Trains and doors- reduce dwell times

[mufreight]

I'm sorry but I just do not see the point of modifying the trains. Just leave the trains as they are now. They get the job done brilliantly. Plenty of seats and the trains can run on any line without a problem or the risk of a train with no seats getting stuck on a Nambour/Gold Coast express due to rollingstock restraints. And god help us if those bum rest seats get applied. Everytime there's breaking/acceleration suddenly everyone slides along the bars. If there's going to be complaining about how many doors are on a train or how long it takes passengers to get on and off you might as well start complaining about how obese and old people take that extra second or two to get on/off the train or even how the doors on the IMUs/new SMUs aren't as quick to open/close as the older SMUs/EMUs. Also how about getting people to learn how wait for and to board a train. I can't count the number of times I have almost felt like belting people to get out of my way just because everyone crowds around and push and barge to get on first while people are still trying to get off. Get them to stand aside, have a clear path for people to get off then board. If the point for less dwell times is for a quicker trip run more trains express to Northgate/Corinda-Dara then all stations during peak for one. If your too impatient to wait those extra few seconds why not drive, pay for parking and sit in traffic jams every day. Public transport is there to provide an alternative service. It doesn't have to suit every single person in Queensland as that's just near impossible.

HappyTrainGuy - Have you ever left Brisbane? I suggest you should travel (or attempt to travel) on Shanghai Metro Line 1 in the am peak before commenting on Brisbanites train boarding manners!

The current trains do not do their job brilliantly - there are insufficient handrails that restrict standing capacity, and door areas are cramped, and dwell times can be excessive due to lack of doors. Any efficient high capacity, and high frequency rail system requires plenty of door flow (more and/or wider doors), and plenty of standing space. There is no reason why there cannot be outer suburban stock with more seating, and inner suburban stock with less seating & more doors. Plenty of rail operators around the world have different rolling stock for different purposes (Japan being the best example), and this works very well.

The short answer to all of this is that the train fleet is not sufficently large that the utilisation of rollingstock requires that all rollingstock can be used on all services, we do have the IMU sets for the extended journeys but they are effectively for interurban distance trips but again the needs of utilisation dictate that they work some suburban length services while at the same time again due to the utilization needs we see some longer services operated by EMU/SMU sets of course again the limited funds avaliable dictate that the needed infrastructure and additional rollingstock are simply not there nor will they be for some time, it is a case of making the best use possible of what is currently avaliable.
If you have a few billion dollars sitting around doing nothing that you would like to contribute to overcome too many years of negligence then some of these aspirations might be able to be met, until then?

[BrizCommuter]

The short answer to all of this is that the train fleet is not sufficently large that the utilisation of rollingstock requires that all rollingstock can be used on all services, we do have the IMU sets for the extended journeys but they are effectively for interurban distance trips but again the needs of utilisation dictate that they work some suburban length services while at the same time again due to the utilization needs we see some longer services operated by EMU/SMU sets of course again the limited funds avaliable dictate that the needed infrastructure and additional rollingstock are simply not there nor will they be for some time, it is a case of making the best use possible of what is currently avaliable.
If you have a few billion dollars sitting around doing nothing that you would like to contribute to overcome too many years of negligence then some of these aspirations might be able to be met, until then?

The sectorisation of the network this year with new timetables, will likely solve most of the issues with IMU's being used on the Ferny Grove line instead of Sunshine Coast. It would also mean that new stock could be introduced to the appropriate services in the future.

[Arnz]

The short answer to all of this is that the train fleet is not sufficently large that the utilisation of rollingstock requires that all rollingstock can be used on all services, we do have the IMU sets for the extended journeys but they are effectively for interurban distance trips but again the needs of utilisation dictate that they work some suburban length services while at the same time again due to the utilization needs we see some longer services operated by EMU/SMU sets of course again the limited funds avaliable dictate that the needed infrastructure and additional rollingstock are simply not there nor will they be for some time, it is a case of making the best use possible of what is currently avaliable.

ICEs are only used exclusively on the Sunshine Coast Line, which will soon see LESS work when the ICEs will be restricted to ONLY the double-daily Gympie North services under the sector timetable.  Apart from the 2 daily Gympie North services, the ICE will be doing the morning counter-peak Caboolture-Nambour shuttle run.  

