Queensland Rail to become statutory authority

[somebody]

Want a job?

Yeah sure, why not?

[Stillwater]

The ad left out one critical criterion:

- able to cope with high degree of unpredictable political interference

[ozbob]

The ad left out one critical criterion:

- able to cope with high degree of unpredictable political interference

Good point!

[#Metro]

No need for a new CEO of QR. Just put Brisbane Transport et al in control of the trains. By internalising the waste into one company, there will be massive incentive to design and efficient network.

(pinch of sarcasm here)

[ozbob]

From Couriermail 10th June 2013 page 11

Rail boss aboard for rich CEO job

[ozbob]

^ interesting development.

Mr Harley was the former Chairman of TransLink.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/8/1/glen-dawe-appointed-ceo-of-queensland-rail

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Glen Dawe appointed CEO of Queensland Rail

Former Queensland Rail chairman Glen Dawe has been endorsed as CEO of the organisation.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said Mr Dawe had demonstrated a drive to see Queensland Rail improve their performance and standard of service across Queensland, over the past year

"We've already seen on-time running reach a decade high, after falling to a three year low in the final months under Labor," Mr Emerson said.

"Glen is one of Australia's most experienced rail executives and I look forward to working with him to deliver an even higher standard of service for Queenslanders."

Mr Dawe was chairman of Queensland Rail between July 2012 and June 2013, when he resigned to apply for the CEO's position.

He was appointed from a shortlist of four candidates selected from a field of more than 70 applicants, which included strong international interest.

"Mr Dawe was appointed at the direction of the government, which overturned the board's preferences for international candidates requiring a 457 visa," Mr Emerson said.

"We feel it is fitting that a person with local knowledge and a history with Queensland Rail is the best person to lead one of the largest organisations in Queensland."

Mr Emerson thanked Acting CEO Jim Benstead who has filled the role since late 2011.

The government will shortly begin the process to appoint a Chair of the Queensland Rail board.

Glen Dawe Bio

Glen Dawe was appointed as Chair of Queensland Rail in July 2012.

Prior to that Mr Dawe had extensive experience in the rail industry, most recently his roles included being National Manager Rail Transport, Manildra Group and General Manager Rail Infrastructure Corporation NSW.

He has also held a number of positions over 24 years in the former QR Limited, including Group General Manager (GGM) for Coal and Mainline Freight, GGM Metropolitan and Regional Services and GGM for Citytrain.

[ENDS] 1 August 2013

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail board overruled by Newman Government to appoint CEO Glen Dawe

THE State Government has overruled the board of Queensland Rail to appoint former chairman Glen Dawe as the new CEO ...

[johnnigh]

So, a 457 visa stymies the threat of new blood and new ideas. Well done, Emerson & Newman. QR is saved from the threat of doing better for rail passengers, commuters and travellers.

[techblitz]

on time performance is the LEAST of QR's worries.......the ever increasing already high fares is the number 1 thing working against them on the Brisbane rail network.

[Fares_Fair]

This is my own personal opinion.

I met with Glen Dawe in September 2012.
He is a railway man's railway man.
He is highly experienced in running railways in both Queensland and NSW.

Much of the improvements in on-time performance and reliability over the last 7 months, I believe can be attributed to his experience and direction, formulated during his tenure as Chairman of Queensland Rail. As reported he resigned as Chair to apply for this role as Chief Executive Officer.

[minbrisbane]

on time performance is the LEAST of QR's worries.......the ever increasing already high fares is the number 1 thing working against them on the Brisbane rail network.

QR don't set the fares - there's nothing they can worry about.  I'm not sure what you're saying here.

[SurfRail]

^ For all our ranting about Brisbane Transport, QR's operating costs are by far the biggest problem for the fare system.  It costs FAR too much to run our rail network for the passenger movements we get.

[mufreight]

^ For all our ranting about Brisbane Transport, QR's operating costs are by far the biggest problem for the fare system.  It costs FAR too much to run our rail network for the passenger movements we get.

The best way to reign in QR's operating costs is to increase patronage which could be done not by continually increasing fares but by reducing the existing fares by about 5% overall to make them affordable with any future increases limited to the CPI.
The latest 7.5% fare hike has seen a drop in patronage with some stations seeing a drop of 10% to 15% in boarding's which would indicate a drop in fare box revenue of between 2.5% to 7.5% while the operating costs remain the same.

[ozbob]

It won't be for much longer ...   expect the operation to be ' competively tendered ' shortly ...  DOO is on the cards I reckon ...

CRR is unlikely to occur for a while, but I expect an ATP upgrade eg. ERTMS 2 which will allow DOO and increases in both capacity and frequency, peak and out of peak.  Glen Dawes has been hand picked (as he was for Chairman of the Board) to facilitate the ' competitive tendering ' IMHO ...

