Safety and security issues, articles, discussion.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1112780581094322181

[techblitz]

Northside chronicle print 04.04.19

Council reporter



Danger bus routes

Council urged to reveal full list of high risk services




ELLEN-MAREE ELLIOT


BRISBANE'S most dangerous bus routes have been revealed by the bus drivers' union in a bid to convince council to reveal its full list of high risk services.

Rail Bus and Tram Union Queensland secretary Tom Brown has named and shamed Brisbane's most dangerous bus routes and interchanges, as reported by member drivers.

He said one stood out as the worst: the Spring Hill Loop. He said there was regularly "rowdy and upsetting" behaviour on the free service and it was the only bus with its own dedicated security guard.

The Bracken Ridge 330 bus has had its own security car following the bus from Chermside to Bracken Ridge on Thursday, Friday and Saturday for "several years".

Mr Brown said the recent opening of the Bracken Ridge skate park had led to an "upsurge of fare evasion and unruly behaviour" on the bus.

He also named the Inala 100 and 110 routes, which have previously been named as the genesis of a chroming problem on Brisbane buses. He said the most dangerous interchange was Carindale.

Mr Brown said members had repeatedly requested the council reveal an official list of high-risk routes to no avail. It was a call echoed by opposition Public and Active Transport spokesman Jared Cassidy.

"We've been asking for years and every time they say there's no such thing as a high risk route — well there are high risk routes," he said.

He said buses on high risk routes should have full encapsulation to protect drivers — not the part-barriers the council decided to roll out.

"The argument's always been that it's too expensive to retrofit our 1200 buses with full barriers but that should never have been part of the question," he said.

"It's all about targeting those high risk routes."

A Brisbane City Council spokeswoman denied a 'formal determination" of high risk routes but said there were "high risk areas".

This is despite a council public transport presentation earlier this year that included a slide that listed the different security requirements for buses on low, medium and high risk routes.

She said guards were present at the Chermside, Inala, Browns Plains, and Indooroopilly interchanges, and routes 330, 110 and 110 had response vehicles allocated to them at certain times.

last sentence I'm assuming they meant 330,100 and 110....

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Teen thugs travelling by train to commit break-and-enters, steal cars and bash victims

TEEN thugs harassing commuters on Gold Coast trains are also engaging in an activity that – chillingly – they call "creeping''.

Teenagers use the term to describe actions and crimes that involve travelling, possibly for hours, to get here by jumping on trains and trams without paying, ignoring warnings by officials, and then hopping off to commit break-and-enters, steal cars, and bash and rob victims.

Police sources have told the Bulletin that on the last weekend of March, four of the five robberies on the Gold Coast between the Thursday and Sunday were allegedly committed by juveniles.

The revelations have come as the Bulletin revealed yesterday a 17-year-old girl was beaten so badly near Helensvale train station last week that doctors thought she had a broken neck.

Mayor Tom Tate yesterday confirmed the city council had been in talks with Queensland Police about the problem.

"It's always encouraging to talk to the QPS. We hold our monthly Safer Suburb Forum and that (violence at stations) is one of the items on the agenda,'' Cr Tate said.

"All the stakeholders talk about it in different areas and we come up with a strategic solution to that, whether it's Neighbourhood Watch and the like.

"We support the police. The message out to youth is, remember we have up to 500 CCTV cameras and a lot of them are at train stations and light rail stations.

"You know, with CCTV cameras there, the recording will be there and we'll be using that to help the police to further go for prosecutions."

Queensland Rail CEO Nick Easy said QR was working with police to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.

"This includes the 78-officer police railway squad who are dedicated to the rail network and operate from seven strategically located outposts including at Beenleigh and Robina stations on the Gold Coast line," Mr Easy said.

"A range of other security personnel also regularly patrol the network including Queensland Rail authorised officers, security guards and mobile security patrols with dogs.

"Queensland Rail also has a 24-hour security monitoring facility at our rail management centre and access to our system of 12,000 CCTV cameras."

He said Queensland Rail was working with police to boost a security presence at Helensvale station following a number of incidents.

"While we do maintain a security presence on the Gold Coast line, we have recently worked with police to increase the security presence at Helensvale station following reports of youth anti-social behaviour in the surrounding precinct,'' he said.

"During March alone, railway squad police conducted 10 operations at Helensvale station and two operations at Coomera station, with the support of Queensland Rail. Local QPS officers also conducted enforcement activities at Helensvale and the surrounding precinct.

"This year to date, Queensland Rail's authorised officer unit has conducted 18 targeted deployments to Helensvale station and mobile security patrols have also visited the station every day as part of their patrol runs since March.

"Queensland Rail and QPS will continue to conduct high-visibility patrols at Helensvale and other locations on the network, according to intelligence received and shared between the two agencies."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1116625392918351872

[techblitz]

you really do have to wonder the impression a lot of these rug rats are leaving on the tourists that have to put up with the sh%t at these stations & on the trains as they move between the coast and Brisbane.