There will be no Brisbane-Nambour ICE services under the new timetable when I attended the information session in December.  Brisbane-Nambour are either 3/6 car IMU or 3/6 car EMU/SMU, the information session in December highlighted which services are served by ICEs/IMUs and EMU/SMUs.

From what I understand from being answered from the "toilet" question, QR are looking at all services to Nambour to be toilet equipped by the middle of 2011, the "answer" given (after asking why this couldn't be implemented ASAP) is that not all units are available and must be utilised where required in peak. (Hence IMUs finding their way on short suburban runs after a Airport-Roma Street only service).

As of the proposed timetable, most weekend services and some (but not all) weekday services were scheduled as TL__/UL__ (Outbound) or T9__/U9__ (Inbound), which means either a 3-car or 6-car IMU.  The odd through service to/from Richlands/Rosewood and the subsequent runs surrounding the few Richlands/Rosewood through runs (in the draft timetable) were scheduled as suburban units under 1L__, etc.

*Note the __ after the TL__/UL__/1L__ or T9__/U9__/J9__ is usually the Train Number after the ID.

[#Metro]

I don't see how having a system of informing passengers as to what type of train is arriving is that unreasonable.

I agree. It is a minor inconvenience for a major benefit. 3 Car trains are announced, and we accept those, having trains with 3 doors is hardly anywhere near this problematic.

3 doors. So simple. Why is it so controversial then? Its just a door.

(Or are people thinking extra door = less seats for me???)

[#Metro]

The current trains do not do their job brilliantly - there are insufficient handrails that restrict standing capacity, and door areas are cramped, and dwell times can be excessive due to lack of doors.

Exactly. We need more handrails, from the roof. There are yellow handrails at wrist level, but they don't seem so obvious.

[HappyTrainGuy]

I'm sorry but I just do not see the point of modifying the trains. Just leave the trains as they are now. They get the job done brilliantly. Plenty of seats and the trains can run on any line without a problem or the risk of a train with no seats getting stuck on a Nambour/Gold Coast express due to rollingstock restraints. And god help us if those bum rest seats get applied. Everytime there's breaking/acceleration suddenly everyone slides along the bars. If there's going to be complaining about how many doors are on a train or how long it takes passengers to get on and off you might as well start complaining about how obese and old people take that extra second or two to get on/off the train or even how the doors on the IMUs/new SMUs aren't as quick to open/close as the older SMUs/EMUs. Also how about getting people to learn how wait for and to board a train. I can't count the number of times I have almost felt like belting people to get out of my way just because everyone crowds around and push and barge to get on first while people are still trying to get off. Get them to stand aside, have a clear path for people to get off then board. If the point for less dwell times is for a quicker trip run more trains express to Northgate/Corinda-Dara then all stations during peak for one. If your too impatient to wait those extra few seconds why not drive, pay for parking and sit in traffic jams every day. Public transport is there to provide an alternative service. It doesn't have to suit every single person in Queensland as that's just near impossible.

HappyTrainGuy - Have you ever left Brisbane? I suggest you should travel (or attempt to travel) on Shanghai Metro Line 1 in the am peak before commenting on Brisbanites train boarding manners!

The current trains do not do their job brilliantly - there are insufficient handrails that restrict standing capacity, and door areas are cramped, and dwell times can be excessive due to lack of doors. Any efficient high capacity, and high frequency rail system requires plenty of door flow (more and/or wider doors), and plenty of standing space. There is no reason why there cannot be outer suburban stock with more seating, and inner suburban stock with less seating & more doors. Plenty of rail operators around the world have different rolling stock for different purposes (Japan being the best example), and this works very well.

I don't have to go overseas just to see the manners of different cultures and different populations. Brisbane is not China.

