New Generation Rollingstock

[ozbob]

 

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/973831956340379648

[ozbob]

Door failures could ground the NGRs until sorted.

#justsaying

[Fares_Fair]

Look, it's just a minor teething issue.

Trouble is there's lots and lots of teeth. 

[Cazza]

Look, it's just a minor teething issue.

Trouble is there's lots and lots of teeth. 

And by the looks of it, no one that knows how to extract those teeth

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

15th March 2018

Rail fail continues to get worse ..

Good Morning,

Another well publicised door failure on a New Generation Rollingstock train yesterday at Helensvale.

>> https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/973831956340379648

How many door failures have been happening?  A few according to our sources.  During testing we know that at one point an emergency brake application resulted in doors flying open.  Have all the door issues with the NGRs been resolved?  Appears not.  These appear to be a bit more than ' teething ' issues Minister.  Unless resolved these issues could possibly ground the NGR fleet.  This is not withstanding the final pending view of the Australian Human Rights Commission re non compliance of the new trains.

Apart from the unreliability of the NGRs and the existing aging train fleet, commuters have to put up constant infrastructure failures.  The latest the 8 hour suspension of rail services on the Ferny Grove line with the commensurate follow on chaos becoming the norm sadly.
" Queensland Rail said rain last night caused electrical circuits to short out and signals to stop. " [ http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/southbound-lanes-of-bruce-highway-closed-north-of-brisbane-following-accident/news-story/f3a98fc74b2c3788e3de5699832b1c21 ].  It often rains in SEQ, are more meltdowns on the way?

Seriously, what is going on to resolve the mess?  Need more than spin and bluster and ' sincere apologies ' ... a Commission of Inquiry into the NGR would be a good start.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/973949107315200000

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/973950471961427968

[ozbob]

Nope ...

[red dragin]

Nope ...

"Alex the seal" 

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/974194750801657856

[ozbob]

I was contacted by the reporter early this morning.  I suggested they ask how many door failures etc.

Response 20 times doors have faulted for greater than 3 minutes since Dec 11 >   6 service cancellations.

Specialist technicians will be on board the NGRs for the games.  Hysterical stuff hey?  New trains and they need to resort to such measures.

NGRs most over staffed trains ever? 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/PatrickCondren/status/974194806862696448

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/974203375926456320

[Stillwater]

Three 'standby' maintenance crew hubs staffed 24 hours a day.  On-board technicians who presumably know how to open stuck doors ... and station staff to assist people with a disability, the elderly etc. get on and off.  How many crew members are required to keep an NGR train operating?  What happens after the Games?    

[ozbob]

Three 'standby' maintenance crew hubs staffed 24 hours a day.  On-board technicians who presumably know how to open stuck doors ... and station staff to assist people with a disability, the elderly etc. get on and off.  How many crew members are required to keep an NGR train operating?  What happens after the Games?    

It is also possible that there might be another on board staff member to travel in the centre of NGRs to assist pax as well.

Labour costs very very high.  Not sustainable for the longer term of course, but a sign of the desperation within Big Willy circles.

If a NGR fails going to be difficult to get it out of the way such is the frequency.

And still the AHRC Final determination to come with possible injunction action. (Final submissions due tomorrow, ours has gone in).

Oh boy ...   

[bretto82]

Bta would be shitting bricks as well with the door issues as they don't get paid otherwise. I wonder if there is something in the contract has anything in it with regards to dda as it's bta who designed and construct

[Stillwater]

It would appear that all their planning and thinking is on getting the NGA trains through the period of the Commonwealth Games.  That is the end point of their vision.

If things go pear-shaped after that, just issue a new timetable ... then another until the number of drivers and the fit-for-purpose trains meet the reduced timetable.  That's a race to the bottom.

[Fares_Fair]

It would appear that all their planning and thinking is on getting the NGA trains through the period of the Commonwealth Games.  That is the end point of their vision.

If things go pear-shaped after that, just issue a new timetable ... then another until the number of drivers and the fit-for-purpose trains meet the reduced timetable.  That's a race to the bottom.

