Safety and security issues, articles, discussion.

[Otto]

2 more BT drivers assaulted over the weekend.
Also with deep regret, we learn't that the BT driver involved in the fatal accident at the top of Roma Street recently had taken his own life this week. 

[ozbob]

2 more BT drivers assaulted over the weekend.
Also with deep regret, we learn't that the BT driver involved in the fatal accident at the top of Roma Street recently had taken his own life this week. 

Sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the driver.  R.I.P.

I do wonder what our society is becoming.  Might be time to properly protect our bus drivers Otto.  I understand many drivers do not like the protection options (barriers etc.) but other places have been doing it for a while now.  Getting to the point that the employer has a duty of care and will be forced to do it.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Drivers taking less care at rail crossings and New Zealand could have the answer: QUT study

Queensland drivers are taking much less care when approaching rail crossings than in normal traffic and New Zealand could hold the answer to getting motorists' attention, a Queensland University of Technology study has found.

Dr Gregoire Larue, senior research fellow at QUT's Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety, said the research showed drivers were "complacent" when approaching rail crossings and expressed concern at the lack of police enforcement over the safety issue.

Researchers joined motorists on the roads and tracked their eye movements, car position and speed using GPS. About 30 drivers were involved in the study, with an even gender split and a variety of age groups included.

Motorists' reactions were compared when approaching railway crossings and normal traffic intersections, with Dr Larue saying the concerning results showed why crossings were a major concern within the rail industry.

"We saw that drivers were preparing to stop 75 metres before the road intersection but only 30 metres before a level crossing without lights or boom gates," he said.

"The study also found drivers did not appropriately adapt their driving behaviour to the reduced visibility of night-time driving," Dr Larue said.

"Drivers don't see rail crossings as a big risk because they don't see trains and think they know the timetables.

"But trains are not always on time and there are other services and maintenance vehicles which don't run to time.

"People also don't understand that trains are going faster than what they seem and drivers don't realise trains are too heavy to stop over a short distance. Cars can slow or swerve to avoid a crash, unlike trains."

Dr Larue was expected to travel across the ditch to New Zealand to trial a new warning sign for rail crossings.

"The signs are activated by a vehicle on the road, rather than the train, about 150 metres before the level crossing," he said.

"I will look into whether two flashing amber lights change driver behaviour.

"We have very similar types of level crossings and the same issues are shared between the two countries, so if it works in New Zealand it could work here."

[SteelPan]

I see earlier today another [irritating] now resolved "police incident" at Fruitgrove station impacting services. Really patronising and frankly not helpful on a multitude of levels for police not give a basic description of the nature of the event they are responding to.

We live in an open society and police matters are community matters and the public, for a number of reasons, have every right to know the basic details of the general type of matter being dealt with!

A little more relevant information, would allow people to determine, is this incident a minor matter, a significant matter, a major matter......a regularly recurring matter......etc etc....

Not only is this information rather important to people using the transit system at that time and therefore, in any alternate plans they will want to likely make......but also, to the wider community, as it would put a more accurate spotlight on any social issues involved!

"Owning an issue" is the first critical step to better addressing it!

[ozbob]

From Service interruptions rail - please post significant delays thread

https://twitter.com/GCBulletin/status/921919246816256001

Both Sydney and Melbourne rail operators report ' person struck by train '  or sometimes ' fatality ' depending on the situation.

Here we have TransLink et al reporting a ' police incident ' whilst other media etc. report the actual situation  ( see above ).

We have raised this before but it seems they will not change.  So every  ' police incident ' I tend to quickly scan other information sources to try to find out what is going on.

[ozbob]

Here is an example SteelPan today from Vic.  Straightforward.  Pax know what is going on, informed and can make alternate arrangements as needed.

https://twitter.com/metrotrains/status/922597516813615104

[techblitz]

If they want to be nancies and not announce the reason then at least categorise them by severity...
cat 1 == bogan at train station causing disruptions == 5 - 10min delay

up to

cat 3 == person or car hit by train == 60min delay

some examples:

cat 3 police incident at Windsor?
people @ mitchelton,gaythorne can get a 390
people @ Enoggera can get a 350 or walk to a 345
people @ Newmarket can get a 325

cat 3 police incident @ Salisbury/rocklea?

people at banoon can walk to a 135
people at sunnybank can walk to a 135 or to mains rd
people at coopers plains can walk to a 124
people at altandi can jump off and catch 140/130 etc

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Lauren_Day_Ten/status/923014544376479744

[Cazza]

When will people ever learn that you CANNOT win against a train. Save a couple mins or take away your life? Pretty self explanatory answer if you ask me.