Alot of the problems and dwell times are as a result of the passengers themselves on the train. The best instance was when I got on the first carriage of the caboolture train from Toowong on a Wednesday last year and got all 4 seats to myself. Arrived at Central around 4ish and still had 3 spare seats. A mate who was on the same train said he was in the third carriage and said no one was moving down from the doors. I replied and told him to come to the first carriage if he wanted a seat. Just as the train was leaving Brunswick Street he sat down and there were two spare seats left. Shortly after arriving at Bowen Hills the guard jumps on the PA and said for passengers to move down the train which he then repeated again at Albion. It wasn't until Eagle Junction that all the seats around me were occupied. I know most times I can guarantee myself a seat or space on most peak trains just because I know where to go at what time. I just look down the carriage and sometimes laugh at all the sheep that crowd into the middle time after time.

Also Brisbane is not Japan.

[#Metro]

I don't have to go overseas just to see the manners of different cultures and different populations. Brisbane is not China.

If you want to experience rail in a different country, just take a trip on the Sunshine Coast line. Its a whole different world!
LOL. 

Nobody is asking for rail to be put to Chinese or Japanese crush loads. Could you imagine how impractical it would be to have seats for everyone on their metro systems? They would probably have to quadruplicate the line without these measures.

People tend to crowd near the doorways because that's where the standing space is. With an extra doorway, you create another opportunity for more standees. Actually I caught a train this evening, and I stood the whole way even though there were lots of free seats. I stood in the doorway too!

[p858snake]

It might be ok for you to stand but on long trips i have to sit down and they don't like people sitting on the floor.  I have to sit down for pure medical reasons and I know I'm not the only one.

I'd rather stand than be left behind. Those with special needs- surely a case could be made for them to have seats reserved and marked
as we reserve seats now for disabled, elderly, wheelchair users etc.

but I don't qualify for those seats according to guidelines so if asked to move from those seats I have to get up. It is one thing to put aside seats but another to make sure it is enforced. I was on crutchers one time and there was another person on crutchers and nobody offered their seats to either of us.

If its for medical doesn't the disabilities act cover that?

[justanotheruser]

It might be ok for you to stand but on long trips i have to sit down and they don't like people sitting on the floor.  I have to sit down for pure medical reasons and I know I'm not the only one.

I'd rather stand than be left behind. Those with special needs- surely a case could be made for them to have seats reserved and marked
as we reserve seats now for disabled, elderly, wheelchair users etc.

but I don't qualify for those seats according to guidelines so if asked to move from those seats I have to get up. It is one thing to put aside seats but another to make sure it is enforced. I was on crutchers one time and there was another person on crutchers and nobody offered their seats to either of us.

If its for medical doesn't the disabilities act cover that?

no disability has a definition and I don't fall into that.  For example my wife had a heart problem that made walking down and up stairs to get from one platform to the other side very difficult often requiring a rest inbetween. The tunnel at bundamba is not the nicest place to rest. However because she could have surgery to have the problem partly fixed she did not meet disability guidelines as it was not permanent. She then had to pay for a zone 7 weekly instead of zone 6 so she could legally go to ipswich and stay on the train back to bundamba. A person meeting disability guidelines is allowed to travel to ipswich and back for free or to redbank (use lift) and back for free depending on which side your on. Both platforms have ramp to access them. Hence why we moved.

[justanotheruser]

I don't have to go overseas just to see the manners of different cultures and different populations. Brisbane is not China.

Also Brisbane is not Japan.

what happy guy are you suggesting that we can't compare because of the massive difference in population where china has a population almost 60 times that of Australia and Japan has a population five and a half times Australia. How silly! (oops I'm being sarcastic again)

It is about time people realised that because of population there are some things that just aren't going to be justifiable here unlike other countries. other things will be different like Australia simply can't support the same number of domestic airlines that the US can. This should be common sense. So just because something works in another place does not mean it will work here. A example within Australia is one Mcdonalds store introduced a new way of serving customers and found that it was faster and sales tripled! Yet when it was expanded to other stores it actually caused a decrease in some because they didn't have the staff to do it and didn't have enough customers to justify the extra staff. Similar principle sometimes you just need more people to do things.

[BrizCommuter]

I don't have to go overseas just to see the manners of different cultures and different populations. Brisbane is not China.

