Melbourne Trains

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Train drivers warn on computer-generated rostering

Train drivers warn on computer-generated rostering
Adam Carey
February 21, 2012


TRAIN drivers have been given shorter breaks between trips under a new, computer-generated staff roster introduced by Metro yesterday in an attempt to run the network more smoothly.

But drivers and their union warn that the change - which gives drivers 10 minutes rather than 16 minutes between services - could fail because it places them under increased pressure to make up time for delays such as signal faults or sick passengers.

''They're applying Swiss precision to an antiquated system,'' said Rail Tram and Bus Union divisional secretary Marc Marotta.

''It might work if you had brand new signalling, but the system is old.''

But the union has agreed to Metro's new roster, despite its fears.

''We're saying to the drivers, do what you're required to do - if you can't get there on time, you can't get there, it's as simple as that,'' Mr Marotta said.

Thirty driver shifts have been cut from Metro's roster, but no positions have been culled. Before yesterday's change, a small number of drivers spent part of their shift on standby.

Metro is currently struggling to fill a train driver shortage.

''We need more drivers and we're training as many as we can,'' said Metro spokesman Daniel Hoare. He said it took Metro up to 18 months to train each new driver to the necessary standard.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/train-drivers-warn-on-computergenerated-rostering-20120220-1tjo6.html

[#Metro]

Are they saying they only got computer rosters now?
I thought computer rosters would have come in the 80's!

[SurfRail]

Good.  Less chance for the union to introduce fudge factors.

Far as I'm concerned, unions have a legitimate role in defending worker's rights, but that does not extend to operational things unless something is abjectly unsafe.  They overstep the mark more often than not.

[Arnz]

A lot of PT operators have had computer generated rostering since the 80s. 

[somebody]

Doubtless it's just better computer rosterring.  Qantas implemented such a think in the mid/late 2000s and it made the crews work harder.

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Trains run back off track

Trains run back off track

    by: Staff Writer
    From: Herald Sun
    March 03, 2012 12:00AM

MELBOURNE'S train network has missed its punctuality target for the first time in eight months.

During February 87.35 per cent of trains ran on time, fractionally short of the 88 per cent pass mark Metro is supposed to meet.

It is the first time the city's trains have fallen behind schedule since Metro was able to get the system running on time in June, prompting chief executive Andrew Lezala to issue an apology.

"We are extremely disappointed by this result, and I apologise to all of our customers," he said.

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Price to pay for extra Metro train services under new timetable

Price to pay for extra Metro train services under new timetable

    by: Ashley Gardiner
    From: Herald Sun
    March 07, 2012 12:00AM

TRAINS will run every 10 minutes during the weekend on Melbourne's busiest lines.

Fast turnover services on the Dandenong, Frankston and Ringwood lines will start next month.

In other developments, operator Metro said services to South Morang would begin following completion of the 3.4km extension from Epping while new stations will also open at Cardinia Rd on the Pakenham line and Lynbrook on the Cranbourne line.

But on the down side, up to five minutes extra has been added to many weekend and daytime services to reflect journey times.

"This will significantly reduce the instance of late-running trains and therefore provide customers with a higher level of reliability and confidence," Metro spokeswoman Geraldine Mitchell said.

For passengers in the northern and western suburbs, the direction of trains around the City Loop will be reversed on weekends.

Trains on the Craigieburn, Sydenham, Upfield and Werribee lines will leave Flinders St via Southern Cross.

The switch is expected to assist with large crowds at Southern Cross following events at Etihad Stadium.

But fewer special trains for major events, such as daytime AFL games, will operate.

"We will continue to add special event services for night footy or big games but for many day games, the extra services have become a standard part of the timetable," Ms Mitchell said.

The changes, to take effect from April 22, are the second wave of Metro's timetable reforms, designed to simplify train running and reduce delays across the network.

Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder said the change focused on providing 10-minute weekend frequencies during the day on the busiest lines.

"The Coalition Government is moving Melbourne's weekend trains to a metro-style frequency where for much of the day passengers will be able to dispense with a timetable," he said.

Public Transport Users Association president Daniel Bowen welcomed the move.

