New Generation Rollingstock

[ozbob]

No update at AHRC.

I think we can assume the ' further information ' has been delayed due to an ' operational issue ' until after the election.

Can't have dirty laundry flapping out in the breeze at this time can we? 

My goodness, this is such a major cluster-fuk, even for Queensland where one expects a certain level of cluster-fukedness hey?

[techblitz]

https://www.facebook.com/railgallery/posts/1776539782379495

🚋Want to test drive the new NGR train?
🏃‍♂️Go to AusRAIL at Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre!

Bombardier Transportation, Department of Transport and Main Roads (Queensland), Queensland Rail, TransLink

[ozbob]

The NGR is a neat looking unit and has a lot of improvements compared to the present rollingstock.  The design issues I believe are not the fault of Bombardier.  They are building trains and trams all over the globe.  The design issues are a Queensland Government problem. A manufacturer will only build to the design they are given. Nothing short of a Commission of Inquiry is needed to get the real facts out.

[Stillwater]

Complete with coffee cup holder to left of driver position. 

[tazzer9]

Saw the NGR cab at ausrail today.  Pretty neat, along with the simulator.   I think my calling is a train driver as I nailed the south brisbane - fortitude valley section. 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/933180394194608128

[jesse]

There's an NGR with some sort of coloured livery on it sitting in the Walkuraka maintence facility 

[InclusionMoves]

Haha saw it this morning. Took a bet with OZBOB how long it would take for someone to notice!! Got to say it looks awesome. Full length indigenous themed wrap of entire train.

There's an NGR with some sort of coloured livery on it sitting in the Walkuraka maintence facility 

[mufreight]

Does Trad think that might help get the Human Rights exemption if the train is for the indigenous commuters

[ozbob]

Haha saw it this morning. Took a bet with OZBOB how long it would take for someone to notice!! Got to say it looks awesome. Full length indigenous themed wrap of entire train.

There's an NGR with some sort of coloured livery on it sitting in the Walkuraka maintence facility 

  Didn't take long hey IM 

Good spotting Jesse 

[ozbob]

For the record, no change at the AHRC. 

[Stillwater]

A pig with lipstick is still a pig.

[jesse]

Haha saw it this morning. Took a bet with OZBOB how long it would take for someone to notice!! Got to say it looks awesome. Full length indigenous themed wrap of entire train.

There's an NGR with some sort of coloured livery on it sitting in the Walkuraka maintence facility 

  Didn't take long hey IM 

Good spotting Jesse 

I believe that train wrap should not be prioritised at this point in time given the recent events leading to the NGR rail fail. But it is a nice touch I concede

Very curious as to which unit this is as im assuming that the livery is the final touches on the train and probably means that it will be the first NGR in service.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/934596896093388800

[ozbob]

Queensland Times 27th November 2017 page 19

Let's get cracking on promises

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/934986262989045760

[Stillwater]

So, the Queensland Government can give priority to the special tourist wrap for the NGR trains yet cannot fix the DDA compliant toilet issue, despite knowing what the problem has been for some considerable time.  It shows how un-focussed TMR/QR has been on this issue.

We welcome para-olympians to SEQ, but those in wheelchairs will not be able to use toilets on NGR trains.

What's the betting that should the government get the exemption from the AHRC, they will be tardy in fixing the problem after the Commonwealth Games.  Part of me is saying that the AHRC should not grant the exemption in time for NGR trains to roll on the Gold Coast Line, just to teach a lesson to those managing the NGR train project.  Let the Queensland Government suffer the embarrassment of running the existing fleet to the Coast and curtailing services on other lines .... and have the world media report on it.

Maybe then the Queensland Government will get the message.

[ozbob]

^ there is no guarantee an exemption will be granted by the AHRC.  The public consultation has not even started yet as it appears the AHRC is STILL WAITING FOR THE FURTHER INFORMATION they requested weeks ago now.

The problem is not so much QR, the real culprit is DTMR and two previous Governments that created and then sat on this mess. 

Hoping now to force the AHRC's hand because of the looming Commonwealth Games.

And the bumblers are still there bumbling .. incredible!   

[red dragin]

Given the government is in caretaker mode, that might be hindering the further information.

[Stillwater]

Yes, the Queensland Government always tries this bureaucratic bullying to get its way in order to compensate for its own dragging of the chain.  The fix is always half-arsed.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/935547465670864897

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/935548842723852289

[ozbob]

Does seem that the ongoing uncertainty re election outcome is possibly still delaying the ' further information ' requested by the AHRC.

So if, the new Government is decided early next week, then it may well be the 2nd week of December before the public consultation begins.

Again it has been suggested to me that this is normally around 4 weeks.  So allowing for the Christmas New Year break this may not be closed till towards the end of January 2018.  Then the AHRC has to consider the public responses to the application. Then make their final determination.  It could be May or June?  WTF ??

Not looking good is it. 

[bretto82]

2 more units transferred to wulkuraka today 717 and 719 at this rate they might run out of space

[ozbob]

^ so that is 19 NGR trains now in QLD ?

