New Generation Rollingstock

[MichaelJ]

Just loaded a wheelchair and other boarding assistance passenger in Sydney. 50 second delay. No one left behind. No one uncomfortable. Win all round ...

#qldnannystate

[ozbob]

Not sure about nanny state but certainly a dumb state 

[MichaelJ]

They try to be all things to all people and end up being nothing to everyone.

[BrizCommuter]

More like - they roll over for unions, and don't give a **** about customers!

[MichaelJ]

I can't comment on the Union situation in QLD but down here they don't rule the roost! Unions have their place but they can be unreasonable.

Not caring about passengers, that's QR all over.

[bretto82]

722 723transfered to wmc this morning still more stabled at fisherman's island awaiting room at wmc

[verbatim9]

This is the current timetable.for NGRs if not posted previously?

https://translink.com.au/about-translink/projects-and-initiatives/new-generation-rollingstock/timetable

[ozbob]

Days since NGR 701 towed to Wulkuraka

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/946438887890489344

[InclusionMoves]

When even I as the guy who's job it is to only talk disability issues can see there are bigger issues then you know you have troubles. I honestly thought the slow roll out was cause of compliance worries but with that off the table (not off the table so much as QR just seems to have given up caring) now it raises more questions than it answers.

https://twitter.com/InclusionMoves/status/946585397701644288

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

29th December 2017

NGR trains still not going right?

Greetings,

The NGR train saga takes yet another turn.  While I was away enjoying some excellent frequent connected public transport networks, particularly rail on Transperth and then Metro Melbourne rail, two NGR trains (701 & 702) were towed to Redbank Workshops for storage there on the 22nd December 2017.  See https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3706.msg202187#msg202187 for photographs.

All sorts of rumours circulating underground as to what this means?  Some suggestions that these two NEW trains will be gutted for spares?

Clearly there are lot more issues with the NGR trains than non compliance with the DDA and DSAPT hey?

In the New Year, we will be requesting again that the Queensland Auditor General (QAG) and the Queensland Audit Office (QAO) officially audit this project.  It is going to cost at least another $100 Million of Queensland citizens money for DDA DSAPT compliance works. The rail operator, Queensland Rail, has introduced the NGR trains into service without the legal protection of a Temporary Exemption from the AHRC.  An application is still in process ( http://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/legal/exemptions/exemption-applications-under-disability-discrimination-act-1992-cth ).  Another very very concerning issue.

If the QAO doesn't want to audit this project, might be time for a Royal Commission!  There is far too much deception and frankly ineptitude with this project to ignore it.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/946622965252100096

[#Metro]

Let's have a Royal Commission. Can't stop it once it starts and it can look at other things apart from just finance.

[InclusionMoves]

The last person put in charge of a commission of inquiry within Queensland re QR is now in charge of QR's board ultimately overseeing NGR being put into non compliant service. Fair to say I will want some more independence than that!! strachaninquiry.qld.gov.au

[ozbob]

The QR Board is now hopelessly compromised in my opinion.  To stand by and allow the disregard of the AHRC etc. is very poor governance.  Potentially putting QR at some serious legal risk.  Should the AHRC exemption be refused, they must all resign in my view. 

[mufreight]

The cleaners need to be put through the Queensland Rail Administration, the Board has been a pathetic failure in its oversight of Queensland Rail, this is the Board that failed in its oversight of operations and allowed the failure to ensure that there were sufficient staff to operate the system, drivers and guards were not recruited and trained in sufficient numbers to allow for retirements much less timetable service increases.  This same board oversaw the ordering and design of the new generation trains which were designed non compliant with the requirements of the disability discrimination act and are now still not in regular service almost two years since the first of these lemons arrived on our shores.  The noncompatiable signaling system that saw the opening of the KippaRing rail extension delayed by three months and cost almost $50 million to be patched, then of course there is the Banyo station pedestrian overpass that is again disability noncompliant despite the requirements of the act having been in force since 2002.
These Board members and their lack of oversight have cost Queensland taxpayers in excess of $230.000.000 yet they still have their collective hands in the public purse while handing out cash bonuses for non performing seat warmers in the TMR, time for a clean out.
There should be a separation of Queensland Rail from TMR, it is painfully obvious that TMR lacks the expertise to administer or oversee anything to do with railways.
A separate Minister for Railways would be a good start, then a Railways Commissioner reporting directly back to the Minister with Queensland Rail being responsible for its own infrastructure and operations then the removal of the Railways Board who's purpose is seemingly to play pass the parcel when it comes to responsibility for fiasco's like the NGR project.