I'm sure most people have seen this video before but still hits home the point:

[SteelPan]

Apparently......today there's a "police incident" - with BOTH lanes of the SE Freeway closed [inner city]......must be a parking ticket blitz on......mind you, serves them right...odd place to park freeway ramps.......   

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Woman killed by cane train in north Queensland

A female sugar cane worker has died in an incident involving a cane train near Mackay in north Queensland.

The incident occurred during the shunting process - when a worker moves empty and loaded cane bins - near McGregor Creek Road at Mirani after 10am on Tuesday.

"A worker from Mackay Sugar has had a fatal accident. She was pronounced dead at the scene," a policeman at the site told reporters.

He said numerous agencies, including Workplace Health and Safety, are investigating.

A crane has been used to remove the woman's body.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TrackSAFE/status/928380798012571648

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Woman sexually assaulted at Toombul train station

POLICE are looking for any other victims of a man who was caught inappropriately touching a woman at a Brisbane train station on Sunday.

It is alleged the 22-year-old Morayfield inappropriately touch a woman as she was waiting for a train at Toombul Station at 4.40pm.

Police would like to speak with any other victims, in particular two women who were approached by the man on the platform just 10 minutes before the alleged crime.

A 22-year-old Morayfield man has been charged with one count of sexual assault.

He is expected to appear at the Brisbane Magistrates Court on November 28.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/941337583795048448

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/946432796653846528

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland Rail releases disturbing footage of near misses at train stations

Disturbing footage of pedestrians narrowly avoiding being slammed by trains has been released, as Queensland Rail urges people to stay safe around level crossings.

In 2017, there were 192 near misses with cars, pedestrians and cyclists at railway crossings across Queensland, with 95 of those in south-east Queensland.

While that was a 13 per cent drop on the previous year, authorities are pleading with people not to take the risk, particularly as school returns next week.

Many of the near-misses at railway crossings captured involved school students or workers dashing to catch their train or to try to beat the boom gates.

In one incident captured on CCTV, a woman is seen dashing across the tracks and ducking under lowering boom gates before the train enters Murrarie Station on August 31, 2017.

On August 15, 2017, a car slammed through a boom gate at Coopers Plains level crossing, leaving it lying on the ground, while at Sunshine Station on August 21, a man – possibly not paying attention – almost walked into the path of an ongoing train.

Acting Transport Minister Mark Ryan said too many people were taking risks around level crossings.

"People have got to remember, that they are not Superman – they are not more powerful than a locomotive," he said.

"We know that there'll be a lot more young people around the train network as school goes back next week.

"We know that sometimes people are in a rush, and they might take a risk to cross train tracks when those level crossings are down."

Mr Ryan pointed out that trains were unable to quickly stop or swerve to avoid a crash.

"It can take only a matter of seconds for a near miss to turn into a tragedy," he said.

Mr Ryan said there would be more police around schools, with the start of term one on January 22.

Queensland Rail CEO Nick Easy said trains could travel up to 140km/h.

"That's a very fast-moving, large object with great weight, so obviously with a train with that speed and that weight there can be quite serious consequences if it was to collide with a car, a pedestrian or a cyclist," he said.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Two people being treated and roads closed in Cairns North after car collides with Kuranda train

TWO motorists are being treated by paramedics after their car collided with the Kuranda train in Cairns North.

Collins Ave is currently closed, while the boom gates are down on James St after the car and train collided near the Collins Ave intersection with Sheridan St just before 4pm.

A police spokeswoman said they received reports the female car driver was initially trapped inside, but she and the passenger are both out of the car.

She said passengers on the train were also being assessed.

The Forensic Crash Unit has been called to the scene.

Motorists are warned to expect delays.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/QldPolice/status/955993929379340288

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Council rejects claims Brisbane bus driver told to catch bus back to work after bashing

BRISBANE'S Deputy Mayor and public transport chairman has rubbished claims that a bus driver was told to catch the bus back to work from hospital after being bashed in a "vicious attack".

It comes after council opposition leader Peter Cumming demanded answers from council over the alleged incident.

Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner confirmed the bus driver was assaulted last week, but denied claims that he was told to catch the bus back from hospital.

