Event Specials was: Footy specials

[somebody]

Used the 3pm Ipswich train on Sunday from Fortitude Valley.  Was quite late and also packed, largely due to the game at Suncorp.  Every station took an age due to the people trying to squeeze through the crowds to get off and also cram on.  There was a Milton train immediately behind.  What could have been done is this train become express Bowen Hills-Milton and terminate there, with the Milton train behind becoming the Ipswich train.  It would have been able to get much closer to back to time by Milton, at least compared to what was actually done.

Every time there is a football game at Suncorp the trains are packed, and while some extra trains are put on, it doesn't seem to be enough.  I don't know about the extra trains - perhaps these are lightly loaded due to people not knowing about them?

In the particular case of trains from Caboolture, it would make sense to make the regular trains limited stop from Northgate, and combine with Northgate starters at the usual times.  It's a bit inconvenient for those heading Geebung-Toombul, of course.  For Ipswich, adding extra trains from Richlands and making the Ipswich trains limited stop would also be a help.

I'd also think that extras for the Ferny Grove, Shorncliffe and Caboolture could (arguably) start from Milton, although it does mean running dead all the way to Sherwood to achieve that.  I'd wonder about the Bowen Hills trains from Richlands: are these extended to go somewhere useful after Suncorp events?

EDIT: change title

[petey3801]

I'd also think that extras for the Ferny Grove, Shorncliffe and Caboolture could (arguably) start from Milton, although it does mean running dead all the way to Sherwood to achieve that. 

They already do generally

[HappyTrainGuy]

I'd prefer it to be left as it is and for translink to get their ass into gear for the timetables.

Yep they already have Milton starters. When they start at Milton they generally become a Caboolture all station train with Bowen Hills-Ipswich specials combined with regular services. For games during the week theres already plenty of services as kick off usually combines before/with/after peak hour (depending on what time you wish to get there) and a couple Milton/Bowen Hills starters and holding trains at Roma Street after the game. For games on the weekends (Depending on whats on) they usually add an extra few terminus services to run all stations to Milton/Bowen Hills. The main problem with these trains is that their mostly unknown to people as printed timetables don't shown them due to them being "Specials" so they arrive at the station for the normal scheduled trains. They get published in mx under what's on/tracktalk or something like that, published on the translink website under event transport, station announcements at major stations and they used to publish them when QR had their own seprate journey planner but not on the translink journey planner.

eg. For the Gold Coast v Penrith game this weekend. - http://translink.com.au/travel-information/services-and-timetables/event-transport/details/439
Additional train services

Extra trains will operate from the event:
Departure station    Departure time    Stops    Arrival station    Arrival time
Robina    7.35pm    All stations to Bowen Hills    Central    9.07pm
Robina    8.05pm    All stations to Bowen Hills    Central    9.38pm
Robina    7.27pm    All stations    Varsity Lakes    7.32pm
Robina    8.06pm    All stations    Varsity Lakes    8.11pm

Where as the Journey Planner only has trains to Bowen Hills at 6.53 7.23 7.53 8.53 9.53

If you read that page I linked to spot the irony

[somebody]

I think what the above linked page shows is that they are able to do a half decent job when the Gold Coast Line is involved. Still has the dither with the 12/18 minute frequency timetable rather than a 15 minute frequency though.  Don't follow the irony though?

I'd also think that extras for the Ferny Grove, Shorncliffe and Caboolture could (arguably) start from Milton, although it does mean running dead all the way to Sherwood to achieve that. 

They already do generally

Shouldn't have listed Caboolture!  This are the lists from the specials for last weekends game:

Extra trains will operate to the event:
Departure Station    Departure Time    Stops    Arrival Station    Arrival Time
Caboolture    2.11pm    All stations to Milton    Milton    3.19pm
Caboolture    2.26pm    All stations to Milton    Milton    3.34pm
Petrie    2.59pm    All stations to Milton    Milton    3.49pm
Ipswich    2.50pm    All stations to Bowen Hiils    Milton    3.38pm
Ipswich    3.02pm    All stations to Bowen Hiils    Milton    3.50pm
Corinda    3.40pm    All stations to Bowen Hiils    Milton    3.55pm

