New Generation Rollingstock

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

21st July 2017

Further Update: Request for correction of Record of Proceedings (Hansard) 18th July 2017

Good Afternoon,

I have been contacted by the Queensland Audit Office.  They have confirmed that we did request an audit for the NGR project (and other things).

They have clarified that the QAG at the time the question was asked in Estimates was not aware that we had in fact requested an audit.

A letter explaining the circumstances will be sent to note this for the record of proceedings, that is an audit had been requested, albeit denied.

However fortunately later in Estimates on the 19th there was this short exchange.

Page 41 ... https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_07_19_EstimatesIPC.pdf

Ms TRAD: I wish they had negotiated the commercial contract for the New Generation
Rollingstock with the disability community before they signed off on specifications— )

This off hand comment by Ms Trad actually confirms what we were principally after with our audit request in March.  Was the design that Queensland went with for the NGR trains actually DDA compliant or not?  Appears they were not.  A manufacturer will only build to the design specifications submitted in our opinion.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

20th July 2017

Update: Request for correction of Record of Proceedings (Hansard) 18th July 2017

Good Morning,

To update you all.  I was advised by the Speaker's Office to forward my concerns direct to the Finance and Administration Committee.

Which I have done on the 19th July 2017, and have received an acknowledgement of receipt.

For interest the following story has been published in the Queensland Times  --> Dow calls for Hansard change after estimates answer

I am no constitutional lawyer, however I understand that misleading Estimates is the same as misleading Parliament, therefore it is not unreasonable to request that the record of proceedings (Hansard) be corrected in our view.

The New Generation Rollingstock ( a.k.a Not Going Right) trains project is an abject disaster!

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12854.msg195397#msg195397 ]

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

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/888450648584331264

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/888451740915322880

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> New trains on Gold Coast line to have impressive modern features

PEAK hour rail trips between the Gold Coast and Brisbane are about to get a lot more comfortable, with flashy new trains and more regular services promised.

The duplication of track from Helensvale to Coomera is on schedule, which will mean extra services at peak times from October.

Queensland Rail will deploy flashy new NGR trains to the line which come equipped with better comfort, safety and security features and include Wi-Fi in all six cars.

The new rail stock, unlike some trains previously used on the Coast line, also have on-board toilets with baby change facilities.

Queensland Rail has 15 NGR trains in the State and five of those are currently undergoing on-track testing on the South East Queensland rail network.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad told the Gold Coast Bulletin: "On-track testing is the final testing before the trains are accepted and able to safely carry passengers.

"We are confident the first NGR trains will commence on the network by the end of this year and they will be used exclusively on the Gold Coast line until after the Commonwealth Games."

The NGR trains will increase overall size of the fleet by 30 per cent.

Ms Trad also announced the Government's Coomera to Helensvale line duplication project was almost completed.

She said the new section of track would be commissioned during the Queen's Birthday long weekend in October.

"This major infrastructure project will transform the region's public transport network, and it was accelerated for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018," Ms Trad said.

"This project will duplicate the only remaining section of single track on the Gold Coast line and will significantly improve train capacity and reliability on the line ahead of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games."

Construction commenced on the upgrade in May 2016 which required 8.2 kilometres of track and eight rail bridges, installing overhead electrification and signalling systems and replacing 3.8 kilometres of timber barrier screening.

The project provided more than 200 jobs in trades like engineering, electrical, steel fixing, concreting and carpentry with workers clocking up more than 400,000 construction hours on the site.

Ms Trad said the Government was "absolutely committed" to ensuring public transport services were delivered before the Games in April next year.

"The Coomera to Helensvale rail duplication will not only support the Gold Coast region to host the largest sporting event in Australia this decade but also cater for the region's growing number of residents and visitors into the future," she said.

The Coast rail line records around 4.5 million passenger journeys per year but is currently at capacity during peak hours.

"This project will deliver the capacity needed to double the number of trains travelling to the Gold Coast in morning peak and back to Brisbane in afternoon peak," Ms Trad said.

"Alongside the Coomera to Helensvale track duplication, we are investing a further $10 million to refurbish six Gold Coast stations ahead of the Games.

