Redcliffe Peninsula Line [was MBRL (Petrie to Kippa Ring)]

[SurfRail]

I have literally no idea how this can be to the LNP's electoral advantage.  It is entirely their fault QR was excluded at an early stage.

[ozbob]

I have literally no idea how this can be to the LNP's electoral advantage.  It is entirely their fault QR was excluded at an early stage.

Yes, I have made that very very clear to the media I have spoken with ...

[STB]

Apparently Scott Emerson is already getting on the 'Blame Labor' bandwagon, as expected I guess.   

[#Metro]

Ah, Queensland.

Can't build a major project without stuffing it up somehow. Only a matter of time before something stuffs up.

If they still had their way, Springfield line would be single track!

Save money to waste 10x more money down the track!

Oh well, looks like Townsville Stadium might have to go to fund this, lol.

[Stillwater]

Whoever is to blame, the game will be to divert the blame (even if belongs to you) towards the other side of the political net.  Scott Emerson is operating true to form -- always wants to play the politics.  ABC Local Radio now reporting Hinchliffe as saying the whole signalling system might have to be ripped up and replaced.

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
11/07/2012

Simpler procurement for Moreton Bay Rail... JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT

Simpler procurement on the Moreton Bay Rail Link will see improved outcomes for the local community while delivering vital infrastructure for the Moreton Bay region.

Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson said the Queensland Government would bring the delivery of the project under a single entity with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads as the Principal for the contract.

"I met with Minister Anthony Albanese this morning and confirmed the Queensland Government is committed to this project to be delivered in partnership with the Federal Government and Moreton Bay Regional Council," Mr Emerson said.

"Previously, the delivery of the project was split between the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Rail," he said.

"By bringing the project under one agency I am looking for better more innovation and savings for the funding partners and the people of Queensland.

"An industry briefing will be held soon to give members of the construction industry a chance to find out more about delivery of the project.

"A Request for Proposal will also be released in the near future to shortlist proponents to submit tenders for the delivery of the project."

The rail component is scheduled for delivery in 2016.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese said that work would soon start on the next road component of the Moreton Bay Rail Link.

"Works will start on the road-over-rail bridge at Kinsellas Road East in a matter of weeks and is expected to be completed by mid 2013," said Mr Albanese.

"This region is growing fast and is currently forced to be largely car-dependent, so it is important that we build sustainable transport options now before traffic becomes untenable.

"The Moreton Bay Rail Link is a prime example of all three levels of government coming together to develop the infrastructure required for a region's long term development."

The $1.147 billion project is jointly funded by the Australian Government ($742 million), Queensland Government ($300 million plus land) and Moreton Bay Regional Council ($105 million).

[ENDS] 11 July 2012

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Redcliffe rail link blowout a threat to LNP savings drive

Redcliffe rail link blowout a threat to LNP savings drive

    by: Robyn Ironside, Steven Scott
    From: The Courier-Mail
    August 21, 2012 12:00AM

MORE than 20 per cent of the State Government's hard-fought savings could be blown on the controversial Redcliffe rail link.

As Premier Campbell Newman searches for ways to save $3 billion over the next three years, his government is facing a bill of at least $650 million for the rail link - well in excess of the $300 million budgeted when the project became a hot topic at the 2010 federal election.

The news comes as Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan threatens to redirect funding earmarked for Queensland if the Newman Government cuts any joint-funded projects, such as the rail link, Gold Coast Rapid Transit and Townsville Ring Road.

While I am concerned that Queenslanders should get the quality infrastructure and services they deserve, if the Queensland Government pulls its funding from these projects then of course the Commonwealth share will also need to be redirected to alternative projects in other jurisdictions," Mr Swan has written in a letter to Mr Newman.

Mr Newman responded that all the projects would be funded.

But it is understood the State Government looked at pulling out of the rail link because of the cost blowout.

While the Government would not confirm this, Transport Minister Scott Emerson admitted that a review of the rail link was conducted shortly after the March state election.

Mr Emerson said the Government was now trying to ensure the project was delivered as efficiently as possible.

As a result, Queensland Rail has been excluded from bidding for the construction contract despite being part of an alliance building the Richlands to Springfield line.