[Stillwater]

It is easy to view the mess purely as a series of unfortunate and unrelated incidents, seemingly unconnected and just a whole lot of happenstance.  It goes much deeper into a failure of the culture of an organisation.  Also, the system that passes for being 'customer-focussed' is really a very patronising, controlled and cynical exercise in containment and rendering of feedback as non-effectual.  'Customers' are corralled and controlled.  The administrative arrangements between TMR, QR and TransLink are hopelessly compromised, overly bureaucratic and siloed. 

For their part, governments use these entities as PR centres, while the politics runs deep in their day-to-day functioning.  It is a system that has failed.  It is a system that has economic consequences in how SEQ functions, contributes to congestion (not mitigate against it) and costs the economy (as measured by the efficient movement of people to jobs, to work, and the goods to ports and markets) billions in lost productivity.  Delayed projects, half-arsed projects, compromised projects don't achieve anticipated BCRs.  Major projects are poorly administered (NGR is a case in point).  The failure extends well beyond the PT network and the freight transport network more generally.

Queensland is becoming less competitive as a consequence.  Our quality of life is compromised.

[InclusionMoves]

Apologies people I gotten Mufreight and Stillwater going :-) Have at it guys!!!

It is easy to view the mess purely as a series of unfortunate and unrelated incidents, seemingly unconnected and just a whole lot of happenstance.  It goes much deeper into a failure of the culture of an organisation.  Also, the system that passes for being 'customer-focussed' is really a very patronising, controlled and cynical exercise in containment and rendering of feedback as non-effectual.  'Customers' are corralled and controlled.  The administrative arrangements between TMR, QR and TransLink are hopelessly compromised, overly bureaucratic and siloed. 

For their part, governments use these entities as PR centres, while the politics runs deep in their day-to-day functioning.  It is a system that has failed.  It is a system that has economic consequences in how SEQ functions, contributes to congestion (not mitigate against it) and costs the economy (as measured by the efficient movement of people to jobs, to work, and the goods to ports and markets) billions in lost productivity.  Delayed projects, half-arsed projects, compromised projects don't achieve anticipated BCRs.  Major projects are poorly administered (NGR is a case in point).  The failure extends well beyond the PT network and the freight transport network more generally.

Queensland is becoming less competitive as a consequence.  Our quality of life is compromised.

The cleaners need to be put through the Queensland Rail Administration, the Board has been a pathetic failure in its oversight of Queensland Rail, this is the Board that failed in its oversight of operations and allowed the failure to ensure that there were sufficient staff to operate the system, drivers and guards were not recruited and trained in sufficient numbers to allow for retirements much less timetable service increases.  This same board oversaw the ordering and design of the new generation trains which were designed non compliant with the requirements of the disability discrimination act and are now still not in regular service almost two years since the first of these lemons arrived on our shores.  The noncompatiable signaling system that saw the opening of the KippaRing rail extension delayed by three months and cost almost $50 million to be patched, then of course there is the Banyo station pedestrian overpass that is again disability noncompliant despite the requirements of the act having been in force since 2002.
These Board members and their lack of oversight have cost Queensland taxpayers in excess of $230.000.000 yet they still have their collective hands in the public purse while handing out cash bonuses for non performing seat warmers in the TMR, time for a clean out.
There should be a separation of Queensland Rail from TMR, it is painfully obvious that TMR lacks the expertise to administer or oversee anything to do with railways.
A separate Minister for Railways would be a good start, then a Railways Commissioner reporting directly back to the Minister with Queensland Rail being responsible for its own infrastructure and operations then the removal of the Railways Board who's purpose is seemingly to play pass the parcel when it comes to responsibility for fiasco's like the NGR project.

[achiruel]

This same board oversaw the ordering and design of the new generation trains which were designed non compliant with the requirements of the disability discrimination act and are now still not in regular service almost two years since the first of these lemons arrived on our shores.  The noncompatiable signaling system that saw the opening of the KippaRing rail extension delayed by three months and cost almost $50 million to be patched,

Both these projects are TMR projects not QR. Not saying QR is perfect (far from it) but a lot of the blame for both of these projects must be squarely at the feet of the DGs of TMR (Neil Scales, and Michael Caltabiano before him)

[#Metro]

Queensland Rail is not blameless.