"These refurbishment works are underway at Ormeau, Coomera, Helensvale, Nerang, Robina and Varsity Lakes stations, supporting around 30 new jobs for Queenslanders in the construction industry."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/889897721880076289

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/889898405131993088

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/889899434623909888

[verbatim9]

Coincidence this has been reported. Was talking to a guard at a station a couple weeks ago. He mentioned that train testing will be ramped up on the Gold Coast line at the end July. He also mentioned that one NGR was also meant to go into service end of July.

[ozbob]

^ I was also aware that the plan was to have at least one NGR running by the end of July, however this is all changed now.

TMR are working out what fixes will be needed with respect to DDA compliance and that will not be approved until late August now as I understand it.  It will take time from there to sort the trains.

Hence the comment from Ms Trad "We are confident the first NGR trains will commence on the network by the end of this year and they will be used exclusively on the Gold Coast line until after the Commonwealth Games."

[Stillwater]

So, the game plan is that the 15 trains currently in country will be run exclusively on the Gold Coast Line?

[ozbob]

No. Only for the games. After that will expand out on the network. I am not sure how many NGR sets will be operational by April though. Pick a number between 1 & 15.

[Arnz]

The IMU160s, IMU/SMU hybrids and older IMUs that are run on the GC line (which can be regularly rostered between the Airport-GC and Ipswich-Caboolture/Nambour corridors on any given day) - in my opinion/tip -  would probably be likely re-allocated almost full-time to the Ipswich-Caboolture/Nambour corridor.

This allows room for last minute flexibility changes to ensure (minimum 1 toilet, hence the hybrids) requirement beyond Caboolture should $#%@ hit the fan on the Mains track pair in the CBD, whilst at the same time increasing toilet services on the Ipswich-Caboolture corridor on top of the existing Ipswich/Springfield/Roma Street to Nambour runs. 

This at least also removes the 6-car SMU260s that are also regularly on the Airport-GC corridor as well.

[Derwan]

Now there are power issues?

https://www.hpw.qld.gov.au/qtenders/tender/display/tender-details.do?id=21854&action=display-tender-details

Queensland Rail is seeking Expressions of Interest for the construction and integration works for the Next Generation Rollingstock (NGR) Operational Readiness.

It includes but is not limited to the design, construction, commission , integration of 4 new substations to meet future demands of the NGR fleet.

Contract won't be awarded until mid-2018.

[SurfRail]

Now there are power issues?

https://www.hpw.qld.gov.au/qtenders/tender/display/tender-details.do?id=21854&action=display-tender-details

Queensland Rail is seeking Expressions of Interest for the construction and integration works for the Next Generation Rollingstock (NGR) Operational Readiness.

It includes but is not limited to the design, construction, commission , integration of 4 new substations to meet future demands of the NGR fleet.

Contract won't be awarded until mid-2018.

This isn't a surprise - they will draw more power than the EMUs they are replacing.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Along with more services drawing power (new stabling, upgraded 3 to 6 car trains and new services). Anyway everyone knows it's coming. Just like the additional stabling projects.

[tazzer9]

Queensland Rail is seeking Expressions of Interest for the construction and integration works for the Next Generation Rollingstock (NGR) Operational Readiness.

It includes but is not limited to the design, construction, commission , integration of 4 new substations to meet future demands of the NGR fleet.

This stuff isn't unusual.  New Trains anywhere generally always draw more power.  In this case, the motor output of the NGR's is well above the EMU's.   
It's going to be a case of the gold coast and sunshine coast line getting alot more services, more 6 car units, more counter peak services. 

[ozbob]

For interest, one of the NGRs in India ..

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/891007805238333440

[ozbob]

Interesting background article:

Business World --> Infrastructure: Metro Makers

[ozbob]

Quest Northside Chronicle 26th July 2017 page 5

Train fleet problems now fixed, says Trad



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

Fixed?  Not really, still are not DDA compliant thanks to the shonky design process by the former Newman LNP Government. 

Still not in revenue passenger service hey?