He said the driver was told at about 8pm — when he rang from the hospital — that the Bus Response Unit (BRU) was responding to a "major collision" at West End.

"As soon as that situation was complete and the BRU was free, he was told they would come and pick him up from the hospital," he said.

"At 9pm, one hour after the call was made, the network control centre got back to the bus operator to give them an update and it was then discovered that the bus operator was already at home.

"Management did not tell the bus operator to catch a bus."

Cr Shrinner accused the Opposition of trying to politicise the issue, which he said was a "serious matter" that should not be subject to party politics.

"And I assume that Cr Cumming would not deliberately or knowingly tell a lie — but someone has told him a lie.

"The information I had was that Council fully intended to collect the bus operator from hospital and transport the bus operator back to the depot.

"And simply that the bus operator chose to catch a bus and he got there and he got safely home."

Cr Cumming said he stood by his statement and that the information he had been given had been "checked and rechecked".

EARLIER:

BRISBANE'S local opposition has demanded answers after a Council bus driver was allegedly told to catch the bus back to work from hospital after being bashed.

Council Opposition Leader Peter Cumming said the driver was "viciously attacked" last Sunday before being taken to hospital for treatment.

But when he asked his employer to be taken back to the depot, Cr Cumming claimed management at Brisbane Transport's Network Coordination Centre told him he should catch the bus.

"This is a terrible way to treat a loyal employee who was brutally bashed and is yet more evidence of how out of touch this council has become," he said.

"The driver had a headache and was in pain.

"He didn't even have an umbrella to shelter from the rain."

It is understood the alleged incident happened about 2pm outside the Westfield Shopping Centre in Carindale.

Cr Cumming said the alleged assault came off the back of several physical attacks last month and demanded immediate action to ensure it did not happen again.

"The tragic death of Manmeet Sharma has brought bus driver safety to the forefront of community concern but Graham Quirk hasn't got the message," he said.

In response to questions in Council, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said he was not aware of the alleged incident.

He said Council had introduced a number of measures in their last budget to improve driver and passenger safety.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/963585180626595840

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/971304851463385089

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/BBRailway/status/977348539717107712

[ozbob]

29th March 2018

Media Release
JOINT STATEMENT

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Minister for Police and Minister for Corrective Services
The Honourable Mark Ryan

It's SNOing in northern SEQ

For the first time, a dedicated team of TransLink Senior Network Officers (SNOs) will be permanently based in the northern regions of the South East Queensland public transport network, following a new patrol base becoming operational in the weekend.

Police Minister and Member for Morayfield Mark Ryan said the Morayfield SNO base was central to both rail and bus services and would allow daily deployment of SNOs across the northern reaches of the TransLink network.

"This base and SNO team will ensure enhanced customer service and safety activities on public transport for our local community," Mr Ryan said.

"Importantly, it will enable coverage on many early and late bus and rail services in the region which previously required significant planning when using Brisbane-based SNOs.

"Having a permanent outpost of SNOs enables us to respond to local incidents quickly and to gather intelligence from our service delivery partners more effectively.

"Working closely with local operators will allow a targeted SNO presence at times and locations identified as an issue on the network."

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the northern outpost team will cover Queensland Rail services northbound from Petrie which covers the Redcliffe Peninsula line, as well as Caboolture, Nambour and Gympie North lines.

"Local bus operators with a presence in this new SNO base area include Sunshine Coast Sunbus, Caboolture Bus Lines, Kangaroo Bus Lines, Hornibrook Bus Lines, Bribie Island Coaches, and Thompson Bus Services.

"The SNO presence and influence across the network from Petrie north, up through Caboolture, out to Bribie Island, and into the Sunshine Coast has now been improved.

"We'd expect this greater presence on the local network will help act as a deterrent for anti-social behaviour and disrespect of public transport laws. The Palaszczuk Government makes no apologies for enforcing the laws when it comes to our public transport system."

Senior Network Officers work closely with Queensland Rail Authorised Officers and Queensland Police Rail Squad Officers to to enforce public transport laws and deter anti-social behaviour on public transport. SNOs have the authority to search and detain persons where necessary.

This is the second dedicated SNO team based outside of Brisbane, following the success of the establishment of a team of SNOs on the Gold Coast.

For more information on public transport, visit translink.com.au or call our contact centre on 13 12 30, anytime.

