New Generation Rollingstock

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/911054034710097920

[ozbob]

I am waiting for some statements or whatever, but as far as I work out it is possible that they make up the trains to run some with two toilets and others without.  I speculated this previously and thought it was a possibility.  Still to be confirmed.

Whilst contemplating the Not Going Right trains, I have had a crazy thought. Maybe they might break up the trains so that they can reconfigure the sets  - so that cars 3 and 4 are toilet equipped. Adopting this approach they could turn out 7 trains from the 15 presently here. This solves some of the issues but not all.  But hey, half-baked is really the Queensland way.  They might then attempt to bluff their way from there? 

The remaining units could be configured in a toilet-less mode. I volunteer the Ipswich <> Rosewood shuttle for a NGR.
[ Will not be too far to tow them to Wulkuraka should there be ' juvenile ' failures hey?  ]

[ozbob]

Fairies had whispered in my ear that today, might be the day of fess-up ...   

Sent to all outlets:

22nd September 2017

Next Generation Rollingstock a.k.a. Not Going Right (NGR) trains

Good Morning,

Day 580 since NGR 701 was towed to Wulkuraka.  Time flies hey?

We understand that there might have been some progress with ' fixing ' the NGR trains?   Of course, the public does not know.  The NGR botch is a ' state secret '.  It might not be so secret as those in the halls of failure think   You cannot bury this biggest botch in the history of public transport in Queensland for ever, no matter how much you hope. Come clean.

The failure to have these NGR trains in revenue service is an extremely grave concern. BrizCommuter has updated his concerns with the rail service for the Commonwealth Games. See Commonwealth Games - which train lines will see services axed? > https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2017/09/commonwealth-games-rail-fail-which.html

What a mess this is.  Our request for an audit into this botched project by the QAG declined.  Requests for a Commission of Inquiry ignored.

When will the NGR trains be in service?  When will the rest of trains be imported?  We have a major crisis on our hands, and the bumblers bumble on hey?

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3706.msg198055#msg198055 ]

[ozbob]

Understand DTMR and QR will apply for an exemption to run the trains as is pending modifications.

Extra toilet to be fitted to the units with toilets.  Some of the trains will be non toilet equipped in the end.

So NGRs will have two sub types.  Interurban - with toilets.  Suburban - no toilets.

Yep, Queensland the land of the GIANT CLUSTER-FUK !

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/InclusionMoves/status/911060869160747008

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland to finally accept the first of its new trains

Talking points

    The NGR trains were ordered at half price under the former Newman LNP government.
    The first NGR train will now be formally accepted, and delivery will begin again.
    Disability issues were not fixed, but redesign will occur while the trains enter passenger service.

The Queensland government will officially "accept" one of its New Generation Rollingstock trains - about two years after they actually arrived in the country.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad halted the delivery of the trouble-plagued trains in March, following the discovery of significant issues.

There were problems with braking, air-conditioning, driver's cab, ventilation, sight lines for drivers, guard space and disability access.

The first NGR trains were due to be operational in mid-2016, but there were only 15 out of the 75 trains in total in Queensland.

On Friday, Ms Trad, also the state's Transport Minister, announced the first train would be accepted, subject to the rectification of 22 remaining issues, which were expected to be fixed in the next few weeks and the trains would not enter passenger service before then.

The 22 issues included air quality control mechanisms for the guard cabin and a converter on one of the brakes, but they were not significant safety concerns, Ms Trad said.

In February, there were more than 480 issues identified with the trains.

Ms Trad said she expected the first NGR train to be used by commuters in November or December, and delivery of more trains from overseas would begin once the 22 issues were fixed.

But disability access issues around the trains' toilets would not be fixed before they are rolled out for passenger use.

The unresolved disability issues involved access for people in wheelchairs in getting to the toilets.

The fleet will include 35 trains for long distance services on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Rosewood lines which will have two toilets and these will be made disability-accessible, while the remaining 40 trains will have no toilets, like QR's existing urban fleet.