I can think of one impression.....they probably just shake their heads...because they come from countries where kids don't have more rights than the parents....countries that aren't as politically correct as Australia.
Australia is now the poster-child of what can happen if you let your kids get out of hand.
*Golf clap* 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1117341822563405824

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Fresh calls to introduce cages to boost bus driver safety

A Gold Coast lawyer is calling for bus drivers to have safety cages fitted in their cabs to protect them from violent passengers, echoing calls for better safety measures.

Bruce Simmonds, a compensation law expert, represented bus drivers suffering from assaults and work-related stress from passenger abuse in the past. He said protective cages with an external escape door for Gold Coast bus drivers were long overdue.

"Bus drivers on the Gold Coast face a daily threat to their safety from abusive passengers and safety cages seem the best option to protect them," Mr Simmonds said.

"It's a very sad indictment on our society that we even need to be discussing them here but the fact is, our bus and taxi drivers are vulnerable and an attack could come at any time."

The Parker Simmonds Solicitors and Lawyers litigation director said taxi drivers experienced similar issues, including passenger abuse.

Mr Simmonds said he had acted for WorkCover claims from drivers subjected to drunken assaults and king hits, as well as verbal abuse and spitting.

"Protective driver compartments in buses and taxis are a good start, and tougher penalties for those who bash and abuse drivers would also be welcomed by the community," he said.

Transport Workers Union Queensland branch secretary Peter Biagni said the government had made funds available to pay for a portion of safety barriers on buses after calls for further safety measures.

"There is a solution in barriers for bus drivers ... the operators of the buses need to apply for the funding in order to be able to fit these barriers for their drivers," he said.

Mr Biagni said a 2015 industry survey of Queensland bus drivers found that almost every single driver had experienced some form of abuse while on the job.

Almost 60 per cent believed procedures in place were not adequate to ensure safety in dealing with repeat offenders.

Mr Biagni said taxi drivers were also facing the same issues relating to passenger abuse, with alcohol-fuelled violence being a major factor.

But data showed bus drivers were most in need of protection, with about 60 per cent regularly experiencing abuse such as intimidation, having objects thrown at them, being spat on and experiencing verbal and racial abuse.

Mr Biagni said the Bus Safety Forum, involving government, business and unions, aimed to find solutions while they discussed ongoing issues drivers faced.

"There are currently a number of education programs and extra senior network officers being deployed, and we continue to lobby for cashless systems and improved security and duress alarms for drivers," he said.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Bus drivers face abuse, two years after driver death

DRIVERS are being spat upon, yelled at and punched at alarming rates on Brisbane's bus network, prompting calls for a dedicated police force for troubled routes.

Shocking new statistics obtained by The Courier-Mail show horrifying abuse against train and bus drivers and guards are a regular occurrence.

Frustrated with continuing violence two years after the death of bus driver Manmeet Alisher, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union has called for more action to be taken to keep workers safe on the job.

On buses operated by Brisbane City Council, the RTBU recorded 27 instances of a driver being spat at or on in 2018, a sharp increase from the 13 recorded in 2017.

Theft had also increased from 10 to 16, and drivers were subjected to 91 "extreme" instances of verbal abuse, which included being screamed at and having someone physically punch a bus.

This is compared to just eight reported incidents involved with Queensland Rail staff in 2018, which both the RTBU and QR attribute to the Railway Squad.

Head of the RTBU Bus division Tom Brown described policing of bus routes as "threadbare".

Mr Brown said the implementation of protective screens on driver cubicles, as well as a dedicated police force similar to that on the Queensland Rail network, would alleviate the situation.

"They have the rail squad in play, which is basically a police force," he said.

"We would love that, even if it was just headed by the police."

Mr Brown said certain interchanges at Inala, Bracken Ridge, Browns Plains and Carindale were notorious locations, and that the worst days for bus driver abuse was Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Youths evading fares were a particular catalyst for violence, Mr Brown said.

"There is a definite link between fare evasion and abuse and further violence which escalates."

He said the RTBU had become frustrated at the sluggishness of the Brisbane City Council in adopting the recommendation from reports commissioned in the aftermath of Mr Alisher's death.

"They took immediate steps to protect passengers, but as far as drivers are concerned, no," he said. "They have been very slow to act. Only under pressure have they done aythuing to increase security."

The calls for action follow reports earlier this year that juvenile criminals in particular had been refusing to pay train, tram and bus fares under the State Government's No Child Left Behind Policy.

At the time, one MP said fare evasion was promoting a culture of disrespect and providing children with a gateway to more serious acts of lawlessness.

Brisbane City Council mayor Adrian Schrinner said the council had committed to doing more to help protect drivers.

"One assault on a bus driver is one too many and Council has applied to the State Government for joint funding to roll out partial driver barriers to help improve safety on Brisbane's 1200 buses," Cr Schrinner said.

A council spokeswoman further added that new CCTV, duress alarms and anti-shatter windows were being installed on buses to improve safety.

Mr Alisher's death devastated Brisbane's closely knit Punjab community. One of his closest friends Ritesh Mehra said abuse against transport workers was common.

"The government should do like that they did with ambulances with the 'One Punch Can Kill' signs," Mr Mehra said.