Extra trains will operate from the event:
Departure Station    Departure Time    Stops    Arrival Station    Arrival Time
Roma Street    6.12pm    All stations to Beenleigh    Beenleigh    7.14pm
Roma Street    6.44pm    All stations to Beenleigh    Beenleigh    7.42pm
Roma Street    6.33pm    Express Roma Street to Woodridge, then all stations Woodridge to Varsity Lakes    Varsity Lakes    8.00pm
Roma Street    7.01pm    Express Roma Street to Woodridge, then all stations Woodridge to Varsity Lakes    Varsity Lakes    8.30pm
Roma Street    7.31pm    Express Roma Street to Woodridge, then all stations Woodridge to Varsity Lakes    Varsity Lakes    8.55pm
Roma Street    6.40pm    All stations to Cleveland    Cleveland    7.32pm
Roma Street    7.10pm    All stations to Cleveland    Cleveland    8.02pm
Roma Street    6.43pm    All stations to Ferny Grove    Ferny Grove    7.16pm
Roma Street    6.28pm    All stations to Shorncliffe    Shorncliffe    7.03pm
Milton    6.11pm    All stations to Caboolture    Caboolture    7.19pm
Milton    6.21pm    All stations to Caboolture    Caboolture    7.29pm
Milton    6.41pm    All stations to Caboolture    Caboolture    7.49pm
Milton    6.50pm    All stations to Caboolture    Caboolture    7.56pm
Milton    6.05pm    All stations to Ipswich    Ipswich    6.53pm
Milton    6.23pm    All stations to Ipswich    Ipswich    7.11pm
Milton    6.35pm    All stations to Rosewood    Rosewood    7.43pm
Milton    6.54pm    All stations to Ipswich    Ipswich    7.42pm
Milton    7.07pm    All stations to Ipswich    Ipswich    7.55pm

Heading towards the event, my particular train was immediately before the extras, and was likely and unsurprisingly targeted by users of the journey planner.

Heading away from the event, only IPS/CAB trains serve Milton.  Everyone else has to walk to Roma St.

I think my original solution was likely the best one: Make the train from CAB express from Northgate, serving Eagle Junction, Bowen Hills then all stations to Milton with the Ipswich train starting from Northgate.  Possibly Shorncliffe actually.

[Golliwog]

On the topic of the footy trains, they need to do something for these at FG station. As they're not in the standard timetable and the temporary station has no PIDs customers don't readily know when the next train leaves. Last weekend there were some confused looking passengers consulting the timetable on the platform and were looking dissapointed in whatever wait it said they would be having. Meanwhile, I think the train I had just gotten off was preparing to become one of the extra footy services.

[HappyTrainGuy]

The irony was that the page listed the times of the trains then below it directed users to use the journey planner where the times/trains aren't included.

Who said they have to walk to Roma Street. Their on a line with a 15 min frequency with special services running. Far easier to transport passengers to Roma Street than to start arguing over train paths on the Beenleigh line, Ipswich line and freight lines.

I also don't think your plan was the best as printed timetables would be different to what was actually happening. If anything the extra services should be made express, not the ipswich service. If translink got their ass into gear and adjusted their journey planner to show these extra services the demand of everybody rushing to get the one service wouldn't be so high as you experienced.

[somebody]

What was actually happenning was a long way from the timetable.  This happens every time there is a game.

[Cam]

I think that the first westbound service to leave Milton after a game/event at Suncorp Stadium should run express to Darra. It also shouldn't wait at Milton until it is overfull as this causes increased dwell time at stops. I've caught Ipswich services after games where the train has waited at Milton for more than 10 minutes. There is a passenger safety issue with intoxicated supporters in a very cramped environment.

Special services to Cabooluture could run express to Petrie & not stop at CBD stations as they would be at, or close to, full capacity leaving Milton.

From my observations there is a considerable number of supporters from the outer suburbs who drive to an inner suburban station to avoid the lengthy train trip home in a crowded carriage. Special event express services would encourage these supporters to drive to their closest outer suburban railway station as opposed to driving most of the way to Suncorp Stadium.

