Sector 2 (Stage 2) Timetable reviews

[petey3801]

The Shorncliffe line seems really bad as well. I'm fairly sure that the last time I travelled on the Shorncliffe line (probably around 10 years ago) it took less than 30mins to get to Sandgate. Now it takes 35mins. Why does Northgate - Bindha take 3mins?

My thoughts exactly. And it doesn't! Now we just sit at Bindha for a minute, at what is likely the least used station on the Suburban network! Then it's a 2min section to Banyo. Should be 2mins for both.

[BrizCommuter]

I was quite surprised when in Melbourne recently, how quick it is to travel similar distances to the suburbs compared with in SEQ. Yes, the trains sometimes ran a few minutes behind time, but at least travel times are noticeably much speedier than SEQ and Sydney.

Anyway, with some schools (and their parents) back tomorrow the loadings on the FG line will be interesting!

[HappyTrainGuy]

I know some of the added fat in the Caboolture line was due to level crossing downtime. Wouldn't surprise me if its the same of some sort on other lines.

[petey3801]

I know some of the added fat in the Caboolture line was due to level crossing downtime. Wouldn't surprise me if its the same of some sort on other lines.

One main problem with that is the fat has considerably increased the LX down time at Northgate, with outbound trains regularly sitting on the platform for 1-2mins with the booms down!

[HappyTrainGuy]

Geebung, Carseldine and Lawnton are the big winners though. Usually everything is so precise. Trains meeting each other. Expresses crossing with the all stoppers. Out of services crossing with scheduled services.

[Derwan]

One of the busiest AM peak services from Shorncliffe was a 3-car train this morning.  It's normally 6 cars.  This just highlights the shortage of rolling stock for the implementation of this timetable.

[James]

After doing a few Beenleigh and Gold Coast runs over the past couple days, I must say, the situation at Beenleigh is an abomination, which leads to waaaaaaayy too much time in the Gold Coast timetable from Loganlea to Beenleigh. Also, the Gold Coast/Airport train cross at Coomera is very fragile as well. More details below:

Agreed, the Gold Coast line timetable has obesity issue heading outbound. If the timetable gets any fatter I think it will be eligible to enter into The Biggest Loser! Arrived at Holmview approx. 5 mins ahead of schedule this morning.

Could a second turn back be installed as a short-term solution?

[BrizCommuter]

One of the busiest AM peak services from Shorncliffe was a 3-car train this morning.  It's normally 6 cars.  This just highlights the shortage of rolling stock for the implementation of this timetable.

How crowded was it?
Maybe it's a test for "re-distribution"? 
A pm peak Shorncliffe service was also observed to be "cut in half" today.


The 07:10am from Ferny Grove was just as full as last week, with only a few school kids on board (maybe more private schools are back tomorrow?). At Windsor the rear car was full (door hopping even at Enoggera), however there was quite a bit of standing space available in the first two cars. QR need to tell passengers to try and use the first two cars.

Didn't observe the other two problem services.

[aldonius]

Probably still a few private schools left to go. And some stagger their start days across year levels. Mine did, and does.

[Golliwog]

It doesn't help that the first car is the closest to the entrance at FG. Unlike the services either side, the two 3 car am services pull in while the other platform is occupied so once that train leaves, the pax boarding the train will only be coming from the entrance and so typically go for the closest car. The other services theres a bit of time for pax to spread down the platform before it arrives.

As someone who was in the rear car from FG this morning, I think it would help if they made announcements about spreading down the aisles (there was still space near where I was sitting) and perhaps install some stickers on the windows above the folding longitudinal seating pointing out more pax will fit on if passengers there stand and fold up the seat. This morning certainly wasn't helped by the guy at the very rear door of the 7:10 who had his fullsize bike in there with him all the way through past Central.

[ozbob]

All this brings a smile to my dial!   

Media Release 22 November 2006
Make room for more, please move away from the door!

