New Generation Rollingstock

[Stillwater]

The application by the State of Queensland for an exemption for NGR trains from the provisions of the DDA and Disability Standards has been assessed by relevant staff at the Australian Human Rights Commission.  The recommendation has gone to the President of the Commission, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM and the seven commissioners, one of which is the Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Mr Alastair McEwin.  All commissioners must consider an application of this kind and provide their comments/adjudication.

It is anticipated that approval of the commission's recommendation will be known by the end of this week, but this is not certain.

Individuals and organisations who made a submission will be notified of the Commission's formal determination.  Members of the public will be advised via the Australian Human Rights Commission website.

[ozbob]

^ off checking email ...

Nope ...

[Stillwater]

Will be end of week, Friday announcement, it seems.

[ozbob]

My pure speculation ..

I think the ' State of Queensland  ' is rooted to put it bluntly.

The sheer arrogance and incompetence is breathtaking. 

I suspect the Federal Government, now aware of the botch and the impact on #GC2018 is pedaling bicycles ..

If there is no public determination by the end of the week I will be writing to the AHRC, respectfully asking where is the determination?

[ozbob]

 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/968761291623075840

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/968906507206062080

[HappyTrainGuy]

Quality beat up story on that broken door. Hopefully no one saw EMU60 or maybe EMU62/62... i can't remember as there are too many of them haha the other day... the one with 2 broken doors... on the same side... both on the middle carriage (I remember one peak hour a few years back where a couple SMU200's and EMUs were sent out with the entire middle carriage locked. I can only imagine how crammed the lead carriage was. Or the couple SMU260's still running with locked plug doors. Heaven forbid should anyone look into the amount of door failures with the ICE units. This is going back many many many years now but I remember one ICE set being withdrawn from service due to a constant door issues - the issue being a bit of plastic from underneath a soft drink bottle lid/stretched out plastic was playing around with the door sensor. It was shut but the trains computers kept telling the driver that a door was open.

And from that video if you have to kick a plug door like that and its not opening/closing... then the driver needs to work some magic elsewhere before attempting to reset or to lock the doors. Same thing in a derailment. The doors won't be forced open because its a safety measure to prevent them from opening during travel. On the outside you pull the emergency lever which will disengage the locking mechanism motor allowing the door to freely move. Hit the emergency door button on the EMUs and it does the same thing by totally disengaging the locking mechanism which requires the guard to make a long walk and reset the door before the train can move.

[verbatim9]

Quality beat up story on that broken door. Hopefully no one saw EMU60 or maybe EMU62/62... i can't remember as there are too many of them haha the other day... the one with 2 broken doors... on the same side... both on the middle carriage (I remember one peak hour a few years back where a couple SMU200's and EMUs were sent out with the entire middle carriage locked. I can only imagine how crammed the lead carriage was. Or the couple SMU260's still running with locked plug doors. Heaven forbid should anyone look into the amount of door failures with the ICE units. This is going back many many many years now but I remember one ICE set being withdrawn from service due to a constant door issues - the issue being a bit of plastic from underneath a soft drink bottle lid/stretched out plastic was playing around with the door sensor. It was shut but the trains computers kept telling the driver that a door was open.

And from that video if you have to kick a plug door like that and its not opening/closing... then the driver needs to work some magic elsewhere before attempting to reset or to lock the doors. Same thing in a derailment. The doors won't be forced open because its a safety measure to prevent them from opening during travel. On the outside you pull the emergency lever which will disengage the locking mechanism motor allowing the door to freely move. Hit the emergency door button on the EMUs and it does the same thing by totally disengaging the locking mechanism which requires the guard to make a long walk and reset the door before the train can move.

Maybe they had already released the doors via the releases mechanism? But if not they should of tried that first to rectify the situation?

[aldonius]

Like if one door isn't working, finish the run and then take it out of service. There's 11 more at each platform.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/almcewinddc/status/968945081049743360

[ozbob]

My pure speculation ..

I think the ' State of Queensland  ' is rooted to put it bluntly.

The sheer arrogance and incompetence is breathtaking. 

I suspect the Federal Government, now aware of the botch and the impact on #GC2018 is pedaling bicycles ..

If there is no public determination by the end of the week I will be writing to the AHRC, respectfully asking where is the determination?

I emailed the AHRC yesterday requesting:

" Any idea when the outcome of the State of Queensland's application for temporary exemption re NGR trains will be available please? "

No response received as of writing this ...

