Safety and security issues, articles, discussion.

[ozbob]

This is old news, but has broken publicly ..  rather sad society we have created.

From the Courier Mail click here!

Rock throwers lead to speeds being cut on Beenleigh to Gold Coast trains

Rock throwers lead to speeds being cut on Beenleigh to Gold Coast trains

    * by Robyn Ironside
    * From: The Courier-Mail
    * September 21, 2010 12:00AM

SPEEDS have been slashed on the rail line between Beenleigh and the Gold Coast amid concerns about trains being pelted with rocks and other objects.

After 6pm, trains are restricted to 100km/h down from 140km/h from Beenleigh to Varsity Lakes.

Despite the significant slowdown, Queensland Rail said timetables were unaffected.

The move follows repeated attempts to damage and derail trains using objects such as rocks and concrete blocks. In the three months from May to August, drivers reported 35 objects being thrown at trains or placed in their path.

Although rocks were the most common projectile, on June 10 trains were halted and overhead lines brought down between Beenleigh and Ormeau when a concrete block was hurled on to tracks.

Owen Doogan of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union said the reduction in speed was helping drivers take precautions against missiles being thrown at trains.

"It's unlikely to derail a train but it could happen. There's also the potential for objects to go through the windscreen," Mr Doogan said.

"It's endangering people's lives, not least of all our drivers. It's not acceptable behaviour."

He said the union was talking with Queensland Rail and the State Government about how to better restrict access to the train tracks.

"It's a social issue and we need to deal with stopping this sort of thing from happening," Mr Doogan said.

"The message has got to go out to parents to talk to their kids about this."

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said other measures being considered were additional anti-throw screens and sound barriers at "key locations".

"People who throw rocks at trains should understand they could not only seriously injure people on these trains but they could seriously injure themselves," said Ms Nolan.

Workers were also undertaking "additional maintenance during September to remove potential projectiles along the Gold Coast line", she said.

"These measures will be in addition to the presence of dedicated members of the police rail squad, Translink transit officers and private security guards," Ms Nolan said.

The LNP's Member for Gaven, Alex Douglas, said the reduction in speed could give rise to other problems on the Beenleigh to Gold Coast line, such as train surfing.

"That's one of our greatest fears because of the risk to human life," Dr Douglas said.

[ozbob]

http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2653.msg28877#msg28877

Sent to all outlets:

26th June 2010

Greetings,

Problematic behaviour on our public transport is an issue that requires a whole of community approach.

The Courier Mail today has highlighted the effects of criminal acts on rail staff (Sacked QR guard says passenger violence harming staff health).  As a commuter group, we have consistently suggested that there are approaches to work towards community education and changes in unacceptable attitudes and behaviours (27 Aug 2009: SEQ: Our trains, our buses!  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2653.0 ).  It is interesting to consider Melbourne.  They did away with staff on railway stations as part of the failed privatisation and franchise approach, and set up a climate of lawlessness on the their rail system as a consequence.  Now, they are putting staff back on the stations and in effect reclaiming lost ground at a great cost.  We do not need this failed social experiment repeated in Brisbane do we?

Recent highlights of problems of out of control behaviour on buses suggest that there is a need to address behaviour on public transport urgently.

QR Passenger have placed security guards on Friday and Saturday night services, and has a coordinated approach to safety generally ( http://www.citytrain.com.au/about_your_trip/security_safety/overview.asp ).  There are additional safety features help promote safe travel.

We do not want the situation to deteriorate though to the point that security guards are needed in every carriage, bus and ferry do we?

This is why we think a special task force of key stakeholders needs to be formed to address this issue.

Solutions will be multi-layered and considered.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

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

Media Release 27 August 2009 re-released 26th June 2010

SEQ: Our trains, our buses!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has called for a concerted effort to combat vandalism on our public transport. RAIL Back On Track members and public feedback have reported many instances of vandalised trains.  This is a constant problem for the operator and is disheartening for all to continue to have to cope with these wanton acts of destruction.

Robert Dow, spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track said:

"It is heart breaking to travel on our public transport and see scratched windows, damaged seats, and graffiti masquerading as art on rolling stock and line side structures. The community has become detached and desensitised to many of these effects.  The costs of the vandalism to transport operators must be considerable.  Public transport staff are frustrated and often feel not appreciated, and this in turn affects the morale of everyone."

"We continue to see more attempts at enforcement and regulation which is necessary but that is surely not the only answer.  How about we try a stepped up preventative approach?  Educate the community, bring people on board, encourage respect for property and person. Set up local volunteer groups that can keep stations clean for example.  I am sure there are people who would be happy to be part of a local group that helps make public transport facilities attractive.  These things used to be done once, but we became too focused on fares, enforcement and rationalisation."