Also Brisbane is not Japan.

what happy guy are you suggesting that we can't compare because of the massive difference in population where china has a population almost 60 times that of Australia and Japan has a population five and a half times Australia. How silly! (oops I'm being sarcastic again)

It is about time people realised that because of population there are some things that just aren't going to be justifiable here unlike other countries. other things will be different like Australia simply can't support the same number of domestic airlines that the US can. This should be common sense. So just because something works in another place does not mean it will work here. A example within Australia is one Mcdonalds store introduced a new way of serving customers and found that it was faster and sales tripled! Yet when it was expanded to other stores it actually caused a decrease in some because they didn't have the staff to do it and didn't have enough customers to justify the extra staff. Similar principle sometimes you just need more people to do things.

Brisbane's differences to Shanghai or Tokyo does not preclude the use of more doors, different types of rolling stock for inner and outer suburban use, or more standing space. Whilst Brisbane is never going to have crush capacities of 9pax/m2 as can be found in Japan and Chine, the above measures to increase capacity and shorten dwell times are extremely valid.

[justanotheruser]

I don't have to go overseas just to see the manners of different cultures and different populations. Brisbane is not China.

Also Brisbane is not Japan.

what happy guy are you suggesting that we can't compare because of the massive difference in population where china has a population almost 60 times that of Australia and Japan has a population five and a half times Australia. How silly! (oops I'm being sarcastic again)

It is about time people realised that because of population there are some things that just aren't going to be justifiable here unlike other countries. other things will be different like Australia simply can't support the same number of domestic airlines that the US can. This should be common sense. So just because something works in another place does not mean it will work here. A example within Australia is one Mcdonalds store introduced a new way of serving customers and found that it was faster and sales tripled! Yet when it was expanded to other stores it actually caused a decrease in some because they didn't have the staff to do it and didn't have enough customers to justify the extra staff. Similar principle sometimes you just need more people to do things.

Brisbane's differences to Shanghai or Tokyo does not preclude the use of more doors, different types of rolling stock for inner and outer suburban use, or more standing space. Whilst Brisbane is never going to have crush capacities of 9pax/m2 as can be found in Japan and Chine, the above measures to increase capacity and shorten dwell times are extremely valid.

true but I was talking about the conversation where happy guy was being told look elsewhere where they have no seats and imagine what it would be like if they did have seats. That is where there is a difference.

[HappyTrainGuy]

To clear some things up. The "Brisbane is not China" part was in reference too the culture differences about manners while boarding trains at stations. You can look all over the world as much as you like but some things just won't work here due to many reasons like high speed rail, different rollingstock types, locations, track gauge, population, towns, train/carriage lengths, number of tracks, crew availability and most importantly funding (That was just an example of problems and reasons that might not refer to this topic but relates to looking elsewhere). Basically what I'm getting at is that these no seat trains could only operate on that one section of track which would limit what types/services they could be run. If the cross river rail became just a metro line that would hardly reduce the problem it was designed to fix. If Brisbane had a larger population then yes, but for a population of 2 million (of which not every single person uses trains) there's hardly any point.

[#Metro]

I point out that without changes to the design of the trains, then too many seats will eat up the space in the train when it might be better used to carry passengers.
More services in the shoulder peak would help, but the best way to increase capacity when there are train paths limited is a combination of both higher frequency in the off peak and shoulder peaks and also re-design of the interior seating layouts. Not everybody can be expected to be asked to travel 15-30-1hour earlier, that is quite a big cost on someone of they have a work time that is tight.

To clear some things up. The "Brisbane is not China" part was in reference too the culture differences about manners while boarding trains at stations. You can look all over the world as much as you like but some things just won't work here due to many reasons like high speed rail, different rollingstock types, locations, track gauge, population, towns, distances, number of tracks, crew availability and most importantly funding (That was just an example of problems and reasons that might not refer to this topic but relates to looking elsewhere). Basically what I'm getting at is that these no seat trains could only operate on that one section of track which would limit what types/services they could be run. If the cross river rail became just a metro line that would hardly reduce the problem it was designed to fix. If Brisbane had a larger population then yes, but for a population of 2 million there's hardly any point.

Just so that there is no misunderstanding, nobody is advocating the introduction of "no seat trains". I find it hard to believe that it "won't work here" particularly when demand always exceeds supply during peak hour and there is no shortage of people attempting to get onto the train. If you increase the supply of spaces within the train, they will be filled.