(In SEQ it does cost slightly more for bus passenger/kilometre than  rail passenger/kilometre presently but both modes are too high cost).  Fares have scared off pax as well of course.  Inland passenger trains are going.

Running the bus network in  direct competition to rail doesn't help either.   Idiocy really ...  TransLink was trying to sort it, but the Minister for Segways couldn't handle the pace ... rest is mediocrity ...

[ozbob]

What a mess  ...    Just gets worse by the day ...

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Opposition criticises Qld Rail CEO appointment as 'job for mates'

[SurfRail]

^ For all our ranting about Brisbane Transport, QR's operating costs are by far the biggest problem for the fare system.  It costs FAR too much to run our rail network for the passenger movements we get.

The best way to reign in QR's operating costs is to increase patronage which could be done not by continually increasing fares but by reducing the existing fares by about 5% overall to make them affordable with any future increases limited to the CPI.
The latest 7.5% fare hike has seen a drop in patronage with some stations seeing a drop of 10% to 15% in boarding's which would indicate a drop in fare box revenue of between 2.5% to 7.5% while the operating costs remain the same.

Fares are an enormous part of the issue, but operating costs are still proportionately much higher than interstate.  That seems to be the case even if you account for the fact we have services like the Gympie North trains included with suburban services, where other states like WA and Vic get to isolate those types of trains from their metropolitan budgets because they are run by somebody else (eg the Australind by Transwa, Vlocity services etc).

We need to be pushing to get running costs down to something like $700-750m over a few years.  I think it's something closer to $850-900m presently.  Somebody from outside really needs to go over the books properly because I'm not satisfied there is enough impetus within QR to do that.  (Not saying QR can't run better and should be given the flick, but eternal incumbency doesn't help when you are trying to make things more efficient.  People and organisations get set in their way of thinking and doing things in ways they don't even comprehend.)

[#Metro]

Part of this is internal bus-rail competition. With buses feeding trains both systems can be improved. The current arrangement seems to be one where one would cut off the left hand because the right hand does the writing and is "better". I see a problem with this kind of thinking.

Part of it is double the labor input requirement to run one service. WA and Vic both have DOO. Labor is always a large cost in operations.

Scary fares are another, as is crapola frequency.

[BrizCommuter]

^ For all our ranting about Brisbane Transport, QR's operating costs are by far the biggest problem for the fare system.  It costs FAR too much to run our rail network for the passenger movements we get.

The best way to reign in QR's operating costs is to increase patronage which could be done not by continually increasing fares but by reducing the existing fares by about 5% overall to make them affordable with any future increases limited to the CPI.
The latest 7.5% fare hike has seen a drop in patronage with some stations seeing a drop of 10% to 15% in boarding's which would indicate a drop in fare box revenue of between 2.5% to 7.5% while the operating costs remain the same.

Fares are an enormous part of the issue, but operating costs are still proportionately much higher than interstate.  That seems to be the case even if you account for the fact we have services like the Gympie North trains included with suburban services, where other states like WA and Vic get to isolate those types of trains from their metropolitan budgets because they are run by somebody else (eg the Australind by Transwa, Vlocity services etc).

We need to be pushing to get running costs down to something like $700-750m over a few years.  I think it's something closer to $850-900m presently.  Somebody from outside really needs to go over the books properly because I'm not satisfied there is enough impetus within QR to do that.  (Not saying QR can't run better and should be given the flick, but eternal incumbency doesn't help when you are trying to make things more efficient.  People and organisations get set in their way of thinking and doing things in ways they don't even comprehend.)

As I've mentioned before, QR could fund 15min inner-suburban off peak just through operating efficiencies.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Just flog off the EMU's and some SMU's. That will take a good chunk out of the mtce budget.

And who cares that Gympie North services are part of the CityTrain network? Its 1 route in which rollingsotck can consist of IMUs or the ICE sets.

[SurfRail]

Just flog off the EMU's and some SMU's. That will take a good chunk out of the mtce budget.

And who cares that Gympie North services are part of the CityTrain network? Its 1 route in which rollingsotck can consist of IMUs or the ICE sets.

Including the route km throws out various statistics given how low frequency it is.

[Fares_Fair]

ABC News --> Opposition criticises Qld Rail CEO appointment as 'job for mates'

Sorry, but yet no word on the Hon. Kevin Rudd, our Prime Minister and Member for Griffith, appointing his 2 sons to roles within his election campaign.
1 paid and 1 volunteer as I understand it.
Nepotism never had it so good.

I'm over blatant hypocrisy by politicians.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Just flog off the EMU's and some SMU's. That will take a good chunk out of the mtce budget.

And who cares that Gympie North services are part of the CityTrain network? Its 1 route in which rollingsotck can consist of IMUs or the ICE sets.