Under a deal done by the Bligh government with Canberra, Queensland will have to bear the risk of any cost overruns on the rail link connecting Petrie and Kippa-Ring.

The Commission of Audit report has warned that as well as Queensland's $300 million contribution, the state faces an extra $300 million to connect the 12.6km line with the existing network plus $50 million in annual operating costs.

The state could also end up paying much of the Federal Government's $742 million contribution through reduced GST funding.

"While the Australian Government has approved funding for this infrastructure project, its contribution will be subject to assessment by the Commonwealth Grants Commission and will result in a reduction of Queensland's share of GST funding," said the report by former federal treasurer Peter Costello, Dr Doug McTaggart and Professor Sandra Harding. "As such there is a risk that a major portion of the Australian Government's share will in fact be met by the state."

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland said he understood the project was on target for completion in 2016.

[ozbob]

^ Emerson was behind the root problem ... he might blame others but he stands condemned by his own statement ...

[ozbob]

Now for the inquiry ..   

Do things on the cheap, often get cheap results.  Maybe staff and ticket might work?   

[red dragin]

Now for the inquiry ..   

Do things on the cheap, often get cheap results.  Maybe staff and ticket might work?   

Tickets would cost too much, it'll be Staff only 

[red dragin]

Someone reliable has suggested to me that "it may or may not be realigning 17km of railway that's not quite in the right spot.

I was told of the signal problems when I posted this but my 'source' was too easily identified if I said anything.

Yet the Minister only found out today? 

[ozbob]

RTBU --> http://www.rtbu.org.au/moreton_bay_delay_lessons_juvenile_premiers_need_adult_supervision

Moreton Bay delay lessons: Juvenile Premiers need adult supervision

The delay in commissioning the Moreton Bay Rail Link project due to problems with signalling shows why the Federal Government must carefully oversee the expenditure of taxpayers' money on infrastructure projects, according to the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU).

RTBU National Secretary Bob Nanva said the delay was a direct result of former Queensland Premier Campbell Newman's ideological hatred of the public sector.

"Queensland Rail (QR) has now been called in to fix up the problems with the signalling system on the Moreton Bay Rail Link.

"Given that QR has specific expertise in delivering new rail infrastructure projects, frustrated commuters will be shaking their heads and asking why QR wasn't involved from the start.

"The answer, of course, is that Campbell Newman wouldn't let QR even put in a tender for the job."

Procurement must be done properly

Mr Nanva said banning public sector organisations from participating in tenders for public infrastructure undermined the integrity of those projects, and meant taxpayers could not be guaranteed full value for money.

"QR may or may not have been the cheapest bidder, but it clearly would have brought other things to the table, such as expertise and reliability.

"Given that so much Federal money was involved, in retrospect the Federal Government should have kept a closer eye on the procurement process and made sure it was done properly.

"When Premiers like Campbell Newman start playing juvenile ideological games with vast amounts of taxpayers' money, then there is a need for the Federal Government to provide adult supervision.

"Brisbane commuters will be wishing the adults had turned up a lot earlier."

==================

[STB]

Someone reliable has suggested to me that "it may or may not be realigning 17km of railway that's not quite in the right spot.

I was told of the signal problems when I posted this but my 'source' was too easily identified if I said anything.

Yet the Minister only found out today? 

I'm quite confident that was the case, that the Minister was briefed today after QR went through the system - I don't think he was sitting on it as you might be suggesting.  There would be no real political benefits to sitting on it - it'd be a political disaster if it was opened and something happened.

You generally don't just drop bits to someone like the Minister as you go and find things that are wrong, but put it all together and then consult with the Minister after one is satisfied you've found everything that is wrong and then get direction from the Minister and other stakeholders afterwards on what to do next.

[tazzer9]

I have literally no idea how this can be to the LNP's electoral advantage.  It is entirely their fault QR was excluded at an early stage.

Its not about who approves, funds or builds it.  Its about who is in power when it opens or doesn't open.

[red dragin]

Fair enough.

Plenty of people outside the project or QR knew it was going bad, I'm really surprised the media didn't say anything earlier.

[ozbob]

I have been hearing things for more than 6 months.  It was hoped that the issues could be resolved within a reasonable time frame but once things got to the actual train running stage it become clear it was rooted!