[ozbob]

Resent 2nd March 2018

Sent to all outlets:

27th February 2018

Re: Call for a Commission of Inquiry into New Generation Rollingstock Project

Good Morning,

Nary a response to our call for a Commission of Inquiry into the New Generation Rollingstock Project.

Are you surprised?  If it is the former Newman Government's fault you would think the present Government would jump at the opportunity to properly examine the causes of failure with the NGR project.

What is stopping them?  Perhaps their own inaction with respect to NGR project management hey?

With the Australian Human Rights Commission decision re the application by the State of Queensland for a temporary exemption nearing, it is important that the true facts are brought out into the public realm.  After all it is the citizens of Queensland suffering and paying for this monumental botch. We want to know how a succession of Governments and a bumbling transport bureaucracy can get it so wrong.  Importantly to also guard against a future repeat on such a calamitous scale.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

25th February 2018

Call for a Commission of Inquiry into New Generation Rollingstock Project

Good Morning,

On Friday 23rd Steve Austin ABC Radio Brisbane - Drive show host conducted an interview with Robert Dow RAIL Back On Track concerning our call for a Commission of Inquiry into the New Generation Rollingstock project. 

The interview can be listened to here > https://backontrack.org/docs/ngr/abc23feb18.mp3

The framework for this interview was the dot point summary below:

Commission of Inquiry into New Generation Rollingstock Project - summary
   

   
• Why were non DDA non DSAPT compliant trains ordered? It has been a requirement since 2002 for new passenger rollingstock to be compliant.

   
• Why was the order reduced from 100 to 75 six car trains?

   
• Who signed off on the design?

   
• Was Queensland Rail consulted on design of the new trains?

   
• When did the ' State of Queensland ' first know they had acquired non compliant trains?

   
• Why did it take till September 2017 for an application for a temporary exemption be made to AHRC when Disability Advocates and others had been warning of accessibility issues since 2015?

   
• Who decided that new non compliant trains could be used on the network without the protection of an exemption? Did the Queensland Rail Board approve of this action?

   
• An inquiry will ensure that lessons are learned in terms of procurement so that taxpayers money is not wasted in purchasing of services and products by government that does not comply with legislation.

   
• Must ensure external reference groups which TMR and QR conduct are given the respect they deserve in that messages from them are duly considered.

   
• We want the true facts and circumstances brought into the clear light of day so the monumental botch that this project represents is not repeated.

A major project failure such as the New Generation Rollingstock non compliance for the DDA and DSAPT simply cannot be swept under the carpet.  It is essential a thorough and independent inquiry to into all circumstances is achieved so that failure on this scale never occurs again.

For your consideration.

Best wishes,

Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/969253554564210688

[ozbob]

Days since NGR 701 towed to Wulkuraka

[HappyTrainGuy]

Like if one door isn't working, finish the run and then take it out of service. There's 11 more at each platform.

Which is what happens. But depending on the door fault it might require removing the train from service - which happens more with SMU260/IMU160/NGR due to the walkthrough carriages. Also if it's delayed enough the crew can be out of position and the slot through the city out of position.

[ozbob]

The State of Queensland has been denied the exemption

https://t.co/1O1118Kdf5

[verbatim9]

The State of Queensland has been denied the exemption

https://t.co/1O1118Kdf5

Does that mean that Queensland Rail need to pull the trains out of service immediately?

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/969390891931549696

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/969392179780075521

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/969392735709900800

[ozbob]

The State of Queensland has been denied the exemption

https://t.co/1O1118Kdf5

Does that mean that Queensland Rail need to pull the trains out of service immediately?

Yes, or risk an injunction.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/969396010337226752

[verbatim9]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/969396010337226752

Was to be expected. It's a real mess alright.

[techblitz]

ironically in the last hour or so they have uploaded some guy celebrating on their facebook page....topic...tonights rugby union...still though.......talk about a perfect comments meme opportunity   

[verbatim9]

According to the Brisbane Times article the Qld Government (TMR) have 2 weeks to respond. So I guess the trains will at least run until then.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/new-queensland-trains-denied-human-rights-exemption-20180302-p4z2iz.html

[Stillwater]

Wow!  The Commission findings are comprehensive and well-argued.  It shows that TMR and QR can't get away with their arrogance, and bulls**t, and slick words and promises on the never-never.  They have been held to account and found wanting.

I like these words from the Australian Human Rights Commission:

"The Queensland Government has decided to put trains into passenger service that do not comply with the Transport Standards. Weighed against the discriminatory impact of this decision on people with disability, particularly those using mobility devices, the Commission is not satisfied that it is reasonable to suspend their primary avenue of redress under the DDA by way of temporary exemption.