ENDS

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/QldPolice/status/981753164654260224

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Newmarket crossing crash site "compliant with national standards"

NEW safety features are ­unlikely to be added to the Newmarket level crossing despite it being the site of two traffic crashes in two weeks.

On the morning of March 15, a truck struck a level crossing boom arm at ­Wilston Rd, causing a 10-minute train service delay.

Less than two weeks later, on March 28, another truck struck a boom arm at the same level crossing causing 15 minute delays.

Queensland Rail (QR) said the incidents were the only ones at the crossing in the past 12 months.

QR chief executive officer Nick Easy urged motorists to "keep their safety front of mind" when travelling near the railway network.

Mr Easy said drivers needed to ensure they abided by the signs and signals "in place for their protection at level crossings".

"With trains on the QR network travelling up to 140km/h and ­unable to quickly stop or swerve, it can take only a matter of seconds for a near miss to turn into a tragedy," Mr Easy said.

He said motorists could be fined $378 and be hit with three demerit points for passing a red flashing light at a level crossing.

He did not comment on whether safety improvements would be made at the site but said QR had ­implemented multiple safety strategies.

"All QR level crossings ... operate in accordance with national safety standards and are assessed against the Australian Level Crossing Assessment Model ...

"The Wilston Rd level crossing is compliant with national standards, and is fitted with the highest level of protection, with flashing lights, boom gates, warning signs on all approaches and a gated pedestrian ­crossing."

[red dragin]

That crossing is a slowed approach from both directions due to the curving roads and cross streets.

I think it is safe to say it was poor driving rather than poor crossing design that contributed to those two incidents.

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Punched, spat on, threatened: Our bus drivers under siege

VIOLENCE and abuse on Sunshine Coast buses is so bad, private security guards are being employed for safety purposes.

Drivers are verbally threatened, spat on, punched. No route goes unscathed, and peak times and holidays are the worst.

One Sunbus driver is sick to death of the "scumbags, riff raff, dregs of society" plaguing public transport right across the Coast.

Last week, a driver was knocked out by a passenger at Nambour who refused to pay a fare.

This bus driver is ready to take a stand before the issue spirals out of control.

"The policy here is to let them on the bus, get them to the destination and let them off. What kind of policy is that? Where is the protection to drivers?" the driver said.

"Passengers smoke on the bus, drink alcohol and think it is normal practice. Fare-paying public are going to be too scared to catch buses. Where are we living?

"The culture here is extremely unhealthy. My fear is someone will be seriously injured or end up dead."

The driver has had a cash till stolen, been struck in the head and forced to deal with a daily dose of shouting, screaming, swearing and spitting passengers.

The driver said passengers of all ages were rorting the system via evading fares.

"They surf all around making up ridiculous excuses to why they have no money. A common one is 'I have no cash but know you guys don't do cards'.

"When they say that, I give them an ultimatum. I tell them there is a machine where they can swipe their card at the destination and they agree to it. Then nine times out of 10 they do a runner."

Recent Coast bus driver attacks

    April 2015: Teens attack school bus driver at Noosa
    Nov 2015: Driver bashed and robbed at Minyama
    Sep 2016: Serious assault on driver at Mooloolaba
    April 2018: Driver knocked out at Nambour

Sunbus Sunshine Coast general manager Lisa Parker said there was a zero-tolerance process towards any anti-social, inappropriate or criminal behaviour to drivers and passengers.

"All matters are immediately referred to and dealt with by the police," Ms Parker said.

"We take extremely seriously our responsibility to provide safe and reliable bus services.

"All Sunbus drivers undertake our nationally recognised driver training program which encompasses periodic training to de-escalate violent behaviour from the public.

"All of our buses are also equipped with multiple CCTV cameras and two-way radio communication between the drivers and our dedicated operations team to notify relevant authorities if an incident occurs.

"Private security guards also operate proactive roving patrols across the network at peak times on targeted services to enhance safety for drivers and the travelling public."

A Translink spokesperson said any attack on a bus driver was "abhorrent".

"The Government is serious about providing a safe work environment for bus drivers which is why we carried out a comprehensive Bus Safety Review last year," a Translink spokesperson said.

"TransLink takes the issues of fare evasion and bus driver safety seriously and regularly conducts joint operations with the Queensland Police Service targeting fare evasion and anti-social behaviour on the Sunshine Coast.