"Public transport belongs to the people. This point is seldom reinforced but it is a good start point.  Our transport, our City!  Let's look after it!  Bring back weekend family/group tickets for our public transport.  This can work as a valuable education tool as it encourages adults and children to get out on their public transport and shows them what a valuable asset it is. It will help endear respect.  Step up the ongoing promotion of public transport in the schools, encourage students to look after their trains and buses."

"Engage the wider community.  Focus on the broader positive social aspects of public transport, make public transport first choice, not last choice!"

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Code Select Expand

He said the union was talking with Queensland Rail and the State Government about how to better restrict access to the train tracks.

"It's a social issue and we need to deal with stopping this sort of thing from happening," Mr Doogan said.

In Melbourne, most of the suburban rail network is unfenced.  Rail lines are sometimes next to parks, footpaths and roads.  I do wonder if turning rail corridors into 'forbidden fruit' is part of the problem as well.  Roads are not all fenced off.

Older photograph but nothing has changed ..


http://www.railtrails.org.au/states/trailimages/img_8869.jpg
Between Hughesdale and Oakleigh stations where the Rosstown railway branched off from the main line.

It is a social issue and needs more than just barbed wire and threats ..

[ozbob]

An announcement concerning ' mobile security patrols ' on the QR network is to be made today (report on radio 612 ABC Brisbane).

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
04/10/2010

DOG PATROLS TO CRACK DOWN ON RAIL NETWORK CRIME

Security on the south-east Queensland Rail network will be boosted by 24 hour a day dog patrols, Transport Minister Rachel Nolan announced today.

Queensland Rail will work with private security company Securecorp to add 11 mobile security patrols, each with handlers and a security dog, to patrol train stations, carparks and other Queensland Rail property.

Ms Nolan said the introduction of security dogs is part of continuing $45 million program across the TransLink network to crackdown on crime and improve customer safety.

"We know that mobile patrols, informed by intelligence, staff, public reports, and CCTV are an effective way of cracking down on anti-social behaviour," Ms Nolan said.

"These mobile patrols, along with security guards and staff at stations will allow greater flexibility to respond to incidents."

Ms Nolan said the Bligh Government is also adding 10 extra officers to the Queensland Police Service rail squad and last week eight Senior Network Officers (SNOs) started work in an effort to drive down anti-social behaviour.

Applications have now closed for an additional 25 SNOs who will be selected and trained in coming months.

"These new officers have additional powers to search and detain people on the rail network suspected of serious offences," she said.

"They will also closely monitor anti-social activity and target fare evasion."

Despite substantial increases in patronage in recent years, instances of anti-social behaviour on the Queensland Rail network had not increased.

In 2008/09, there were 236 assaults on or adjacent to Queensland Rail property. During this period Queensland Rail carried more than 60 million passengers.

"Queensland Rail's customers should have confidence the services are as safe as any other public space," Ms Nolan said.

"But for those who deliberately set out to make a nuisance of themselves, to harass others, to damage property, think again - we are watching and we will act."

In addition to the police rail squad, senior network officers and mobile security dog patrols, there are up to 110 TransLink Transit Officers and private security guards who work on public transport in the South-East.

Queensland Rail has more than 6800 CCTV cameras and footage can be provided to police to identify and prosecute offenders.

Queensland Rail also runs "Guardian Trains", with about 40 per cent of services after 6pm carrying private security guards, and 100 per cent of trains on Friday and Saturday nights after 7pm.

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

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Queensland Rail goes to the dogs

Queensland Rail goes to the dogs
Cameron Atfield
October 4, 2010 - 2:53PM

Extra bite has been added to Queensland Rail security with today's introduction of round-the-clock dog patrols across the suburban rail network.

The dog security squads would not routinely patrol train carriages, but rather train stations, car parks and other Queensland Rail property.

QR chief executive Paul Scurrah said the patrols would target known trouble spots in the suburban train network.

"Predominantly, they're there as a presence - we train all of our security personnel to try and identify potential anti-social behaviour before it gets out of hand," he said.

"It's hard to say exactly where they'll be because where we want them to be deployed will change from time to time.

"They'll be intelligence-based deployments, though, which gives us the flexibility to make sure we deploy them where they're needed most."

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan rejected suggestions additional police on the network would be a better approach than security guards with extra powers.

"This is a squad that Queensland Rail has on hand can call in as necessary," she said.

"We have more police as well - just a few weeks ago I announced that 10 more rail squad police will be coming on to the network in the next year or so."

Mr Scurrah said the guards were trained to know when police should be called in to deal with situations.

"We don't want to make sure police are there when it's not necessary, when it can actually be handled through the presence of our security guards," he said.