[Stillwater]

Hinchliffe, so far, has played this well.  The 'independent' umpire he appoints should be a person (or persons) of standing -- maybe someone with contract management skills and a retired railway engineer.  I don't know why Mr Emerson is crowing now, maybe only to deflect criticism from him -- evidence of which is pretty damning judging by the media statements Ozbob has posted.  Emerson admits to excluding QR from the project management team.

We should also wonder why he is commenting at all, given that Andrew Powell is the Opposition transport spokesperson.  He and Nicholls should tell Emerson to shut up.

Mr Emerson should also be aware that he faces the sanction of the Westminster protocols on ministerial accountability:

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/House_of_Representatives/Powers_practice_and_procedure/practice/chapter2#asp

If the inquiry finds that a ministerial directive from him is the root cause of the mess, he should be asked to show cause why he should not follow convention and resign from the Queensland Parliament.

[SteelPan]

How can there be any serious criticism of Emerson?  QR is NOT "needed" to build a rail line - period! It's total nonsense to suggest they are!  TMR are charged with project delivery - whoever the people were, who actioned the signalling install got it wrong - how, God alone would know, but hey, it's TMR!

Be critical of the then Minister sure, but at least get the criticism right!

Do you ask [for example] Toyota, or even more particularly, "car drivers" about the technicalities of installing a set of traffic lights???  Of course NOT - the contract is - one would think - managed by, awarded to and undertaken by, people experienced in such things!

Clearly that has not happened here - having QR sitting at the table has never been a certainty of positive outcomes!  In the 21stC, in the First World, only in Queensland [mmmmaaattteeeeee] could a stuff-up of this scale occur in installing railway signalling, in a project given the better part of a billion dollars to deliver!

[ozbob]

Emerson et al. thought they were being too smart.  Facts are facts.

Mr Bus Review Failure, Mr Fare Cut, Mr Segway is a diabolical non performer of well established precedent.  They even trumpeted how much they saved by going on the cheap $150M.  The stations were originally planned to be built without toilets.  This was the level of cost cutting that went on. 

Emerson et al. did not ensure there was rail expertise. Having kicked QR out of the picture they failed to make sure that there was the appropriate rail expertise - the fact that the project has failed is clear enough.

One of members predicted the failure essentially:

The ' retrospectroscope ' can be a very valuable instrument .. 

Ok, so now this project has been taken off QueenslandRail and given to a ROAD agency. What exactly is their expertise in delivering railway projects?

This Government is behaving like a bull in a China shop. Decisions for the sake of changing things.

Not impressed. Seriously.

Why not put the project to an alliance like Springfield and Caboolture - Beerburrum? The reason why alliance projects work well is because they have a commercial incentive to come in on time & budget, and find solutions to problems. My own employer dealt with both those alliance projects, and one of the most noticeable differences compared to working directly with State agencies was that you could actually get them to make decisions and respond to things in a reasonable amount of time. Until a few years ago, the old QR was like that as well, but after the split it became like talking to a brick wall, if you could even identify exactly who the responsible person was at all.

Although I wonder if this means that the smouldering remnants of QR are about to vanish into the maw of the all conquering Main Roads department, there to be pillaged by Caltabiano and his LNP crony buddies?

What a shambles. I'm sure that the people who wanted to be rid of Anna and Boy Wonder weren't looking to replace it with this kind of errant nonsense. This Government was elected to set things right, not compound Labor's errors with a whole bunch of rookie mistakes.

Meanwhile in the real world:
http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/alliance-cuts-cost-of-paisley-canal-line-electrification.html

[SteelPan]

maybe they [the LNP] just looked at the bank account and said something the other team never says..... "we can't really afford it"!  Fortune 500 Giant IBM sends the little people of "Queeeeeensland" best regards and sincere thanks for the billion dollars plus for the failed health system payroll......a project that could have launched a PhI ramp-up with software from the local Officeworks for less than $500.......if you followed into govt those clowns, you'd need to find savings too!  Anyone seen a desalination works 'round here...somewhere.....   

[ozbob]

They have also booby-trapped the NGR train project as well.  But that sad tale waits for another day ..