RAIL - Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community organisation for the promotion of rail throughout Australia has said that recent announcements concerning the acquisition of new trains for CityTrain in Brisbane are timely, and are urgently needed to increase passenger accommodation on the network.  However, to help ease overcrowding today, an advertising campaign encouraging passengers to move down aisles towards the centre of carriages, freeing up room at the doors will help ease commuters' frustrations.  This will also assist in keeping trains on time.

Robert Dow, on behalf of RAIL Back On Track said "On my journey by train to Roma Street this morning, it was very congested around doorways.  If folks were encouraged to move down the carriages in the aisles this would help ease congestion.  If passengers are not held up boarding and leaving the trains, timetables are better able to be maintained as well."

"I am sure a catchy slogan could be found. For example 'Put a smile on a commuter's dial, move along the centre aisle'  or 'Make room for more, please move away from the door' or something similar."

"Thanks to CityTrain staff and crew for the great job they do under trying conditions at times. Well done!"


Contact:


admin@backontrack.org
Administration RAIL Back On Track

http://backontrack.org

Edit:  edited out type errors

[BrizCommuter]

It doesn't help that the first car is the closest to the entrance at FG. Unlike the services either side, the two 3 car am services pull in while the other platform is occupied so once that train leaves, the pax boarding the train will only be coming from the entrance and so typically go for the closest car. The other services theres a bit of time for pax to spread down the platform before it arrives.

As someone who was in the rear car from FG this morning, I think it would help if they made announcements about spreading down the aisles (there was still space near where I was sitting) and perhaps install some stickers on the windows above the folding longitudinal seating pointing out more pax will fit on if passengers there stand and fold up the seat. This morning certainly wasn't helped by the guy at the very rear door of the 7:10 who had his fullsize bike in there with him all the way through past Central.

Pretty sure bikes are not allowed on this service.

[techblitz]

north west news 29.01.14

[ozbob]

There is no way express services are warranted on a 16km line.  Fact.  Particularly when those services reduce frequency for the majority.

I suggest Ferny Grove commuters are now served very well indeed relative to many other lines.

It is already sorting out. 

[James]

It only takes 31 minutes to travel now vs. 26 minutes. 5 minutes difference. It is noticeable, but not a lot.

I more feel sorry for Beenleigh line commuters losing their expresses though. Woodridge or Kuraby to the City all-stops in peak... that would be a pain to say the least. If it weren't for rolling stock issues, I personally would recommend an express Park Road - Altandi or something like that. Admittedly though while they had expresses before, they were limited and actually saved less time than the Ferny Grove expresses on a longer trip.

[Derwan]

One of the busiest AM peak services from Shorncliffe was a 3-car train this morning.  It's normally 6 cars.  This just highlights the shortage of rolling stock for the implementation of this timetable.

How crowded was it?
Maybe it's a test for "re-distribution"? 

Didn't see it... only saw the notification for it.  (It was listed as a "minor" disruption for the Shorncliffe Line.)

[Derwan]

It only takes 31 minutes to travel now vs. 26 minutes. 5 minutes difference. It is noticeable, but not a lot.

The services I catch from Boondall no longer run express Northgate to Bowen Hills (with a stop at EJ).  The additional 4 stops don't add terribly much to the travel time, however it FEELS longer.

I think some psychology is at play.  To an extent we measure travel time by stops.  It's when we notice that something's happen. (People are getting on and/or off.)  The more times this happens, the longer the trip feels.

[BrizCommuter]

The 07:10am from Ferny Grove had a bit more of an even distribution of passengers throughout the train today. Parent with pram unable to/didn't attempt to board at Windsor.

QR's attempts at getting passengers to avoid the 3-car units does appear to be working a bit, however the following equation must be used:
Passenger persuaded to move from 3-car service to 6-car service = Passenger disillusioned with the new timetable and QR.

Still expecting this service to be full when the universities return. Didn't observe the 07:25am and 5:26pm again.

[STB]

It only takes 31 minutes to travel now vs. 26 minutes. 5 minutes difference. It is noticeable, but not a lot.

The services I catch from Boondall no longer run express Northgate to Bowen Hills (with a stop at EJ).  The additional 4 stops don't add terribly much to the travel time, however it FEELS longer.