Mr Scurrah said commuters had nothing to fear from the introduction of the imposing dogs.

"They're going to be there as a presence and if you're behaving yourself on the network, there's nothing to fear whatsoever," he said.

"They're specifically trained, they're muzzled and only under necessary circumstances would they be unmuzzled, and people should actually feel much safer, not fearful."

The 11 mobile security patrols, each with handlers and a security dog, have been contracted to private security company Securecorp.

Ms Nolan said the government would also add another 10 Queensland Police rail squad officers and last week added eight senior network officers - security guards with increased powers to detain - in an effort to drive down anti-social behaviour.

There were also are up to 110 Translink transit officers and private security guards working on public transport across south-east Queensland.

QR has more than 6800 cameras surveying the network and footage could be provided to police.

[ozbob]

QUT News

Rail crime crackdown
Monday 4 October 2010

--> http://www.qutnews.com/2010/10/04/rail-crime-crackdown/

[Derwan]

Commuter mugged for her phone at Toombul train station

From The Courier Mail

A WOMAN waiting on a northside Brisbane train station has been mugged for her mobile phone.

Police said the 23-year-old was standing on the platform at Toombul about 10.30pm on Wednesday holding her phone in her hand.

A man believed to be in his mid-20s approached her and smacked her hand, forcing her to drop the phone.

He then snatched it off the ground and ran off.

Police said other than the smacked hand, the woman was unhurt.

Detectives will examine CCTV footage from the train station on Thursday in the hope of identifying the culprit.

He is described as 177cm tall, Caucasian and wearing a baseball cap, sneakers, shorts and a T-shirt.

Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

My comment:  She was hardly "mugged" then.

[ozbob]

I wonder how many unfortunate citizens were 'mugged' of their mobile phones and were not a railway station but perhaps at a shopping centre, on a street, in a park or at a fun leisure park??

[Derwan]

My friend hit something out of my hand the other day..... OH MY GOD!!  I WAS MUGGED!!!!!

(This is an attack on the sensationalist journalism, not the poor woman who was the victim of this robbery.)

[ozbob]

Yes, it is disappointing that an incident at a rail station is in the media but the other 100 odd incidents not at a railway station (I would estimate) are just passed by.

The reality is the crime rate on the rail network is lower than the general crime rate.  With the media distortions it is little wonder that the public perception is otherwise.

The person who had their phone stolen stands a reasonable chance of recovery and redress thanks to the CCTV.

[Derwan]

The article has been updated!

It now indicates that the woman was in a street NEAR Toombul station and that police have requested CCTV footage from QR in case the offender caught a train.

If the CM had their facts right in the first place, they probably wouldn't have even published the story!

[p858snake]

I know the article was wrong: but who would even commit a crime at toombul station, the only way out is sh%t because you have to run up and down stairs giving more chances to be caught....

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail 9th October 2010 page 40

Transport trouble all in the line of duty .. at last

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Courier Mail 9th October 2010

Concerning the article "Transport trouble all in the line of duty ... at last, CM Oct 9-10".  Why is it at every opportunity it seems does the Courier Mail attempt to sensationalise trouble on the rail network?  If journalists did some basic research they would soon learn that crime rates on the rail network are actually at a significantly lower rate than the general community.

Where ever there are concentrations of people there are increased risks. It is a credit to TransLink and Queensland Rail that they do have in place an excellent security and safety program.  Proper acknowledgement of that would go a long way to assuring the community that yes there are risks everywhere, but certainly on the rail network there is active management and protection strategies and the risks are low, despite the apparent perceptions and distortions of the Courier Mail.

Robert Dow
Darra

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Translink cops have made no arrests in first 51 days patrolling southeast trains

Translink cops have made no arrests in first 51 days patrolling southeast trains

    * James O'Loan
    * From: The Courier-Mail
    * November 22, 2010 7:15AM

BRISBANE'S new "transport cops" haven't made one detainment 51 days after being sent to confront unruly passengers on suburban trains.

The first batch of eight officers was deployed by Translink on September 29 with special search and detain powers.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said then they were to focus on "people on the rail network suspected of serious offences" and to "drive down anti-social behaviour".

But their first report card suggests they have spent their time helping ticket inspectors recoup money from fare evaders.

"(They) have been playing a vital revenue protection and customer education role since starting in October and have not detained anyone yet," Translink said.

They have issued 95 fines, 251 warning notices and helped customers with queries about ticketing and safety issues.

[#Metro]

Concerning the article "Transport trouble all in the line of duty ... at last, CM Oct 9-10".  Why is it at every opportunity it seems does the Courier Mail attempt to sensationalise trouble on the rail network?  If journalists did some basic research they would soon learn that crime rates on the rail network are actually at a significantly lower rate than the general community.