Many people already stand during peak hour on our buses and trains, even on those lines when there really shouldn't be anyone standing (i.e. Gold Coast line). The longer distance trains and shorter distance trains are kept (in general) separate (the exceptions being the odd toiletless runs to Sunshine Coast!). CRR will not open for at least another decade, Brisbane will not stop growing during that period, there is a need to offer a "now" solution, even if it is a partial one.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Yeah, I know that no one is advocating for no seat trains but if someone advocates for them with the current rollingstock/infrastructure constraints there are just to many problems and concerns that arise with implementing them. You couldn't use them for say a Petrie run as they then run express back and form the Ipswich run or even during off peak. Its effectively reducing the fleet available and giving the chance for more people to drive. Until there is a third line (Or a second line in some places) your going to get over crowding because you just can't run anymore trains.

[#Metro]

I don't think it would be a problem off-peak at all, if people are discouraged from catching trains, its the 30 minute frequency that makes sure that those people are already in their cars.
In the off-peak times, the patronage is so low that we have the exact opposite problem to peak hour- we have too few passengers and there are plenty of spare seats around, so whatever seating configuration, in the off-peak, there is effectively no change to what a passenger experiences.

It takes about 1 hour to reach Caboolture, The QR definition of overcrowding is if there are still passengers standing for more than 20 minutes. The key thing though is to remember that people will be getting off at each station, so seats become available as passengers leave. The reverse is true in the mornings, the longer distance people get the seat first, and its the people closer into the city that may have to stand.

I feel the need to say that I am somewhat surprised at the feedback; anti-3 door and anti-seat rearrangement. I don't personally feel that it is that bad, and I have stood in a great many trains, I did so last night in fact...

[BrizCommuter]

Basically what I'm getting at is that these no seat trains could only operate on that one section of track which would limit what types/services they could be run.

Did anyone mention no seat trains in this thread?

I've only advocated less seats/more standing space in a train, not no seats at all (which are a rarity in the rail transport world).

[justanotheruser]

Basically what I'm getting at is that these no seat trains could only operate on that one section of track which would limit what types/services they could be run.

Did anyone mention no seat trains in this thread?

I've only advocated less seats/more standing space in a train, not no seats at all (which are a rarity in the rail transport world).

It did appear that tramtrain suggested trains with no seats. However upon going back and reading posts again I can see later posts where it is explained better to say remove some seats.

[O_128]

I caught the metro in Rome and there vertical seats and 4 doors per Carrige that train deserved the definintion of Bombay express

[Stillwater]

From today's BrisbaneTimes site:

Lufthansa recently announced it would fit up to 2000 more passengers on its short-haul flights by replacing its economy seats with a new, ultra-thin design. Budget carrier Ryanair, meanwhile, has raised the prospect of vertical seating - that is, making passengers stand up during flights.

Full article: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/travel/travel-news/air-new-zealands-skycouch-put-to-the-test-20110204-1ag22.html

[mufreight]

Why is it that these so called experts seem bent on lowering the levels of amenity on public transport in such a way as to ultimately discourage public transport usage.
It is obvious from some of the more recent posts where Translink and the government spin merchants and bean counters draw their supposed support for their stupidity.
If public transport is to operate in an efficent and effective manner we need less of this unrealistic and impractical garbage and fewer of those espousing such pathetic stupidity in positions of influence in the decision making process.
No doubt some will be upset by this comment but I am continualy upset by those undermining the credibility of this site with garbage.

[somebody]

Why is it that these so called experts seem bent on lowering the levels of amenity on public transport in such a way as to ultimately discourage public transport usage.
It is obvious from some of the more recent posts where Translink and the government spin merchants and bean counters draw their supposed support for their stupidity.
If public transport is to operate in an efficent and effective manner we need less of this unrealistic and impractical garbage and fewer of those espousing such pathetic stupidity in positions of influence in the decision making process.
No doubt some will be upset by this comment but I am continualy upset by those undermining the credibility of this site with garbage.

I don't understand what your problem is.  It's a legitimate discussion isn't it?  You didn't post WHY they didn't do it before.  Seems that the only reason is Platform Edge Doors, which as BrizCommuter points out isn't a reason.