I think some psychology is at play.  To an extent we measure travel time by stops.  It's when we notice that something's happen. (People are getting on and/or off.)  The more times this happens, the longer the trip feels.

One thing I learned from Monash University several years ago in a transport planning course I did, is that the perceived time can be double the actual time.  So for example, an additional 4mins to the timetable can feel like 8mins psychologically, and that can rile people a lot, even if they are getting other benefits in the timetable such as more services and a higher frequency.  Add that into the wait time and other adjustments of the schedule and it can dramatically feel as if it is taking a lot longer to get somewhere, even if in reality that isn't the case.

One example I saw just this evening was a guy who is complaining about the Gold Coast expresses stopping at Altandi, where he claims he feels that is adding an additional 1.5hrs a week, which sounds nuts, but if you add in all those factors, of new departure times, the time you have to leave home to catch the new timetable, and an additional 2-3mins and double that, very quickly it can raise the perceived time quite a bit, although I do think he's exaggerating a bit while getting emotional about it, hence I strongly disagree that it would be an extra 1.5hrs a week in actual time.

[Golliwog]

It doesn't help that the first car is the closest to the entrance at FG. Unlike the services either side, the two 3 car am services pull in while the other platform is occupied so once that train leaves, the pax boarding the train will only be coming from the entrance and so typically go for the closest car. The other services theres a bit of time for pax to spread down the platform before it arrives.

As someone who was in the rear car from FG this morning, I think it would help if they made announcements about spreading down the aisles (there was still space near where I was sitting) and perhaps install some stickers on the windows above the folding longitudinal seating pointing out more pax will fit on if passengers there stand and fold up the seat. This morning certainly wasn't helped by the guy at the very rear door of the 7:10 who had his fullsize bike in there with him all the way through past Central.

Pretty sure bikes are not allowed on this service.

Yeah as far as I'm aware the rule is still not in the peak direction during peak hour, but the guard didn't say anything. I don't think I noticed him until about Enogerra anyway where it was starting to get squishy (I think I saw you but couldn't say hi from where I was and there was no way to move through).

I was on the 7:17 service this morning and it's certainly got spare room on it. To be completely honest, I don't think it's a big change to catch a service 7 minutes earlier or later. Yes it's a change to what they previously had their morning schedule timed around but that was timed around getting a particular service under the previous timetable anyway which would have taken into account both arrival time at their destination but also to some extent crowding.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

New Translink timetables run smoothly

Commuter advocates say changes to Translink timetables introduced last week have left some train passengers stranded in outlying areas of Brisbane.

Despite that, however, they say the transition to 200 extra daily rail services has gone relatively smoothly since they were introduced last Monday.

Dutton Park's Michael Swifte, the administrator of a Facebook forum dedicated to Brisbane's public transport network, said many commuters had raised concerns about bus connectivity with train stations since the changes were introduced.

''Talking to people from the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Logan especially, they are saying there is a serious safety issue with the span of hours of the services,'' he said.

''They say they no longer have buses that connect with the train when they get home.''

Mr Swifte said women in particular were concerned at walking home from train stations after dark.

''Peak services to the Gold Coast don't have the connecting bus they used to,'' he said.

''Some people have said they have especially asked to leave work early so they can get a particular train so they can then get the bus.''

A spokesman for Transport Minister Scott Emerson said the new timetable gave the Gold Coast line 93 additional train services each week.

He said overall the implementation of the timetable changes had been highly successful, with high levels of on-time running.

''Translink has more than 50 liaison officers on the Gold Coast network and up to 100 in the Greater Brisbane region – including Logan City – to help customers,'' he said.

''The main focus of enquiries has been to assist with journey planning questions and to help them become familiar with the new network.''

He acknowledged there had been some changes to routes south of Brisbane but said the changes had been made after extensive consultation by Translink.

''While there are some changes to service coverage on the Gold Coast, several new areas are being provided with public transport services for the first time,'' he said.

''The frequency and span of hours of most routes across the Gold Coast have been adjusted to ensure the public transport network is efficient and meets demand for the greater number of customers.''