The layout of the toilets would be redesigned and the fixed trains were expected to be progressively introduced over the next 18 to 24 months.

Ensuring the trains were disability-accessible would cost about $100 million and fixing screens cost $50 million, although those funds came from a "contingency bucket", Ms Trad said.

The NGR trains were crucial to allow smooth public transport for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April 2018, which has been identified as a "stress period" on the QR network.

An independent review by German railway operator Deutsche Bahn, completed in August, argued the 18 NGR trains required for the Commonwealth Games timetable would not be ready in time.

At the time, there were still 140 issues with the NGR trains, including door and brake control.

Ms Trad said QR would make sure as many new, safe trains as possible would be running in time for the Commonwealth Games.

"We need to ensure that they all pass their testing, we're not going to cut corners, we're going to make sure every single unit passes the tests for them to be fully compliant with Queensland Rail engineering standards," she said.

"Queensland Rail is working around the clock to make sure that we've got a comprehensive, integrated public transport plan for the Commonwealth Games that includes these new trains, but also includes service changes and they will be made clear well in advance of the Commonwealth Games."

QR chief executive Nick Easy said the operator was creating a timetable for the Commonwealth Games, which he said would reflect the number of trains available.

But he would not be drawn on whether some lines would have reduced services during the Games.

"We will be increasing heavy rail service delivery between Brisbane and the Gold Coast and the mix of services on other lines will be reflected in the complete integrated timetable, so that is something that we're still working on and that will be announced well ahead of the Games," Mr Easy said.

[BrizCommuter]

From Brisbane Times - "The fleet will include 35 trains for long distance services on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Rosewood lines which will have two toilets and these will be made disability-accessible, while the remaining 40 trains will have no toilets, like QR's existing urban fleet."

Really? I'm pretty sure all NGRs were meant to have toilets? Is this a project change?

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

22nd September 2017

Next Generation Rollingstock a.k.a. Not Going Right (NGR) trains - update

Greetings,

Well what do you know. 

The Deputy Premier has just announced that the NGR trains are not DDA compliant and it will take $100 Million plus to make them so.

This is despite the DG of TMR stating last year that the NGR trains were fixed! (See > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3706.msg197848#msg197848 ).

Of concern is that the present 15 NGR trains in Queensland will have to brought into service with an exemption for their non DDA compliance.  How on earth did this botch happen?

We support Disability Advocate Inclusion Moves with their ongoing concerns with the costly non-solution announced today.
(See > twitter.com/InclusionMoves/status/911060869160747008  - copy of IM Media Release below.)

Oh dear ...

Regards
Robert

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

[ozbob]

From Brisbane Times - "The fleet will include 35 trains for long distance services on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Rosewood lines which will have two toilets and these will be made disability-accessible, while the remaining 40 trains will have no toilets, like QR's existing urban fleet."

Really? I'm pretty sure all NGRs were meant to have toilets? Is this a project change?

Yep   

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/911073616225169408

[BrizCommuter]

Toilets dropped from QR's NGR trains!
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2017/09/toilets-dropped-from-qrs-ngr-trains.html

[ozbob]

Toilets dropped from QR's NGR trains!
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2017/09/toilets-dropped-from-qrs-ngr-trains.html

  Sent to all outlets &

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/911079645952352256

[ozbob]

Time for a break from the madness and incompetence .... 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/911087675062370304

[#Metro]

Yep   

Amazing there is so much faith in politicians when they consistently deliver poor and poorer outcomes.

Will there be a lawsuit?

[ozbob]

Yep   

Amazing there is so much faith in politicians when they consistently deliver poor and poorer outcomes.

Will there be a lawsuit?

As I understand it to operate the Non DDA Compliant NGR trains for revenue passenger service the DTMR and I assume Queensland Rail would have to get an exemption from the Australian Human Rights Commission to operate the trains pending the fixes to make them compliant.  This would be a temporary exemption I would expect.  Now I am no lawyer, but I am not sure (can someone advise please) if a temporary exemption could or would be challenged. 