BCC BUS DRIVER ASSAULTS (Source: Rail, Tram and Bus Union)

BEING PHYSICALLY STRUCK OR PUSHED

2017: 16

2018: 12

BEING SPAT AT OR UPON

2017: 13

2018: 27

VERBAL ABUSE OF EXTREME DEGREE

2017: 83

2018: 91

THEFT

2017: 10

2018: 16

HOT SPOTS FOR BUS DRIVER ATTACKS:

Inala interchange

Browns Plains interchange

Bracken Ridge interchange

Carindale interchange

ASSAULTS AGAINST QLD RAIL STAFF TOTAL

2017: 9

2018: 8

[techblitz]

https://mobile.twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1132596146973696000?p=p


There has been a lot of tension between fare evaders,security guards/bus drivers with a continued bus security presence since the police officer stabbing....multiple security guards sometimes....taking notes on amount of attempted fare evasion....observations etc..

Todays experience....
Jumped off a 101 and passed an about to leave city bound 100 where the driver was in an argument with a mother over fares....security guard stepped in to quell the situation....I then went inside to do some shopping.....witnessed a clearly outnumbered grade 8/9 student being bashed in the freezer isle.....then when I get back to the bus stop another city bound 100buz pulls up....this time a couple of teenagers are attempting to fare evade...the bus driver says no...tells them to get off the bus and gets racially abused in the process(he's white btw)...security guard notices and boards the bus to block entry so the teens have no choice but to get off.....teens then start physically threatening both the security guard and bus driver......the teens stood there waiting for the security guard to get off so they could bash him(which they said they were going to) but the security guard stayed on the bus.....bus finally left but not before teens spitting on the bus front window and then making rude gestures to the driver as he left..

This increased security presence has been going on for a few weeks and I still have not seen one translink SNO.....they need to quit roaming busways and get their asses down to inala to give the drivers and security guards a hand....

[SurfRail]

In an environment where 80% of all driver assaults are related to arguments over fares, why on earth are any drivers dumb enough to start sh%t with passengers?  It's not your job.  Hit the count / fare evade button and drive the bloody bus, it's not rocket science.  You are there to drive, not be a moral policeman.

[techblitz]

whats currently going on down at inala is not your average situation.....the purpose of the post was to highlight whats going on and why.....but you seem to have got your hairs all frizzled up over the bus drivers.
Righto...

I think we have seen surfrail that the fare evasion button does jack sh%t....hows your gold coast going with all those fare evasion buttons being pressed??.

In 7 years of travelling between broadbeach and the tweed for work purposes....using routes like the 760,700,768,765,750,757,745,777....ive seen sno`s board ONCE on a 700....in 7 friggin years....so stick your little "please mr bus driver just keep your mouth shut...press the fare evade button and drive " mentality where the sun don't shine.
Drivers are pushing it and getting bugger all support......some of the newer drivers have probably pressed the thing over a hundred times and yet to see an SNO...

Different plans are needed if translink don't want to cough up the dough....in inalas case....private security called in.....now if it means there is going to be a little dirty to get people to start paying fares then so be it....the goal here is to enforce fare payment where it is rife and give the bus drivers back some control........and when security guards have been put there to intervene when fare evaders attempt to board without paying.......then naturally the drivers are going to get back some control and start questioning fare evaders with the added security presence and if necessary ask them to deboard.
And if it escalates even further....police are called in.....simple and hopefully down the track.....effective...

[SurfRail]

Your continuing presence on this forum is a privilege, not a right.  Keep that in mind before starting tirades against other users.  You need to calm right down.

I reiterate.  Why is it a driver's problem if a passenger does not want to pay?  It is not, and should not, be the driver's job to police fares.  It's their job to drive the bus, not start arguments over small change.  Why should they care in the slightest?  They get paid the same no matter what.  The contractor gets paid the same no matter what.  It's TransLink's problem, not anybody else's. 

So SNO's don't show up.  So what?  Again, not the driver's problem if the fare policy is not being enforced.

Any driver who argues with passengers is 100% doing the wrong thing from the point of view of safety, pure practicality and their own terms of employment.

[ozbob]

It is frustrating to note the wanton fare evasion.  There were early warnings that the situation was getting out of control, but in typical fashion the authorities let it get worse and worse.

Yes, the SNOs need to get out more on the routes that seem to be particularly prone to fare evasion and other issues.  It is difficult for the drivers and most just let it go now. 

[techblitz]

@surfrail

The driver is the frontline staff member....they do have certain rights..they have every right to question who comes onto their bus....especially when they are fed every BS excuse under the sun from a serial fare evader..

Its like the bus driver who cant get school kids to shut up......if he cant yell at them or kick them off....he sure as hell has the right to stop the bus from going further and wait until the kids quieten down......happened last week on a 110.....very effective...the kids gave in pretty quick....
His bus his rules...get it??

You seem to be working on the premise that bus drivers should just shut up & cop the consistent fare evasion so as to not infuriate any situation or make their employers liable....this results in the bus driver constantly asking themselves is speaking up really worth it??.