Including the route km throws out various statistics given how low frequency it is.

The internal reports would be more indepth in regards to this.

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Advocate hopes new CEO means a new standard of rail

[Stillwater]

 

Maybe the politics will fall on the side of Sunshine Coast rail commuters finally.  As the parties face off in the battle for the seat of Fisher, would be good for Labor and the Coalition federally to promise to go halves with the LNP to fund the next stage of SCL duplication to Landsborough.  If Labor made the offer, Mr Emerson would be saying something along the lines of 'no, we won't contribute unless Labor gives us 100 per cent.'  The Coalition would have to couch any offer as assistance for longer freight trains (given its position is not to fund urban rail projects).  Mr Emerson's likely position then would be 'through this assistance, the Coalition is showing it is the party for nation building.  Queensland will consider this offer carefully.'  Politics eh.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/8/9/queensland-rail-traincrew-to-vote-on-pay-deal

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Friday, August 09, 2013

Queensland Rail traincrew to vote on pay deal

Queensland Rail and unions representing traincrew have agreed to a pay deal, which will now be put to employees.

Under the deal, 1136 drivers and guards will receive a pay rise of 2.25 per cent a year over three years.

There will be an additional 0.25 per cent a year increase in recognition of the successful implementation of new rosters and timetables.

The offer will now be put to members of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees and Australian Services Union in a ballot and backdated to 1 August 2013 once certified.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson thanked all parties for their efforts in negotiating in good faith over the past three months to reach an in-principle agreement to put to ballot.

[ozbob]

News.com.au --> Board members quit after being overruled by Newman Government on Queensland Rail CEO

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/9/7/qld-rail-board-appointments

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Qld Rail board appointments

Respected lawyer Michael Klug and former Transport Minister John Mickel have been appointed to the Queensland Rail board.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson said Mr Klug would be chairman and help deliver the Newman Government's commitment to improve rail services.

"Michael has vast board experience and with his leadership will help steer Queensland Rail to deliver better services for passengers," Mr Emerson said.

"I also look forward to having John on the board, in a position where the organisation can draw from his previous experience and assist in driving improvements across the business.

"Since we came to government we have seen Queensland Rail's performance in reliability reached a decade high, after falling to a three year low in the final months under Labor and I look forward to continuing to deliver strong performance for passengers."

Mr Klug and Mr Mickel will replace Merren McArthur and Dawson Petie.

Michael Klug's Bio
Michael Klug is a leader in the area of Alternative Dispute Resolution. He has practised law for over 35 years and recently concluded his third term as Partner in Charge of the Brisbane office of Clayton Utz. Mr Klug is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

John Mickel's Bio
John Mickel served as a Member of the Queensland Parliament for almost 14 years, during which time he spent three years as Speaker and held numerous ministerial portfolios, including Transport. He retired from politics at the March 2012 election and was recently tasked with reviewing Trade and Investment Queensland.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 3m

Statement: Qld Rail board appointments http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9862.msg131062#msg131062 ... #qldpol Welcome back John Mickel ...

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/9/25/queensland-train-crews-secure-pay-rise

Acting Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Andrew Powell
Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Queensland train crews secure pay rise

Queensland's 1,141 train drivers and guards have secured a new three-year deal following last week's ballot.

Acting Transport and Main Roads Minister Andrew Powell welcomed the agreement which provides an increase of 2.25 per cent a year, plus 0.25 per cent a year, subject to the successful implementation of new rosters and timetables.

"This deal is a win for both Queensland Rail staff and passengers and I thank all involved for their efforts to negotiate in good faith," Mr Powell said.

"This agreement recognises and values the important work train drivers and guards do every day operating hundreds of train services for 170,000 daily passengers across Queensland.

"The Newman Government is committed to delivering affordable, reliable and safe public transport in Queensland and this agreement gives us the ability to move forward with planning for more services to meet customers' needs."

The agreement also provides greater focus on customer service with train guards accepting additional customer service responsibilities.

More than 570 train drivers and guards submitted a valid return during the balloting period from 18 to 23 September.

The pay rise will be backdated to 1 August 2013, with the new agreement in effect until 31 July 2016.

[ENDS] 25 September 2013

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail CEO limits staff to one pen per desk after finance audit

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Workers fear hundreds more jobs on the chopping block at QR as new CEO looks for more savings

WORKERS fear hundreds more jobs are on the chopping block at Queensland Rail as the new chief executive officer looks for more savings.

Staff in the Network and Rail Operations area are expecting as many as 800 redundancies following changes to employment conditions, and a delay in the scheduled rollout of free go cards to workers.

While the CEO's office and Human Resources will be the first to be issued with the free cards, staff in Network and Rail Operations are "to be advised" in 2014 when they will get a card.