I'm laughing.. and crying at the same time 

They..   have started excavating.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

16th March 2018

NGR GC2018 door band-aid plan revealed

Good Morning,

More disturbing revelations concerning the New Generation Rollingstock aka Not Going Right (NGR) trains yesterday.

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/974194750801657856

We now discover thanks to some fine reporting by Marlina Whop and 7 News Brisbane that the NGR trains have had door failures of greater than 3 minutes since introduced into service 20 times, which has so far resulted in 6 service cancellations. ( How many less than 3 minutes, >> 20 ? ).

Do you think this would be a signal to fix the doors as correctly stated by Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington? No, appears the door issue cannot be fixed as the solution by Queensland Rail for the Commonwealth Games is to have Bombardier provide additional mobile and on-train service technicians for NGR trains during the Commonwealth Games to assist in a rapid recovery. What is going to happen after the games? Are Bombardier technical staff going to ride on the NGRs for the next 30 years?

We do feel a little for Queensland Rail as with the high rail service frequency at times on the Gold Coast line a failed NGR train will cause chaos.  We also note the plans for Queensland Rail to locate recovery crews at key points on the Gold Coast line.  Well and good but what about the rest of the network?  Will there be long waits for recover from the inevitable train and infrastructure failures?  Impacts compounded by the reduced service frequency operating on lines other than the Gold Coast which will mean great difficulties for citizens to travel for work and appointments and get to and from the games if recovery is delayed.

Temporary raised platform centres on some of the Gold Coast line stations demonstrate the lack of progress that has been made with DDA compliance on the SEQ rail network generally.  Will the temporary raised platform centres be removed after the Games. or will the platforms be properly raised to full height for full length?  Deadline is 2022 by the way.

All this points to the need for a full Commission of Inquiry into the NGR project Minister Bailey hey?

By the way responses to the Australian Human Rights Commission's preliminary view due today (16th March 2018) [ http://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/legal/exemptions/exemption-applications-under-disability-discrimination-act-1992-cth ]

Good luck ' State of Queensland ' we are going to need it!

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

15th March 2018

Rail fail continues to get worse ..

Good Morning,

Another well publicised door failure on a New Generation Rollingstock train yesterday at Helensvale.

>> https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/973831956340379648

How many door failures have been happening?  A few according to our sources.  During testing we know that at one point an emergency brake application resulted in doors flying open.  Have all the door issues with the NGRs been resolved?  Appears not.  These appear to be a bit more than ' teething ' issues Minister.  Unless resolved these issues could possibly ground the NGR fleet.  This is not withstanding the final pending view of the Australian Human Rights Commission re non compliance of the new trains.

Apart from the unreliability of the NGRs and the existing aging train fleet, commuters have to put up constant infrastructure failures.  The latest the 8 hour suspension of rail services on the Ferny Grove line with the commensurate follow on chaos becoming the norm sadly.
" Queensland Rail said rain last night caused electrical circuits to short out and signals to stop. " [ http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/southbound-lanes-of-bruce-highway-closed-north-of-brisbane-following-accident/news-story/f3a98fc74b2c3788e3de5699832b1c21 ].  It often rains in SEQ, are more meltdowns on the way?

Seriously, what is going on to resolve the mess?  Need more than spin and bluster and ' sincere apologies ' ... a Commission of Inquiry into the NGR would be a good start.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/974316561400963072

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/974318445494878211

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/974324121705132033

[ozbob]

Bta would be shitting bricks as well with the door issues as they don't get paid otherwise. I wonder if there is something in the contract has anything in it with regards to dda as it's bta who designed and construct

An inquiry is needed to flush out this sort of thing.  I was surprised that 7 News was able to get a response on the NGR door failures too.

There does seem to be an issue with  ' fixing ' the doors.  I wonder if they really know the cause of failure?  Intermittent issues can be very difficult to find the cause. Hard to fix if you cannot find why they are failing.  The fact that they have mobilised BTA technicians for the NGRs for the Games really shows that it is quite a significant matter still.

[bretto82]

If it's the same issue ie the doors falling off the guides like we saw last week causing them to jam bta really has no idea how to fix them yet by the sound of it it's just one big smoking pile of t%rd

[Stillwater]

lol. Why do I have in my head images of an NGR train being tracked by satellite, shadowed in the skies by Chinook helicopters, ready to swoop down and whisk stranded athletes to their events, trailed by a string of buses 'just in case' .... with special porta loos on platforms catering for people in wheelchairs.    