"Trains running every 10 minutes will get a lot more people using the service," Mr Bowen said.

gardinera@heraldsun.com.au



NEW METRO TIMETABLE

AN extra 353 services a week, with 283 of those on weekends

FEWER special services for events such as AFL, additional weekend services provide extra capacity


SOUTH MORANG (EPPING) LINE

EVERY eight minutes during morning and afternoon peak

NEW station at South Morang


HURSTBRIDGE LINE

EVERY ten minutes between Clifton Hill and Jolimont from 7am to 7pm on Saturdays

WEEKEND and daytime services (between peaks) to stop all stations, providing additional services to stations between Clifton Hill and Jolimont


PAKENHAM/CRANBOURNE LINES

EVERY ten minutes from Dandenong to Flinders St between 10am and 7pm on weekends

NEW stations at Cardinia Rd and Lynbrook


FRANKSTON LINE

EVERY ten minutes from 10am to 7pm on weekends


BELGRAVE-LILYDALE LINES

EVERY ten minutes from Ringwood to Flinders St between 10am and 7pm on weekends


CRAIGIEBURN, WERRIBEE, SYDENHAM AND UPFIELD LINES

DIRECTION through City Loop on weekends changes, with all services running out of city via Southern Cross


Source: Metro

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

7 March 2012

Frequency is what matters

Greetings,

Melbourne is moving to 10 minute train frequency on the major lines at WEEKENDS ...

Herald Sun -->  http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/price-to-pay-for-extra-metro-train-services/story-fn7x8me2-1226291124349

Makes the overall train frequency out of peak in south-east Queensland look very poor indeed.

Public transport must be frequent to encourage maximum use.

Years of excuses of not improving the service frequency are wearing thin.  Time to fix it!

Best wishes
Robert

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

[#Metro]

 

That's right! Every 10 minutes - it will be like the BUZ - people won't know what hit them!

This is a GAME CHANGER. If Melbourne continues on this path, and fixes up the buses by running them to trains, I am almost certain it will eventually close in on Toronto, simply because Melbourne has more lines and stations to play with.

Oh, and Perth rail patronage is about to overtake Brisbane too... can't hide behind the "we're special" line anymore...

[somebody]

I want MTR operating Sydney and Brisbane trains.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> City's train services set for major overhaul

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/3342-new-22-april-timetable-boosts-metro-train-trips-by-353-a-week.html

Ministerial Statement

New 22 April timetable boosts Metro train trips by 353 a week

Wednesday, 07 March 2012
From the Minister for Public Transport

The Coalition Government will introduce 353 extra weekly train trips in Melbourne from 22 April 2012 on top of the 635 additional weekly train trips that began on 8 May last year, Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder said today.

"Metro will now operate 14,353 train trips across Melbourne each week, 988 or 7.3 per cent more than when the Coalition Government was elected. A recent survey showed how passenger satisfaction with Melbourne's trains was the highest in five years," Mr Mulder said.

Mr Mulder said the 22 April 2012 Metro timetable change would concentrate on providing a 10 minute frequency instead of the current 20 minute gap on the three of the busiest lines – Dandenong, Frankston and Ringwood - between 10.30am and 7.00pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

"The Coalition Government is moving Melbourne's weekend trains to a metro style frequency where for much of the day, passengers will be able to dispense with a timetable. The 283 extra weekend train trips will make it easier to get to events such as AFL matches. The weekend direction of trains from North Melbourne around the City Loop will alter to provide more direct trains from Flinders Street to Southern Cross station to aid footy fans travelling to Etihad.

"Special trains will continue for night and more popular sporting events. Increased weekend daytime train frequencies on three lines mean footy specials at those times are effectively permanently included, special events or not," Mr Mulder said.

"The timetable includes the first passenger trains on the new Epping to South Morang extension that has been delivered early and within its $498 million budget. New railway stations will open at Cardinia Road (between Officer and Pakenham) and Lynbrook (between Dandenong and Merinda Park). Extra weekend trains will stop at stations between Jolimont and Clifton Hill.

"Full details will be available prior to 22 April 2012 at www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au and www.metrotrains.com.au

Printed timetables should be available from 10 April 2012.

"Significant weekday changes include:

    an extra morning weekday peak train from McLeod on the Hurstbridge line, an extra train to Greensborough in the afternoon peak, an extra morning weekday peak train from Dandenong and two extra trains during both morning and afternoon peaks on the new South Morang line (compared with current Epping line frequencies),

    all Cranbourne trains will stop at Lynbrook with all offpeak and some peak hour Pakenham trains stopping at Cardinia Road, the latter due to Labor's failure to provide sufficient electrical substation capacity for peak hour trains accelerating from a stop at Cardinia Road, and

    changes will occur to some V/Line rail and coach trips and many metropolitan bus route timings. The Route 8 tram through South Yarra will have some extra Sunday morning trips," Mr Mulder said.