"Further details will be provided to staff closer to that date," read an email about the rollout.

Queensland Rail insiders said they believed the delay was due to uncertainty about staff numbers in those areas.

Free go cards for rail staff

"No point issuing cards now if they are to be cancelled in a few months," said one worker.

Adding to the concerns is a request for managers to draw up a list of "non-business critical" staff in the Network and Rail Operations areas.

More than 500 staff took redundancies from Queensland Rail last year and a spokesman for Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson yesterday confirmed voluntary redundancies were still available.

But he said there was no plan for "forced redundancies".

"We expect Queensland Rail to continue to deliver some of the best reliability in Australia and also look at ways to deliver more frequent services," he said in a statement prepared in response to questions about suspected job cuts ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Former Queensland auditor-general Glenn Poole to track millions missing in wake of QR National privatisation

[ozbob]

JOINT STATEMENT
Treasurer and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Tim Nicholls

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/10/18/glenn-poole-appointed-to-queensland-rail-board

The Honourable Scott Emerson

Friday, October 18, 2013

Glenn Poole appointed to Queensland Rail board

Former state Auditor-General Glenn Poole has been added to the Queensland Rail board as part of the Newman Government's on-going effort to build a more efficient organisation.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson and Treasurer Tim Nicholls said Mr Poole's appointment would give Queensland Rail much needed expertise to tackle issues that date back to the Labor government's privatisation of the former QR National in 2010.

"Glenn served Queensland as CEO of the Queensland Audit Office and Queensland's Auditor-General from 2004 to 2011," Mr Emerson said.

"He has over 30 years of experience as a senior executive and is renowned for his governance and management in both public and not-for-profit organisations.

"One of Glenn's first tasks will be to assist Queensland Rail to work through findings of a review being conducted by KPMG into Queensland Rail's financial systems."

Mr Nicholls said he supported the board's move to look at ways to improve the finances to allow the government better visibility of the way taxpayers' funding is spent.

"In May the Newman Government changed Queensland Rail from a government-owned corporation to a statutory authority to ensure greater accountability," he said.

Mr Emerson said the government was working to deliver a more efficient rail network and improving the financial system is the next step in that process.

"When Labor privatised Queensland Rail, a number of staff left the business and left a variety of reporting methods throughout the organisation," he said.

"As I said in May, Queensland Rail needs to reach a position where it delivers better and more efficient services than the private sector."

Mr Poole's appointment to the board follows the recent appointments of Michael Klug as chairman, former Transport Minister John Mickel to the board and Glen Dawe as CEO.

[ENDS] 18 October 2013

[Stillwater]

From CM website -- Glen Dawe to step down as QR CEO:


JUST months after he was installed as Queensland Rail CEO, Glen Dawe has stood down and been replaced by the State's former under treasurer. 
 
Acting Transport and Main Roads Minister Lawrence Springborg released a statement today revealing Mr Dawe had stood down "to attend to personal matters" and would be replaced by Helen Gluer who will serve as acting CEO until a full-time replacement can be found.

Mr Dawe's tenure in the top job was controversial with the State Government overruling the QR board to install him.

They were understood to have short-listed four other candidates to fill the $600,000-a-year job.

Queensland Rail chairman Michael Klug said Ms Gluer, a former TransLink board member who resigned as under treasurer in November for "personal reasons", would fill the role for four months.

[Stillwater]

Mr Springboard's media statement:

Queensland Rail appoint acting CEO

Former Queensland Under Treasurer Helen Gluer has been appointed as acting CEO of Queensland Rail.

Acting Transport and Main Roads Minister Lawrence Springborg said Ms Gluer, who broke new ground as the first female Under Treasurer and is a former TransLink board member, will replace Glen Dawe who has stood down to attend to personal matters.

"Helen is one of the most respected senior managers in Queensland and I look forward to her continuing the improvements we've seen in Queensland Rail since coming to government," Mr Springborg said.

"Queensland Rail is now a more efficient organisation, finding much needed savings to allow the Newman Government to deliver its promise to halve Labor's fare hikes and save regular passengers hundreds of dollars a year.

"From January 20 we will be fulfilling our promise to improve frequency with an additional 200 daily services.

"In a short space of time Queensland Rail has also gone from being one of the worst performing passenger networks in Australia to the best in terms of on-time running."

Under Labor on-time running fell to a three-year low of 86 per cent, compared to the 10-year high of 96 per cent in 2013.

Queensland Rail chairman Michael Klug said Ms Gluer would fill the role for four months while a full-time CEO was found.

"I'd also like to thank Glen for his service, both as Queensland Rail chair from July 2012 to June 2013 and as CEO since August last year," Mr Klug said.

[ENDS] 10 January 2014