[InclusionMoves]

Sorry guys and girls having a hard time keeping up today for obvious reasons. Fair to say its an ordinary but not all together unexpected result. Principally 2 issues at play. Built environment issues around toilets will be fixed but poor outcome to have that come over 2 year period with non compliant trains running in meantime possibly under temporary exemption. This shows we have a government willing to put a sporting event over people with disability (I did 2 Paralympics by the way for those that don't know so when I say that I don't say it lightly).

Also poor outcome to have non toilet trains in service.

Issue of guard relocation not happening and running with station staff model is disappointing. There is a transferable evidence base from other jurisdictions to show customer service failings in this. We will build up our own local experience here and make complaint as we see fit in due course. This will be post election though so this government will not care most likely hence it was an easy decision for them.         

Crux of the matter is government does not see people with disability as important enough to make a fuss over. This is clear when you bring Banyo into the picture as well. Just can't believe that you would ever hear the phrase "we forgot to put ladies bathrooms in but trust us we will get to it" substitute the word ladies for people with disability and you get an idea of how crazy the situation is.

Geoff   

[ozbob]

We hear you Geoff.  The thing that really grates me with is that it was obvious at least two years ago there were DDA issues and it is really only in the last few months that TMR et al have started to address it seriously.  Real slap in the face for PWD and all passengers in my mind.

I am still flabbergasted how the DG of TMR could say no issues with NGR last year and is still in the position.

[InclusionMoves]

Got to try and keep my sanity and sense of humour though.

https://twitter.com/InclusionMoves/status/911099800954662912

[mufreight]

Over a year ago the Director of TMR Mr Scales in a media release advised that all the defects with the NGR trains had been rectified. advice that he had provided to the Minister..
It is apparent from Ministers Trad's media release of today that Mr Scales statement from 12 months ago was less than truthful and the advice that he had provided to the Minister also less than factual.
As Mr Scales has been the front runner on a number of major rail fails such as the Redcliffe line and now the botched NGR project and his being less than truthful and accountable with the information that he has provided to the Minister the Minister's position becomes untenable as long as this incompetent individual remains in public employment as the Director of a major department.
The mismanagement of the project continues.  If the toilet modules are themselves to be made compliant and the outer wall needs to be rebuilt to provide the additional space needed to allow access to the toilet pedestal then there is little additional work to move the toilet module sufficiently to solve the problem of access between carriages 3 and 4, a modification that can be readily made to the carriages still to come to this country and one that should be able to be readily carried out to those units already here in Bombardier's local workshops.
As a Queensland taxpayer and voter I and many of my friends who have been rusted on Labor voters their entire lives will not be supporting this incompetent rabble at the next election, this debacle has been the final straw.

[verbatim9]

^^DDA Exemption does make sense to have the new trains come into service prior to the games. I gather there is already extra temp and part time customer service staff recruited for the Commonwealth Games period and prior to help with commissioning and smooth running of the new trains. That would be a part of the submission to ensure the exemption is approved!?

[Arnz]

^^

I would guess that QR's Authorised Officers unit (20+ staff) may be given extra jobs to do for the Comm Games (helping the disabled on the NGRs, crowd control, etc), assuming they actually survive by then.  This would leave the patrols/revenue protection entirely to a expanded QPS Rail Squad & TransLink SNOs.

[BrizCommuter]

^^

I would guess that QR's Authorised Officers unit (20+ staff) may be given extra jobs to do for the Comm Games (helping the disabled on the NGRs, crowd control, etc), assuming they actually survive by then.  This would leave the patrols/revenue protection entirely to a expanded QPS Rail Squad & TransLink SNOs.

Maybe they can give out Travel Johns and Pooper Scoopers?

[ozbob]

The fact that they need to get an exemption to introduce the NGR trains in country, into revenue service just highlights the fundamental issues with this project.

1.  Why were non-DDA compliant trains ordered?  This is just mind boggling  to contemplate in today's world.

2.  Why did TMR sit on it and do nothing to address the DDA issues until they brought in a consultant some months ago now and it was clear they had major issues.  This was despite concerned stakeholders pointing out for years the problems.