"TransLink communicates to all passengers the consequences of fare evading, which can result in receiving a warning notice or a penalty infringement notice of $252."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/982065180065480704

[techblitz]

on my most recent 605 trip there were two teenagers boarding at landsborough who told the bus driver they had money but it was going towards food.....not bus tickets.....driver was clearly frustrated but let them on....
As a paying customer....while i was tagging on beside them i gave them a nice big 'pfft' and shook my head at them just to let them know that they are hopeless.......basically send them a message from the ones who actually pay money to travel.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Female bus driver spat on, punched in vicious attack

A GANG of youths have violently attacked a Brisbane bus driver in a botched robbery in Brisbane.

Seven youths approached the female driver in her bus at the Nundah bus exchange on Sandgate Rd just after 8pm last night.

It will be alleged they spat on her and brazenly tried to steal a cash tin but were stopped.

When they couldn't grab the cash one of the group punched the driver in the face before fleeing.

A police spokesman said the woman's injuries weren't severe.

Investigations are continuing.

[#Metro]

GoCard was supposed to get rid of cash entirely.

[HappyTrainGuy]

People keep complaining that they will have to buy prepaid go cards. Boohoo I say. Have a locked  fixed fare box with prepaid cards (except on P routes) or have tap n go.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Man clipped by mirror of train at Brisbane station

A man has been taken to hospital after he was clipped by the mirror of an approaching train at a Brisbane station on Thursday morning.

Paramedics were called to Fortitude Valley station just after 7.10am to treat the man, aged in his 40s.

The train driver of the 6.09am Cleveland to Bowen Hills train reported the man walked into the side of the train as it slowed down and pulled into the station, a Queensland Rail spokeswoman said.

The man was over the yellow safety line on the platform when the accident occurred, the spokeswoman said.

The man suffered facial cuts after he was clipped by the mirror, an ambulance spokesman said.

He was taken to Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a stable condition.

Trains along the Airport, Doomben, Ferny Grove and Shorncliffe lines were delayed by about 15 minutes as a result of the incident, according to Translink.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/997028081628987393

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/997024833685798912

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1003563099624898561

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1003800227071995904

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/6/4/body-cameras-to-be-trialled-for-front-line-transport-staff

Media Statements

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Monday, June 04, 2018

Body cameras to be trialled for front line transport staff

A number of TransLink Senior Network Officers (SNOs) will be equipped with body worn cameras while patrolling the public transport network under a four-week trial, beginning today.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the cameras would improve safety for members of the public and Translink employees, particularly bus drivers.

"We want to make sure our staff and customers are as safe as possible," Mr Bailey said.

"These cameras have been successfully deployed by a range of frontline workers across the state including the Queensland Police Service.

"The ability to review footage will be used to improve safety on TransLink services as well as assist with the availability of video evidence.

"Everyone is accountable for their actions when catching public transport.

"SNOs will be activating video recording when they are exercising a power, such as requiring a customer to provide personal information or directing a person to leave a passenger transport vehicle or infrastructure.

"They can also turn on video recording when they suspect an offense may be occurring."

Specialised training will be provided for staff wearing cameras and accessing footage to ensure strict privacy standards and legislative requirements are adhered to.

Mr Bailey said that the Government would be releasing its final response to the Bus Driver Safety Review in the coming weeks.

"Safety for staff and passengers alike is an absolute priority, and we look forward to continuing to work with industry for a safer public transport network," Mr Bailey said.

TransLink Senior Network Officers

    There are 58 SNOs deployed across the South East Queensland TransLink network.
    As authorised officers, they enforce TransLink's conditions of travel for passengers.
    They can issue warnings, infringement notices and fines for public transport offences such as not carrying a valid ticket.
    They also provide assistance to customers on the network.

ENDS

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> 'Stowaway' falls from moving train near Charters Towers

A TEENAGER, believed to have snuck on board a freight train to get a free trip home, has been seriously injured after he fell from the moving locomotive.

The 18-year-old man was discovered in a rail corridor at Sellheim, northeast of Charters Towers just after 3pm on Monday.

He was airlifted to Townsville Hospital with severe leg injuries.

Police have confirmed the teen wasn't a crew member or a passenger on the freight train, and said he wasn't supposed to be on board the train, which was travelling from Townsville to Charters Towers.

It's understood the man is from Queenton, close to Charters Towers, leading to suspicions he may have jumped on the train for a free trip home.

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said investigations are ongoing but it was "most likely" that he fell from the train.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1006633892017631233