Crisis?  What crisis ... nothing to see.  Move on please. (Don't mention the doors)

[ozbob]

lol. Why do I have in my head images of an NGR train being tracked by satellite, shadowed in the skies by Chinook helicopters, ready to swoop down and whisk stranded athletes to their events, trailed by a string of buses 'just in case' .... with special porta loos on platforms catering for people in wheelchairs.    

Crisis?  What crisis ... nothing to see.  Move on please. (Don't mention the doors)

I was proud to have had Lance Corporals that had more leadership skills, brains, loyalty and did the right thing, under my command in the green machine, than some of the present crop of ' Director Generals ' in the Queensland Public Service.  Don't get me started about some of the so called ' advisers ' and staffers ... Gimme shelter from these morons!!   

[ozbob]

One month post the Commonwealth Games, if there is not a serious move by Government to proceed with an inquiry (either a Commission of Inquiry, or a Parliamentary Inquiry)  into the New Generation Rollingstock aka Not Going Right train project, we are going to call our own.

RBoT NGR Public Inquiry or the RAIL Back On Track New Generation Rollingstock Public Inquiry

We will invite feedback from the general public.  Compile a report and present it to the Premier and Transport Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and Speaker of Parliament.



#youarewelcome

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

17th March 2018

RAIL Back On Track New Generation Rollingstock Public Inquiry proposed

Good Morning,

For your information.

One month post the Commonwealth Games, if there is not a serious move by Government to proceed with an inquiry
(either a Commission of Inquiry, or a Parliamentary Inquiry)  into the New Generation Rollingstock aka Not Going Right train project,
we are going to call our own.

RBoT NGR Public Inquiry or the RAIL Back On Track New Generation Rollingstock Public Inquiry

We will invite feedback from the general public.

Compile a report and present it to the Premier and Transport Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and Speaker of Parliament.



Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/974765883041112064

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/974860628874555392

[ozbob]

RAIL Back On Track New Generation Rollingstock Public Inquiry proposal

>> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=13073.0

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Videos show Qld Rail New Generation Rolling Stock doors jamming

THE State Government has denied there is a systemic problem with train doors on the heavily delayed $4.4 billion New Generation Rollingstock program introduced late last year.

Multiple videos have been uploaded to social media showing frustrated train officials banging and pushing jammed doors in a futile effort to prise them open as stranded passengers watch on.

However a Transport Department spokesman said only 20 services had reported door faults that led to delays of more than three minutes and just six had resulted in cancellations

"The cancellations are a precaution only in the early days of operation and are not expected to be an ongoing issue," he said.

"In all cases it's only been one door on one carriage that has had an issue."

The spokesman said minor door faults were not uncommon on new rolling stock being run in.

"As a precautionary measure, Bombardier (the manufacturer) will provide additional mobile and on-train service technicians for NGR trains during the Commonwealth Games to assist with rapid response in the event of any issues," he said.

"Door faults are not considered to present any security issues".

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/975253145772163072

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/975256211900678144

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/975256483523837957

[Fares_Fair]

lol. Why do I have in my head images of an NGR train being tracked by satellite, shadowed in the skies by Chinook helicopters, ready to swoop down and whisk stranded athletes to their events, trailed by a string of buses 'just in case' .... with special porta loos on platforms catering for people in wheelchairs.    

Crisis?  What crisis ... nothing to see.  Move on please. (Don't mention the doors)

Look, over there.
It's a Dora the Explorer movie. 

Just imagine Dora's adventures on an NGR train going to the Gold Coast, or better still the brave exploration trek required from the Sunshine Coast. 

[#Metro]

So if Dora The Explorer makes a profit, will that be paid back to the People of Queensland who helped subsidise it, or will that profit be paid out to shareholders as dividends?

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Street entertainers to help ease public transport congestion during the Commonwealth Games

TRANSPORT bosses will literally send in the clowns under a radical plan to ease pressure on the strained Queensland Rail network during next month's Commonwealth Games.