Think outside the box for one second.......theres two ways this can go......the first one ive just outlined...bus drivers can do as you say and keep their mouths shut & give in to the fare evaders and rely on translink.
OR

TFB/BCC says bugger translink and their drip fed investment into bus fare enforcement at problem shopping centres like inala......lets get some security in and try to turn the pendulum.
Start making fare evaders feel guilty when they don't want to pay a fare or even worse threaten drivers and security, making an absolute ass of themselves in front of everybody....a couple of these 'incidents' and the fare evader starts to question themselves....is fare evading really worth it??

[techblitz]

It is frustrating to note the wanton fare evasion.  There were early warnings that the situation was getting out of control, but in typical fashion the authorities let it get worse and worse.

Yes, the SNOs need to get out more on the routes that seem to be particularly prone to fare evasion and other issues.  It is difficult for the drivers and most just let it go now.

its almost june and i still haven't seen an SNO at inala plaza this year yet.

yep the vast majority of drivers do 'battle on' as they say......the bus that I jumped on yesterday back home after that 100 left.....2 more teens fare evaded...the driver although rambling to himself in frustration pressed the illustrious fare evasion button without questioning them..

Whats happening at inala is perhaps a sign of frustration from TFB/BCC......I originally thought they were just there to keep the peace at the bus station....but nope.....some security guards are there with pen and paper taking notes and interjecting at even the slightest hint of fare evasion...it has literally come to that.

[SurfRail]

I think the key point of difference here is that I (along with most of the bus drivers I know) view drivers as drivers, not revenue protection.  I have no desire to see any driver put themselves at risk over $2.  Bugger that.  I don't want to see drivers "challenge" passengers because they are not tinpot dictators.  They are paid to drive a vehicle safely and not police the behaviour or moral turpitude of their passengers if it doesn't affect their driving.  Period.

In all honesty, the number of drivers I have ever encountered who believe otherwise is totally minuscule.  I have even pointed out to one driver that her "taking a stand" by holding up a bus for 10 minutes for no good reason to argue with a 13 year old made me miss a connection and that she would reconsider that in future.

[techblitz]

the key point of difference here is.....
I never stated that every bus driver out there go all vigilante and challenge every fare evader.
If your content with bus drivers having no right to challenge and should just watch the same serial pest rack up $2,$4,$6....$100 in theft without batting an eyelid then so be it.

I however think its their god given right to challenge if they want to....commensurate to the situation eg: someone else onboard needing to make an important connection......driver safety always comes first....

That being said...each route/corridor/shopping centre is different..in the case of inala....as per original post......im more than happy to see some bus drivers corridors get a little back-up so they can start questioning the serial pests to pay their fares for a change......nothing is easy there will be some kickback.....but I think personally think this plan of action will have far better outcomes than a translink SNO turning up to inala at their 'miniscule' rate...

[SurfRail]

Most drivers don't seem to agree with you.  They know they are not the police.

And yes, I don't care about whether a driver lets fare evaders onboard.  It's not their issue, and it's not mine.

[Bretto1082]

 If a security gaurd asks to see a ticket straight up they have no authority so it's a go jump from me and have done so many times  it is not what they are employed to do stick to there pay grade same as bus drivers pretty sure they don't have a authorised person badge to ask for tickets as well

[techblitz]

and have done so many times

wtf?? Id be interested to know where the heck privately employed TFB security have been observed asking for tickets......i think your telling fibs...unless your referring to trains...with which I have NEVER seen the private security guards ask for tickets..

The inala situation is the first of its kind where privately hired security guards are working in combination with bus drivers to intervene should said fare evader attempt to board without paying......but they are there first and foremost as peacemakers...
Bus control is also increasingly active in reporting fare evaders who just caused a scene...to warn other drivers....coming into inala...

You know what this is? Its called pulling ones finger out and getting sh%t done since toothless translink stick the majority of their sno staff on trains and the busway...

[James]

In defence of the drivers who try and enforce the rules here - there are some fare evaders, who when they board, then proceed to create an incredibly unpleasant environment for passengers on board. You can pick them. They are probably thinking that it is better they deal with the issue before the people concerned start causing issues with other passengers as well.

I am curious as to who is hiring the private security - that it's going to that level is pretty worrying. It sounds like there is a serious issue out at Inala which warrants police action - I've never had anything of the like around my part of the world, bar the odd issue on the trains or rail buses.

The crux of the issue is that more SNOs are required on the network. Unfortunately nothing ever happens too quickly in Queensland...

[techblitz]

I am curious as to who is hiring the private security

BCC with pressure from RBTU/TFB. Ive confirmed with multiple guards.....
You only have to read the article that ozbob posted recently a few posts back in this thread for the reasoning..

They are manning forest lake & inala plaza most hours of the day into late evening.
A single guard will frequently(but not every service) board at either of those shopping centres and stay onboard into the city and back out....another pair will man the shopping centre bus stops.
If at any time a bus driver does not want a commuter onboard whether it be trouble maker or fare evader.....the security guard has absolute authority to tell them to get off the bus or block entry.
If it escalates police are called in.....
Really its no different to trains......weve seen previously that a train will stop until police arrive or the person deboards at request of security/train driver.

It sounds like there is a serious issue out at Inala which warrants police action - I've never had anything of the like around my part of the world, bar the odd issue on the trains or rail buses.