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/891348119190773760

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/891348640630939649

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/891349681271222272

[verbatim9]

^^Looks like the October long weekend will be a good start date for the trains.  (As the article states end of the year trains in service). Then a new timetable coinciding with LRT opening closer to December?

[ozbob]

I reckon by November is looking good too.  It is still to be determined what modifications will be and then these need to be done.

I assume the trains will have be run tested again after that and then finally introduced into revenue service.

The constant mechanical issues with the aging train fleet are a problem for Queensland Rail and us all.  The NGRs are sorely needed.

[BrizCommuter]

^^Looks like the October long weekend will be a good start date for the trains.  (As the article states end of the year trains in service). Then a new timetable coinciding with LRT opening closer to December?

New timetable? With magically trained drivers?

[Stillwater]

ALP needs NGR trains to go into service before an election so that Trad can say 'see, we have fixed the trains', we are getting on with the job of building CRR ... and standby for media opportunities of journos riding the NGR trains, the Minister being photographed riding the trains, of Labor candidates in your electorate waving with the train at the station.  And, of course, there is the euphoria of an approaching Commonwealth Games.  Plus, the Electoral Commission has sorted out the electoral rolls based on 93 seats.  The Premier has said the election would be fought on the new seat boundaries.  So, the stars are aligning.

[#Metro]

ALP needs NGR trains to go into service before an election so that Trad can say 'see, we have fixed the trains', we are getting on with the job of building CRR ... and standby for media opportunities of journos riding the NGR trains, the Minister being photographed riding the trains, of Labor candidates in your electorate waving with the train at the station.  And, of course, there is the euphoria of an approaching Commonwealth Games.  Plus, the Electoral Commission has sorted out the electoral rolls based on 93 seats.  The Premier has said the election would be fought on the new seat boundaries.  So, the stars are aligning.

"Due to operational issue, customers are requested to get out and push the train"  #Fixed

[ozbob]

A sighting of 706 in the wild...

https://twitter.com/QRtrains/status/891466550951030784

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

31st July 2017

New Generation Rollingstock - what is going on please?

Good Morning,

We remain very concerned with the ' Not Going Right ' a.k.a New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) train project.

NGR 706 was spotted out and about on the Cleveland line yesterday ( see > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3706.msg196010#msg196010 ).  So do we now have 6 of the new trains in test mode?

Spurious headline claims in the media of late that the NGR trains have been fixed are not correct are they?  If so these trains would be in revenue service. 

Queensland Rail desperately needs these trains as mechanical issues with the aging fleet are causing many disruptions - cancellations and delays to already reduced services ( see > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1862.msg195885#msg195885 ).

Despite the Queensland Auditor General not being aware of our request for an audit into the NGR project at the recent Parliament Estimates, we did request an audit into this botched project (this fact has since been acknowledged by Audit Office staff). Real shame for Queensland that this request was turned down.

As our audit request was turned down, we subsequently requested an inquiry into this majorly botched project ( see > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12853.0 ).  This request appears to have drifted off into the ether as well.  A real culture of denial and ' lets bury our failures ' in Queensland transport circles.

The NGR trains are not DDA compliant.  This appears to be the reason they are not in service. This is most probably the fault of the former LNP Government. How on earth did they manage to order non-DDA compliant trains?  This is why an inquiry is needed to make sure this travesty of failure does not occur again.

Some questions for sharp journalists:

1.  What are the fixes and the timeline for the 15 NGR trains presently in Queensland to make them DDA compliant?

2.  What is being done with the remaining trains on order?  The 60 NGR trains still overseas (with a possible option for a further 25).
Are these to be modified before being imported?

Best wishes,
Robert

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

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



Media release 15 July 2017 re-released 31 July 2017

Queensland: Call for a commission of Inquiry into the New Generation Rollingstock Project

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has called for a Commission of Inquiry into the botched New Generation Rollingstock train project.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"It is disturbing that Queensland's transport authorities, lead by the incompetent former Newman  LNP Government, have managed to order new trains, the New Generation Rollingstock trains, that are not compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) (1).