Rail fail is partly QRs fault.

And they are an accessory to the fact in the case of NGRs for executing allegedly unlawful instructions to run non-compliant trains on the network.

Imagine if a privatised operator did that? They world have the crappola fined out of them.

In QRs case, it doesn't matter, the taxpayer will pick up the bill.

[ozbob]

Murky waters ....  QR did not sign off on the NGR design is what I know.  If they did sign off I would suggest it would not be the basket case that the NGRs now represent.  The primary cause was that non compliant trains, with other design issues (cabs particularly) were specified and ordered.  The manufacturer builds to the specs.

The overall project management by TMR has been inept in my opinion.

There is much truth hidden, other aspects are ' commercial in confidence ' ... the public version of the State of Queensland application for an exemption from the AHRC has numerous ' commercial in confidence ' redactions.  Far too convenient ...

I am rapidly coming around to the view that nothing short of a Royal Commission will get to the real facts, truth, and why this project went off the rails.  It needs a forensic examination to stop this sort of major botch happening again. 

I agree with achiruel.  I wonder every day why Mr Scales is still DG of TMR ....

[ozbob]

The key points we will making in our submission to the AHRC in response to the State of Queensland temporary exemption application  are:

1.  We support the application for an exemption but only for a period of 6 months.

This will allow the rail operator to negotiate the Commonwealth Games period and use the NGRs under real passenger load conditions.  This will allow for a more mature rectification plan to be developed.

An initial  three-year exemption is not on in our view.  It would allow the Queensland Government to import all the train sets on order, with those trains potentially being non-compliant with respect to the DDA and DSAPT.  Queensland would seek to manoeuvre to have the exemption apply to the whole order by virtue of the fact that the importation of all NGR trains would have occurred during the three-year exemption period.  And then we would be stuck with them for the next 30 or so years.  That's unacceptable in our view.

A six month exemption granted by the AHRC would allow the NGR trains into service for the period of the Games and reduce the impact on all commuters in SEQ  during the Commonwealth Games; some trains would not need to be diverted from other lines and perhaps avoid some line closures.

In granting a six month exemption, the AHRC should impose an order that, at the end of that six-month period, it would want to see a fully funded  detailed rectification plan from the Queensland State Government, otherwise it should not grant exemption beyond the initial six months in our view.

It puts the pressure on TMR/QR to pull in their horns and work on a real solution -- the opposite to their tactics to date.  By applying for an exemption at the last minute, this state's transport agencies have indicated they proposed all along to bluff their way through and around the DDA specifications in our opinion (which have the authority of law under the Act).


2. The State of Queensland has long been aware of the DDA DSAPT compliance issues of the NGRs,  a lot longer than suggested in the application as of June 2017.

It beggars belief that a late application was made in the shadows of the Commonwealth Games based on the final realisation in June 2017 that there were significant issues.  These issues have been known about since 2016.  The request to ' expedite ' the process is a sham and attempt to cover up the State's abject failure to order compliant NGR trains and then failure to act in a timely and decisive manner.  We support the AHRC taking the time to properly consider the application in the normal measured way. 


3.  We consider the move to operate the NGR trains without the protection of a temporary exemption has now placed the State of Queensland ( and its citizens through possible costs ) in potential serious legal jeopardy and is a slap in the face to the AHRC and to Queensland citizens, particularly those with a disability.

This decision just reflects the broader problems and issues with the Government and its bureaucracy. They think they are above the law.  Should the AHRC reject the application for exemption this matter is destined for the High Court of Australia.  More runaway expenditure.  Government, TMR and Queensland Rail don't care.  It is not their money it is ours.


We will not be addressing the specific details of non compliance. This will be addressed in great detail by representatives of the Disability Sector in the public submissions, as it should.

[#Metro]

There is much truth hidden, other aspects are ' commercial in confidence ' ... the public version of the State of Queensland application for an exemption from the AHRC has numerous ' commercial in confidence ' redactions.  Far too convenient ...

"Commercial in confidence" QR rail operations is a monopoly that has no competitors and isn't even a business

(non-profit, effectively 100% guaranteed contract renewal). Who exactly do they think their business rival competitor is?? BCC?

What do they think will happen if someone sees the files? That Melbourne or Sydney might copy the design? Or New Zealand?