Robert Dow, of commuter group Rail Back on Track, said connectivity between the bus and train network had been an ongoing problem in Brisbane and Queensland's southeast.

However, he said overall commuters had been happy with the extra 200 daily services.

''There has been some potential overcrowding issues, particularly the Springfield services are pretty heavily loaded but overall it's working reasonably well,'' he said.

''People will get used to new timetables.

''It takes time for a new timetable to permeate through the community but the gains are pretty significant.'' 

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/new-translink-timetables-run-smoothly-20140130-31psb.html

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

31st January 2014

Passengers left stranded in many bus regions in SEQ

Greetings,

Not only is there a major fare affordability crisis, there are major issues with the bus network in SEQ.  Reductions in many regions of frequency and span of hours of many routes is causing problems with the ability of people to actually use the public transport network, let alone afford it!  The sector 2 rail timetables have been a welcome improvement however unless there is adequate feeder bus connections people are stranded ( New Translink timetables run smoothly http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/new-translink-timetables-run-smoothly-20140130-31psb.html )

The reductions  flow from the political failure of the TransLink bus review.  In order to continue to prop up the inefficient direct service model of the Brisbane Transport bus network other regions are having serious cuts.  Hardly a satisfactory outcome.  There is serious concern with the changed Gold Coast bus network.  Many bus routes now finish before people return from work and other activities.

Examples of Brisbane bus network waste and unproductive issues surviving two rounds of bus 'review' include:

* BCC 50% air buses in peak hour at Cultural Centre

* Maroon WasteGlider from the CBD to Stones Corner

* Express Bus 161 which duplicates almost everything on the South East Busway

* Enormous service duplication and wasteful competition along Coronation Drive both against BCC's own bus routes and rail

* Enormous waste along Old Cleveland Road where an excessive 16 buses per hour pass (a bus every 3.75 minutes) in the OFF peak, mostly carrying air.

* Lack of quality service to Albany Creek, The Centenary Suburbs, Bulimba, Yeronga and Wynnum Road.

This starves TransLink of service funds and the other regions are now being hit hard.  Crazy ...

Bus regions outside Brisbane are suffering because of a political failure.  TransLink is not to blame, political incompetence is.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

New Translink timetables run smoothly

Commuter advocates say changes to Translink timetables introduced last week have left some train passengers stranded in outlying areas of Brisbane.

Despite that, however, they say the transition to 200 extra daily rail services has gone relatively smoothly since they were introduced last Monday.

Dutton Park's Michael Swifte, the administrator of a Facebook forum dedicated to Brisbane's public transport network, said many commuters had raised concerns about bus connectivity with train stations since the changes were introduced.

''Talking to people from the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Logan especially, they are saying there is a serious safety issue with the span of hours of the services,'' he said.

''They say they no longer have buses that connect with the train when they get home.''

Mr Swifte said women in particular were concerned at walking home from train stations after dark.

''Peak services to the Gold Coast don't have the connecting bus they used to,'' he said.

''Some people have said they have especially asked to leave work early so they can get a particular train so they can then get the bus.''

A spokesman for Transport Minister Scott Emerson said the new timetable gave the Gold Coast line 93 additional train services each week.

He said overall the implementation of the timetable changes had been highly successful, with high levels of on-time running.

''Translink has more than 50 liaison officers on the Gold Coast network and up to 100 in the Greater Brisbane region – including Logan City – to help customers,'' he said.

''The main focus of enquiries has been to assist with journey planning questions and to help them become familiar with the new network.''

He acknowledged there had been some changes to routes south of Brisbane but said the changes had been made after extensive consultation by Translink.

''While there are some changes to service coverage on the Gold Coast, several new areas are being provided with public transport services for the first time,'' he said.

''The frequency and span of hours of most routes across the Gold Coast have been adjusted to ensure the public transport network is efficient and meets demand for the greater number of customers.''

Robert Dow, of commuter group Rail Back on Track, said connectivity between the bus and train network had been an ongoing problem in Brisbane and Queensland's southeast.

