight, featuring advocate Jeff Addison and a Pomona local.  TransLink still don't get it ..... the signs they put up at these stations were the same as at stations that did get a replacement bus service over the weekend.  Commuters at the three stations were not informed they had to BOOK a bus -- the assumption being that a replacement bus would turn up to the same timetable as the normal train service.  Mr Addison arranged community service announcements on ABC local radio and TransLink changed their advice on social media after notification by RailBOT.  That's hardly pro-active service from a caring TransLink.

[HappyTrainGuy]

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).

I don't know about the busway works, but QR plans their trackwork at least 12 months at n advance. So perhaps you should be asking SANZAAR and the AFL if they consult QR's trackwork calendar when producing their draws.

A post of mine from January this year

Interesting that the major track closure for the weekend of 16-17 February is on QR's website but isn't on TransLink's. Almost like they don't communicate or something

Also does QR really have that much crew to work on all those lines at once. Everything on the northside except Ferny Grove is closed. I smell something fishy going on. Masking crew shortages?

Are you are referring to the Feb 16-19th closures on the NCL??? If you want to keep thinking something fishy is going don't read past this sentence. Its a total closure. So lots of track machines, rail replacements, sleeper replacements. New culverts/culvert works. General. Bridge work/inspections. mtce etc etc etc. Closure is actually Bowen Hills to Wokka with Curra-Wokka works being run until 6.30 Monday. Also times in with the Rocklands closures of Rockhampton-Rocklands/Glenmore and St Lawrence to Kalarka closure to all traffic for ohle and Fitzroy River bridge and Alexandra Bridge inspections which is Saturday-Tuesday. Next major closures should be first week of April (Toombul-Tamaree IIRC) and first week of June (Northgate-Glanmire).

Sorry if I wrecked the conspiracy theory

[ozbob]

The RailFail for Traveston, Cooran and Pomona rail commuters featured at item No.5 in the Ch 9 Sunshine Coast news bulletin tonight, featuring advocate Jeff Addison and a Pomona local.  TransLink still don't get it ..... the signs they put up at these stations were the same as at stations that did get a replacement bus service over the weekend.  Commuters at the three stations were not informed they had to BOOK a bus -- the assumption being that a replacement bus would turn up to the same timetable as the normal train service.  Mr Addison arranged community service announcements on ABC local radio and TransLink changed their advice on social media after notification by RailBOT.  That's hardly pro-active service from a caring TransLink.

TransLink are an acute embarrassment and their ' fake news ' approach to distorting reality and actual circumstance is very sad. We have learned to live with the incompetence to some extent, although extremely frustrating and disappointing.  Being deliberately misleading and untrue over this latest fiasco is a new level of bumble.

I am embarrassed for the some of the good staff left at TransLink,  I have little doubt that Ministerial Staffer control is part of the problem.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1135621132906663936

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

6th June 2019

Good Morning,

We note that the Sunshine Coast Daily has published a Letter to the Editor from the DDG of TransLink Mr Matthew Longland concerning the article in the Sunshine Coast Daily of the 3rd June 2019 concerning last weekend's track closure.



We thank Mr Longland for responding.  As detailed below in earlier correspondence TransLink actually thanked us for making them aware of the poor communication and took steps to update the online information.  Mr Jeff Addison was misquoted in the story, he actually said passengers could have been left behind.  We don't control what is published, nor should we.  A local RAIL Back On Track member did place a sign at Pomona railway station alerting passengers that if they wished to catch the rail replacement buses they needed to ring TransLink.  The only signs were the standard rail replacement bus signs. Local ABC Radio Sunshine Coast made community service announcements to make sure that if people wished to catch the bus to call TransLink.

We do note that Mr Longland has said they will review the station signage and make the (special) information clearer for future track closures.  Thank you.  Mr Longland needs to ensure that the online information is similarly explicit concerning the stations that are only serviced on request by the rail replacement buses.

We hope that in the future the Sunshine Coast public transport is improved.  The constant issues and poor service frequency are literally driving people off public transport.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3025.msg223114#msg223114

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Sunshine Coast Daily 7th June 2019 page 22

Issues drive people off public transport

[ozbob]

For information.  I am now in possession of a copy the sign that was placed at Pomona railway station concerning the track closure on 1st and 2nd June last.  It is a standard track closure sign saying it part that trains will be replaced by buses.  It does not say that if you want to catch a bus you will need to book etc.

I understand a copy has been forwarded to the DDG of TransLink. 

The actions taken by our local Sunshine Coast members and myself to make sure the community was alerted to the need to contact TransLink if they wished to catch the rail replacement bus from Traveston, Cooran or Pomona was necessary and timely.

