Safety and security issues, articles, discussion.

[Golliwog]

Hey, at least it wasn't a story on Julia Gillard's glasses: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/political-news/are-we-seeing-things-gillard-ensures-shes-in-focus-20130130-2dl88.html

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Molotov cocktails thrown, police attacked

[techblitz]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Rail safety under spotlight after teen girls charged with attack on train passengers

THREE teenage girls have been charged after allegedly assaulting passengers on a train travelling from the Gold Coast to Brisbane.

The attacks on the Gold Coast line - often referred to as the Bombay Express because of overcrowding - allegedly occurred around 5pm yesterday.
Police charged three teenagers aged 14, 15 and 17 after two female passengers were assaulted, leaving them with cuts and bruises.

The train stopped at Park Road Station in Dutton Park where two senior network officers intervened  - and it's alleged they too were assaulted by the three girls.

A female police officer was also allegedly punched and spat on before the three were arrested.

A 15-year-old and a 17-year from Kingston were charged with two counts of assault, two counts of obstructing police and one count of serious assault of a police officer.

A 14-year-old girl from Nambour was charged with two counts of assault and two counts of obstructing police. The 17-year-old was due to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court today.

The 14-year-old and 15-year-old will be dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.

Comment is being sought from Transport Minister Scott Emerson.

[ozbob]

I just did some grabs on MMM News on this.

Events such as these happen all over ... when they happen on a rail network they are blown up a bit.  Actual rate of assaults on rail is much lower than society generally ...

There are a number of safety and security features on the network that are not available generally away from it.

See --> http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/Safety/Pages/SafetySecurity.aspx and http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/Safety/Pages/TrainsStations.aspx

[colinw]

Good old CM distorting away as usual.

The QLD Police statistics from 2010-11 paint a much more accurate picture, although we should bear in mind that in general assaults are under-reported so there is almost certainly some skewing of the stats.

http://www.police.qld.gov.au/Resources/Internet/services/reportsPublications/statisticalReview/1011/documents/StatReview2010_11.pdf

The relevant table is page 102/103 (starting on the 109th page of the PDF file).

[HappyTrainGuy]

I hardly reckon it "drives people out of trains to drive". Assults have been happening on the railways before any of us here were born - usually with tougher penalties. Assults happen on buses. In taxis. On the street. In businesses. Even in your own car. Its just a quick media report but it doesn't mention anything about the circumstances. Did they know each other? Had their been past tensions between them? were they under the influence? which is what it turns out to be a lot of the time. This is following on and I might not use the best words to get what I mean for the next bit but the victim can be sometimes putting themselves at a higher risk by showcasing what they have like using expensive laptops on trains late at night. The same with new flashy mobile phones. Watches/jewellery. In the USA - Chicago or New York - had a problem with people getting assulted and robbed because they were wearing expensive headphones that people reconigised and instantly put a $300 price tag on when riding the subway/bus late at night.

Its just sad that its a part of life really.

[Fares_Fair]

We had a an issue with around 12 drunk youths (6 were extremely drunk and could barely stand) on the 5:28pm Roma Street to Nambour train, at Landsborough station, Thursday week ago.
Sadly, they were aged around 14 to 17 y.o.

It was handled extremely well by Queensland Rail.
Passengers in the affected carriage, there was just 3 by then, were quickly removed via the front guards cabin and the offenders were then locked in the carriage.

Police were observed heading towards the train as the passengers moved away.
Another train was waiting to take the passengers from Landsborough onto their destination, with minimal disruption.

Another good news story that QR hasn't been recognised for.
Thank you QR for your professionalism and expertise. 

[colinw]

What I dislike about this article is the implication, snidely hidden in the wording of the request for comments, that you are somehow more at risk when riding a train or other public transport.

Yes, assaults happen on trains & buses - I saw quite a bad one on the Ipswich Line back in 1991 - but sadly the same is true in society in general for many of the reasons RTT_Rules alludes to above.

Re-reading the police stats I posted above, i suspect the "assault" numbers fail to distinguish between domestic violence & out-of-control party type incidents and other types of assaults.

Still, I have no hesitation in riding the train late at night. I'm more worried about the isolated & poorly lit walk home from the station, as there have been muggings in my suburb.

[cartoonbirdhaus]

Meanwhile in Oz, go a few km/hr over the speed limit and pay a few hundred dollars as an evil speedster, but get robbed on a train or in street, Inshallah.