3.  They are in the process of appointing a NGR Project Director now - after all this time.

End result is terrible.  40 of the present 75 NGR trains will now not have toilets.  The other 35 will have two to get around the accessibility issues between cars 3 and 4. PWD are not happy with the compromise solutions. 

And yet, the same bureaucratic bumblers are still in place bumbling.  Appalling, even for Queensland.  Where one does expect the very mediocre, and is surprised when things do go well ( which should actually be the norm).

Unless there is a proper inquiry into this botched NGR project the failings will not be properly identified and the mistakes can and probably will occur again.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/911117908104830976

[#Metro]

The fact that they need to get an exemption to introduce the NGR trains in the country, into revenue service just highlights the fundamental issues with this project.

1.  Why were non-DDA compliant trains ordered?  This is just mind boggling  to contemplate in today's world.

Perhaps someone will pre-emptively file a counterapplication with the relevant body.

IMO the intent of the DDA exemption is for transitioning older noncompliant operations created under old laws to new and

compliant operations under new laws for purely practical and economic reasons.

This is NOT the case for a new DDA-incompliant footbridge at a station, and not the case for a NEW

set of trains that should have been manufactured according to LAW on the books at the time.


DDA is supposed to be standard and is LAW. So somebody, somewhere in the process must have explicitly pressed OVERRIDE

on this aspect of the project, is what I suspect. Who directed that and what was their motivation? It would not surprise me if

this was done "verbal" so as not to create a paper trail.


In fact, this is a very good time for the relevant body to make a case in point demonstrating that it will REJECT exemption

when an operator or government wilfully causes non-compliance on new trains.


There has been plenty of time (500+ days) to get it right.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail's new rollingstock to cost $150 million to fix design flaws

DESIGNS flaws plaguing Queensland's heavily delayed project to deliver 75 new passenger trains will cost the State Government an extra $150 million to fix.

The cost of the $4.4 billion New Generation Rollingstock project design changes have been revealed by Deputy Premier Jackie Trad today as she announced a "major milestone" for the controversial project.

Fixing disability access problems with the design of the new trains will cost the State Government $100 million, while a design change relating to the placement of train guards will cost $50 million.

The extra $150 million in State Government funding would be taken from a project contingency fund, but will not blow out the project budget, according to Ms Trad.

Ms Trad told media today she had met project managers and manufacturer Bombardier and asked for it to make a start on the changes, but warned the rectification works "will come at a cost to the state."

"We know that we have got to make some rectification works.. in order to make them fully compliant and functionally accessible to Queenslanders with a disability," she said.

She said it just 22 minor issues remained – down from 480 "critical issues" in February and blamed the disability access design issues on a bungled order by the previous LNP Government.

Toilets on the trains will now be redesigned to accommodate people with a disability, but will only be fitted on 35 of the trains used for long distance trips.

Toilets will be removed from the remaining 40 trains.

Calls to move the guard space to better help disabled people board were rejected as too expensive.

QR chief executive officer Nick Easy said platform boarding assistants would instead be used.

Disability advocate Geoff Trappett attacked plans to roll out the trains before rectifying the toilets as short sighted. It comes after advice the toilets would be progressively rectified.

He also criticised the plan to use station staff to help disabled people to board, warning it would only increase cases of disabled people being left at stations because they could not board trains.

The first of the trains has now been ticked-off on by the State Government, subject to the remaining problems being fixed. It comes more than two-and-a-half year after it arrived for testing.

It is expected to hit the tracks in coming weeks, but Ms Trad could not specify how many of the new trains would be running by next April's Commonwealth Games.

A report on QR by German railway operator Deutsche Bahn in July stated 18 of the trains would be needed to deliver the Commowealth Games transport plan.

"As I said we will make sure that as many new trains as possible will be running in time for the Commonwealth Games," Ms Trad said.

"They need to all pass their testing. We are not going to cut corners."

NGR orders were halted by Ms Trad in March over concerns about issues, including train aisle widths too narrow for wheelchairs, toilets that did not comply with disability standards in legislation.