However, he said overall commuters had been happy with the extra 200 daily services.

''There has been some potential overcrowding issues, particularly the Springfield services are pretty heavily loaded but overall it's working reasonably well,'' he said.

''People will get used to new timetables.

''It takes time for a new timetable to permeate through the community but the gains are pretty significant.'' 

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/new-translink-timetables-run-smoothly-20140130-31psb.html

[longboi]

One observation I have made on the FG line is that there are a number of pax who appear to have not altered their own personal schedule since the introduction of sector 2.

For example;

The services which are closely timetabled to the previous Mitchelton starters have relatively few pax prior to Gaythorne and then big numbers inbound from there.
Likewise, the services which depart at similar times to the previous express services have fewer pax Enoggera - Windsor.

Not backed up by any actual data, but it does appear habits will take a bit longer to catch up with the new timetables.

[The Reaper]

In the Brisbane Times article today, they flatly rejected my comment below, which was in response to the first comment allowed on the article which stated that car travel was safer than PT:

"@qldtransport - expensive, yes. Unreliable? The train services have been achieving reliability in the mid-90% for a year or more under the most stringent conditions in the country. Safer to use the car? What rubbish. Have a look at the rates of deaths per 100,000 trips between rail, bus, and car, and then see if you think it's still safer. Don't state falsehood as fact in a public forum."

Given the (often political) filth that they allow to be published in the comments generally, not sure why they rejected mine? But in any event, no onus on the publishing of lies if it's in the context of comment by a member of the public, and no interest in allowing a corrective rebuttal. 

[BrizCommuter]

No "busy service" observations today. However, one of QR's chief timetablers was spotted at Windsor, and the hi-viz loading counter people at Windsor were not there.

[longboi]

No "busy service" observations today. However, one of QR's chief timetablers was spotted at Windsor, and the hi-viz loading counter people at Windsor were not there.

And only a few weeks ago you were predicting an apocalypse

[BrizCommuter]

No "busy service" observations today. However, one of QR's chief timetablers was spotted at Windsor, and the hi-viz loading counter people at Windsor were not there.

And only a few weeks ago you were predicting an apocalypse

I don't you understood the post. BrizCommuter did not observe any of the problem services (07:10am, 07:25am, and 05:26pm). Last observations of these services were still in line for overcrowded/full services when students return. There are also a lot of annoyed inner Ferny Grove Line commuters who have been "encouraged" to avoid the 3-car am peak services.

BrizCommuter however can now get to work faster, and avoiding zone 1. Yay!

[BrizCommuter]

Observed the 07:10am from Ferny Grove this morning. Loadings have evened out between carriages. Door hopping from Alderley. Overcrowded from Windsor, with limited standing space available. This service is still looking like it will be full and leaving passengers behind when the uni students start. Not good for a new "improved" timetable.

[James]

Observed the 07:10am from Ferny Grove this morning. Loadings have evened out between carriages. Door hopping from Alderley. Overcrowded from Windsor, with limited standing space available. This service is still looking like it will be full and leaving passengers behind when the uni students start. Not good for a new "improved" timetable.

Looking at the timetable, I don't think this train will be as badly affected as you forecast. For Uni starting, there are better ways to get to QUT KG from the majority of the Ferny Grove line (interchange at Alderley/Windsor/Mitchelton to buses) and the train arrives too late at Park Road to be useful (7:55am - you're pushing your luck to get there in time for an 8am). I only see it being useful for QUT GP students.

The 7:02am train, however, looks like it will be in for a good hammering from UQ students once semester starts. Its always interesting to watch how the services close to Uni start/finish times fill to the brim with pax, yet the services at quiet times (during semester) often have barely half seated loads. Loadings fall off a cliff immediately after the services which arrive in between :50 and :00 past the hour at both UQ bus stops.

Pax will change their habits over time, same thing happened with Sector I.

[BrizCommuter]

Observed the 07:10am from Ferny Grove this morning. Loadings have evened out between carriages. Door hopping from Alderley. Overcrowded from Windsor, with limited standing space available. This service is still looking like it will be full and leaving passengers behind when the uni students start. Not good for a new "improved" timetable.