Well done all and thank you.  If TransLink are to continue to not schedule rail replacement buses to service these stations except on request they need to get the communications right!

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1139356285613350912

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1140808871847636992

[SurfRail]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/231616

The diagram of affected lines does not match the list of affected stations.  It can't be that hard to get this stuff right, maybe they should just outsource it to us.

Also, am I the only one who finds it bizarre that they grey out the bits of the rail network that are still running instead of the closed bits?

[ozbob]

Yo.  I reckon it is around the wrong way.  I always look at it and have to think carefully that it is coloured sections closed.

Hard to get good help these days ...   

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1149498868024762374

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/237076

Boondall station weekend closure

From the first service on Saturday 3 August until the last service on Sunday 4 August Boondall station will be closed for platform upgrade works.

Shorncliffe line trains will continue to operate during this closure; running express between Nudgee and North Boondall.

Travel alternatives

During this closure, please catch your service from North Boondall station.

A timetabled shuttle bus will transport customers to and from North Boondall (between the first and last service) at the following approximate times:

Departing Boondall at 04 and 34 minutes past the hour
Departing North station at 29 and 59 minutes past the hour
Please allow at least 30 minutes additional travel time if catching the shuttle bus.

[ozbob]

Customers, please note timetabled buses are replacing trains this weekend (3-4 August) from Sherwood station to Rosewood & Springfield Central stations. 🚌 Please allow extra travel time and let us know if we can assist with your travel plans. More info: https://t.co/NZjDDIsjlR pic.twitter.com/TBT91CnaIy

— Queensland Rail (@QueenslandRail) July 31, 2019

[ozbob]

^

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 6th August 2019

Thumbs up for QR replacement buses



====

I recall when we embarked on the campaign to get timetabled rail replacement there were many naysayers and the like.  Glad we persisted.



TransLink need to publish rail replacement bus timetables  24th June 2018

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

[achiruel]

The replacement timetables have generally been good, but there are still a couple of issues surrounding early morning & late night services. As an example, if the first service to the city usually arrives at 6am, the bus needs to do likewise, even if that means it needs to leave considerably earlier. The same at night - the last service to leave the city should still leave at the same time.

[ozbob]

The replacement timetables have generally been good, but there are still a couple of issues surrounding early morning & late night services. As an example, if the first service to the city usually arrives at 6am, the bus needs to do likewise, even if that means it needs to leave considerably earlier. The same at night - the last service to leave the city should still leave at the same time.

That is good feedback.  Do you have any recent examples?  I can forward it on to TransLink for their consideration as preferred.

[SurfRail]

Surely we're reaching the point where it doesn't have to be "timetabled this closure, not timetabled this other closure".  What's stopping them doing it for everything?

[ozbob]

Surely we're reaching the point where it doesn't have to be "timetabled this closure, not timetabled this other closure".  What's stopping them doing it for everything?

I think it is a resourcing issue.  Once a particular closure pattern is timetabled it does seem that they do it for that closure as routine now.  The intention is that all planned track closures will be timetabled for rail replacement bus.

[achiruel]

The replacement timetables have generally been good, but there are still a couple of issues surrounding early morning & late night services. As an example, if the first service to the city usually arrives at 6am, the bus needs to do likewise, even if that means it needs to leave considerably earlier. The same at night - the last service to leave the city should still leave at the same time.

That is good feedback.  Do you have any recent examples?  I can forward it on to TransLink for their consideration as preferred.

I don't think the timetables are online any more (at least, I don't know how to find them) but at the recent Gold Coast line closure (21-23 June), earliest morning departure from Helensvale arrived at Park Rd something like 45 minutes later than standard.

Edit: the page about the forthcoming closures of the northern lines encourages commuters to plan their journey in advance, yet the railbus timetables aren't yet in the journey planner.

[ozbob]

No worries.  I will pass on as general feedback.

[ozbob]

The replacement timetables have generally been good, but there are still a couple of issues surrounding early morning & late night services. As an example, if the first service to the city usually arrives at 6am, the bus needs to do likewise, even if that means it needs to leave considerably earlier. The same at night - the last service to leave the city should still leave at the same time.

I have forwarded this on to TransLink via private channels.

[ozbob]

Weekend track closure - Northern lines

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/235316

From the first service on Saturday 24 August until the last service on Sunday 25 August, tracks will be closed on the Caboolture, Redcliffe Peninsula and Sunshine Coast lines.

Timetabled railbuses will replace trains from Northgate to Caboolture, Kippa-Ring and Gympie North stations.  Plan your journey in advance to find your fastest travel time.

