Article: Service overhaul to take the edge off bumpy ride?

[ozbob]

From the Central Queensland News 18th June 2010 page 4

Service overhaul to take the edge off bumpy ride?

Service overhaul to take the edge off bumpy ride?
By Di Stanley

THE Spirit of the Outback train service will be overhauled by 2013, as Queensland Rail looks to shore up the spirits of its workers in the Central Highlands ahead of the biggest corporate shake-up in Queensland history.

Executive general manager of Queensland Rail passenger services Paul Scurrah was in Emerald to cheer on competitors in the Silver Spike competition, a tradition he says is here to stay.

But massive changes will see the passenger service split from a plan by the Queensland government to float Queensland Rail's coal and bulk freight assets by the end of the year in a new public company known as QR National.

"A lot of people are going to be affected by this," Mr Scurrah said.

"It is probably the biggest corporate carve-out in Queensland's history, and it's a company of 16,000 being separated into 9000 going into QR National, and 7000 to stay inside of government ownership across the state.

"So it's a fairly big challenge and with that comes a fairly onerous responsibility to make it happen in a way that minimises impact on our people."

Mr Scurrah said another purpose to his visit was to show leadership support and talk with workers about job certainty into the future.

Queensland Rail was a place with a `bright future' for its workers, he maintained. "That's because rail is making a comeback as a mode of transport worldwide," he said.

Mr Scurrah said problems with the passenger booking system were currently being scrutinised to make it easier for people to book services. Queensland Rail was also committed to increasing the amenity and attractiveness of its onboard product, he added."We will refurbish the rolling stock coming out west and make sure it's looking a bit more modern."