Looking at the timetable, I don't think this train will be as badly affected as you forecast. For Uni starting, there are better ways to get to QUT KG from the majority of the Ferny Grove line (interchange at Alderley/Windsor/Mitchelton to buses) and the train arrives too late at Park Road to be useful (7:55am - you're pushing your luck to get there in time for an 8am). I only see it being useful for QUT GP students.

The 7:02am train, however, looks like it will be in for a good hammering from UQ students once semester starts. Its always interesting to watch how the services close to Uni start/finish times fill to the brim with pax, yet the services at quiet times (during semester) often have barely half seated loads. Loadings fall off a cliff immediately after the services which arrive in between :50 and :00 past the hour at both UQ bus stops.

Pax will change their habits over time, same thing happened with Sector I.

It will be interesting to see how things will pan out. It will only take an estimated 10% increase in passengers to fill this service. The old 07:04am express from Ferny Grove, and following 07:17am Mitchelton starter were busy with students (more so on the 07:04am).

At least the overcrowded 5:26pm service is less likely to be affected by school kids and uni students over the next few weeks.

Anyway, another blog post looking at the outbreak of "I want an express to my stationitis" at Ferny Grove.
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/outbreak-of-i-want-express-to-my.html

[longboi]

No "busy service" observations today. However, one of QR's chief timetablers was spotted at Windsor, and the hi-viz loading counter people at Windsor were not there.

And only a few weeks ago you were predicting an apocalypse

I don't you understood the post. BrizCommuter did not observe any of the problem services (07:10am, 07:25am, and 05:26pm). Last observations of these services were still in line for overcrowded/full services when students return. There are also a lot of annoyed inner Ferny Grove Line commuters who have been "encouraged" to avoid the 3-car am peak services.

BrizCommuter however can now get to work faster, and avoiding zone 1. Yay!

You're right.

I wasn't aware you had designated those particular services the "busy service" moniker.

As a FG line commuter myself, I do agree it is much more tightly packed but it's not that big of a deal. I do very long days, rarely get a seat but don't complain. Really, there are bigger issues in the world than my "personal bubble" being invaded.

Whether or not people are 'left behind' is mostly down to personal preferences.

[Golliwog]

Not sure if it is a permanent change but I was on the 5:26pm service this evening and it was a 6 car service. Where I was it was packed but this was the front car so if pax weren't aware that this was a 6 car service then they would have been all down the FV end of the platform to start with.

[aldonius]

In my observations (granted this is during uni semester last year) the front car to FG in peak has people standing to Mitchelton (and very few getting off before then) regardless.

[James]

Not sure if it is a permanent change but I was on the 5:26pm service this evening and it was a 6 car service. Where I was it was packed but this was the front car so if pax weren't aware that this was a 6 car service then they would have been all down the FV end of the platform to start with.

The 5:26pm Ferny Grove train has always been a 6-car train. The only time it has been 3-car has been for operational issues. I do agree that the situation with the 5:26pm Ferny Grove train is one that does need fixing. Unfortunately due to rolling stock constraints, I don't see it being fixed any time soon. How in all hell QR thought having a 15 minute gap in the middle of PM peak on one of the busiest train lines in Brisbane was a good idea is beyond me.

[BrizCommuter]

Not sure if it is a permanent change but I was on the 5:26pm service this evening and it was a 6 car service. Where I was it was packed but this was the front car so if pax weren't aware that this was a 6 car service then they would have been all down the FV end of the platform to start with.

It is scheduled as a 6-car unit. The 15 minute gap preceding it during the "peak of the peak" is the problem. BrizCommuter hasn't observed this service recently, but by all reports it is very busy. BrizCommuter doesn't have an issue with crowded trains on short lines such as Ferny Grove. But does have an issue when overcrowding is to an extent when passengers cannot/decide not to board, or there are insufficient rails and straps to hold onto (a big problem on all of QR's current rolling stock), and there is no room for patronage growth. Passengers should not be unable to board a train on a brand new timetable!