And what about passengers who might walk into an NGR and see the "secret" design or take photos of the train interior with their mobile phone on the morning commute?

[InclusionMoves]

Funny you mention that Ozbob. I was reading the Strachan report yesterday (as you do yes I know I am sad). And found this:

33. Confirm that the Department of Transport and Main Roads has accountability for all major capital
projects and significant timetable changes, and ensure that Queensland Rail remains accountable
for operational readiness and project acceptance

Begs the question has this been enacted because if so then it puts QR even further in the poop as it has project acceptance accountability.

Geoff 

Murky waters ....  QR did not sign off on the NGR design is what I know.  If they did sign off I would suggest it would not be the basket case that the NGRs now represent.  The primary cause was that non compliant trains, with other design issues (cabs particularly) were specified and ordered.  The manufacturer builds to the specs.

The overall project management by TMR has been inept in my opinion.

There is much truth hidden, other aspects are ' commercial in confidence ' ... the public version of the State of Queensland application for an exemption from the AHRC has numerous ' commercial in confidence ' redactions.  Far too convenient ...

I am rapidly coming around to the view that nothing short of a Royal Commission will get to the real facts, truth, and why this project went off the rails.  It needs a forensic examination to stop this sort of major botch happening again. 

I agree with achiruel.  I wonder every day why Mr Scales is still DG of TMR ....

[InclusionMoves]

Wont come as a surprise to any of you that the disability sector won't be as lenient. But having said that totally respect you guys have slightly different stakeholders than us so appreciate your support as far as you can take it. 

Absolutely no exemption, principally because (a) they knew longer ago than the rectification timeline there was a problem hence they could have stopped when first told and had it fixed by now and (b) they have asked for an exemption prior to having a concrete plan on how rectification works could occur much less sign off from the incredibly complex consortium arrangement. This puts NGR at risk of coming off the rails (pun intended) once again if a funder (a bank underwriter for example) cuts and runs and say nah enough is enough dealing with you people.

This is line in the sand time. Not even as disability issue anymore but one of taking projects, the laws they must run to and stakeholders (by god even customers) seriously.

Geoff

The key points we will making in our submission to the AHRC in response to the State of Queensland temporary exemption application  are:

1.  We support the application for an exemption but only for a period of 6 months.

This will allow the rail operator to negotiate the Commonwealth Games period and use the NGRs under real passenger load conditions.  This will allow for a more mature rectification plan to be developed.

An initial  three-year exemption is not on in our view.  It would allow the Queensland Government to import all the train sets on order, with those trains potentially being non-compliant with respect to the DDA and DSAPT.  Queensland would seek to manoeuvre to have the exemption apply to the whole order by virtue of the fact that the importation of all NGR trains would have occurred during the three-year exemption period.  And then we would be stuck with them for the next 30 or so years.  That's unacceptable in our view.

A six month exemption granted by the AHRC would allow the NGR trains into service for the period of the Games and reduce the impact on all commuters in SEQ  during the Commonwealth Games; some trains would not need to be diverted from other lines and perhaps avoid some line closures.

In granting a six month exemption, the AHRC should impose an order that, at the end of that six-month period, it would want to see a fully funded  detailed rectification plan from the Queensland State Government, otherwise it should not grant exemption beyond the initial six months in our view.

It puts the pressure on TMR/QR to pull in their horns and work on a real solution -- the opposite to their tactics to date.  By applying for an exemption at the last minute, this state's transport agencies have indicated they proposed all along to bluff their way through and around the DDA specifications in our opinion (which have the authority of law under the Act).


2. The State of Queensland has long been aware of the DDA DSAPT compliance issues of the NGRs,  a lot longer than suggested in the application as of June 2017.

It beggars belief that a late application was made in the shadows of the Commonwealth Games based on the final realisation in June 2017 that there were significant issues.  These issues have been known about since 2016.  The request to ' expedite ' the process is a sham and attempt to cover up the State's abject failure to order compliant NGR trains and then failure to act in a timely and decisive manner.  We support the AHRC taking the time to properly consider the application in the normal measured way. 


3.  We consider the move to operate the NGR trains without the protection of a temporary exemption has now placed the State of Queensland ( and its citizens through possible costs ) in potential serious legal jeopardy and is a slap in the face to the AHRC and to Queensland citizens, particularly those with a disability.