"Equally perplexing is the fact that it took nearly two years for the Department of Transport and Main Roads to acknowledge that the trains are not compliant (2).  Disability Advocates have been pressing this for around two years now. Valuable time has been wasted as the trains languish out at Wulkuraka, and Transport and Main Roads personnel remained in denial.

"RAIL Back On Track has previously made a request to the Queensland Auditor General to have this projected audited. This was denied.

"There is little recourse now other than a full Commission of Inquiry.  It is clear to us that the secrecy around this project is clearly designed to protect failure within the Government bureaucracy.

"It is clear that we are in a major rail meltdown with no resolution in sight. There are 15 non DDA compliant NGR trains at Wulkuraka and the rest (60) are overseas because importation of the new trains was ceased last April. Queensland Rail's service delivery is plagued by constant mechanical issues with the aging train fleet, which causes ongoing service cancellations and delays, let alone the reductions in service already impacting severely in SEQ.  The situation is very, very grim.

"The inevitable public transport network collapse during the Commonwealth Games will be very embarrassing to say the least.

"We call on the Government to form a Commission Inquiry into this major failure.

"The public deserve to know the level of incompetence that is transport policy in Queensland."

References:

1. Media releases from Inclusion Moves - a number
https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3706.msg195056#msg195056

2. Interview Geoff Trappett OAM Inclusion Moves with Steve Austin ABC Radio Brisbane concerning DDA issues with NGR trains
https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3706.msg195217#msg195217

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/891704914094604289

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/891705677554438145

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/891712136723841025

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/892072015619801088

^

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/892069406452310016

[ozbob]

The article below has been sent to all outlets with [ https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3706.msg196020#msg196020 ] attached.

Really is time they came clean about the NGR debacle hey?

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Labor MP says Comm Games event transport planning is a 'debacle'

A LABOR backbencher says his government's transport planning for the Commonwealth Games is a "debacle" and there is no guarantee enough new trains will be on the Gold Coast line next year.

Maryborough Labor MP Bruce Saunders, who has access to the latest Commonwealth Games briefings as a member of a parliamentary tourism committee, has given a stunning inside view of the frantic preparations for next April's event.

"I'm on the Commonwealth Games committee and inside the Labor Party and we're pulling our hair out at the moment," Mr Saunders said yesterday towards the end of his regular Triple M Fraser Coast radio spot.

"I'll be quite honest with people, these trains were supposed to be up and running before the Commonwealth Games.

"At this stage we may have one set up and running, at this stage we've got 15 other sets cannibalised to get one on the ground. We are going to have a transport debacle."

Mr Saunders said the Government was "working feverishly behind the scenes" to make sure enough buses and trains could get fans to Coast venues and the cycling at Boondall.

"We're struggling, no use lying to people saying everything is all good and the people are really trying to get the transport thing up and running for the Commonwealth Games," he added.

LNP Shadow Transport Minister Andrew Powell said Mr Saunders had "let the cat out of the bag" on a looming Games transport disaster.

"We already knew there was a chance the new trains wouldn't be ready to go for the Games and today Bruce Saunders has fessed up," Mr Powell said.

"It has now been 10 months of rail fail under this Palaszczuk Labor Government with no end in sight.

"Labor have trained only 28 of the 200 drivers required to fix rail fail. Unless they get cracking, spectators and visitors will be stranded at stations during the Games."

Mr Powell fears the Coast and Queensland, with the "eyes of the world on us", is headed for a public relations disaster.

He said Mr Saunders had countless opportunities during Estimates in the past week to question the Commonwealth Games Minister on the Games transport strategy.

"We asked the Government on multiple occasions during Estimates hearings if the transport strategy for the Commonwealth Games was on track and we were told 'nothing to see here, all fine'.

"Clearly this was not the case. How are we supposed to trust the do-nothing Government when their track record on rail speaks for itself?"

Queensland Rail has 15 NGR trains in the State and last week indicated five of those were undergoing testing on the South East Queensland rail network.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad at the time said: "On-track testing is the final testing before the trains are accepted and able to safely carry passengers.

"We are confident the first NGR trains will commence on the network by the end of this year and they will be used exclusively on the Gold Coast line until after the Commonwealth Games."

