Is it just me or does anyone else find the eRail update service only works when it feels like it?

I arrive at the train station for the supposed morning ride – The 6.56 am Nambour express

On arrival I walk over the to the platform with a bunch of other commuters. No signs. No QR staff and no train. What the?

Suddenly a QR representative yells out from another platform: “No trains, bus over here.” So we trudge over the bridge again, just in time to be bundled into a bus with three hundred other people.

What a great trip. The driver has the radio so loud my ears are still ringing. Finally, after being squashed back and forward with all the other sweaty bodies, we arrive at the Petrie train station. To QR’s credit the train is waiting and we all cram on. Somehow my two companions and I get a seat, that’s where QR’s credit runs out.

This will be a stopping all stations train to Roma street

… a collective groan rings out from all the passengers.

From that moment on every station we stop at results in the same scenario; no room for passengers to get in, passengers trying to get in yelling “please move back!”, passengers that are in, screaming “there is no room”, passengers who really want to get out fighting for their life.

Now I understand that accidents happen and I don’t blame QR for that. However one has to question their capability of managing a major disaster given that they had over four hours to prepare for the commuter onslaught. You would think someone with a modicum of intelligence would have thought “let’s change some trains to express and others to stopping all stations.” This would have ensured that not every service and traveler on the line was compromised.

They were probably busy putting in the new recycling bins on the platforms and forgot to plan for a disaster (Great use of taxpayer money).

Anyway enough said. Eventually we arrive at central.
Acceptable QR Time 55 mins late.
No apology today. I guess we should be grateful we got there at all!

Afternoon Ride – The 4.32 Nambour Express

eRail update SMS received at 4.00 pm: “Service disruption until 10.00pm”. Great this should be fun ride home. Just on the off chance I thought I would check the website. That’s interesting, it tells me that their is only a half hour delay.

Acceptable QR communication.

Anyway, I take a chance and head to the usual platform and can you believe it there is my train. We board the “express” for what can only be described as the slowest trip ever. Granted we didn’t stop, however, I have seen yaks that move faster than that.

No explanation why, just a snails pace all the way.

We arrive 40 mins late. Acceptable QR time.

How many minutes of my life QR owes me this week!

1 hour and 47 minutes

How many minutes of my life QR owes my boss this week!

1 hour

Morning Ride – The 6.56 am Nambour express

The train is packed as usual, however I did get a seat. Not much to report. A perfect trip and on time. Why can’t they make it run like this every day? Not much to ask!

Afternoon Ride – The 4.32 Nambour Express

Train is listed, as always, for platform 7. Yes you guessed it, it arrives on platform 6. Very good ride home. No incidents and on time. Amazing!

Morning Ride – The 6.56 am Nambour express

The train is packed, as was the carpark, our local member deserves kudos for that one. In her wisdom the spruiking of extra car parks now available at the station has brought many more patrons. No extra trains, service or carriages on the existing trains to deal with the influx though. This results in standing room only and today is no different, I could get a seat if I felt the urge to push, shove and deny the females and older patrons a seat.

Today’s trip however has a wonderful twist: no air conditioning. It’s like a bloody sauna and very energy sapping (the trip is a 55 minute job). Just to make life fun we stopped at Virginia for no reason for 5 minutes. Of course the old inane announcement by the conductor comes over the speaker:

“Passengers: we will be stopped for a while. I will aaar update you when I know more.”

He’s good communicator that one. Finally we are on our way, sweating all the way to the city with no further incident. The service is 7 minutes late. Not bad by QR standard time.

Afternoon Ride – The 4.32 Nambour Express

Train is listed, as always, for platform 7. However those of us in the know (I have been travelling this line for 5 years now) line up on platform 6. The train arrives most times without them announcing or changing the board. It has become a shared joke for the regulars.

Anyway, we board the “express”, I have to explain Queensland Rails afternoon definition of express.

“Express stopping only at Bowen Hills, Northgate, Petrie and then stopping all stations to Caboolture.”

Train is packed again, this time I have a seat. The situation is made worse once we get to Northgate, a cyclist boards the train. Yes I know they’re not supposed to in peak hour, who’s going to stop them? Even the Translink guard ignores it, despite there being a big sign above him proclaiming no bikes.

But wait there’s more!

We stop for no reason at Strathpine. No announcement. Oh there you go, on hops a Queensland Rail employee with a bike. No more trouble from there, as long as your’re not one of the ones desperately trying to avoid the grease laden chains of the bikes.

Arrive at Caboolture 5 minutes late. Acceptable QR time.