...  In the 21stC, in the First World, only in Queensland [mmmmaaattteeeeee] could a stuff-up of this scale occur in installing railway signalling, in a project given the better part of a billion dollars to deliver!
...

I do agree with this sentiment though    Queensland is rooted!!

[SteelPan]

Agreed - and I do let the political cards fall where they may, the Newman administration was Stupid in key areas, with a capital S!  They took a poorly thought through knife to rail and I was most upset at the removal of sleeper capacity from the new Bris/Cairns rolling stock - madness! [particularly in a state where tourism is such a critical future industry].

The issue with this signalling is, what's happened, is it:

- the right system/poorly installed
- the wrong system/correctly installed  <<< my own fave
- the wrong system/poorly installed

Hopefully, it only takes an "upgrade" of what's now there to fix! [What's that say 6 months??]   :conf

[overit]

I said a while back that this would not open on time.
And from what i know, it won't open for for some time yet.
The signal fault was known months ago & there have been a number of people working to fix it.
I also know that the signalling fault is not the only problem with the whole setup!!.
Maybe a Xmas present for Kippa-Ring.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Government orders audit into Moreton Bay rail link debacle

Cost-cutting on the new $1 billion Petrie to Kippa-Ring rail line appears to have backfired with Queensland Rail finding the new rail signals did not "talk" to the rail signals on the rest of the south-east's rail network.

The revelation has delayed the project, which was due to open mid-2016, leading the Palaszczuk government to direct QR to take charge of the project.

Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has ordered an independent audit into the problem.

"It is also very important to be open and transparent about the concerns in relation to this project, because we want other governments and business to continue to invest in critical infrastructure in Queensland," he said.

"This investigation will be transparent and I will confirm details in the coming days about who I will entrust with this task."

Serious concerns were investigated by QR last week and reported to Mr Hinchliffe on Monday morning.

Mr Hinchliffe indefinitely delayed opening the Moreton Bay Rail Link citing serious safety concerns.

The fault meant the signalling system would crash after three trains passed through Petrie station, where the new rail line meets the old line, creating serious problems throughout the network.

QR was not included in the design and construction phase of this project .

They were excluded from the process by the previous Liberal National Party government to look for savings, as Newman government transport minister Scott Emerson said in 2012.

"Previously, the delivery of the project was split between the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Rail," Mr Emerson said in a statement issued on July 11 that year.

"By bringing the project under one agency I am looking for better more innovation and savings for the funding partners and the people of Queensland."

That decision was seriously questioned by Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow on Monday afternoon.

"If Queensland Rail had been there from day one, we don't think these signalling issues and deficiencies would have happened at all," he said.

"They would have recognised there were deficiencies from day one, because the two systems are not talking to each other properly.

"The system on the Moreton Bay Rail Link is not exactly the same as the system on the rest of the network."

Mr Dow said his network of advisers and rail enthusiasts became aware of signal problems about two months ago, but believed it could have been fixed.

Mr Dow said QR should have been involved from the start of the project.

"Queensland Rail has always been involved in the construction alliance since the Caboolture to Beerburrum line in 2008-09," he said.

Mr Dow said QR was involved in the Corinda to Darra rail line expansion, Darra to Richlands and then the Richlands to Springfield Central.

"You need a proper rail authority involved in a rail project like that." he said.

"You need that expertise."

Mr Emerson said when he was transport minister the department assured him the project was "on track".

"When the contract was awarded, we were assured this project was on track, would be delivered and would be appropriate and that was the assurances we got from the department," he said.

Mr Emerson said most of the main construction work had been done over the past 18 months while Labor was in office.

"I think there are very serious questions for Mr Hinchliffe and Labor to answer about what they have been doing for the past 18 months," he said.

"What questions has he been asking up until five minutes 'til midnight."

"All the major works in this project – including the signalling work – has been carried out under the Labor Party."

Mr Emerson said Thiess, which won the contract, found savings because they were already doing bridge work and embankment works on the rail corridor.

Mr Emerson said he himself did not suggest QR be excluded from the project design and construction.

"All these projects and the awarding of these tenders are made by an independent tendering panel within the department," Mr Emerson said.