Right-wing bias perhaps? It certainly fits nicely into the "law and order; government is failing and crime is going out of control" stereotype.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane mX 1st March 2011 page 1

Station watch

[Golliwog]

That was already operating at both Fortitube Valley and Toowong yesterday.

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Queensland Rail forms mobile cleaning squads to clear trains of syringes and other filth

Queensland Rail forms mobile cleaning squads to clear trains of syringes and other filth

    * Robyn Ironside
    * From: The Courier-Mail
    * March 03, 2011 12:00AM

QUEENSLAND Rail has formed new mobile cleaning patrols to pick up after filthy travellers and remove syringes and other potential health hazards from trains.

The 26-person squad will start work next month travelling throughout the network conducting "spot-checks" on carriages, which are already cleaned daily.

QR chief customer officer Theo Taifalos said the patrols were meant to provide a "clean environment for customers" as well as ensure their security and safety.

"We have also modified the design of our seating to minimise the ability to conceal objects while maintaining comfort for our customers," he said.

Last month, mother-of-two Petra McDonald from the Sunshine Coast sat on a syringe jammed beside a seat on a train at Central station.

Mr Taifalos was unable to say how many syringes were collected from trains but he said every effort was made to look for sharps and remove them.

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Queensland Rail has released footage of a boy's near-miss with a train to highlight dangers of crossing rail lines

Queensland Rail has released footage of a boy's near-miss with a train to highlight dangers of crossing rail lines

    * From: AAP
    * March 05, 2011 2:50PM

QUEENSLAND Rail has released disturbing footage of a boy who came close to being hit by a train.

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk released footage captured on Queensland Rail security cameras to highlight the dangers of people crossing rail lines.

Ms Palaszczuk said footage of a boy nearly being hit by a train after jumping on the tracks at East Ipswich station in January was the most disturbing she has seen.

"This is certainly the most disturbing near-miss footage I have ever seen, the difference between this youth surviving and losing his life is less than the blink of an eye,'' Ms Palaszczuk said.

She also released footage of a truck running a level crossing and nearly colliding with an express train at Strathpine last month.

Queensland Rail chief executive Paul Scurrah said footage of both incidents has been released to police.

[#Metro]

You know we keep talking about Frequency and Reliability, well trucks banging into boom gates make the network unreliable!

[ozbob]

http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/legislativeAssembly/hansard/documents/2011.pdf/2011_03_10_Qtime.pdf

Question without notice

Public Transport, Passenger Safety

Ms DARLING: My question is to the Minister for Transport. Can the minister inform the House
what is being done to crack down on crime and antisocial behaviour on our transport network?

Ms PALASZCZUK: I would like to thank the member for Sandgate very much for her question. I
know that safety on the network is a very important issue. I also note that we are building 100 extra car
parks at the Sandgate train station. The member has raised issues with me about safety and security.
We have extra lighting going in there following her concerns.

Passengers and staff on our public transport network should have even more peace of mind
following a number of safety initiatives that I am pleased to announce today. Today I would like to
announce that 14 new senior network officers have graduated and will join the network providing
customer safety, revenue protection and customer services on our TransLink network. These officers
are a group of highly trained people authorised to use extended powers to detain when dealing with
some of the more serious issues on our public transport network. In total, the 22 senior network officers
work in conjunction with Queensland Police Service's Railway Squad and TransLink. TransLink officers
will provide a safer, fairer public transport system for all South-East Queensland commuters.

Last week the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Rail and Crimestoppers introduced
another joint initiative to help solve crime: displaying appeals for assistance on passenger information
display screens at stations, with immediate results. Also, on the weekend many members may have
seen disturbing footage of a young man narrowly escaping death while darting across tracks in front of a
fast-moving train at East Ipswich. This was a near miss incident. It could have ended in tragedy for both
this young man and his family. We will continue to monitor and crack down on this type of behaviour.

I announced on Saturday that 47 train stations across the city network will undergo security
updates under a $3.3 million injection of funds from the Bligh government. This money will go to
enhancing our digital video recording equipment. This means that images captured will be of much
higher quality and will be able to be handed onto police. In addition, we have also announced 11 mobile
dog patrols and a new police outpost at Robina.

Whilst I am talking about safety on the Gold Coast, I want to comment on what the member for
Gaven said yesterday. He came out criticising the light rail project on the Gold Coast, saying it is unsafe.
Studies have clearly shown that the light rail system is an incredibly safe mode of transport. What did
the shadow minister for transport say? The shadow minister for transport has supported the project.
What has the Leader of the Opposition said to me? He has said that he supports the project. The LNP's
policy is to support the light rail project because it is good for the Gold Coast and it is a safe mode of
transport. It is a $900 million injection of funds.