It can get pretty volatile sometimes.....one can get abused for so much as looking the wrong way.
Ive spoken to some long term drivers of the 101`s etc.....some of the stories they have to tell are mindboggling.....propositioned in return for a free ride, a person demanding the driver give them a free ride because its raining...and then there are the threats for various reasons. There is a female bus driver who is quitting because she no longer feels safe at inala plaza...

[techblitz]

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/nundah-train-station-guard-threatened-cops-close-station/news-story/674cbebfa43e9448b164ac0f9c2d8f2f

Teen charged with serious assault after fare evasion

A train station guard has been threatened by a member of the public, causing delays of up to 30 minutes as emergency services step in to resolve the incident.

prob a bit more there ozbob but its a protected link...


Some more observations on the upgraded security down south.....yesterday a 100 inbound pulled into inala......2 youths were kicked off by security for having no ticket.....in this instance...the bus driver let them on and waited til inala where multiple security guards got to do their thing.
Gratsi to TFB/BCC on this..

[techblitz]

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/teen-girls-filmed-spitting-and-swearing-at-bus-passengers/ar-AACIo9r?ocid=spartanntp

A group of teenage girls have been filmed unleashing a foul-mouthed tirade on a Gold Coast bus, spitting and swearing at passengers.

Burleigh couple Karen and Geoff Brieger told 9news they boarded a bus at Palm Beach on Sunday and were subject to verbal abuse by several girls.

Video shows the girls calling passengers "rapists" and "b----" and attempting to spit on them.

Ms Brieger described the behaviour as "disgusting" and "disrespectful".

"The way they treat adults... how are they acting at school?"

The driver was forced to call security to have the teenagers removed from the bus.

9News understands they had boarded the bus without paying, a practise drivers say is becoming rampant.

"Fare evasion is becoming acceptable on our public transport network and so is violence," Troy Fernandez from the Transport Workers Union said.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Bruce Highway closed at Brandon after car and cane train collide

A CANE train and car have collided, closing the Bruce Highway in both directions.

A CANE train and car have collided, closing the Bruce Highway in both directions.

Emergency services are on scene in Brandon, west of Ayr, with early reports suggesting the car was pushed along the train tracks in the smash.

Crews were called to the scene of the crash about 11am, Saturday.

A Queensland Ambulance Services spokeswoman said a woman was trapped inside the car with crews working to free her.

It is understood a helicopter has been called in to assist with transporting any injured persons.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1147293408773283840

Couriermail Quest --> Police outpost boosts security for north Brisbane rail commuters

A $2 MILLION police outpost has officially opened at Northgate station, providing extra security for rail commuters.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said eight officers would be permanently based at the north Brisbane hub.

"There were more than 53 million train trips in 2017/18 and, with 430 additional services coming online at the end of July, the Palaszczuk Government is committed to making sure commuters are as safe as possible," Mr Bailey said.

"Strategically located at the junction of the Caboolture, Redcliffe Peninsula and Shorncliffe train lines, it will allow the unit to more efficiently deploy officers to incidents at stations and on-board services in Brisbane's north."

Police Minister Mark Ryan said the 78-strong Railway Squad worked closely with Queensland Rail, security guards and TransLink to ensure safety on the rail network.

"In addition to daily patrols, the Railway Squad and Queensland Rail conducted more than 900 proactive joint operations last year, targeting crime and anti-social behaviour on the network," Mr Ryan said.

"Thanks to this ongoing and strong collaboration, serious crime on the South East Queensland rail network remains low, with approximately two police-reported customer assaults per million passenger journeys."

The Railway Squad operates from purpose-built outposts at Ipswich, Redbank, Robina, Beenleigh, Manly, Roma Street, Petrie and now Northgate.

Mr Bailey also announced Queensland Rail's authorised officers would now be issued with body-worn cameras following a successful trial.

"Last year, Queensland was the only state to receive five stars for safety by Canstar," Mr Ryan said.

"Already used by police and TransLink staff, these cameras will add an important set of eyes to QR's 12,000 CCTV cameras, making sure staff and commuters are safe."

Member for Nudgee Leanne Linard said the purpose-built police outpost was another win for local commuters, after last week's announcement of new weekly Northgate shuttle trains.

"From July 29, commuters will have even more options, with 95 extra weekly shuttles to take commuters to their destination," Ms Linard said.

"Our local police play an important role in our community, and I'm glad to be able to welcome the eight railway squad officers who will be based at Northgate."

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times 13th July 2019 page 10

Rail drug problems lingering

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Children among injured when car hit train at Cairns level crossing

UPDATE 11am: Queensland Rail will investigate how a car and train crashed at a level crossing on Greenslopes St in Cairns North this morning.

Two children and two adults travelling in a late model Toyota Camry were rushed to hospital when attempting to cross the tracks of the Kuranda Scenic Railway.

Cairns Police Acting Sen-Sergeant Brendon Skerke described what happened from the crash scene.

"Early this morning shortly before 9am a train heading north bound and a vehicle heading west collided resulting in some minor injuries," he said.

"There was only one car involved (and) all investigations to date suggest the traffic lights control was in working order.

"However a full investigation will be conducted in regard to fault or cause.