[somebody]

You can't do that!  It would make it too hard for freight/Trains might catch up to the one in front/there might be issues with crossing conflicts/There aren't enough trains

Source: QR and Translink

[mufreight]

You can't do that!  It would make it too hard for freight/Trains might catch up to the one in front/there might be issues with crossing conflicts/There aren't enough trains

Source: QR and Translink

With all due respect, what utter bull.
Three trains could be run leaving Milton One to Caboolture or Nambour running express to Northgate via the Exhibition loop, One to Shorncliffe again via the Exhibition loop then all stations from Albion with the third service to Petrie which would also run via the Exhilition loop then all stations from Eagle Junction.
The opportunity also exists to operate a service from Milton to Cleveland via Tennyson express to Yeeroongpilly then all stations to Cleveland with a Service to Varsity Lakes again via Tennyson express to Beenleigh then all stations and a Beenleigh Service also via Tennyson Express to Morooka then all to Beenleigh.
All that is required is the motivation to do it.

[somebody]

I think you may have missed the sarcasm in my post.

[#Metro]

Source: QR and Translink

 

I caught it... Bring on MTR Hong Kong!!!! 

[somebody]

I wouldn't recommend going via Tennyson to Cleveland and probably not even to Beenleigh and the Gold Coast.  It takes 15 minutes max to walk from Suncorp to Roma St, and it still takes 5 minutes to Milton at least.  So you are saving 10 minutes walking max, probably less and missing the normally timetabled services to those locations.

Interesting suggestion about the exhibition loop.  How fast is that? I have another suggestion: Why can't you express between Milton and Northgate?  It's not like there is a 3 minute headway on each track at these times.

[HappyTrainGuy]

The point I was making about freight trains was sending gold coast/beenleigh trains via Tennyson.

[BrizCommuter]

You can't do that!  It would make it too hard for freight/Trains might catch up to the one in front/there might be issues with crossing conflicts/There aren't enough trains

Source: QR and Translink

With all due respect, what utter bull.
Three trains could be run leaving Milton One to Caboolture or Nambour running express to Northgate via the Exhibition loop, One to Shorncliffe again via the Exhibition loop then all stations from Albion with the third service to Petrie which would also run via the Exhilition loop then all stations from Eagle Junction.
The opportunity also exists to operate a service from Milton to Cleveland via Tennyson express to Yeeroongpilly then all stations to Cleveland with a Service to Varsity Lakes again via Tennyson express to Beenleigh then all stations and a Beenleigh Service also via Tennyson Express to Morooka then all to Beenleigh.
All that is required is the motivation to do it.

Using the Ekka and Tennyson Lines eh? Sounds like a foamer fantasy! Just run more trains along the existing lines. For crowd control it is better to spread the load between Milton and Roma Street anyway.

[#Metro]

I've got a better idea.

Abolish these specials altogether.

Does London, Paris, New York, etc etc have specials? Or do they just have fantastic PT all day all the time?

Just run trains frequently, all day, every day, 365 days a year at high frequency. The next train will only be a few minutes away!!!

[BrizCommuter]

I've got a better idea.

Abolish these specials altogether.

Does London, Paris, New York, etc etc have specials? Or do they just have fantastic PT all day all the time?

Just run trains frequently, all day, every day, 365 days a year at high frequency. The next train will only be a few minutes away!!!

Actually, all 3 of those systems run extra trains for sporting events.

[Cam]

I've got a better idea.

Abolish these specials altogether.

Does London, Paris, New York, etc etc have specials? Or do they just have fantastic PT all day all the time?

Just run trains frequently, all day, every day, 365 days a year at high frequency. The next train will only be a few minutes away!!!

I agree that a high frequency network could provide sufficient services to an event. However, even with a 15 minute service on all lines, I think that at least one additional service would be needed on the Ipswich & Caboolture Lines after those games drawing larger crowds at Suncorp Stadium.

[somebody]

I've got a better idea.

Abolish these specials altogether.

Does London, Paris, New York, etc etc have specials? Or do they just have fantastic PT all day all the time?

Just run trains frequently, all day, every day, 365 days a year at high frequency. The next train will only be a few minutes away!!!

The last point would improve things enormously heading towards the event.  However, heading away from the event would still be problematic.