Dr Douglas interjected.

Ms PALASZCZUK: What is your answer? You say we should build buses. The people of the Gold
Coast want this light rail, the members on the Gold Coast want this light rail and the government will
support it and the government will build it.

[colinw]

I'm fairly sure Alex Douglas, the member for Gaven, has publicly supported the "Stop Light Rail" whingers on at least one occasion.

Although their website hasn't had an update in a year, so they have hopefully given up.

With any luck the first rails will be down before the State Election.

[#Metro]

I'm with Jonno on this one. The best surveillance around a rail station is a residential mixed-use TOD.
Decent looking non-jail like design would help too. Although I concede that this costs money, and anything that costs money should be compared to running more services.

As for the Hon. Member Mr Douglas' comments, I have not been able to find them, but I found this:

Gaven LNP MP Alex Douglas, already sidelined by his party's leadership, snubbed party policy to call for the light rail to be scrapped to pay for the repair bill.

"That will save Australia $1.8 billion immediately and there should be no further need for the increase in the Medicare levy at all to fund reconstruction," he said.

"Sometime every cloud does have a silver lining -- the Gold Coast minus tramways might just be more appealing to tourists and our roads less cluttered with ill-suited infrastructure."

Excuse me, but a tram is stuck to the track, a bus is not. Shall I refer to examples where buses have struck pedestrians and resulted in fatalities outside Cultural Centre Busway at South Brisbane? The fact that the area around there has to have black metal fencing to stop people crossing the road? Or fatalities resulting from people driving their cars in the busway? (I saw another car in the busway, the second time this week!). And the feasibility studies show that for a BRT system running in Class B right-of-way you would probably need to upgrade it to LRT later anyway because of capacity constraints. IIRC, LRT came in slightly cheaper when measured on a whole-of-lifecycle basis by the study team and it was the people of the Gold Coast who strongly supported it on image grounds.

[#Metro]

Oh, and I should also add, once the LRT is in, it will force the re-design and reorganization of the entire Gold Coast bus network. Instead of a huge bunch of buses going down the Gold Coast Highway, you will have 1 LRT, and every LRT will be your LRT!

The buses will be re-directed east-west to link up with the suburbs and the LRT very nicely. I expect major frequency boost for those suburban areas as a result of the re-organization saving bus-km. If there is one thing that boosts patronage, it is frequency, and the LRT will unlock those bus-km to do just that.

[ozbob]

The Minister mentioned light rail because of this adjournment speech on the 8th March 2011

http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/legislativeAssembly/hansard/documents/2011.pdf/2011_03_08_DAILY.pdf

Gold Coast, Public Transport

Dr DOUGLAS (Gaven—LNP) (9.39 pm): Residents continue to tell me there is a lack of eastwest
transport on the Gold Coast. So why has the government ignored western Gold Coast residents
and proposed to build light rail beginning at Parklands and terminating at Broadbeach? Residents of
Gaven have been completely excluded, with no heavy rail link at either Nerang or Helensvale. Is the
reason that they live in the most beautiful part of Australia? It is also one of the fastest growth corridors
in Australia. Does TransLink know this?

Light rail is slow, dangerous and an unacceptable risk to the safety of tourists and residents alike.

I table the following three documents: one, a document stating that light rail has twice as many fatalities
as comparable bus travel; two, the most recent review of light rail having three times the fatality rate of
urban vehicles per kilometre rate of travel; and, three, details of the fatalities of a 25-year survey in the
USA, which is a most authoritative article on the issue.

Tabled paper: Document by John Semmens, Arizona Transportation Research Center titled 'Transit's Safety Challenges'.
Tabled paper: Extract from webpage titled 'Sound Transit Design for Link Initial Segment Light Rail Expected to Cause Eight
Fatalities in Ten Years of Operation'.

Tabled paper: Extract from webpage titled 'Summary of MAX Fatalities'.

It is not too late for common sense to prevail here. We need busways like Brisbane has. We do
not want anyone being killed unnecessarily on non-gated light rail crossings. Light rail on the Gold Coast
in its current state will be neither rapid nor mass transit nor safe. Interestingly enough, the surveys with
regard to the users need to be studied in close detail after what has happened in Brisbane with regard to
tunnels. Further punches from the government have hit consumers in the cost of paper tickets, which
are 30 per cent higher than go cards, and, worse still, the government has just abolished daily travel and
return tickets. The Gold Coast has had the most expensive public transport in Australia. Rail fares have
gone up by 15 per cent and in some cases by up to 75 per cent, with an annual ticket previously costing
$2,340 but now costing $4,000.