"We are working in conjunction with Queensland Rail at the moment and we have people down here conducting an investigation from their perspective and our traffic crash unit will be investigating as well."

The train loaded with tourists got back underway after the crash at 10am as the clean-up of the debris began.

EARLIER: Emergency crews are at the scene of a collision between a train and a car in Cairns North.

At 8.45am paramedics were called to Greenslopes St after responding to reports of a level crossing accident.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said there were six ambulances on scene including a critical care unit and paramedics were treating four patients.

Two men and two women believed to be travelling in a car are being treated at the scene.

Passengers and the crew on the train have not received any injures.

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Meeting to highlight driver concerns on Inala buses

Drivers and passengers are not safe on Inala buses according to the Rail Tram and Bus Union, which is calling for better safety measures

A PUBLIC forum is planned for tomorrow (July 19) to advocate for better safety for drivers and passengers on Inala bus routes.

Rail Tram and Bus Union representative Tom Brown said "not enough" was heard from bus drivers on their feelings about bus safety, particularly on the Forest Lake/Inala 100 Brisbane City Council buses.

The route was plagued by problems involving "extreme bad behaviour", fare evasion and theft, Mr Brown said.

"The inappropriate behaviour includes verbal and physical abuse, chroming and anti-social behaviour and it escalates during school holidays and when there are no security officers on the buses."

Mr Brown said a recent incident involving eight teenage passengers on an Inala bus had been "a game changer" in the mindset of Brisbane city bus drivers.

Few of the drivers felt safe on the route, he said.

"If the drivers are not safe, the passengers are not safe," Mr Brown said

The forum is being organised by Mr Brown and Brisbane City councillor (Forest Lake) Charles Strunk to encourage residents and community leaders to discuss the issue and propose solutions.

Cr Strunk said ongoing problems with bad behaviour settled down quickly when there were more security officers travelling on the Inala buses.

The Brisbane City Council and Translink, a division of the Transport Department, have been invited to attend the meeting.

A Translink spokesman said they had a five-point bus driver safety plan that included installing protective driver barriers and anti-shatter window film, the cost of which was shared between bus operators and the Government.

"We are currently hiring up to 20 more Senior Network Officers for southeast Queensland routes," the spokesman said.

The Brisbane City Council said it was installing new driver protection barriers every week, among other measures.

A council spokesman said the council contacted Translink in January to request their support by providing additional security officers on routes 100 and 110, however, no response was received.

[techblitz]

A council spokesman said the council contacted Translink in January to request their support by providing additional security officers on routes 100 and 110, however, no response was received.

https://www.facebook.com/QueenslandRail/posts/2666832193335124

A PSA for anyone who experiences stalking/threatening behaviour on a QLD Rail train. On Sunday afternoon, I was followed onto a train and subsequently followed throughout the cabin by a male passenger. He moved around to sit in front of me, next to me, behind me, across from me; all while staring right at me and licking his lips. What could (by some stretch of the imagination) be shrugged off as your run-of-the-mill creepy behaviour, felt incredibly scary, as I knew I would be getting off at a quiet station, braving a walk through an underpass, and continuing on through the back streets towards my empty house. As the train gradually emptied, I started to get more and more frightened - as people around me seemed to not notice what was going on. So I steeled my nerve and went and pressed the emergency button, telling the guard (in front of this person who was following me) that I was scared that I would be followed off the train. The guard said, "Okay, we will send someone across." But no one came?! So I started to cry, because I didn't know what else to do, and because I was really frightened. Three young ladies came to my assistance, and they got off the train with me! So thank you, you girls were amazing and the real heroes of this story. This man did get up and followed us to the doors, and watched us as the train left the station. I reached out to QLD Rail and spoke to a Customer Incident Coordinator today, and thought I would pass on her sage advice: - Don't panic if you are told that a guard is on his way, but never arrives. He is probably watching you on CCTV, and can see you're not being touched or anything. Hooray! But QLD Rail, what would have happened if I was followed off the train - as I feared from the outset? - Make your way to the centre of the train - that's where the guard usually (?) is. You can bang on the door if you are in dire need of assistance. - Fake a phone call! Loudly proclaim "Yes - I'll be seeing you when I get off this train!" This should deter the person who is following you from taking any risks. Queensland Rail: I do hope you take *my* advice, and have some real protocols in place if another passenger feels threatened on one of your services. If you promise assistance to someone who is scared - please, please fulfil that promise. The three stops that I travelled after calling for help and saying aloud, through the emergency intercom - in front of this person - that I was scared he would follow me home, and waiting for help that never came, was agony. Please ensure this never happens again! Also - reconsider the advice you dole out - yes, those points seem sensible, but when threatened or scared, some people can freeze. As evidenced by me If someone calls for help, please answer and assist actively and in a timely fashion. Thank you!

Hi Sara, thank you for taking the time today to speak with our Customer Incident Coordinator regarding your recent experience onboard one of our trains. Please know the safety of our customers and staff is our number one priority and we are taking your report very seriously.

We have a range of security measures and personnel in place to ensure our customers can not only be safe on our trains, but also feel safe. You did the right thing in this instance by activating the onboard emergency intercom, which is in place for our customers' safety and assistance. This intercom puts you in contact with the train guard, who can monitor the situation on CCTV and arrange for security support where necessary.