"It would be inappropriate for a minister to get involved in this."

[#Metro]

LNP Signalling Fail.

I wonder when the contract for that went out? Anyone know?

Queensland Rail should be involved because obviously they run the signaling and network control aspects.

I know who should head the independent review (getting a bit sick of all this planning / review, seems to be a new one each week). The Auditor General.

[achiruel]

maybe they [the LNP] just looked at the bank account and said something the other team never says..... "we can't really afford it"!

So they do a half-arsed job and leave it for the next Government fix their f**** ups at even expense? Yeah, real smart economic management right there!

Fortune 500 Giant IBM sends the little people of "Queeeeeensland" best regards and sincere thanks for the billion dollars plus for the failed health system payroll......a project that could have launched a PhI ramp-up with software from the local Officeworks for less than $500.

I think you seriously underestimate the requirements of the Queensland Health payroll system.

.......if you followed into govt those clowns, you'd need to find savings too!  Anyone seen a desalination works 'round here...somewhere.....   

I guess you forgot about this: http://desalination.edu.au/2013/01/desal-plant-providing-critical-drinking-water-supplies-during-queensland-floods/#.V0wD0RGubMI

[ozbob]

It is really very sad this.  We have BCC with their double-think hats on, we are still battling for a sensible fare structure,  bus and rail connections are terrible, and now this disaster. 

Questions will be asked of TMR.  I have been concerned with TMRs anti-rail stance for a while.  TransLink is a shell.  They are impotent.  I am not confident that TMR will get CRR #3 right either.

My first meeting with the then Transport Minister Ms. Trad after the election in 2015,  I suggested that TransLink should go straight back to a statutory authority, given back a reasonable amount of staff and directed to get on with it.

La de la de dum ...

[SteelPan]

Perish the thought, it MAY be no-one is "really to blame" - if, in all fairness, Emerson and the Dept were confident the project was "on track" [not an unreasonable expectation] and they awarded, what one would reasonably expect, was the right system for the job. It MAY be they were simply supplied with an unfortunate dud, which only really becomes operationally obvious, as you ramp the new corridor up for opening!

The problem MAY indeed by simply a "dud tool out of the box", which one imagines the maker will need to fully correct!    :conf

Just saying....

[ozbob]

A chain of systemic errors.  Set up poorly and failure compounded along the way.

The ' audit ' findings will be interesting ...

[SteelPan]

maybe they [the LNP] just looked at the bank account and said something the other team never says..... "we can't really afford it"!

So they do a half-arsed job and leave it for the next Government fix their f**** ups at even expense? Yeah, real smart economic management right there!

Fortune 500 Giant IBM sends the little people of "Queeeeeensland" best regards and sincere thanks for the billion dollars plus for the failed health system payroll......a project that could have launched a PhI ramp-up with software from the local Officeworks for less than $500.

I think you seriously underestimate the requirements of the Queensland Health payroll system.

.......if you followed into govt those clowns, you'd need to find savings too!  Anyone seen a desalination works 'round here...somewhere.....   

I guess you forgot about this: http://desalination.edu.au/2013/01/desal-plant-providing-critical-drinking-water-supplies-during-queensland-floods/#.V0wD0RGubMI

I have grave doubts claims desal water ever entered, prolonged use drinking water supply in Qld.  Claims it did in time of flood emergecy, GREAT [if so] - so it should have, it cost outrageously enough!

Re Qld Health payroll - I said a PhI payroll program, to get it right before mainstream roll-out!

[SteelPan]

It is really very sad this.  We have BCC with their double-think hats on, we are still battling for a sensible fare structure,  bus and rail connections are terrible, and now this disaster. 

Questions will be asked of TMR.  I have been concerned with TMRs anti-rail stance for a while.  TransLink is a shell.  They are impotent.  I am not confident that TMR will get CRR #3 right either.

My first meeting with the then Transport Minister Ms. Trad after the election in 2015,  I suggested that TransLink should go straight back to a statutory authority, given back a reasonable amount of staff and directed to get on with it.

La de la de dum ...

Quirk's on the money re his Metro...great for Brisbane!  Everyone else is all talk....