The Gold Coast Bulletin reported today that over 3,000 Gold Coasters lost their jobs in January
this year, but we are still being hit with higher transport charges and 15-year-old east-west bus routes
largely across the Gold Coast. To clear up all of this mess, the government has implemented mobile
customer service officers at our railway stations which is a fancy term for on-the-ground Brisbane spin
doctors. It has been reported that these doctors frequently seek advice from experienced local station
staff when faced with a query requiring local knowledge. We do not need a flawed strategy being
imposed upon us, but we ought to have an inquiry into TransLink on the total costs of the ticketing
system and why this has resulted in inflated costs to the end consumer. Commuters are so desperate
for change that they are boycotting the trains on Thursday, 17 March, literally in just under two weeks
time. They are calling for three main changes: one, bring back periodic tickets, and that is the six- and
12-month tickets; two, introduce a rolling discount system; and, three, introduce off-peak fares for travel
prior to 7 am. Minister, expect a few phone calls on 17 March 2011 because commuters are not happy,
and I am with them!

[colinw]

Alex Douglas has obviously been reading guff put out by right wing anti-transit "think tanks" in the US.

http://www.lightrailnow.org/facts/fa_00023.htm

He mentions the "Arizona Transporation Research Center", maybe he should also investigate this, also from Arizona:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_Light_Rail_%28Phoenix%29

Another thing Arizona has that we could learn from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Pueblo_Trolley
which dug up and resurrected some track buried in the 1930s (!!), and is now proposed to be the basis for building a modern LRT system.

Out of interest, how many injuries or fatalities per year are there on Adelaide - Glenelg light rail line, which is of similar length to the proposed Gold Coast line?  (Have there ever been any?)

[#Metro]

Dr DOUGLAS (Gaven—LNP) (9.39 pm): Residents continue to tell me there is a lack of eastwest
transport on the Gold Coast. So why has the government ignored western Gold Coast residents
and proposed to build light rail beginning at Parklands and terminating at Broadbeach? Residents of
Gaven have been completely excluded, with no heavy rail link at either Nerang or Helensvale. Is the
reason that they live in the most beautiful part of Australia? It is also one of the fastest growth corridors
in Australia. Does TransLink know this?

Um, the Light Rail will allow network efficiencies to be realised, because it replaces a bundle of different bus routes with one LRT line. That efficiency will unlock huge bus-km, which will allow frequent east-west bus routes by recycling those bus-km the LRT has saved.

The reason why Gaven and Pacific Pines are in a public transport black hole zone is because they have not been built compliant to the "be on the way principle" and the geometry and location of the developments is such that you have to run a dedicated bus to what is a low density, low population area on the side of a mountain. Recently there was a flexi-link style bus put into operation in the area, and this does connect to Helensvale rail station.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=Gaven+Queensland+4211,+Australia&aq=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=35.357014,85.605469&ie=UTF8&geocode=FUZ3Vf4d5rwjCQ&split=0&hq=&hnear=Gaven+Queensland,+Australia&ll=-27.949753,153.3285&spn=0.019258,0.05815&t=h&z=15

Light rail is slow, dangerous and an unacceptable risk to the safety of tourists and residents alike.

I table the following three documents: one, a document stating that light rail has twice as many fatalities
as comparable bus travel; two, the most recent review of light rail having three times the fatality rate of
urban vehicles per kilometre rate of travel; and, three, details of the fatalities of a 25-year survey in the
USA, which is a most authoritative article on the issue.

Tabled paper: Document by John Semmens, Arizona Transportation Research Center titled 'Transit's Safety Challenges'.
Tabled paper: Extract from webpage titled 'Sound Transit Design for Link Initial Segment Light Rail Expected to Cause Eight
Fatalities in Ten Years of Operation'.

Tabled paper: Extract from webpage titled 'Summary of MAX Fatalities'.

Nonsense; Is light rail dangerous or is it Class B right of way with level crossings that is dangerous? Is it the vehicle or the right of way?
I note that the problems on the SE Busway are occuring where the busway interfaces from Class A to Class B or Class C right of way, fatalities at Cultural Centre Busway intersection are an example.

Speed is more to do again with the right of way and stop spacing. Go look at Karlsruhe where the tram operates at high speed on Deutche Bahn heavy rail interurban track linking towns that are easily 50km or more apart.

It is not too late for common sense to prevail here. We need busways like Brisbane has. We do
not want anyone being killed unnecessarily on non-gated light rail crossings. Light rail on the Gold Coast
in its current state will be neither rapid nor mass transit nor safe. Interestingly enough, the surveys with
regard to the users need to be studied in close detail after what has happened in Brisbane with regard to
tunnels. Further punches from the government have hit consumers in the cost of paper tickets, which
are 30 per cent higher than go cards, and, worse still, the government has just abolished daily travel and
return tickets. The Gold Coast has had the most expensive public transport in Australia. Rail fares have
gone up by 15 per cent and in some cases by up to 75 per cent, with an annual ticket previously costing
$2,340 but now costing $4,000.