[Stillwater]

How ironic.  The LNP is able to attack state Labor with the line "if you can't run public transport well, what hope is there of running an entire state effectively?"  Yet the root cause of the current debacle is the LNP itself.

[#Metro]

How ironic.  The LNP is able to attack state Labor with the line "if you can't run public transport well, what hope is there of running an entire state effectively?"  Yet the root cause of the current debacle is the LNP itself.

Red Team is in power, so they must fix it.

There is nothing to be gained by Red Team highlighting that Blue Team is at fault, Newman is long gone.

The public can't vote him out of office twice. The past cannot be changed.



PS: Blue team screwed the bus review and didn't stop the #FareFail either. Glad that the fares got sorted out as having that on top

of the current mess would have killed CRR patronage case easily.

[ozbob]

I do think there is political capital in detailing the circumstances that have lead to this mess.

The problem is that both the LNP an ALP are culpable in varying degrees.  The LNP in not following proper process and ordering non compliant trains.  The ALP for sitting on their backsides and refusing to acknowledge there are issues until recently.

This is why they are trying to bury it.  We will continue to shine a light on this mess, someone has too.  Clearly some MPs have had enough too.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/COBrienBris/status/892153445565612032

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Premier 'very optimistic' new trains will be ready for Games

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she is "very optimistic" the government's new trains will be ready in time for the Commonwealth Games.

It comes as a Labor backbencher warns there could be a "transport debacle" during the Commonwealth Games.

Delivery of the New Generation Rollingstock trains from India was put on hold while numerous issues were fixed, including disability access.

Asked if she could guarantee the NGR trains would be completely operable by the Commonwealth Games in April next year, Ms Palaszczuk said she was "optimistic".

"I am very optimistic that we will have the extra trains that are needed in time for the Commonwealth Games," Ms Palaszczuk told ABC radio Brisbane on Tuesday.

"There would be disability access, yes, on those trains."

Ms Palaszczuk pointed out the contract was signed by the former Liberal National Party government.

The Newman government ordered the 75 half-price trains in 2014, with the expectation all the trains would be delivered and in service by December 2018.

Ms Palaszczuk said until the faults were rectified, the government would not receive any more of the trains from India.

"I've had regular briefings and I've had a recent briefing from the chair of Queensland Rail and the CEO ... and they are quietly confident that those issues are being rectified," she said.

During budget estimates, Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the braking rate, sight lines, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning had been fixed, and the government was still working with the disability sector to address accessibility concerns.

Meanwhile, a Labor backbencher said there could be a "transport debacle" at the Commonwealth Games.

Member for Marlborough Bruce Saunders said "we're pulling out hair out at the moment", in relation to the NGR trains and the transport plan.

"I'm on the Commonwealth Games committee, inside the Labor party, and we're pulling our hair out," he told Triple M Fraser Coast.

"I'll be quite honest to people, these trains were supposed to be up and running for the Commonwealth Games.

"At this stage, we won't have, we may have one set up and running, at this stage we've got 15 other sets cannibalised to get one on the ground.

"We are going to have a transport debacle if we don't do, you know, we're working feverishly behind the scenes there to make sure we've got enough buses and we've got transport and trains, to get people to and from the arenas on the Gold Coast and of course at Boondall with the cycling."

Mr Saunders said "we're struggling at the moment".

"There's no use lying to people and saying 'oh yeah everything's good'. We are struggling that the people are really trying to get the transport up and running for the Commonwealth Games," he said.

There are 15 NGR trains in Queensland.

Of those, five have travelled thousands of kilometres for testing, but 10 trains - all those delivered from December 1, 2016 - have not moved.

Department of Transport director-general Neil Scales said trains had to be tested fault-free for 500km before being put in service.

The Commonwealth Games has been identified as a "stress period" on the QR network, according to a review of the train timetable.

[tazzer9]

I have some new insider goss from someone in QR that got to ride on one of the NGR's.  His words.  "They are sh%t".   The bathroom compliance issues are only the start of it.