[#Metro]

^^^ can this (or the Herald Sun article) be released as an e-mail to all outlets, with this in bold:

Mr Mulder said the 22 April 2012 Metro timetable change would concentrate on providing a 10 minute frequency instead of the current 20 minute gap on the three of the busiest lines – Dandenong, Frankston and Ringwood - between 10.30am and 7.00pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

[ozbob]

Already did ....   we are a backwater in SEQ ...

[Fares_Fair]

WOW 

[ozbob]

Twitter

PTUA ‏ @ptua

The Greens have published the leaked #MetroTrains document summarising the April timetable changes http://mps.vic.greens.org.au/content/new-timetable-metro-institutionalising-failure

[ozbob]

Twitter

PTUA ‏ @ptua

New Metro passenger load data. Marginal improvement in overcrowding; more services needed! transport. http://t.co/GYlo4hME

[somebody]

Isn't the problem that they don't have enough rolling stock?

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Changes fail to fix train crush

[#Metro]

Increase the price during peak hour! SIMPLE!!

[somebody]

Melbourne Age --> Changes fail to fix train crush

At least in Vic it is the opposition who are spinning.  More services with more overcrowded services infers more passengers are being carried.

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Government claims overcrowding on Metro trains easing

[somebody]

Increase the price during peak hour! SIMPLE!!

What of periodicals?

[ozbob]

Waking up in Geelong blog --> Chronic commuter congestion fills Flagstaff

[somebody]

227mil patronage!  That about 150% growth in a decade!

[ozbob]

227mil patronage!  That about 150% growth in a decade!

Going gangbusters ... 

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

New depot aids rail revamp

New depot aids rail revamp
Reid Sexton
April 10, 2012

A NEW train maintenance and stabling facility completed in Melbourne's north yesterday will help deliver imminent timetable changes to boost weekend travel on parts of the network.

Transport Minister Terry Mulder said the $220 million centre, completed on time and within budget at Craigieburn, would create 120 jobs.

The improved maintenance facilities were vital, Mr Mulder said, and would allow more trains onto the network when the timetable changes were introduced on April 22. The changes will see more than 350 new weekly services introduced, mostly on weekends.

It means services will run every 10 minutes during the day on weekends on the Ringwood, Dandenong and Frankston lines. The changes also incorporate the extension of the Epping line to South Morang and new stations at Lynbrook and Cardinia Road in Melbourne's east.

''These projects will help more people access our public transport network and provide greater capacity and reliability to the network as well,'' Mr Mulder said. But opposition scrutiny of government spokesman Martin Pakula called on the government to start building its own projects.

''Like regional rail and the X'Trapolis trains, all the Baillieu government is doing is completing projects started by the former Labor government,'' he said. ''What Victorians and the business community are waiting for is the government to announce its own major projects rather than cutting the ribbon on Labor's.''

Public Transport Users Association president Daniel Bowen welcomed the new timetables.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/new-depot-aids-rail-revamp-20120409-1wl7l.html

[ozbob]

From News.com.au click here!

Metro misses punctuality target

Metro misses punctuality target
April 10, 2012 05:14PM

TRAIN operator Metro failed to run enough trains on time last month.

Performance results released last night revealed 87.67 per cent of trains ran on schedule in March, just below the 88 per cent target required by the Victorian Government under Metro's Franchise Agreement.

Metro chief Andrew Lezala said increased maintenance requirements and a shortage of stabling facilities for new trains had affected the monthly performance result.

But he said the recent opening of the $220 million state-of-the-art Craigieburn Train Stabling and Maintenance Facility would have a major impact.

Mr Lezala said the opening of the depot, ahead of the introduction of a new timetable on April 22, would enable Metro to maintain its fleet as well as anywhere in the world.

"Every time we introduce new services, we're relying on our trains to run extra kilometres," he said.

"With that comes increased maintenance requirements, and at Cragieburn we're maintaining trains which run across the network."

Public Transport Users Association president Daniel Bowen said Metro had failed to meet its punctuality target for the second month in a row.