This decision just reflects the broader problems and issues with the Government and its bureaucracy. They think they are above the law.  Should the AHRC reject the application for exemption this matter is destined for the High Court of Australia.  More runaway expenditure.  Government, TMR and Queensland Rail don't care.  It is not their money it is ours.


We will not be addressing the specific details of non compliance. This will be addressed in great detail by representatives of the Disability Sector in the public submissions, as it should.

[SurfRail]

There is much truth hidden, other aspects are ' commercial in confidence ' ... the public version of the State of Queensland application for an exemption from the AHRC has numerous ' commercial in confidence ' redactions.  Far too convenient ...

"Commercial in confidence" QR rail operations is a monopoly that has no competitors and isn't even a business

(non-profit, effectively 100% guaranteed contract renewal). Who exactly do they think their business rival competitor is?? BCC?

What do they think will happen if someone sees the files? That Melbourne or Sydney might copy the design? Or New Zealand?

And what about passengers who might walk into an NGR and see the "secret" design or take photos of the train interior with their mobile phone on the morning commute?

That's generally not what CinC means in this context.  The State is avoiding being put in a potentially damaging position when it comes time to arrange tenders and contracts for rectification work for instance by not widely advertising what it expects to have to pay (and then magically receiving bids valued for at least that much).  It's very standard for any kind of business case work.  You don't go widely advertising how much you expect to be pinged for.

[InclusionMoves]

It is actually this bit of Commercial in confidence that gets me:

11. Please include any supporting materials TMR and/or QR considers
relevant to the proposed configurations of the post-rectified NGR
trains — for instance expert reports, evidence of international best
practice, the results of any consultations carried out by TMR
and/or QR.
This information has been provided to the Commission but is unable to be
publically released due to "Commercial in Confidence" considerations

Nothing financially related and in fact I personally would feature in some of it.

There is much truth hidden, other aspects are ' commercial in confidence ' ... the public version of the State of Queensland application for an exemption from the AHRC has numerous ' commercial in confidence ' redactions.  Far too convenient ...

"Commercial in confidence" QR rail operations is a monopoly that has no competitors and isn't even a business

(non-profit, effectively 100% guaranteed contract renewal). Who exactly do they think their business rival competitor is?? BCC?

What do they think will happen if someone sees the files? That Melbourne or Sydney might copy the design? Or New Zealand?

And what about passengers who might walk into an NGR and see the "secret" design or take photos of the train interior with their mobile phone on the morning commute?

That's generally not what CinC means in this context.  The State is avoiding being put in a potentially damaging position when it comes time to arrange tenders and contracts for rectification work for instance by not widely advertising what it expects to have to pay (and then magically receiving bids valued for at least that much).  It's very standard for any kind of business case work.  You don't go widely advertising how much you expect to be pinged for.

[ozbob]

Yep.  All appears very dodgy to me ...   

[SurfRail]

That's why it's called "commercial" in confidence and not something narrower which is just about dollars.  The commerciality of an entire transaction is a complicated set of factors which generally boils down to a number at the end, but how that number is reached is significant.

Obviously there has been a massive screw up here so I'm not defending the State, but C-in-C is a legitimate concern when it comes to spending megabucks of public money regardless of why those need to be spent.

[InclusionMoves]

Absolutely understand you are not apologizing for them SurfRail. Also understand its not all about financial. However good commercial in confidence has to pass a public interest test. Eroding of the public interest side actually does them more harm than good when its taxpayers money. 

That's why it's called "commercial" in confidence and not something narrower which is just about dollars.  The commerciality of an entire transaction is a complicated set of factors which generally boils down to a number at the end, but how that number is reached is significant.

Obviously there has been a massive screw up here so I'm not defending the State, but C-in-C is a legitimate concern when it comes to spending megabucks of public money regardless of why those need to be spent.

[bretto82]

The other thing is bta is the owner of the ngr sets not the state which would also play a part in the c in c issues which also begs the question how can downer get the job from the state for fix up works when it's not really up to the state to decide all they can really do is tell bta fix this the rest is up to bta

[ozbob]

The other thing is bta is the owner of the ngr sets not the state which would also play a part in the c in c issues which also begs the question how can downer get the job from the state for fix up works when it's not really up to the state to decide all they can really do is tell bta fix this the rest is up to bta

Good point.  By bta do you mean Qtectic (Bombardier Transportation, John Laing, Itochu and Aberdeen Infrastructure Investments Limited)?