No "busy service" observations today. However, one of QR's chief timetablers was spotted at Windsor, and the hi-viz loading counter people at Windsor were not there.

And only a few weeks ago you were predicting an apocalypse

I don't you understood the post. BrizCommuter did not observe any of the problem services (07:10am, 07:25am, and 05:26pm). Last observations of these services were still in line for overcrowded/full services when students return. There are also a lot of annoyed inner Ferny Grove Line commuters who have been "encouraged" to avoid the 3-car am peak services.

BrizCommuter however can now get to work faster, and avoiding zone 1. Yay!

You're right.

I wasn't aware you had designated those particular services the "busy service" moniker.

As a FG line commuter myself, I do agree it is much more tightly packed but it's not that big of a deal. I do very long days, rarely get a seat but don't complain. Really, there are bigger issues in the world than my "personal bubble" being invaded.

Whether or not people are 'left behind' is mostly down to personal preferences.

As per the answer to Golliwog above, it's only when the train is pretty much full that BrizCommuter has an issue. The 07:10am in not quite there yet, but is likely to be in the next few weeks (dependant on train services preferred by uni students). It is unacceptable for this to happen on a brand new timetable, which should be attracting people to public transport, not discouraging (although for the majority of passengers the timetable is much improved).

It is looking like a return to the bad old days of 2007 when some Ferny Grove Line 3-car services left passengers behind at Wilston and Windsor.

[aldonius]

The 07:10am in not quite there yet, but is likely to be in the next few weeks (dependant on train services preferred by uni students).

And the 07:10 is not one uni students will use very heavily, as James has shown for UQ and QUT-KG. Journey planner shows that it's also very difficult to get to your classroom at QUT-GP by 8am, so that's the last of the trifecta.

[BrizCommuter]

Had to use the Cleveland Line counter peak this morning. Thank god for 15 min counter-peak frequency to Cleveland!
Passes at Thorneside and Wellington Point, although sadly not quite long enough to run to the loo and back. Anyone know why the passes are to the right, instead of the usual left hand running?

On the return journey (off-peak) I observed that the Cannon Hills reversers do not reverse in the platforms at Cannon Hill (in fact they arrived and departed at around the same time). Where do they reverse?

[ozbob]

^ Murarrie

[STB]

Had to use the Cleveland Line counter peak this morning. Thank god for 15 min counter-peak frequency to Cleveland!
Passes at Thorneside and Wellington Point, although sadly not quite long enough to run to the loo and back. Anyone know why the passes are to the right, instead of the usual left hand running?

On the return journey (off-peak) I observed that the Cannon Hills reversers do not reverse in the platforms at Cannon Hill (in fact they arrived and departed at around the same time). Where do they reverse?

Outbound trains generally use the platform closest to the sewage treatment plant at Thorneside (inbound trains closest to the carpark), and at Wellington Point, the outbound trains generally pull in on the platform closest to Station St (non carpark side), and inbound trains on the Harris St side (carpark side), been like that for decades.  Must admit the other day we had an odd routing with an inbound train I was on doing the opposite to that, not sure why but felt weird after being used to the same routing at Wellington Pt, Thorneside and Lota (yes we came in on the traditional outbound platform at Lota!).  The first express I caught on day 1 came on on the usual outbound platform at Manly, felt strange.

Some Cannon Hill trains continue empty express (although instant turnback I've heard, so sorry if that's the case, no all stations to Manly...yet) to Manly and turnback there from what I understand (not all though).  I'm not sure what you mean by reverse, trains can run in both directions as long as there is a cab, they don't generally go backwards or forwards, unless the driver is going forward and then 'backs up' while being in the forward cab.

At the end of the day though it'll come down to Operations (Train Control) what the trains will do, with guidance from the timetable for whatever reason.

[ozbob]

It was explained to me one day, but I can't quite remember exactly but essentially reason no pax from Cannon Hill, is because the turnback location is variable. It depends on other trains around eg. freight and so forth.  Some work is being done somewhere which will make the turnbacks more predictable (I think).