"It underscores they do need to keep working and improving punctuality," he said.

"Late trains are extremely annoying for passengers and we can only hope this will improve in coming months."

Mr Lezala said the number of trains running on time improved significantly in the second half of the month.

"The maintenance facility at Craigieburn is only now coming on stream, and it's been difficult to maintain all the fleet through this transition period," he said.

"But now that it is in use, we've seen our performance lift over the past couple of weeks and our 28-day rolling average shows we're now achieving 89.9 per cent of all services running on time.

"It will be fully up and running for the start of the new timetable on April 22 when we add another 353 services to the network."

While failing to deliver on punctuality, the figures reveal Metro exceeded its delivery target.

The train operator delivered 98.50 per cent of services, exceeding the 98 per cent required under its contract.
- Greg Thom

[Fares_Fair]

Be interesting to know the punctuality parameters they are subject to.

[somebody]

PTUA really know how to whinge.

[ozbob]

South Morang community open day

--> http://www.flickr.com/photos/ptua/sets/72157629447834382/show/

[ozbob]

http://metrowoe.com/

The grass is always greener on the other side ... 

[Golliwog]

http://metrowoe.com/

The grass is always greener on the other side ... 

As evidenced by this http://metrowoe.com/2012/04/13/this-is-how-it-should-be-done/ about the changes to our quiet carriages that start tomorrow.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Metro staff hid as passengers tended injured man, commuter claims

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Glimpse of train service in 2021 emerges

Glimpse of train service in 2021 emerges
Adam Carey
April 17, 2012

A GLIMPSE of what Melbourne's train timetable could look like 10 years from now has emerged from a government study into building a new rail line to Monash University and Rowville.

It reveals a plan to run trains as often as every four to five minutes in rush hour on some metro lines, and once every 10 minutes outside the peak.

The three-page ''train service plan'' for the year 2021 was published as an appendix to the lengthy government-commissioned Rowville Rail Study. It also gives an early peek at projected increases to V/Line trains to Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo once the $5 billion regional rail link opens in 2016.
Advertisement: Story continues below

The future timetable plan was uncovered by the Public Transport Users Association, which welcomed the projected boost to services but questioned why the plan was buried deep within a voluminous report.

''If implemented, this will make a huge difference to travel around Melbourne, making it easier to get around much of the city without long waits or relying on timetables,'' association president Daniel Bowen said.

But a spokesman for Public Transport Victoria cautioned that the service plan was a draft, based on projected train patronage growth over the next decade, and did not represent any government commitment. ''The figures are indicative only and do not represent the actual planned services in each year,'' the spokesman said. ''They do not represent future commitments regarding capital spending or infrastructure works.''

The Dandenong, Frankston, Blackburn, Sydenham and Craigieburn lines do best in the plan, with between 13 and 18 rush-hour trains, and trains every 10 minutes for the rest of the day.

Less well-served are some lines with stretches of single track - including Hurstbridge, Upfield, Lilydale, Belgrave and Cranbourne lines - that can be used by only one train at a time, severely restricting the ability to run more trains.

The Upfield line will see a train once every 15 minutes in the peak under the plan, while Alamein is stuck with one every 20 minutes. Services to Werribee, Williamstown and Altona also suffer a sharp drop in frequency beyond Newport station, with a mere eight rush-hour trains projected to run to busy Werribee station, and one every 20 minutes off-peak.

The plan also projects eight rush-hour trains to Geelong, and one every 15 minutes at other times.

Metro is progressively introducing a new train timetable to Melbourne. The second stage of this starts on Sunday, when 10-minute frequencies begin on some lines on weekends.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/glimpse-of-train-service-in-2021-emerges-20120416-1x3v8.html

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Metro culls skilled jobs as profit skyrockets

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Train drivers ordered to skip stations

Same story --> here!

[ozbob]

Twitter

PTUA ‏ @ptua

New train (and some bus) timetables start on Sunday. 10 minute services on 3 lines very welcome - more please! http://www.ptua.org.au/2012/03/07/metro-10-mins-welcomed/

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

http://www.ptua.org.au/2012/03/07/metro-10-mins-welcomed/

Metro's trains every ten minutes welcomed – more please!

March 7th, 2012 (Every 10 Minutes to Everywhere, Media releases, Melbourne metro)

Trains every ten minutes on weekends on the Dandenong, Ringwood and Frankston lines have been welcomed by the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA).