Precisely. Just saying, "It's just a part of life" doesn't cut it. As idealistic as this sounds, an individual has every right to use an upmarket laptop on a train late at night, as they are not causing anyone harm. Doesn't matter whether it's Incheon or Indooroopilly! Crack down on antisocial behaviour, and deal out severe punishments every time. None of this bleeding-heart stuff. Believe it or not, Singapore had a crime problem in the 1920s, so it is obviously possible to take out the trash.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Re lighting away from the station. I totally agree with you on that. I have no problem with my oldest catching the train at night but by golly I always make sure that one of us can pick him up or there's a taxi waiting. I've pointed to that very subject many times for the Caboolture line. Stations are well lit but as soon as you step out of the grounds... Total Darkness.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Actually. Speaking of assults. Today on the way home from work. 2 teens biffing it out at the 333/330/335/340/370 stop on the corner of Gympie and Hamilton Roads. Ended up spilling into the busy Gympie Road with traffic coming off Hamilton Road.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/4/5/security-boost-for-public-transport?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Minister for Transport and Main Roads

The Honourable Scott Emerson
Friday, April 05, 2013

Security boost for public transport

The Newman Government will double the number of Senior Network Officers on public transport in a further crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the first round of recruitment was about to start delivering more officers on south east Queensland's public transport.

"By delivering a more efficient public transport network we are able to invest in more security and safety for passengers," Mr Emerson said.

"We are aiming to double the number of officers on the network by July next year – up from the 28 when we came to office.

"Queensland Rail is also working with Queensland Police to increase the number of rail squad staff from 64 to 70 over the next two years."

Recent blitzes on fare evasion and antisocial behaviour have targeted hot spots in the Brisbane CBD, Beenleigh and Ipswich.

Bowen Hills train station has been locked down six times in recent months as part of an effort to stop people ripping off honest public transport users.

Lockdown operations across Bowen Hills, Beenleigh and Ipswich train stations fined 200 people, with 175 additional warnings handed out for fare evasion and nuisance behaviour.

"We are serious about cracking down on fare evasion and anti-social behaviour on our network, sending a clear message – don't risk it because you will be caught," Mr Emerson said.

"In 2012 we conducted several blitzes on 34 school bus routes targeting anti-social behaviour resulting in 4300 Gold Coast students intercepted with 311 names recorded for failing to pay a fare and 30 warning notices handed out."

Future covert operations across the network are currently being planned.

More than 22,000 fines of $220 were handed out in 2012, including 19,000 fines for fare evasion.

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Interstate graffiti gang bust vandalising trains in Ipswich

[ozbob]

Transport Minister Emerson interviewed on 612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast re increase in SNOs.

[ozbob]

Transport Minister Emerson interviewed on 612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast re increase in SNOs.

612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast with Rebecca Levingston 

Senior Network Officer numbers on public transport to double

05 April 2013 , 9:07 AM by Sally Rope

Public transport is set for a boost in security, according to the state government.

The number of Senior Network Officers on public transport will be doubled by July next year.

Scott Emerson is the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, and he spoke with Rebecca...

Click --> here!

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times click here!

More police for Ipswich trains

More police for Ipswich trains
Kieran Banks 6th Apr 2013 3:00 AM

IPSWICH trains will have more security and police under a plan to crack down on anti-social behaviour and fare evasion.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson announced yesterday the number of senior network officers on public transport would be doubled to 56 by July next year to stamp out anti-social behaviour.

The Queensland Times has reported instances of glue-sniffing and urine being tipped over a passenger's head on trains.

A spokesperson for Mr Emerson said anti-social behaviour witnessed by commuters included eating food, consuming alcohol, smoking or generally creating a nuisance or disturbance on the railway.

Lockdown operations were conducted at Ipswich train station last year to catch fare evaders.

About 200 commuters were fined for fare evasion at Ipswich Station, with 183 fined at Redbank and 153 at Goodna.

Mr Emerson said fare evasion would not be tolerated.

"We are serious about cracking down on fare evasion and anti-social behaviour on our network, sending a clear message - don't risk it because you will be caught," he said.

"By delivering a more efficient public transport network we are able to invest in more security and safety for passengers."

Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said the announcement was positive as long as the additions didn't come at the expense of transit officers.