[ozbob]

Media release 15 July 2017 re-released 22 September 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/911137241543479296

[#Metro]

Fixing disability access problems with the design of the new trains will cost the State Government $100 million, while a design change relating to the placement of train guards will cost $50 million.

The extra $150 million in State Government funding would be taken from a project contingency fund, but will not blow out the project budget, according to Ms Trad.

Ms Trad told media today she had met project managers and manufacturer Bombardier and asked for it to make a start on the changes, but warned the rectification works "will come at a cost to the state."

My understanding is that the Auditor General may not have done an investigation because no funds changed hands (yet).

However, fixing the trains will trigger a cost event - the state must pay to fix the trains - and therefore this extinguishes the

Auditor General's position. Perhaps a request for audit should be resubmitted?

The key questions surrounding this are:

- Who directed that DDA non-compliant trains be ordered, given that previous orders of trains for QR were DDA compliant.

Clearly, there was some sort of direction from executive in gov't because someone had to instruct Bombardier not to build a

guards compartment.

- What documentation exists describing directives between the executive and bureaucracy were there, and is there one

directing that DDA non-compliant trains be bought. If there isn't, an investigation needs to be done to establish whether the

directive was "verballed" so as to avoid creating documentation.

- Where are the train specifications submitted from the government to the manufacturer and the train design files. Was it

a problem in India by the manufacturer, or was the manufacturer instead instructed to build said trains to a non-compliant

design as per Queensland Government request??

[ozbob]

The fact that the Qld Government is paying for the fix indicates a botched design from Queensland.

Only an inquiry will get to the detail necessary to stop this occurring again.  The Audit Office might audit the project in a couple of years.

In the meantime, a Commission Of Inquiry.  Both the LNP and ALP will agree readily to it if they believe they have nothing to hide hey?

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/911141603665887232

[InclusionMoves]

The fact that they need to get an exemption to introduce the NGR trains in the country, into revenue service just highlights the fundamental issues with this project.

1.  Why were non-DDA compliant trains ordered?  This is just mind boggling  to contemplate in today's world.

Perhaps someone will pre-emptively file a counterapplication with the relevant body.

IMO the intent of the DDA exemption is for transitioning older noncompliant operations created under old laws to new and

compliant operations under new laws for purely practical and economic reasons.

This is NOT the case for a new DDA-incompliant footbridge at a station, and not the case for a NEW

set of trains that should have been manufactured according to LAW on the books at the time.


DDA is supposed to be standard and is LAW. So somebody, somewhere in the process must have explicitly pressed OVERRIDE

on this aspect of the project, is what I suspect. Who directed that and what was their motivation? It would not surprise me if

this was done "verbal" so as not to create a paper trail.


In fact, this is a very good time for the relevant body to make a case in point demonstrating that it will REJECT exemption

when an operator or government wilfully causes non-compliance on new trains.


There has been plenty of time (500+ days) to get it right.

Love it when other people make my points for me cause then I can just say "What #Metro said" :-)

[mufreight]

The fact that they need to get an exemption to introduce the NGR trains in the country, into revenue service just highlights the fundamental issues with this project.

1.  Why were non-DDA compliant trains ordered?  This is just mind boggling  to contemplate in today's world.

Perhaps someone will pre-emptively file a counterapplication with the relevant body.

IMO the intent of the DDA exemption is for transitioning older noncompliant operations created under old laws to new and

compliant operations under new laws for purely practical and economic reasons.

This is NOT the case for a new DDA-incompliant footbridge at a station, and not the case for a NEW

set of trains that should have been manufactured according to LAW on the books at the time.


DDA is supposed to be standard and is LAW. So somebody, somewhere in the process must have explicitly pressed OVERRIDE

on this aspect of the project, is what I suspect. Who directed that and what was their motivation? It would not surprise me if

this was done "verbal" so as not to create a paper trail.


In fact, this is a very good time for the relevant body to make a case in point demonstrating that it will REJECT exemption

when an operator or government wilfully causes non-compliance on new trains.