The Palaszczuk Government has confirmed it will pay roving performers and live acts to divert crowds exiting Commonwealth Games events en masse in a bid to stagger the arrival of rail passengers at Gold Coast train stations.

Transport planning has been identified as a key pressure point for the Games, with the rail network playing a crucial plank in easing gridlock on Gold Coast roads.

Just one train seating 750 people will take 468 cars off the road, planning documents show.

But the Games coincides with a time of intense pressure for Queensland Rail, which is still in the grip of a train driver shortage and faces a potentially disastrous court challenge that could sideline its New Generation Rollingstock fleet, blowing a hole in its Games planning.

Documents released to the State Opposition under Right to Information reveal one strategy to ease peak-hour pressure is to "stagger the flow of customers" by entertaining them en route.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said a range of themed entertainment was planned at key transport facilities to keep games spectators "engaged and entertained on their journey".

He said the entertainment would help spread out arrivals and departures around big events.

Entertainment includes roving performers between Nerang station and Carrara stadium.

"The performers will engage with spectators to encourage walking to and from the stadium, reducing queuing and keep people moving," Mr Bailey said.

"This is all part of the colour and excitement of the Games – we want people to enjoy their Games experience from the moment they step on the station.

Screens will also be installed at Helensvale and Nerang stations to play films and sporting highlights.

But State Opposition leader Deb Frecklington said Labor should be more focused on getting the trains to run on time rather than "trotting out circus acts or magic shows."

"Labor's ongoing rail fail and Commonwealth Games planning debacle would make Queenslanders sceptical that everything will run smoothly," she said.

QR faces ongoing uncertainty over the ability to continue using new trains that do run foul of disability access laws, despite the state arguing the trains were desperately needed.

The Australian Human Rights Commission this month released a preliminary decision rejecting an application by the State for an exemption to the rules to meet Games' demand.

Mr Bailey has previously insisted the problem trains would still run during the event.

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


Sent to all outlets:

19th March 2018

Send in the railfail clowns!

Good Morning,

So we are sending in the clowns.  I would have thought there were enough clowns already in William Street hey?

Couriermail --> Street entertainers to help ease public transport congestion during the Commonwealth Games




It is difficult to have much confidence in a rail operation that is forced to deploy Bombardier Technicians onboard NGR trains for the games as failure is expected.

The AHRC could also confirm or vary the initial preliminary view re the application by the ' State of Queensland ' for a temporary exemption for non DDA and non DSAPT compliance of the NGR trains this week.  Could be an interesting week.

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.msg205915#msg205915 ]

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/975400608978018304

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/975407835931541504

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/975411333855264768

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Well said IM.  Thanks for permission to publish too.

I am a little surprised the ' State ' has not reached out apparently .. are they fair dinkum?

[InclusionMoves]

There was a very initial reach out on the Monday just after prelim judgment was published. I made it clear that the disability sector was happy to help work with the state so this didn't get any uglier than it already was. I work for nothing on this so have no vested interest in it dragging on. But the proviso for this was that the state needed to advance a rectification plan past concept stage. This is still the hold up. No point people with disability giving up the farm when we are actually ahead in the competition if I can mix my metaphors....

Well said IM.  Thanks for permission to publish too.

I am a little surprised the ' State ' has not reached out apparently .. are they fair dinkum?

[ozbob]

Thanks. Guess we wait to see if the ' State ' is a failed state.

[Stillwater]

So, Bombardier techos will be on board NGR trains to fix problems on the fly.  Is their boot heavier and more flexible than that of a QR employee when it comes to kicking doors back onto their glides, or do they have a special tool in their kitbag (a wand?) to put something wrong right again?  And all within a matter of minutes, with the next train breathing down the neck of the one stopped for running repairs.  Will the clowns be on board NGR trains to distract hapless passengers while repairs are carried out?

[BrizCommuter]

Some good news - due to a slightly reduced lack of trains, the 7:25am ex-FG is now 6-car! Not sure if the 7:10 ex-FG is now 6-car-ified?

[ozbob]

Some good news - due to a slightly reduced lack of trains, the 7:25am ex-FG is now 6-car! Not sure if the 7:10 ex-FG is now 6-car-ified?

Ha!  Hope it is permanent ...