[bretto82]

18 or 19 will need to have a look back and confirm

[ozbob]

18 or 19 will need to have a look back and confirm

Thanks ..

[ozbob]

Thinking it through and checking my records it does seem that 19 trains are here now.  Must be getting tight out at Wulkuraka.  I was told once that 15 was the number of trains that fit comfortably .. 

I assume the recently imported trains are still to the non compliant design.

[bretto82]

Yes 19 17 at wmc and 2 pretty much stabled in mayne yard

[ozbob]

Yes 19 17 at wmc and 2 pretty much stabled in mayne yard

Thanks ..

[InclusionMoves]

Yep all to old spec for disability yet new spec for drivers changes I believe.

Had to endure lots of arrogance around their availability for GC2018 today in a meeting. But still no timetable so that wipes the confidence out of them.

Thinking it through and checking my records it does seem that 19 trains are here now.  Must be getting tight out at Wulkuraka.  I was told once that 15 was the number of trains that fit comfortably .. 

I assume the recently imported trains are still to the non compliant design.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

30th November 2017

Not Going Right ( NGR ) trains - slow motion

Good Morning,

We note that the Australian Human Rights Commission has not updated their web site with respect to the State of Queensland temporary exemption application for the non compliant New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) trains ( http://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/legal/exemptions/exemption-applications-under-disability-discrimination-act-1992-cth ).  The Commission requested further information many weeks ago now.  Until the requested further information is received we understand that the AHRC cannot commence the public consultation process.  A process we understand will take at least 4 weeks, possibly longer now because of the Christmas New Year holidays. At the completion of the public consultation process the AHRC will have to consider any public submissions and then finally make their determination with respect to the application. This could take many months yet.

We also understand a further two new NGR trains were moved to Wulkuraka yesterday.  This makes a total of 19 NGR trains now in Queensland, and still they are not in passenger revenue service. Are the recently arrived NGR trains still DDA DSAPT non compliant?

It is looking grim for the future rail timetable for SEQ, particularly during the Commonwealth Games.  Will there be line closures?  Where are the proposed timetables, not only for the Commonwealth Games but the looming Summer School Holiday period.  We expect there will be the now usual savage service reductions.  Stamping SEQ as a failed public transport jurisdiction. Rail fail is not yet over by a long shot.

We do earnestly hope that the incoming State Government will remove the administration and delivery of public transport in Queensland from DTMR and set up a proper independent statutory authority - for example Public Transport Queensland.  How much more proof of failure of the existing structures is needed?

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/935904891628806144

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/935907250962497536

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/935969048436801543

[ozbob]

Days since NGR 701 towed to Wulkuraka

[SurfRail]

There seems to be a notion floating about that revenue service will commence on 4 December.  Colour me doubtful.

[ozbob]

There seems to be a notion floating about that revenue service will commence on 4 December.  Colour me doubtful.

I doubt it too.  Seems to go completely against the legal advice they received.  They could however do some trials with actual passengers.  That is not revenue service as such.

See Queensland Rail trains on track for legal disaster > http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-rail-trains-on-track-for-legal-disaster/news-story/eba2c304a167cb9bfb8489f0ca0bbf2d

QUEENSLAND Rail was warned by its lawyers that its troubled $4.4 billion NGR train fleet could expose taxpayers to massive legal claims of discrimination if they were used before serious problems were fixed.

The legal advice, viewed by The Courier-Mail, was issued in September and warned the Palaszczuk Government faced a court challenge that could block the new trains from entering service.

Problems include aisles and on-board toilets that are inaccessible to disabled passengers.

In the letter, QR is advised to seek an urgent exemption from disability access laws to guard against any discrimination action.

It says a decision on whether to grant the New Generation Rollingstock trains provisional acceptance was "critical" as it was from this point that legal action could be taken and would also put its indemnity with the company behind the project at risk under its contract.

"The principal risk of non-compliance for Queensland Rail and the State is the risk of claims, particularly injunctive proceedings, brought by affected individuals or representative interest groups," the letter states.

"This risk will crystallise if non-compliant (trains) are operated in passenger service.

"There is also an earlier risk of injunctive action to the extent a court accepts QR or the State intends to operate non-compliant (trains) in passenger service (ie even if has not already done so). ....."

[#Metro]

Can't wait for the lawyers to show up if that is the case. 

[InclusionMoves]

Hi everyone,

There is a boarding trial to test the business operating model for PWD on Wednesday next week. So think that's where this rumours come from. Being told it will be first non qr, tmr or bombardier staff on running NGR train so can understand how it looks different to normal testing. But I am as confident as I can be that they would not risk legal issues involved in running trains in revenue service.

Geoff

There seems to be a notion floating about that revenue service will commence on 4 December.  Colour me doubtful.

[ozbob]

Thanks for that confirmation IM.   

[InclusionMoves]

  I was actually going to try and keep trial under wraps cause its going to be hard enough for us as it is to have it treated like a valid trial that is blind so people don't have advance warning not to stuff up. No chance once all you guys know haha. You guys take rumours to the next level!! 

Geoff

Thanks for that confirmation IM.   

[ozbob]