[bretto82]

Yeah bombardier transportation Australia

[ozbob]

Yeah bombardier transportation Australia

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/946981801947361280

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 1st January 2018 page 15

Will new trains be gutted for spares?

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/947581632982130688

[ozbob]

Days since NGR 701 towed to Wulkuraka

[corners]

Just saw NGR 710 pulling into Petrie on Platform 2

[ozbob]

The key points we will making in our submission to the AHRC in response to the State of Queensland temporary exemption application  are:

1.  We support the application for an exemption but only for a period of 6 months.

This will allow the rail operator to negotiate the Commonwealth Games period and use the NGRs under real passenger load conditions.  This will allow for a more mature rectification plan to be developed.

An initial  three-year exemption is not on in our view.  It would allow the Queensland Government to import all the train sets on order, with those trains potentially being non-compliant with respect to the DDA and DSAPT.  Queensland would seek to manoeuvre to have the exemption apply to the whole order by virtue of the fact that the importation of all NGR trains would have occurred during the three-year exemption period.  And then we would be stuck with them for the next 30 or so years.  That's unacceptable in our view.

A six month exemption granted by the AHRC would allow the NGR trains into service for the period of the Games and reduce the impact on all commuters in SEQ  during the Commonwealth Games; some trains would not need to be diverted from other lines and perhaps avoid some line closures.

In granting a six month exemption, the AHRC should impose an order that, at the end of that six-month period, it would want to see a fully funded  detailed rectification plan from the Queensland State Government, otherwise it should not grant exemption beyond the initial six months in our view.

It puts the pressure on TMR/QR to pull in their horns and work on a real solution -- the opposite to their tactics to date.  By applying for an exemption at the last minute, this state's transport agencies have indicated they proposed all along to bluff their way through and around the DDA specifications in our opinion (which have the authority of law under the Act).


2. The State of Queensland has long been aware of the DDA DSAPT compliance issues of the NGRs,  a lot longer than suggested in the application as of June 2017.

It beggars belief that a late application was made in the shadows of the Commonwealth Games based on the final realisation in June 2017 that there were significant issues.  These issues have been known about since 2016.  The request to ' expedite ' the process is a sham and attempt to cover up the State's abject failure to order compliant NGR trains and then failure to act in a timely and decisive manner.  We support the AHRC taking the time to properly consider the application in the normal measured way. 


3.  We consider the move to operate the NGR trains without the protection of a temporary exemption has now placed the State of Queensland ( and its citizens through possible costs ) in potential serious legal jeopardy and is a slap in the face to the AHRC and to Queensland citizens, particularly those with a disability.

This decision just reflects the broader problems and issues with the Government and its bureaucracy. They think they are above the law.  Should the AHRC reject the application for exemption this matter is destined for the High Court of Australia.  More runaway expenditure.  Government, TMR and Queensland Rail don't care.  It is not their money it is ours.


We will not be addressing the specific details of non compliance. This will be addressed in great detail by representatives of the Disability Sector in the public submissions, as it should.

Submission has now been lodged with the AHRC.  Only major change is that rather than an initial 6 month period we have suggested the initial exemption period (if granted) be until the conclusion of the Commonwealth Games. All submissions will be made public on the AHRC website in due course.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

3rd January 2018

Play trains QR not politics please!

Good Morning,

Latest  ' revelations '  Couriermail --> Rail fail: QR attempts to keep union pay rise emails secret

Our suggestion is that Queensland Rail should focus on improving their service standards particularly frequency rather than playing politics and legal games.  They continue to waste our taxpayer funds.  They are now the worst practice rail operator for the entire Oceania region, a tragic outcome for a once great rail operator. We are looking at continuing service reductions with a crisis looming for the Commonwealth Games for 2018 no doubt. This should be the focus.

The Queensland Rail Board is hopelessly compromised now as they have stood off and permitted the operator to run non DDA and non DSAPT compliant NGR trains out on the network without the legal protection of an exemption from the AHRC.  Our submission re the application by the State of Queensland  for a temporary exemption from the AHRC was lodged yesterday with the AHRC.

If the AHRC determines that the application exemption from the State of Queensland is not with merit, or cuts down the period of the exemption application the entire Queensland Rail Board should resign in our view.

Have a nice day now while waiting for yet another delayed train and missed connections.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

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