"The question is: are the transit offices being reduced?" he said.

Ipswich MP Ian Berry said he was aware of some serious violent incidents Between Brisbane and Ipswich.

"They are just young 14 to 16-year-old kids that just seem to go and all of a sudden they seem to be picking on people," he said.

"The difficulty is fare evasion affects us all.

"There's a fair degree of honesty involved."

[longboi]

It is interesting that the Minister seems to be emphasising that these new SNOs will be exclusively working on the rail network. Although it wouldn't surprise me if he got his facts wrong but perhaps the days of the old white shirts are numbered. They have lost a lot due to natural attrition since the SNOs started up in 2010.

[ozbob]

From the Couriemail click here!

Queensland Transport Department job cuts raise rail safety fears

Queensland Transport Department job cuts raise rail safety fears

    by: Steven Wardill
    From: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
    April 07, 2013 12:00AM

A QUARTER of the staff from Queensland's rail safety regulator have been cut by the Newman Government, raising fresh concerns about network safety.

Figures released to the state Opposition under Right to Information laws reveal 11 positions have been cut from the Transport Department's rail safety and transport security division.

The cuts come amid a significant increase in the number of serious rail incidents last year.

All but one of the positions cut were in Brisbane. Three of the staff were from the division's operations and investigations arm, while four were from rail regulation.

The job cuts from the division, which touts its core business as being "rail safety governance and regulation, counter-terrorism and transport security", reduced the total staff count to 37.

A spokesman for Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson insisted the reduction in staff would not impact investigations.

"The number of staff conducting rail safety investigations remains at five, unchanged over the past two years," he said.

"As part of a public sector reform program there has been a reduction in management, administration and policy roles of about 11 positions."

However, Opposition transport spokeswoman Jacki Trad said commuters would have a right to be concerned over the cuts, given the division's crucial role managing risks.

"The Minister must guarantee the safety of all passengers and rule out any further cuts to safety positions in Queensland Rail or the Department of Transport," she said.

"Every year more and more businesses and commuters are relying on Queensland's rail network, which means we need more people overseeing the network's safety, not less."

Image used in the article:


http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2013/01/14/1226553/865864-woman-stepping-on-to-a-citytrain-service.jpg

Shows well the step up issue at a certain station ...

[somebody]

That photo's at Indooroopilly, I'm sure of it.

[ozbob]

That photo's at Indooroopilly, I'm sure of it.

Yes ...

[somebody]

Is it before or after the track was lowered to reduce the gap?  Gap seems bigger than I remember.

[ozbob]

I have tried to find the image on the web, but it is one they haven't published before.  I think it was after the modifications after the initial upgrade probably around 2010 which actually worsened the gap, some remedial work was done (see CM --> here!).

[HappyTrainGuy]

Its been published before bob

[ozbob]

Its been published before bob

Might have been, just can't find it ..

[HappyTrainGuy]

It was with some disability article... maybe something about injuries. It was around sometime in January this year. The filename/link might give some details about hte date. Break is almost over now but I'll give it a quick search when I get some time later.

[somebody]

tineye.com can't find it.

[ozbob]

I used an online exif viewer ... lol  ( I can be a bit devious at times ...  )

14/09/2009 NEWS: 14/09/2009 NEWS: Large gap 40cm deep and about 15cm wide between the platform and the train at Indooroopilly Railway Station. ...

Photograph was actually taken on the 14th September 2009

[Online exif viewer http://regex.info/exif.cgi ]

[mufreight]

Look at the background behind the woman boarding the train, I think that you will find that photo was taken platform 3 at Park Road.

[ozbob]

The meta data confirms it as Indooroopilly.  The bridge in the background is the Jack Pesch Bridge (the bicycle bridge).

[ozbob]

The article was published on the 15th September 2009 see --> http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/rail-platform-curve-puts-passengers-in-danger/story-e6freon6-1225773070824

They used another photograph for the story ...

[HappyTrainGuy]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-rail-report-says-aged-disabled-mums-with-prams-face-highest-risk-on-trains/story-e6freoof-1226553881313

[ozbob]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-rail-report-says-aged-disabled-mums-with-prams-face-highest-risk-on-trains/story-e6freoof-1226553881313

Thanks, interesting that they used a 2009 photograph ... lol

[somebody]

So before the track lowering.  Hmm.