PTUA President Daniel Bowen said the proposed services, due to start in late-April[1], would be a good step towards more frequent train services, seven days-a-week, that would encourage people out of cars.

"We are yet to see the detail, but more trains running more often will encourage more people to use public transport for more of their travel, and will be embraced by passengers", said Mr Bowen.

A 2010 study published by the PTUA concluded that Melbourne is one of the world's biggest cities that does not have a metro, that is, high-capacity train services running every ten minutes.[2]

"This upgrade to run more services every ten minutes is a step towards Metro actually running like a metro", said Mr Bowen.

"It's essential that the government follow through, and fund more frequent trains on all the other lines, and on connecting tram and bus routes."

Mr Bowen said the PTUA remained concerned that excessive extra travel time added into schedules would result in unnecessary delays to trains, as was already the case on some Frankston line services, and that this would need to be closely monitored by Metro and the new planning authority, Public Transport Victoria.

Mr Bowen urged Metro and the government to continue to upgrade and re-write timetables across the train network to make them simpler, with fewer stopping patterns, and more frequent services all day every day.

"Train, tram and bus services running 'every ten minutes to everywhere' right across Melbourne, seven days-a-week is the best way a big city like ours can provide an alternative to traffic mayhem", concluded Mr Bowen.

* * *

[1] Herald Sun 7/3/2012: Price to pay for extra Metro train services under new timetable www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/price-to-pay-for-extra-metro-train-services/story-fn7x8me2-1226291124349

[2] Melbourne Metro by name, but not by nature www.ptua.org.au/2010/04/03/melbourne-metro-by-name/

[3] PTUA: Some trains consistently run early www.ptua.org.au/2011/08/22/potd-early-trains/

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Metro chief's super trains push

[ozbob]

http://www.menzies.vic.edu.au/news-and-events/new-22-april-timetable-boosts-metro-train-trips-by-353-a-week/

New 22 April timetable boosts Metro train trips by 353 a week

From the Minister for Public Transport

The Coalition Government will introduce 353 extra weekly train trips in Melbourne from 22 April 2012 on top of the 635 additional weekly train trips that began on 8 May last year, Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder said today.

"Metro will now operate 14,353 train trips across Melbourne each week, 988 or 7.3 per cent more than when the Coalition Government was elected. A recent survey showed how passenger satisfaction with Melbourne's trains was the highest in five years," Mr Mulder said.

Mr Mulder said the 22 April 2012 Metro timetable change would concentrate on providing a 10 minute frequency instead of the current 20 minute gap on the three of the busiest lines – Dandenong, Frankston and Ringwood – between 10.30am and 7.00pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

"The Coalition Government is moving Melbourne's weekend trains to a metro style frequency where for much of the day, passengers will be able to dispense with a timetable. The 283 extra weekend train trips will make it easier to get to events such as AFL matches. The weekend direction of trains from North Melbourne around the City Loop will alter to provide more direct trains from Flinders Street to Southern Cross station to aid footy fans travelling to Etihad.

"Special trains will continue for night and more popular sporting events. Increased weekend daytime train frequencies on three lines mean footy specials at those times are effectively permanently included, special events or not," Mr Mulder said.

"The timetable includes the first passenger trains on the new Epping to South Morang extension that has been delivered early and within its $498 million budget. New railway stations will open at Cardinia Road (between Officer and Pakenham) and Lynbrook (between Dandenong and Merinda Park). Extra weekend trains will stop at stations between Jolimont and Clifton Hill.

"Full details will be available prior to 22 April 2012 at www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au and www.metrotrains.com.au

Printed timetables should be available from 10 April 2012.

"Significant weekday changes include:

    an extra morning weekday peak train from McLeod on the Hurstbridge line, an extra train to Greensborough in the afternoon peak, an extra morning weekday peak train from Dandenong and two extra trains during both morning and afternoon peaks on the new South Morang line (compared with current Epping line frequencies),

    all Cranbourne trains will stop at Lynbrook with all offpeak and some peak hour Pakenham trains stopping at Cardinia Road, the latter due to Labor's failure to provide sufficient electrical substation capacity for peak hour trains accelerating from a stop at Cardinia Road, and

    changes will occur to some V/Line rail and coach trips and many metropolitan bus route timings. The Route 8 tram through South Yarra will have some extra Sunday morning trips," Mr Mulder said.