[SABB]

All of this apportioning of blame is quite interesting.  In a D&C contract, a lot depends on the details and accuracy of the original reference design specification. If there are any errors or omissions in the reference specification, tenderers will not point it out. They will see this as an opportunity for extras to be claimed after the award of the contract. As I understand it, DDA requirements were not included in the reference design (prepared by TMR under the Bligh Government).  Tenderers only do sufficient design work to allow them to price the contract in accordance with the reference design specification.  All of the detailed design gets done after contract award. Given that Bombardier is an international company, they may not have seen the absence of DDA requirements to be an omission and just designed to the original specification. In any event, I doubt that anyone in TMR above the level of the Project Manager would have even read the specification. So Anna Bligh would have allowed the calling of tenders based on the advice of TMR and Campbell Newman would have awarded the contract also on the advice of TMR. If you get product manufactured in a 2nd or 3rd world country, you have to have a representative (who works directly for you, not the contractor) on site all of the time.  TMR should have had an inspector on site in India checking all stages of manufacture, not just reading the QA sheets.
In short, this is a TMR mess.

[ozbob]

Too right it is a TMR mess.  I am surprised that certain individuals are still there ...

[HappyTrainGuy]

Everything TMR touches becomes a mess haha.

[SABB]

Union membership is particularly strong in the Qld public service.  Their union will not allow the Government to blame a union member. The exception is a criminal act or an HR breach

[Stillwater]

So the Premier is only 'optimistic' that the NCR trains will be rolling for the Commonwealth Games? !!!



She must be SURE.

She can be sure of course, if trains just stopped running elsewhere on the network (shut down Doomben?), replace trains with buses and redirect trains to the GC line. 

[mufreight]

Rumoured from within QR that if the NGR trainsets are not available to operate the enhanced timetable that the intention is to have enough trains to operate the Gold Coast that there will be no reduction in the number of services operated on the rest of the network but services now operated with six car trains will become three car trains, the Government can then claim that they have not  broken the Premiers promise of not withdrawing services.

[Stillwater]

   It just gets more shameful every day, Mufreight.  Yes, that would be right.  It is all about saving political face, and snookering the other side - forget service to the travelling public.

[ozbob]

Days since NGR 701 towed to Wulkuraka

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> MP Bruce Sanders given dressing down over Commonwealth Games 'transport debacle' comments


There were fears the Gold Coast would not have enough trains for the Commonwealth Games Photo: Supplied

GOVERNMENT insiders say outspoken Labor MP Bruce Saunders has been given a dressing down by the party after his comments that the Commonwealth Games was looming as a "transport debacle".

The Bulletin yesterday reported Mr Saunders's remarks on a local radio station that the Government was struggling to have enough trains before next April's event.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad played down the comments, saying they simply underlined the Member for Maryborough's dedication to his constituents.

"Bruce is quite a colourful and passionate advocate for his community and we know that Maryborough is a rail manufacturing community," she said on the Gold Coast yesterday.

"We have only late last month released our transport operation plan for the Commonwealth Games and we are meeting all of our commitments with the Commonwealth Games Federation in terms of supplying them with all of the information around the transport task for the Commownealth Games and we are very confident that we will have a number of the new trains in passenger service ready for the Commonwealth Games to make sure that they are the best Games that Australia has seen."

Political sources in George Street yesterday were chuckling and admitted Mr Saunders had "received a kick from up high".

On his Facebook page, Mr Saunders put up a photograph of his tent as he began door knocking in Burrum Heads after meeting with union officials. He made no mention of his remarks about the Games.

A colleague told the Bulletin: "Bruce is an outspoken (Labor) member. I don't think he's a happy camper.

"This was very typical of Bruce. He has a habit of having his foot in his mouth. He will keep going."

State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham on the Coast yesterday defended the ALP backbencher.

"I know Bruce very, very well from Maryborough. He's an absolutely passionate local member," Dr Lynham said.

"If you've met Bruce, you will know no one is more concerned for his community than Bruce.

"I can assure you that the Deputy Premier (Jackie Trad) — these trains are on track, things are sorted and they will be ready for the Games."

Dr Lynham blamed the former Newman Government for the transport challenges which left Labor "inheriting a mess".