[somebody]

How about heading to the event, have a train start at Caboolture, running 3-5mins ahead of the scheduled service, all stops to to Strathpine (or Petrie) and then non stop to Central, Roma St and Milton.  This would not catch the previous train from Caboolture and would get ahead of the Bowen Hills-Richlands train.

Mightn't be as good as having the train at the normally scheduled time run express from Petrie/Strathpine, allowing interchange for people who want intermediate stations and then having an all stopper

I'm really not happy that these specials force people to endure all stopping services all the way to Caboolture and Ipswich. Similarly, I don't like the reduction in the express for the Gold Coast.  It should be all to Kuraby extras plus express to Kuraby then all to Beenleigh as well as Gold Coast probably on the usual stopping pattern. 

Most of the people on these trains are infrequent PT users, and giving them a slow, crowded and inconvenient service is a missed opportunity IMO.

[HappyTrainGuy]

I don't see the point in running them express as your limiting the amount of services available to people at other stations. From my experience on the footy special trains the time it takes isn't noticable or important to them at all. Everyone is hyped up for/after the game, talking to other supporters, friendly banter between oposing sides, telling jokes/stories/big things that happened in the game unlike the usual services where everyone stays to themselves, tunes out with headphones and just wants to get home after work. Passengers that are frequent on the line don't even bother looking at any timetables "I know the Ipswich train stops all stations so I'll just get that train when it goes past at X.20 or X.50 etc.". 

FYI, the majority get on after its done the Caboolture-Dakabin stint.

[somebody]

FYI, the majority get on after its done the Caboolture-Dakabin stint.

Do you think that could be affected by the fact that it is faster to park in Auchenflower (outside Lang Park traffic area) and drive home?  I know someone from Morayfield who does precisely this.  Also avoids putting up with a massively overloaded train.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Quite possible, but the population densitity could also play a large part. One could also argue the same about normal services.

[somebody]

Quite possible, but the population densitity could also play a large part. One could also argue the same about normal services.

And I most certainly would.

[Cam]

FYI, the majority get on after its done the Caboolture-Dakabin stint.

Do you think that could be affected by the fact that it is faster to park in Auchenflower (outside Lang Park traffic area) and drive home?  I know someone from Morayfield who does precisely this.  Also avoids putting up with a massively overloaded train.

I agree. The majority of those travelling from outwards of Petrie probably drive to the inner suburbs to save considerable travel time both ways. Introducing an express service from Mliton to Petrie & all stations to Cabooluture after an event would entice many of those that drive to inner suburbs & park.

The normal timetable should have off peak & counter peak express services from Caboolture & Ipswich to the city already.

[BribieG]

I work in FV 2 evenings a week and usually return to Caboolture between 9 and 11 pm. I always check the Events calendar on the Translink website and if it's about the time that a game is due to chuck out at Milton or the Gabba I drive from Bribie to Bald Hills so I only have to stand crammed in like Tokyo for half an hour instead of the full hour, with germ laded football tragics who have no train etiquette.
However the last few weeks (for example Friday) the train has arrived at FV crammed to the doors, with only the first 3 carriages open, and nothing on the Translink Site. Who knows what concert etc, but surely Translink could list other than Broncos, the reds, the blues, the pale mauves or whatever. Finally got a seat at Bray Park.
After an 8 hour shift providing quality service to an ISO standard I get a bit shtted off that QR can't provide a similar standard of comfortable travelling for my weary bod. 

[Cam]

I caught the 10.15pm Richalnds service from Roma Street last night. There was a significant delay at Milton. A special event service bound for Ipswich pulled up on platform 3. I changed trains to this special event Ipswich service.

The Richlands service ended up waiting approximately 14 minutes at platform 1 & departed Milton at 10.32pm. The regular Ipswich service pulled into platform 1 a couple of minutes after the Richlands service departed.

The Richlands service was not a "Footy Special" & should have kept as close to the timetable as possible. Likewise, the regular Ipswich service that was scheduled to depart Milton at 10.33pm was still waiting at platform 1 at 10.37pm when the special event service that I was aboard departed. Why are regular Ipswich & Richlands services being delayed by up to 15 minutes at Milton when a footy special bound for Ipswich is waiting for additional passengers at another platform? Even with a capacity crowd of more than 50 000 at Suncorp Stadium, people are not arriving in such large numbers that may overload platforms.