[ozbob]

It is interesting that the Minister seems to be emphasising that these new SNOs will be exclusively working on the rail network. Although it wouldn't surprise me if he got his facts wrong but perhaps the days of the old white shirts are numbered. They have lost a lot due to natural attrition since the SNOs started up in 2010.

Thanks Nikko.  You wouldn't have any idea of actual numbers of TOs left?

So increasing the SNOs is not really an absolute increase say based on 2010 levels?

[somebody]

It is interesting that the Minister seems to be emphasising that these new SNOs will be exclusively working on the rail network. Although it wouldn't surprise me if he got his facts wrong but perhaps the days of the old white shirts are numbered. They have lost a lot due to natural attrition since the SNOs started up in 2010.

It's absolutely sensible to get rid of the TO classification.  And private security.  All the security should be at the SNO level IMO.

[petey3801]

It is interesting that the Minister seems to be emphasising that these new SNOs will be exclusively working on the rail network. Although it wouldn't surprise me if he got his facts wrong but perhaps the days of the old white shirts are numbered. They have lost a lot due to natural attrition since the SNOs started up in 2010.

It's absolutely sensible to get rid of the TO classification.  And private security.  All the security should be at the SNO level IMO.

Agreed. It would cost a bit more, but it would result in much better network security, plus, they would actually be able to do something about trouble makers, unlike the private security and, to a lesser extent, TOs.

[longboi]

So increasing the SNOs is not really an absolute increase say based on 2010 levels?

Not exactly. In 2010 there were less than 20 SNOs (8 hired in the first round and I think it was 10 or so after that).

The figure of 28 that the Minister quoted is around about the most that have been employed at one time so I would consider it an absolute increase.

Agreed with Simon and Petey, although I think the private security are a good PR exercise and should be maintained (56 SNOs won't be able to cover the amount of designated guardian trains). The on-board officers can't do a lot but I think the mobile & dog patrols do help with protecting QR's assets.

I would also argue that there would be cost savings involved by bringing all enforcement activities under TMR.
At the moment there is an added layer of beauracracy with QR "processing" fines and investigations involving TOs and then forwarding it on to TMR who are ultimately responsible for administering the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994. 

[Gazza]

Look at the background behind the woman boarding the train, I think that you will find that photo was taken platform 3 at Park Road.

I don't think Park Rd has the blue and yellow 'vomit' colour scheme of Indro 
You can even see it reflecting on that highly polished train body.

[somebody]

Look at the background behind the woman boarding the train, I think that you will find that photo was taken platform 3 at Park Road.

I don't think Park Rd has the blue and yellow 'vomit' colour scheme of Indro 
You can even see it reflecting on that highly polished train body.

Correct Gazza.  I also think you'll find that platform 3 at Park Rd curves more sharply than what is shown.  Get out your wheel squeal ear muffs at Park Rd, but not Indooroopilly.

[ozbob]

From the mX via the Couriermail click here!

Queensland Rail figures reveal almost 1900 people caught smoking or boozing on trains and at stations

Queensland Rail figures reveal almost 1900 people caught smoking or boozing on trains and at stations

    by: Felicity Caldwell
    From: mX
    April 09, 2013 2:03PM

COMMUTERS are partying on Brisbane's trains like they're out clubbing, with almost 1900 people caught smoking or boozing last year.

Figures released by Queensland Rail reveal that 1222 fines were handed out for smoking on trains, subways or station platforms in the 12 months to March this year.

And 669 people were slapped with fines in the past year for drinking alcohol on railways property.

The worst stations for drinking were Roma St, with 79 people nabbed, and Caboolture, with 39.

But Caboolture took out the prize for most people caught smoking (239) while Roma St came second (194).

The fine for drinking or smoking on a train or at a station is $220.

Queensland Rail said most people fined for smoking were caught on station platforms.

Boozing on the train has long been a subject of angst for mX readers, with one commuter complaining about another: "Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, (he) drinks out of a goon bag and starts rolling a smoke and lights it...where the hell is security?''

Queensland Rail Acting CEO Jim Benstead said staff worked in partnership with police to improve safety and reduce anti-social behaviour across the network.

"Police, transit officers and security guards, including 11 dog patrol teams, operate across the rail network. This is in addition to more than 8000 CCTV cameras and emergency phones,'' Benstead said.