Taxis will take customers travelling from Traveston, Cooran or Pomona stations to Nambour or Gympie to connect with replacement buses. The taxis will run to the weekend train timetable and collect customers at the relevant rail bus stop.

Normal services will resume from the first service on Monday 26 August.

[Stillwater]

  

Thank you QR for learning from past experience. Prominent signs at Pomona, Cooran and Traveston inform customers that the track will be closed this weekend and that maxi taxis will be available in lieu of trains. The information is clear and a dedicated telephone number is provided. At Pomona, the maxi taxis may be ordered for outside the museum. This is because QR wants people to stay clear of the station precinct, where works are scheduled to take place this weekend.

This is a vast improvement on the lack of information when the NCL was last closed for maintenance and repairs. We all learn from our mistakes.

[ozbob]

 

Yes, all sorted. Thank you @TransLinkSEQ https://t.co/2bPrpGkQ20#qldpol pic.twitter.com/dNF53P2QkO

— RAIL_BoT_Forum (@railbotforum) August 23, 2019

[Golliwog]

Given the shift to timetabled railbuses, surely they could do more in the service update to highlight what the replacement bus routes are. Currently it's up to a user to use the journey planner. I'd think a map similar to the one they have for the closed section of rail but with the replacement bus routes.

Almost exactly what they have on the Network Map page of the pdf bus route timetable available:
https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/timetables/R607-rail-replacement-bus.pdf

It would at least let people search for a specific route - as they might be able to drive to a different nearby station and get one of the express routes.

[ozbob]

Yo Golli.  I have previously sent TL examples of rail replacement pattern diagrams from down south. 

I hope they will do it in time, they are still trying to get all planned closures with timetabled rail replacement.

E.g.



From https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/photos/a.653209831359874/2098359980178178

Getting rail replacement bus timetables up has been bit of a good job by RBoT 

[ozbob]

"This Train Will Be Taking No Passengers" -- Augie March
🤠#qldpolhttps://t.co/AnpR3JVwMm

— ozbob13 (@ozbob13) August 23, 2019

[ozbob]

Please note that Boondall station will be closed this weekend (7-8 September) while we continue progress on the station's accessibility upgrade 🚧. A shuttle bus will transport customers to & from North Boondall station every 30 mins. More info: https://t.co/DeAVHomQoc pic.twitter.com/pzomUWCV6t

— Queensland Rail (@QueenslandRail) September 3, 2019

[ozbob]

Nice clear diagrams ... (Melbourne)

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1182860912295694340

[achiruel]

Agreed that timetabled railbuses are a great improvement, however there are still issues with early morning services. These should arrive at the destination at the same time as the regular service, not leave.

e.g. the 0609 ex Springfield Central train on Saturday mornings arrives Central at 0650. The 0607 R596 and connecting train this morning was timetabled to arrive Central at 0720 - 30 minutes later. What is the person who relies on the first train of the morning to do?  :conf

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/QueenslandRail/status/1184330991218778112

[achiruel]

Once again with the forthcoming track closure for southern lines & CBD on 9-10 November, we have issues with early morning services not arriving at the same time as the train.

Here's some examples:

From Kuraby, the first train on Saturday morning arrives Central at 6:24am. The train+rail replacement bus arrives at 6:37am.

There's actually a bus from Yeerongpilly that arrives at 6:17am, but of course the first train arriving at Yeerongpilly can't connect with it, at the train arrives at 6:03am, but the first bus departs at 5:50am.
This also affects passengers travelling travelling beyond the CBD. e.g. a passenger going from Kuraby to Ferny Grove on a regular Saturday could arrive by 6:57am. On the trackwork day, the earliest they could arrive is 7:35am.

This brings me to another point: the entire Ferny Grove timetable appears to have altered that day. The normal arrival time for that train is 7:27am, and departing Bowen Hills at 7:01am, yet Journey Planner tells me to catch that train from BH at 7:10am. The Ferny Grove online timetable still shows the regular times though. Do it and JP run from different databases? Very confusing.

The same problem exists outbound; the first bus to Yeerongpilly doesn't arrive until 4:34am, well after the first southbound train is schedule to depart at 4:10am.

I'm assuming the same issues exist on the inner Ippy line as well, although I haven't sat down and checked all the times.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1192283286065864706

[ozbob]

University exams are on Saturday.    I hope the word gets out.

[brissypete]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1192283286065864706

I'm quite impressed with the 10 min frequency for inner Beenleigh line bus replacement this weekend. I'm at Fairfield and its even better than the 196 BUZ which goes from the same stop at Fairfield Gardens. Better than the old half hourly rail buses with the guess and maybe go no timetable.

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1193060637674369029