The problem with BRT busways on the Gold Coast is that the service must run in Class B right of way; They don't have the
legibility and capacity. The cost of Brisbane busways in Class A (to get the same or higher capacity) is also approximately 3 times higher per-kilometre than light rail running in Class B right of way, you are easily looking at a doubling or tripling of the cost plus expensive
aquisition of property if you want busway in Class A that has the same capacity.

The beauty of light rail is that you get busway style capacity in Class B (and sometimes Class C- see Melbourne Trams) without actually having to build a Class A busway.

The Gold Coast Bulletin reported today that over 3,000 Gold Coasters lost their jobs in January
this year, but we are still being hit with higher transport charges and 15-year-old east-west bus routes
largely across the Gold Coast. To clear up all of this mess, the government has implemented mobile
customer service officers at our railway stations which is a fancy term for on-the-ground Brisbane spin
doctors. It has been reported that these doctors frequently seek advice from experienced local station
staff when faced with a query requiring local knowledge. We do not need a flawed strategy being
imposed upon us, but we ought to have an inquiry into TransLink on the total costs of the ticketing
system and why this has resulted in inflated costs to the end consumer. Commuters are so desperate
for change that they are boycotting the trains on Thursday, 17 March, literally in just under two weeks
time. They are calling for three main changes: one, bring back periodic tickets, and that is the six- and
12-month tickets; two, introduce a rolling discount system; and, three, introduce off-peak fares for travel
prior to 7 am. Minister, expect a few phone calls on 17 March 2011 because commuters are not happy,
and I am with them!

Absolutely. How come it is so expensive to operate the transport system for both taxpayer and customer alike?
Frequency is very poor on the trains, so no wonder it is difficult to attract full fare paying customers and thus revenue.

[#Metro]

http://www.alex4gaven.com.au/1884/gold-coast-light-rail-plan-not-safe-rapid-or-mass/

One point I will agree with Alex is the non-connection between Southport and also Helensvale Rail station. Getting this connection to the heavy rail station must be priority #1 over and above any further southward expansion of the LRT. It is needed purely on integration grounds.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/09/3159138.htm?site=goldcoast&section=news&date=%28none%29

[colinw]

http://www.alex4gaven.com.au/1884/gold-coast-light-rail-plan-not-safe-rapid-or-mass/

My response to that (which undoubtedly will NOT be published on his site):

What a load of errant nonsense. You have not provided any evidence that light rail in dedicated reservation is either slow or unsafe. Have you even looked at the many systems operating safely overseas, or bothered to learn about the huge patronage such systems generate compared to unloved and uncomfortable bus systems.

I would suggest that – in the Australian context – the best analogue for the proposed Gold Coast system is the light rail line that runs from Adelaide to Glenelg. This is a line of similar length to the Gold Coast line proposed, and will run with mix of dedicated reserve and street track as is proposed for Gold Coast. It is a very popular service, and has a superb safety record.

While the LNP continues to push nonsense like this, I for one will not be voting for you.

[p858snake]

I announced on Saturday that 47 train stations across the city network will undergo security
updates under a $3.3 million injection of funds from the Bligh government. This money will go to
enhancing our digital video recording equipment. This means that images captured will be of much
higher quality and will be able to be handed onto police. In addition, we have also announced 11 mobile
dog patrols and a new police outpost at Robina.

Why are the rail squad getting funded for dog squads..... Drugs patrols should be getting handled by the normal cops and not wasting the rial squads time.

So the current security video footage can't be accessed by the police? not good enough quality to be used in court?

Also wern't the crimespotters signage ment to be only shown when cops were present (that was my understandaring based on the news reports about this stupid idea) because they were splashing them up at roma street without any cops present....

[Derwan]

http://northside-chronicle.whereilive.com.au/news/story/zillmere-train-station-security-push/

Zillmere train station security push

Northside residents being harassed and threatened by alcohol-fuelled gangs are campaigning for train station security guards after 7pm.

Resident Sam Brien, who was a recent victim of crime in Zillmere, was one of 170 people who have so far signed a petition demanding security.

``Zillmere's reputation for alcohol and gang fuelled violence and anti-social behavior is growing, leaving residents feeling unsafe,'' Mr Brien said.

Mounted police are contributing to increased police patrols around the station.

One petition contributor claimed: ``The constant screaming and abuse has now become so bad that I can no longer sleep with my windows open as I do not want my children to be scared.''

``I live in fear for my children and myself.''

Police Minister Neil Roberts was aware of community concerns.