"The Commission considers that there is considerable force in such submissions (the public submissions).

"Given that the DDA has prohibited discrimination in public transport since 1993, and the Transport Standards have required new conveyances to be compliant since 2002, it is difficult to understand why the State of Queensland procured new trains in 2013 and then applied for temporary exemptions to the DDA and the Transport Standards.
"It is not clear to the Commission why the Queensland Government procured non-compliant trains in 2013, or why the rectification work did not occur between procurement in 2013 and entry into passenger service in 2017.

"The Commission also notes that rectification works are only at the concept design stage, and a detailed timeframe for each step of the rectification process is still to be developed. On the evidence available, significant uncertainty remains regarding the proposed rectification process."

The PR slick and the patronizing approach adopted by QR and TMR with advocacy groups won't work in future.

A full public inquiry into this whole sorry mess is required.  No excuses.

[Stillwater]

What!  Did QR think that people with a visual disability would not know which train they were being shown?   

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-02/vision-impaired-group-invited-to-test-new-train-it-never-arrived/9503254

[#Metro]

^ "internal communication error"

Seems to be too many communication issues - both internal and external.

New operator please!!

[Derwan]

What a farce!

[BrizCommuter]

Well that will make the Comm Games interesting! Though with a 6% reduction in train services, are the NGRs really needed?

[ozbob]

IM and I have done multiple interviews today. 

This is had very wide coverage the AHRC determination.

The State of Queensland intends to continue to operate the NGRs.   The decision today is preliminary and will be final in two weeks.  The State needs to respond with a proper detailed costed rectification plan to stave off the finality.  I don't think they are up to it.

The real risk for the State is that an individual will now seek an injunction in the Federal Court.  The AHRC determination is very condemning of the State.  I don't think an action for an injunction would fail.  We are now in high risk territory, as we predicted.

The AHRC determination certainly adds to our calls for a Commission of Inquiry.  I have addressed this particular point with Steve Austin ABC Radio Brisbane this afternoon as well (pre-record) not sure if it has gone to air as yet.  Possibly early next week.

[achiruel]

I heard Nick Easy being interviews on ABC Radio this afternoon because for some reason the Minister wasn't available. Way to throw your staff under a bus (train?) - NGR isn't even a QR project!  :conf

[BrizCommuter]

https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2018/03/ngr-denied.html
NGR Denied!

[Fattious]

The real risk for the State is that an individual will now seek an injunction in the Federal Court.

Would it have been possible for an injunction to be raised since NRG services commenced?

[#Metro]

The million dollar question is - with the Commonwealth Games looming, will QR be directed by the ministers to run NGR trains despite whatever the AHRC decides?

- Given its public operator status, will the Treasury be used immunise QR against payment of any fine of any amount that might result from noncompliance arising out of running the trains anyway?

- How will any AHRC judgment be enforced? Can it be enforced?

[InclusionMoves]

Hence I took it pretty easy on the guy :-)

I heard Nick Easy being interviews on ABC Radio this afternoon because for some reason the Minister wasn't available. Way to throw your staff under a bus (train?) - NGR isn't even a QR project!  :conf

[Fares_Fair]

I heard Nick Easy being interviews on ABC Radio this afternoon because for some reason the Minister wasn't available. Way to throw your staff under a bus (train?) - NGR isn't even a QR project!  :conf

Anyone seen the Premier?

#askingforafriend

[#Metro]

7News story says that the trains will keep running on the tracks for the Commonwealth Games as the judgment only permits people to complain...

It sounds like someone has to complain and get an injunction to take them off the tracks.

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/969486002543771648

[ozbob]

I would like to thank IM and his associates, colleagues, friends and family for pursing this matter relentlessly. 

We have provided collective support (thanks everyone ) but your effort IM et al has been extraordinary.  Well done to you and all.

Interviews on ABC Radio Brisbane Drive with Steve Austin, this afternoon (2 Mar 18).

First Mr Geoff Trappett OAM. Then Mr Nick Easy CEO QR, then Mr Tim Lander LNP on behalf of the Queensland Opposition.

Here > ABC Radio Brisbane Steve Austin Drive 2 Mar 18

[ozbob]

I heard Nick Easy being interviews on ABC Radio this afternoon because for some reason the Minister wasn't available. Way to throw your staff under a bus (train?) - NGR isn't even a QR project!  :conf

Anyone seen the Premier?

#askingforafriend

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/969484831611535360

[ozbob]

10 News Brisbane

>> https://tenplay.com.au/news/brisbane/2018/3/2/train-troubles

https://twitter.com/tennewsqld/status/969473044350623744