There has been plenty of time (500+ days) to get it right.

Love it when other people make my points for me cause then I can just say "What #Metro said" :-)

Time for the Minister to take some action to remove from public employment the incompetent clown who was responsible for this botched non compliant design, obviously this project needs a public enquiry and appropriate legal actions taken against those responsible, obviously the LNP will not be happy about the prospects of who was responsible for accepting these non compliant designs and Labor for doing nothing again since Labor opposes such an inquiry they must have some skeletons to hide as well.
Since there has been a failure that is going to cost the Queensland taxpayers in excess of $150 million heads should roll.

[HappyTrainGuy]

The fact that they need to get an exemption to introduce the NGR trains in country, into revenue service just highlights the fundamental issues with this project.

1.  Why were non-DDA compliant trains ordered?  This is just mind boggling  to contemplate in today's world.

2.  Why did TMR sit on it and do nothing to address the DDA issues until they brought in a consultant some months ago now and it was clear they had major issues.  This was despite concerned stakeholders pointing out for years the problems.

3.  They are in the process of appointing a NGR Project Director now - after all this time.

End result is terrible.  40 of the present 75 NGR trains will now not have toilets.  The other 35 will have two to get around the accessibility issues between cars 3 and 4. PWD are not happy with the compromise solutions. 

And yet, the same bureaucratic bumblers are still in place bumbling.  Appalling, even for Queensland.  Where one does expect the very mediocre, and is surprised when things do go well ( which should actually be the norm).

Unless there is a proper inquiry into this botched NGR project the failings will not be properly identified and the mistakes can and probably will occur again.

I still reckon they should just produce/modify the current trains without toilets. Once the jigs are up build both cabs with toilet facilities. Once each 6 car set arrives here pull one out of service and swap one of the lead units around. Then remove the existing toilets from the middle from the original NGR stock. That way down the line you can just add an additional 3 carriages to the middle to also form a 9 car train. It would take a while but at least you will get a DDA equipped toilet on each train.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Train disability issues force Palaszczuk Government to seek exemption ahead of Commonwealth Games

THE Palaszczuk Government will be forced to apply to the nation's Human Rights Commission for an exemption to strict disability access rules under plans to roll out desperately needed new trains ahead of next year's Commonwealth Games.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad has written to disability advocates of its plans to apply to the Australian Human Rights Commission in a bid to solve a looming transport crisis should its heavily delayed $4.4 billion project not be ready in time for the April event.

In the letter, obtained by The Courier-Mail, Ms Trad says it would redesign non-compliant toilets on 35 of the NGR trains, but warns the changes would take up to 24 months to complete.

The toilets will be redesigned to accommodate people with a disability, but will only be fitted on 35 of the trains used for long distance trips, with toilets removed from the remaining 40 trains.

"While this occurs, the existing NGR trains will enter passenger service on the network, so they can be used to increase capacity for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games," Ms Trad says in the letter to disability advocates.

A spokesman for Ms Trad yesterday confirmed it would make an application to the Human Rights Commission for a temporary exemption to address "noncompliances" on Monday.

Disability advocate Geoff Trappett blasted the decision to run non-compliant trains in the meantime in order to meet the Games' deadline.

He also criticised a decision not to rectify design problems relating to the relocation of train guards to the rear of the train, creating problems helping disabled people board.

QR CEO Nick Easy said platform boarding assistants would instead be used.

But Mr Trappett warned this would only increase instances of disabled people being left behind on station platforms.

Ms Trad yesterday revealed that the design changes, including modifying the toilets, would cost the State Government $150 million to fix, but would not blow out the existing project budget.

She said she expected the first train to be in service within weeks after it was given provisional acceptance this week, pending the rectification of 22 outstanding minor issues.

It comes more than 2½ years after the first of the trains arrived in Brisbane under the project.

But Ms Trad could not specify how many of the trains would be running by the time of the Commonwealth Games.

"They need to all pass their testing. We are not going to cut corners," she said.