``The officer in charge of Boondall Police Station Senior Sergeant Craig White has met with representatives from Queensland Rail, shop owners, Brisbane City Council Community Safety Section and local community support agencies to discuss these concerns,'' he said.

Sen-Sgt White believed recent police measures had made a difference.

``In the past eight weeks calls surrounding Zillmere have reduced dramatically,'' he said.

Taslim Baksh,  owner of 7-Eleven near the train station, confirmed police had stepped up patrols. But he wanted more people to sign the petition at his shop.

Octane Coffee businessman Garth Greenlees said he had been broken into four times.

``I feel safe during the day, but at night it can be a very bad area,'' he said.

Queensland Rail acting general manager of security James Bailey said the Zillmere train station would soon undergo CCTV security camera system upgrades.

[p858snake]

Doesn't (didn't?) zillmere have it's own police beat near there somewhere? (Not talking about chermside)....

They are now (according to the paper the other) deploying mounted police around zillmere station but i don't know if that is just during the day or what.

[Fares_Fair]

Doesn't (didn't?) zillmere have it's own police beat near there somewhere? (Not talking about chermside)....

They are now (according to the paper the other) deploying mounted police around zillmere station but i don't know if that is just during the day or what.

It must be the Sunshine Coast, apparently Rail buses contribute too much greenhouse gas emissions.
They have brought in horses ...   

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[HappyTrainGuy]

The little horsies have been patroling there for a while now. They leave the trailer outside the indoor bowls club near the station car park. But I've always wondered. Just how they get across the track to the other side of the station. Do they take the stairs or do they walk around to the road overpass. Personally I hope they do this.

Edit: On a serious note they have installed new CCTV at the station enterances.

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

More people dicing with death on QR Citytrain overhead power lines

More people dicing with death on QR Citytrain overhead power lines

    by: Robyn Ironside
    From: The Courier-Mail
    June 22, 2012 11:43AM

DESPITE the risk of 25,000 volts of electricity, the number of people meddling with overhead wires on the Citytrain network is rising, to the dismay of Queensland Rail.

In the 18 months since October 2010, six people have been electrocuted, one fatally, after coming into contact with the wires.

In May, a Dutton Park man was killed after using an advertising sign to touch the electrified lines which are not insulated like residential powerlines.

Five other people have suffered horrific injuries including a home removalist who used an aluminium stick to check the height of overhead wires at a level crossing.

In the previous seven years, fewer than one person a year were electrocuted as a result of touching overhead wires and Queensland Rail is at a loss to explain the increase.

Chief network officer John Pistak said members of the public were putting their lives at risk by going anywhere near the lines which remain live 24 hours a day.

"Our traction power system is electrified at 25,000 volts, so you are dicing with death if you act in a foolhardy manner around such a high voltage system," Mr Pistak said.

"Our overheads are also a lower height from the ground than the lines run by energy companies; they pass underneath pedestrian and road bridges; and they carry significantly higher voltage than electrical lines in suburban areas."

He said among those injured as a result of electrocution in the past 18 months, were a young girl who slipped on the lines after climbing on the outside of a pedestrian bridge, and a teenager who climbed over a freight train parked at Bundaberg railyard.

"Just a few days after the Dutton Park fatality, there were reports of a couple of young boys trying to touch the overhead wires at Riverview on the Ipswich line," said Mr Pistak.

"It seems as though there are more and more people taking risks and ignoring the dangers of our high voltage system, and it has got to stop."

One of those injured after coming into contact with overhead lines, is now suing Queensland Rail for damages of more than $730,000.

Shane Matthew Czerkes was with a group of friends when he scaled the Main Road pedestrian bridge at Wellington Point train station in March 2007 and tried to "slide" across it, before losing his balance and falling on to the wires.

He suffered full thickness burns to 30 per cent of his body, a fractured skull and lacerated liver.

Queensland Rail has a legal obligation to reduce access to electrical infrastructure as much as possible and uses locked gates, fences and other barriers to prevent people coming into contact.

It is disputing Mr Czerkes' claims of negligence.

[Golliwog]

I hate law suits like that. He did something stupid. He should deal with it. Bloody idiots.

[mufreight]

Obviously there was negligence involved here, on the part of Mr Czerkes who was commiting an illegal act of trespass and one of undeniable stupidity.
If anyone is to sue for damages it should be QR for loss of earnings and inconvenience while that section of the system was shut down to recover him for transport to hospital

[#Metro]

Obviously there was negligence involved here, on the part of Mr Czerkes who was commiting an illegal act of trespass and one of undeniable stupidity.
If anyone is to sue for damages it should be QR for loss of earnings and inconvenience while that section of the system was shut down to recover him for transport to hospital

Absolutely! FULL COST RECOVERY!