If there are to be 2 special event services bound for Ipswich after an event, these could be placed at 5 minute intervals between the regular Ipswich & Richlands services which are scheduled to be 15 minutes apart. There would be little overcrowding on platforms 1 & 3 with such a short wait between services. 

I've expressed my opinion in a previous post that the first special event service bound for Ipswich after an event at Suncorp should run express to Darra to encourage those from outer suburbs to drive to their closest outer suburban station rather than driving to an inner suburban station for an event at Suncorp. Why have services leaving Milton at a similar frequency to peak hour but all services stop all stations? Also, the special event services before an event should run express from Darra to Milton.

The sooner that the Ipswich Line becomes a tiered service all day, everyday, the better.

[somebody]

Indeed.  When did the special even Ipswich train on platform 3 depart?  I take it that this train proceeded to stop all stations.

[Cam]

When did the special even Ipswich train on platform 3 depart?  I take it that this train proceeded to stop all stations.

10.37pm. Yes, all stations to Ipswich from platform 3.

I guess that the regular Ipswich service that was on platform 1 at 10.37pm departed between 10.40pm & 10.45pm - depending on whether there was a second special event service. The following Richlands service was timetabled to depart at 10.48pm. However, it may also have been delayed like the previous Richlands service.

[petey3801]

There were 4 or 5 Ipswich specials on Wed night.

As for normal services being delayed, that would be due to station staff holding the trains I imagine. We can't leave until they say OK.

[somebody]

There were 4 or 5 Ipswich specials on Wed night.

As for normal services being delayed, that would be due to station staff holding the trains I imagine. We can't leave until they say OK.

But what Cam is saying, rightly IMO, is that the train was held too long.  As for who's fault that is, I just don't care.  Senior Management need to say that it stops.

[somebody]

Translink have info for a game at Skilled Park on their website.  Additional trains are planned, and while this game is only four days away, they suggest you should "Please check the website closer to the event. " to find the info for these trains.  It would be a little frustrating if you are planning to use PT to get to this event.

EDIT: Now 27.5 hours away and no info.  Link: http://translink.com.au/travel-information/services-and-timetables/event-transport/details/503
And another one 27 hours away, link: http://translink.com.au/travel-information/services-and-timetables/event-transport/details/500

If no additional trains are going to be provided, it should be easy enough to say so.

[STB]

There were 4 or 5 Ipswich specials on Wed night.

As for normal services being delayed, that would be due to station staff holding the trains I imagine. We can't leave until they say OK.

I believe that's also included in the Train Notice, ie: it's all pre planned.  Also, IIRC, extra dwell time is added to existing services and run to a slightly altered timetable on nights with events at Suncorp Stadium.  This also happens with Gabba events and Boondall events.  I'd assume it also happens to events down at that Skilled Park at Robina.

Might I suggest/speculate that that holding of the Richlands service might've been a Control move, in terms of the movement of traffic on the Day of Operations.

[somebody]

If no additional trains are going to be provided, it should be easy enough to say so.

Translink's website is still showing "Please check the website closer to the event for additional trains" for the Bear Grylls event at BEC tonight, and the V8s on the Gold Coast tomorrow.  And every other event in the calendar.

[Fares_Fair]

If no additional trains are going to be provided, it should be easy enough to say so.

Translink's website is still showing "Please check the website closer to the event for additional trains" for the Bear Grylls event at BEC tonight, and the V8s on the Gold Coast tomorrow.  And every other event in the calendar.

I would hazard to suggest that the key decision makers are all in a sumptuous soiree somewhere acknowledging the departure today of the CEO ...

Transport comes second, no actually international marketing campaigns come second, transport comes third. 

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[somebody]

No doubt to be followed by a big celebration by the passionate people within the organisation.

[Fares_Fair]

No doubt to be followed by a big celebration by the passionate people within the organisation.

touche !

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[HappyTrainGuy]

FYI the V8s are on the 21-23

[somebody]

FYI the V8s are on the 21-23

Indeed. My mistake on that one.

[somebody]

Additional trains now included on the V8s.  What is with the withholding of this information until the last minute?

Middle extra trains in both directions show a 13 hour journey (arrival is pm and should be am)