NGR orders were halted by Ms Trad in March over concerns about issues, including train aisle widths being too narrow, non-compliant toilets and driver line-of-sight problems.

Ms Trad said the resolution this week would lift the halt on train orders under the program.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

23rd September 2017

Is an exemption for non DDA compliant NGR trains really going to fly?

Good Morning,

A lot of ' he said, she said ' going on about the botched Not Going Right a.k.a New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) trains hey?  Pathetic stuff!

A proper inquiry into this worst ever failure in public transport in Queensland is needed. Or perhaps now that the additional monetary costs being identified (at least $150 Million of OUR MONEY ) is required to be spent ' fixing ' the NGR trains the Queensland Audit Office and the Queensland Auditor General might reconsider our request for an audit into this mess?

Confirmed in the Couriermail this morning that the Government has applied to the Australian Human Rights Commission for an exemption to run the NGR trains in a NON DDA Compliant condition.  Hardly satisfactory and we share the concerns of the PWD advocates.
(See Couriermail --> Train disability issues force Palaszczuk Government to seek exemption ahead of Commonwealth Games)

However let's consider these points:

DDA exemption is as we understand it, is for transitioning older non-compliant operations created under old laws to new and compliant operations under new laws for purely practical and economic reasons. This is NOT the case for a new DDA non-compliant footbridge at a station for example as is being foisted on the community at Banyo rail station, and is definitely not the case for a NEW set of trains that should have been manufactured according to the law on the books at the time.  It would be no surprise to us if the exemption is declined and even challenged if granted.  Where does that leave the rail network?

The fact that they need to get an exemption to introduce the NGR trains in country, into passenger revenue service just highlights the fundamental issues with this project.

1.  Why were non-DDA compliant trains ordered?  This is just mind boggling  to contemplate in today's world.

2.  Why did TMR sit on it and do nothing to address the DDA issues until they brought in a consultant some months ago now and it was clear they had major issues.  This was despite concerned stakeholders pointing out for years the problems.

3.  They are in the process of appointing a NGR Project Director (Temp) now - after all this time.  Why was this not done years ago?

End result is terrible.  40 of the expected 75 NGR trains will now not have toilets.  The other 35 will have two to get around the accessibility issues between cars 3 and 4. PWD are not happy with the compromise solutions.

And yet, the same bureaucratic bumblers are still in place bumbling.  Appalling, even for Queensland.  Where one does expect the very mediocre, and is surprised when things do go well ( which should actually be the norm).

Unless there is a proper inquiry and/or audit into this botched NGR project the failings will not be properly identified and the mistakes can and probably will occur again.

Good luck!  We are going to need it.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Media release 15 July 2017 re-released 22 September 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/911273187698122752

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/911275928520581120

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/911280526316548097

[ozbob]

Days since NGR 701 towed to Wulkuraka

[SABB]

Back in 1964 Dr Eric Berne wrote a book about interpersonal relationships called "Games people play". Amongst the many games are two called 'Aint it awful' and 'Now I've got you, you son of a B***h'. 'Aint it awful' is when a bunch of people sit around and complain about something that has gone wrong, describing all the errors that have occurred, but not offering a viable solution. 'Now I've got you, you son of a B***h' is the game played when someone has made an identifiable error and others decide to launch an all out assault on the perpetrator also without offering a solution.  Neither of these games lead to a solution until at least one party adopts the 'ADULT' role and makes a compromise.
I suggest that A PWD organisation makes the offer below:
We, the PWD community, recognise the following:
1  The Commonwealth games is coming and it is not in anyone's interest for there to be transport issues during the games.
2  The NGR trains are not DDA compliant and are not likely to be made compliant by the time of the games.
3  The trains cannot be used because of the DDA Act.
4  The trains are required for the games.
In light of the above, we, the PWD community, are willing to discuss relaxation of what ever rules are required so that the current batch of delivered trains can be put into service. However, we would like bi-partisan commitment that all future deliveries will be DDA compliant and that this batch will be refurbished to full compliance at a later date.

My gut feeling is that this is just a dream