Please be assured we are speaking with the train guard who was on shift at this time to better understand what occurred and any improvements that can be made on our end.

We sincerely apologise for any distress caused. Please do not hesitate to let us know if we can offer you with any further support, or an additional phone call from our security team.

I would have thought a better response from the guard would be 'move towards the middle of the train NOW...i will meet you there'..
Highly likely that the creepy guy would then back off once he sees the guard.
The guard then explains to her if someone is genuinely coming to assist and if not explains to her that she should stay on the train until someone comes..
If she must get off at said station....the guard monitors her and if the creepy guy gets off at her station as well then she is quickly ushered back onto the train....police called and sent to said train station..

[SurfRail]

Amused that people think the guard is actually there to protect passengers from threats.  This isn't Auckland or Wellington where they actually move around the train and do safeworking from the doors.  They actually get good value from having 2 crew on the train, unlike us.

[techblitz]

This isn't Auckland or Wellington where they actually move around the train and do safeworking from the doors.  They actually get good value from having 2 crew on the train, unlike us.

No doubt lots of places doing it better than us.....

[HappyTrainGuy]

Also depending on the train the guard can relay this to operations at Mayne who can livestream the feed directly from the train. The railway squad can then directly communicate with QPS in the area about the situation. Depending on the nature of the problem QPS/Railway Squad/SNOs could be waiting a few stops away or the train would be held at the station for QPS intervention. It's also possible that they may have been waiting for a guardian train cross for security to transfer onto that service before further intervention down the line by the railway squad  (I don't know the incident but there are many things that are possible which I'm just listing). And guards aren't to have any intervention. This came about after a number of them were assaulted in the mid 90's. Kids up to no good used to do the old run past and pull the neck tie. Some staff had the elastic issued ones so it would come flying back and hit them in the face. If it was your standard tied you could end up with a sore neck. Workplace health and safety got more involved which is where we are today.

The most effective is still the safety in numbers - but you still rely on the public. When the electrics came out 6 car trains at night ran only 2 operational carriages out of the 6 (2nd and 3rd carriages - 3 car trains were the same aswell). That later became the first 3 carriages on all night trains. Still, trains now at night/nightlink services have the first 3 carriages open for boarding out of the 6. Now you have NGR's which you can walk along the entire train length but atleast the carriages can be locked off.

There are procedures in place but there still needs to be more funding and investment put towards the Railway Squad (who effectively do multiple roles) but more importantly SNO's to cover the entire transport network in SEQ.

[techblitz]

There are procedures in place but there still needs to be more funding and investment put towards the Railway Squad (who effectively do multiple roles) but more importantly SNO's to cover the entire transport network in SEQ.

Heres hoping..... but I can only ever see extra staff(railway squad) being drip fed into the network due to all the money being gobbled up by station staff and train guards..

[HappyTrainGuy]

The amount of station staff or guards has nothing to do with that. The railway squad is a division of the QPS outside of Translink and Queensland Rail. They handle joint operations with QPS - usually local area commands in conjunction with SNO's (sno's do the main work of issuing fines - QPS have their own objectives ie arresting/intel gathering/background checks/police presence/other jobs), providing intel to and from other areas within the QPS, providing a police presence (inner city stations at night, events or along trouble hot spots for example), along with handling all the crime that happens eg robbery, assaults etc as they too have real time/on demand playback of every single CCTV camera at railway stations in SEQ.

SNO's are what there should be more of. Its effectively what their job was designed for. Should someone need to be arrested SNO's are well within their rights to detain people and wait until police arrive. And their pay can easily come fare evasion. Make transport safer. Encourage more to use it. More patronage. More services. And the cycle continues.

[techblitz]

SNO's are what there should be more of.

But doesn't that mean requesting more money from translink?? Looks like they can only drip feed due to being cash strapped..
20 looks like the latest intake which is once again inadequate for such a large region to cover....

And with no interest shown in major Brisbane bus reform.....translink wont be finding any savings on that front anytime soon.....so unless the government does as you suggest and direct's most of the fare evasion penalty revenue from SPER back to translink......then the only other way would be to put Queensland rails productivity under the spotlight....try and squeeze some funds from there somehow....perhaps look at how much they actually need to spend on customer service.....from what I'm seeing around the network....they seem to be overstaffed vs other modes...

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Would-be train driver rejected due to colour blindness claims discrimination

A man rejected from joining Queensland Rail's train driver school because he failed two colour-blindness tests has had his discrimination case thrown out.

Luke Brough took his employer, QR, to the Industrial Relations Commission and tried to argue the vision requirements of his current position, train guard, were the same as a train driver.

Mr Brough started work at QR in January 1998 as an apprentice carpenter before progressing to a guard and driver's assistant in 2003, which involved him completing a practical colour vision test.

When he applied to learn how to become a driver in February 2015 he had to complete two separate vision tests, as per the 2012 National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers.

His application was rejected after he failed the LED lantern and Ishihara coloured plate tests.

During the hearing, Mr Brough called QR train operations inspector Troy Prebble as a witness and Mr Prebble claimed the colour vision requirements of a driver were the same as a guard.