[ozbob]

LOL

A proper metro maybe, not a toy metro.  Check out why here > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11952.msg174616#msg174616 & > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11952.msg173638#msg173638

Quirks metro only achieves 9000 pphpd (as touted), the busways achieve 15000 pphpd.   No government will allow the expenditure of billions for negative capacity gain.  Suggest you study up on real metros.

Dead ...

[#Metro]

I think you seriously underestimate the requirements of the Queensland Health payroll system.

IBM apparently approached Mater Hospital and the hospital refused.

Mater CIO shows QLD Health 'how it's done'
http://www.itnews.com.au/news/mater-cio-shows-qld-health-how-its-done-343627

But Mater Hospital has challenged some of the report's assumptions about the unique complexity of Queensland Health's payroll, arguing it could be fixed for $172 million.

Mater Health chief information officer Malcolm Thatcher took to the stand yesterday at the commission of inquiry investigating the failed payroll project.

Thatcher told the commission Mater Hospital's payroll replacement project, which was similarly complex to that of Queensland Health, took five years to scope, build and deliver, at a cost of $9.1 million.

In its submission to the inquiry, Mater Health said its rostering and payroll solutions needed to be able to deal with an even greater number of allowances and awards, involving more complex algorithms for computation of fortnightly pay, than was required for Queensland Health.

[ozbob]

Moreton Bay Rail Link signal fault could have caused a disaster if it hadn't been picked up during testing. #7News https://t.co/qrusV6NTEt

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) May 30, 2016

[ozbob]

^ Thanks FF.  Nice cameo!   

[James]

If the inquiry finds that a ministerial directive from him is the root cause of the mess, he should be asked to show cause why he should not follow convention and resign from the Queensland Parliament.

I'm sure there will be a few people cheering if Emerson gets the boot. Maybe even people in his own party, given everything he seemed to touch as Transport Minister has either festered or turned to poo.

Why QR wasn't at least consulted is astounding. Hopefully "indefinite" is just government speak for "we're not sure how long this is going to take, but will be done by the end of the year at the latest".

Quirk's on the money re his Metro...great for Brisbane!  Everyone else is all talk....

Ha. The idea of a metro is the only good part about Quirk's plan... most of the details are rubbish.

[#Metro]

A metro may be possible, but Quack metro is not it.

This debacle raises very serious questions about Cross River Rail. Is CRR going to be built 'without QR involvement' as well? Will the tunnel open only to find that the signalling doesn't talk to the rest of the QR network.

One wonders...

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/moreton-bay-rail-stink.html
Moreton Bay Rail Stink!

[BrizCommuter]

I think you seriously underestimate the requirements of the Queensland Health payroll system.

IBM apparently approached Mater Hospital and the hospital refused.

Mater CIO shows QLD Health 'how it's done'
http://www.itnews.com.au/news/mater-cio-shows-qld-health-how-its-done-343627

But Mater Hospital has challenged some of the report's assumptions about the unique complexity of Queensland Health's payroll, arguing it could be fixed for $172 million.

Mater Health chief information officer Malcolm Thatcher took to the stand yesterday at the commission of inquiry investigating the failed payroll project.

Thatcher told the commission Mater Hospital's payroll replacement project, which was similarly complex to that of Queensland Health, took five years to scope, build and deliver, at a cost of $9.1 million.

In its submission to the inquiry, Mater Health said its rostering and payroll solutions needed to be able to deal with an even greater number of allowances and awards, involving more complex algorithms for computation of fortnightly pay, than was required for Queensland Health.

I'm sorry, but you have fallen hook line and sinker for a dodgy Mater press release. Mater Healthcare is tiny compared to the behemoth that is Queensland Health, and is also governed by completely different data and privacy legislation. It's apples and oranges.

[tazzer9]

Quirk's on the money re his Metro...great for Brisbane!  Everyone else is all talk....

We seem to have found the resident LNP stooge.  Even the way the sentence is constructed grammatically tells me that the sentence was an utter lie and sarcastic, or it was someone that was paid and fabricated. (in the same manner you can tell fake reviews on amazon)

If quirk campaigned for a metro that was actually any good, then it would be good news.   You wouldn't tear down a brand new bridge to build another smaller one just because you wanted it to have a different colour of paint.