[mufreight]

Might I suggest that you go back and read your posts relevant to the subject. the base problem is a lack of infrastructure and spending hundreds of millions on band aid interim fixes does not resolve the base problems, it only takes already limited resources and funding better expended on real solutions rather than bright shiney gimicks.
Far better to when a refurbishment of a station takes place to do the job on one station properly than spend millions to half do the job on two and eventualy have to go back to do it properly at many times the original cost.

[justanotheruser]

Why is it that these so called experts seem bent on lowering the levels of amenity on public transport in such a way as to ultimately discourage public transport usage.
It is obvious from some of the more recent posts where Translink and the government spin merchants and bean counters draw their supposed support for their stupidity.
If public transport is to operate in an efficent and effective manner we need less of this unrealistic and impractical garbage and fewer of those espousing such pathetic stupidity in positions of influence in the decision making process.
No doubt some will be upset by this comment but I am continualy upset by those undermining the credibility of this site with garbage.

I don't understand what your problem is.  It's a legitimate discussion isn't it?  You didn't post WHY they didn't do it before.  Seems that the only reason is Platform Edge Doors, which as BrizCommuter points out isn't a reason.

a·men·i·ty
2.  any feature that provides comfort, convenience, or pleasure:

so arguing to remove some seats could easily fall under the description of amenity. mufreight was taking part in the discussion making a valid point so who exactly has a problem?

[#Metro]

I caught a train yesterday, it must have been ex-gold coast line rollingstock, the older style trains with the pale red/brown seating and longitudinal seating and fold up seats. No problemo. Actually it had a very good load for a weekend, when we got to Central it was almost full.

I also noticed that at the station from which I caught it, there were no buses feeding the closest bus bays, either for my service to the CBD or the service going away from the CBD. I walked to the station. Actually allowing people to get the bus to the station, a bus for every train, now that would be a turn around in thinking???

[Arnz]

I caught a train yesterday, it must have been ex-gold coast line rollingstock, the older style trains with the pale red/brown seating and longitudinal seating and fold up seats. No problemo. Actually it had a very good load for a weekend, when we got to Central it was almost full.

Pale red/brown seating would've meant a older SMU running on the Gold Coast Line on a weekend.  Older IMUs have green seating.

[#Metro]

I didn't catch it from the GC line..., but yes, probably an SMU

[Gazza]

Just a little thing I've been pondering, but people keep saying in this thread that GC trains are often uncrowded, so why then does it get called the Bombay express?

[somebody]

Just a little thing I've been pondering, but people keep saying in this thread that GC trains are often uncrowded, so why then does it get called the Bombay express?

They used to be crowded.  At one time they ran on a half hourly peak frequency with single track south of Ormeau.  Or at least that's AIUI.

[BrizCommuter]

Just a little thing I've been pondering, but people keep saying in this thread that GC trains are often uncrowded, so why then does it get called the Bombay express?

A very brief overview.
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2010/11/bombay-express-part-1.html

[colinw]

If the Gold Coast Line is the Bombay Express, then what does that make the Sunshine Coast Line?

Frankly, I think the Gold Coast line users protest too much.  Try catching the train from Sydney to Wollongong and you'll see what I mean ... 1 hour 50 to go a bit over 80km, hourly offpeak frequency!  Better scenery than the Gold Coast line 'though.

[Gazza]

^Ta then. I reckon a good starting point then could be to just adopt the off peak stopping pattern at all times (Which should be the case anyway, I can only imagine the frustration of those coming from the GC in peak hours who still cant yet access Boggo Rd busway services) You'd also get people jumping on at Coopers Plains who would be able to benefit from an express service to the city in exchange for having to stand the whole way.

[somebody]

If the Gold Coast Line is the Bombay Express, then what does that make the Sunshine Coast Line?

Frankly, I think the Gold Coast line users protest too much.  Try catching the train from Sydney to Wollongong and you'll see what I mean ... 1 hour 50 to go a bit over 80km, hourly offpeak frequency!  Better scenery than the Gold Coast line 'though.

God forbid QR become like CityRail.  Although CityRail do have some positive points.  They are like roads departments which do not need a reason to reduce speed limits.