In response, QR submitted that a driver must identify signals up to 800 metres away at speeds of up to 140km/h for electric trains and 80km/h on diesel trains.

A guard was only required to detect coloured signals and signs at distances up to 200 metres.

The guard can also act as a driver's assistant and confirm signals for the driver, but the driver is responsible for the train's safety and can reject or overrule the guard or assistant's confirmation.

The commission dismissed Mr Brough's complaint because the evidence and relevant legislation did not allow him to become a driver as he simply did not meet the mandatory requirements.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Activist fined $61k after trying to stop train from travelling to port

An environmental activist has been fined tens of thousands of dollars after a protest involving a 500kg drum of concrete that shut down a rail line for hours.

A BRISBANE protester has been fined a whopping $61,000 for stopping a coal train with her arm cemented in a 500kg barrel blocking the tracks.

On April 19, Alice Wicks, 26, blocked coal trains heading to the Port of Brisbane for five hours.

The Woolloongabba local was ordered to pay $61,000 to Queensland Rail after appearing in the Wynnum Magistrates Court on July 22.

Wicks pleaded guilty to the charges of trespass on a railway, obstructing a railway and obstructing police, and had a good behaviour bond placed on her.

Photos of the demonstration show Wicks squatting on the railway with an oil drum and a sign reading "STAND in the way of EXTINCTION".

A police spokeswoman confirmed the incident happened about 2.20am, April 19 at the crossing of Sandy Camp Rd, Wynnum West.

The spokeswoman said the 44-gallon drum weighed approximately 500kg and had been filled with cement.

The railway was shut for more than five hours and Wicks was taken to hospital following the incident, suffering from hypothermia.

It's the latest in a series of climate protests staged by Extinction Rebellion, who are promising mass disruption of the Brisbane CBD on August 6.

Scores of Extinction protesters have been charged with dozens of offences, including gluing themselves to pedestrian crossings, blocking a bridge with a canoe, and holding up traffic in the Brisbane CBD.

Among their demands is that the Australia completely switch away from fossil fuels by the year 2025.

[verbatim9]

Crimewave along the Gold Coast Line 9News--->

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1155764610911260672

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Brisbane bus drivers slam safety at Chermside Interchange

Drivers who skip bathroom breaks, dodge physical and verbal abuse and deal with serial fare evaders are campaigning for safety upgrades at a major bus interchange.

DRIVERS say they are afraid to leave buses for bathroom breaks, dodging assaults and constantly in fear for their safety one of Brisbane's biggest bus interchanges.

The Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) called for submissions from members about safety issues at Chermside and received more than 40 responses in two days.

It followed earlier threats of a boycott after an altercation at the interchange.

The union has released some of the submissions after the council agreed to conduct a risk assessment based on driver feedback and engage with police on options for the interchange.

A female driver, who described herself as having a small build, wrote that she felt "intimidated" at a number of interchanges and "Chermside would have to top my list".

"I have felt unsafe there and have refused to even get out of my bus to use the facilities before. I sat in discomfort needing to use a bathroom rather than risk my safety," she said.

Recently she had no choice and had to leave, and on the walk was abused by a group of people, who she believed were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

"I don't want to be the next victim. There is no way I could defend myself and why should I be unsafe at work? This wasn't in the job description," she wrote.

Another driver, a male, stated that Chermside was a "volatile and unpredictable environment" and "not a safe workplace".

"Every time I service Chermside now I scan to see what trouble awaits me," he said.

He recounted a recent incident, which he reported to the council, where he told a group of young people to get off the bus because of continued fare evasion and foul aggressive language and behaviour.

"A male youth as he was leaving the bus flung his elbow back in an attempt to hit me in the head fortunately this time he hit the door," he said.

"These gangs and fare evaders gather at Chermside because they can."

RTBU Queensland secretary Tom Brown took the submissions to a series of meetings with the council in their campaign to "clean up" Chermside Interchange.

"They (the council) were taken aback because they were of the view that Chermside security didn't need to be upgraded," he said.

He said the response had been "amazing" with 40 submissions in two days that detailed drivers being abused and passengers chroming or on other drugs or alcohol.

"One guy said the chromers got on his bus and when he finished chroming trying to ignite the canister," he said.

"That has hit a raw nerve with me and other drivers, someone trying to start a fire on a bus, given what's happened."

Mr Brown said the union wanted more of the council's security guards on patrol, more Senior Network Officers to tackle fare evasion and an increased police presence.

Brisbane City Council's public transport boss and deputy mayor Krista Adams said the council had met with the RTBU to discuss their concerns.

"At this meeting Council advised it would engage with Queensland Police Service to discuss a potential increase in patrols in the area and would also undertake a risk assessment based on driver feedback," she said.

She said it followed earlier meetings and a Queensland Industrial Relations Commission hearing last Friday, sparked by an alleged incident at the Chermside interchange involving a driver and a member of the public.

"Following the RTBU's claims, Brisbane City Council reviewed CCTV which revealed the operator left the bus, approached a member of the public and initiated physical contact with that person," she said.

The Queensland Police Service has been approached for comment.