Safety, Security, Overcrowding and Air Con.

[Fares_Fair]

I received this disturbing message from a concerned commuter on the 5:26am Nambour service.
It refers to an incident on Monday, 7th March, 2011.

A message has been sent to TRANSLink via their feed-back line.
I wonder if it will take 10 working days to reply ?


"I am emailing Translink out of concern for fellow passengers using the 5.26 am 3 car express service originating from Nambour.

Passengers are now standing from Caboolture and by the time the service gets to Northgate passengers are packed in like sardines. More passengers are passing out in the trains due to the lack of ventilation with the latest incident occurring on Monday morning, 7 March with a woman passing out before we got to Northgate Station.  The train was delayed for approximately 10-15 minutes whilst the medical emergency was dealt with and handed over to the Queensland Ambulance Service.

This morning the second door in carriage two (right hand side of the train) city bound was locked.  Passengers had difficulty traversing from carriage 2 to carriage 3 to alight from the carriage.  The train was sardine packed and passengers were slow to get out of the train to let passengers out.  The train guard closed the doors whilst passengers were hanging out the doors trying to get back in.  Passengers started raising their voices and I feared a punch up would occur.  In the guard's defence he could not see through the sea of bodies that there was still movement in and out of the train.  The guard received the most flak.

This is a very serious problem and Translink/QR have a duty of care to ensure the safety of passengers using their services.  It is only a matter of time before there is a fatality on this train.

A few weeks ago a 6 car ICE train was supplied one morning.  Everyone noticed the difference in commuter's demeanour.  They arrived in the city relaxed rather than in the uptight manner we normally do.

I do hope you will address this very serious issue.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[#Metro]

It is always the Sunshine Coast line isn't it? 

[mufreight]

Used to be the white shoe brigade on the Gold Coast line crying because they could not get a seat while Sunshine Coast passengers were standing for most of their journey without toilets for longer and slower journeys.

[Fares_Fair]

TRANSlink response to ongoing serious overcrowing issues resulting in woman fainting and ambulance call.
It was less than 10 days, 1 day in fact ! 

Dear ____ (name removed)

Thank you for contacting TransLink with your comments and feedback regarding the Nambour express rail service.  The TransLink Transit Authority, together with our delivery partners, place great importance on providing safe, reliable and comfortable public transport for our customers. I am concerned to hear the feedback about your recent experiences where frequent and severe overcrowding is occurring on this service and I apologise for any concern and discomfort this may be causing. 

Given your feedback indicates there is frequent occurrences of overcrowding on this service, I have requested a thorough investigation of the matter with our service delivery provider Queensland Rail. 

We value your feedback in our endeavour to maintain safe and comfortable services for our customers  and although a further response may not be possible, you can be assured that your concerns have been sent to the appropriate area for their attention.  I thank you for taking the time to bring this matter to our attention.

Should you require further information regarding this issue, or any other matter, please visit the TransLink website at http://www.translink.com.au/ . Alternatively, the TransLink Call Centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 13 12 30.

Kind regards

(Name removed)
TransLink Customer Support


Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[#Metro]

Needles, fainting, air-con, failing ICE units, toiletless trains, dancing trains, price shocks, 50% bustitution- it sounds like the Sunshine Coast line is some kind or ZOO of faults than an actual train service.

[p858snake]

Given your feedback indicates there is frequent occurrences of overcrowding on this service, I have requested a thorough investigation of the matter with our service delivery provider Queensland Rail. 
... snip ...
TransLink Customer Support

No offense, but this is from a customer support person, It's most likely a templated message which has resulted in your message being tagged for a higher up to read sometime in the distant future. </cyanical>

[Fares_Fair]

None taken my serpentine friend ...

It isn't my message, I received it via a fellow commuter.
But they did respond in 1 day - which is nothing short of miraculous for TransLink.

We had the Passenger counters on our service home last night, the 5:16pm from Central.
Our train was chockers - I counted 30 standing in the third carriage !
and that was express for 45 minutes (20 stations).

Regards,
Fares_Fair.