At least QR actually see merit in re-aligning tracks on straighter alignments!

I do agree with your comments about the Gold Coast line users protesting too much.  Getting the best service and then with incessant whinging about it.

Gazza, AIUI not possible to serve Park Rd as platform 4 is unserviceable.

[#Metro]

Just a little thing I've been pondering, but people keep saying in this thread that GC trains are often uncrowded, so why then does it get called the Bombay express?

Once upon a time there was a rail line that only saw services every half hour in the peak hour. Because the service was so popular, people crowded on, brought their own chairs, sat on the floor, stood the whole way or took refuge in the toilet. That's right- commuters standing for a whole hour, and that is after they could have been waiting for another 30 minutes in the middle of peak hour for the train itself!

Then one day, somebody must have complained to the Courier-Mail, and they did a story of it: BOMBAY EXPRESS the headline screamed. Every body read it and it embarrassed the government into finally upgrading the train service. It's one of those rare moments where the Courier-Mail actually changed public transport for the better.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/bombay-express-squeeze/story-e6freoof-1111115016970

TRAVELLERS on the so-called Bombay Express Gold Coast to Brisbane train line are still waiting more than 30 minutes between peak-hour services, despite a State Government promise to ease the squeeze.

The Gold Coast to Brisbane line, dubbed the Bombay Express after India's infamously overcrowded trains, has been extremely popular since opening in 1998.

Before the 2004 election, then premier Peter Beattie promised the service would run every 15 minutes during peak hour.

Mr Beattie said in November 2003, a $247 million upgrade to the Gold Coast train services would cut the gap between peak services from 30 minutes to as little as 15 minutes. But Queensland Rail's latest Gold Coast line timetable reveals an average waiting time of almost 30 minutes between peak-hour services.

You can see that we are making progress... slowly...

[#Metro]

Gazza, AIUI not possible to serve Park Rd as platform 4 is unserviceable.

How hard would it be to make it serviceable again? Could works on the platform bring it into service again?

If the Gold Coast Line is the Bombay Express, then what does that make the Sunshine Coast Line?

I don't know? Want to have a naming competition?

[somebody]

How hard would it be to make it serviceable again? Could works on the platform bring it into service again?

I expect: very hard.  The curve is too tight.

Although it may be possible to connect the DG to platform 3.

[mufreight]

How hard would it be to make it serviceable again? Could works on the platform bring it into service again?

I expect: very hard.  The curve is too tight.

Although it may be possible to connect the DG to platform 3.

Platform 3 at Park Road is also a basket case safety issue, the problems with both platforms 3 and 4 could be minimised but not to the now nanny state standards despite the same authorities still building new and rebuilding platforms that do not comply with their own standards.
The new standards are seemingly applied where an excuse is required to do nothing and the problem is then relegated to the too hard basket usualy in reality because of cost.

[justanotheruser]

God forbid QR become like CityRail.

yeah seems like city rail have introduced a policy of not fixing air conditioning once it breaks down (bit like BCC buses seems to do). It has reached 40 degrees in some parts of sydney recently. I'd hate to be travelling on a train with no air conditioning in that.

[colinw]

How hard would it be to make it serviceable again? Could works on the platform bring it into service again?

I expect: very hard.  The curve is too tight.

Although it may be possible to connect the DG to platform 3.

Platform 3 at Park Road is also a basket case safety issue, the problems with both platforms 3 and 4 could be minimised but not to the now nanny state standards despite the same authorities still building new and rebuilding platforms that do not comply with their own standards.
The new standards are seemingly applied where an excuse is required to do nothing and the problem is then relegated to the too hard basket usualy in reality because of cost.

Could someone explain to me what exactly is wrong with Platform 4 at Park Road?  Is it a case of excessive gap due to the tight curve and having to accommodate the NSW loading gauge?

Given that the platform has been unusable since construction a few years ago, I have to suspect that someone screwed up big time.  Or was it a change to standards after the fact, so what would have been acceptable was suddenly deemed unusable?

It is a pity - a 4th platform at Park Road is potentially quite useful.

[ozbob]

I will ask QR directly why platform 4 is not used.