Media Articles

[param1974]

4 train drivers and 12 staff called in sick yesterday resulting in widespread train disruptions.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/ne ... ll-in-sick

Seriously, how bad does it have to gwet before something gets done?

[Chris Randal.]

4 train drivers and 12 staff called in sick yesterday resulting in widespread train disruptions.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/ne ... ll-in-sick

Seriously, how bad does it have to gwet before something gets done?

How long is the course that you are obviously taking to become a driver?

[param1974]

I stand to be corrected but t takes kiwirail 6-9months to train a train driver!

Private Pilot Licence (PPL) takes 2-3 months...

But then again trains are a lot more complex than flying airoplanes I suppose.

[c46andc47]

I stand to be corrected but t takes kiwirail 6-9months to train a train driver!

Private Pilot Licence (PPL) takes 2-3 months...

But then again trains are a lot more complex than flying airoplanes I suppose.

Maybe a better comparison would be how long does it take to qualify as a commercial pilot?

[kaiwhara]

I am going through the school in Auckland now for passenger trains only, I am looking at 18 months for final signoff. I have also held a PPL previously, and that takes at least 5 months to do properly and thats only getting in 2 flights a week if I was lucky!

There is no use trying to argue supposed facts against people who clearly know better than you...!

I stand to be corrected but t takes kiwirail 6-9months to train a train driver!

Private Pilot Licence (PPL) takes 2-3 months...

But then again trains are a lot more complex than flying airoplanes I suppose.

[kaiwhara]

I stand to be corrected but t takes kiwirail 6-9months to train a train driver!

Private Pilot Licence (PPL) takes 2-3 months...

But then again trains are a lot more complex than flying airoplanes I suppose.

Maybe a better comparison would be how long does it take to qualify as a commercial pilot?

Depends what you are becomming a commercial pilot for but for the likes of a 737 you will not generally be looked at with under 1500hrs.

[Rail-it]

I stand to be corrected but t takes kiwirail 6-9months to train a train driver!

Private Pilot Licence (PPL) takes 2-3 months...

But then again trains are a lot more complex than flying airoplanes I suppose.

Maybe a better comparison would be how long does it take to qualify as a commercial pilot?

Depends what you are becomming a commercial pilot for but for the likes of a 737 you will not generally be looked at with under 1500hrs.

Well sorry to inform the pilots, but a LE can be responsible for far more people on a passenger train than a pilot on an aeroplane.

[kaiwhara]

I am fully aware of that Rail-it which I am sure you know I am aware as well. However, LE's don't have anywhere near the same amout of material or level of consiquences that a commercial pilot has if they screw up. Furthermore, they have a massively larger amount of processes and proceedures to follow in addition to traffic/terrain avoidance, meteorological conditions, all ATC instructions being voice (we have the luxury of fixed signals - they don't), figure out which Departure or Arrival Proceedures to use and when, refer to charts, as well as fly the damn thing. We LE's have the luxury of stopping our trains if we need to go through any safety critical crap (have arguements with Network Control) etc - they don't. We run out of fuel, we stop and apply handbrakes. They run out of fuel, well, goes without the same thing.

At the end of the day, if a train s%$&s itself, then you need a tow truck. If a plane does the same thing, one needs to consider besides the obvious how to get going again, where they will put the plane down. Slightly different problem.

Apples and Oranges, can't compare either job, they are vastly different, have vastly different risks, and in my opinion, I think it is insulting to try to compare LE's to Pilots AND vice versa. Both are skilled roles, but similar? NAH!

Maybe a better comparison would be how long does it take to qualify as a commercial pilot?

Depends what you are becomming a commercial pilot for but for the likes of a 737 you will not generally be looked at with under 1500hrs.

Well sorry to inform the pilots, but a LE can be responsible for far more people on a passenger train than a pilot on an aeroplane.

[Rail-it]

I am fully aware of that Rail-it which I am sure you know I am aware as well. However, LE's don't have anywhere near the same amout of material or level of consiquences that a commercial pilot has if they screw up. Furthermore, they have a massively larger amount of processes and proceedures to follow in addition to traffic/terrain avoidance, meteorological conditions, all ATC instructions being voice (we have the luxury of fixed signals - they don't), figure out which Departure or Arrival Proceedures to use and when, refer to charts, as well as fly the damn thing. We LE's have the luxury of stopping our trains if we need to go through any safety critical crap (have arguements with Network Control) etc - they don't. We run out of fuel, we stop and apply handbrakes. They run out of fuel, well, goes without the same thing.

At the end of the day, if a train s%$&s itself, then you need a tow truck. If a plane does the same thing, one needs to consider besides the obvious how to get going again, where they will put the plane down. Slightly different problem.

Apples and Oranges, can't compare either job, they are vastly different, have vastly different risks, and in my opinion, I think it is insulting to try to compare LE's to Pilots AND vice versa. Both are skilled roles, but similar? NAH!

Depends what you are becomming a commercial pilot for but for the likes of a 737 you will not generally be looked at with under 1500hrs.

Well sorry to inform the pilots, but a LE can be responsible for far more people on a passenger train than a pilot on an aeroplane.

If you say so. I thought there was a lot of similarities personally. Don't think it's insulting either.

[john-ston]

Train derailment causes delays for Wellington commuters

A train carriage fell and blocked a line in Wellington yesterday, adding to commuters' woes as services were cancelled on several lines.

General Manager of Passenger Services for KiwiRail Deborah Hume says the derailment of an empty passenger service will be investigated.

Several services were also cancelled and replaced by buses yesterday afternoon after four drivers called in sick.

Deborah Hume says similar issues may continue in the future as KiwiRail hurries to train new drivers in the region.

By Newstalk ZB staff

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/mp/11740104/train-derailment-causes-delays-for-wellington-commuters/

[Daniel]

Train derailment causes delays for Wellington commuters

A train carriage fell and blocked a line in Wellington yesterday, adding to commuters' woes as services were cancelled on several lines.

General Manager of Passenger Services for KiwiRail Deborah Hume says the derailment of an empty passenger service will be investigated.

Several services were also cancelled and replaced by buses yesterday afternoon after four drivers called in sick.

Deborah Hume says similar issues may continue in the future as KiwiRail hurries to train new drivers in the region.

By Newstalk ZB staff

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/mp/11740104/train-derailment-causes-delays-for-wellington-commuters/

I have to say; this business of repeated service delays due to staff illness seems dubious.

I remember before I left NZ that the standards of professionalism in TranzMetro looked like they needed a kick in the pants. Outright rude, lazy, slobby and unkempt guards and booth staff were not good indicators of the organizations attitude and culture.

According to the Dominion-Post now the union and regional council are expressing criticisms;
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5984257/Union-and-council-slam-Tranz-Metro

[john-ston]

I actually posted that article more about the derailment than the staff illness (that is Param's Hobbyhorse)

[Daniel]

I actually posted that article more about the derailment than the staff illness (that is Param's Hobbyhorse)

According to the DomPost last night the derailment problem was exacerbated by staff shortages due to 4 drivers taking sick leave.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5978416/More-sick-drivers-more-train-cancellations

I've got Param on ignore but if he's trolling about this then he has a point.

[greenwelly]

TODAY'S CANCELLED SERVICES:

Wellington to Taita: 4.50pm and 5.50pm
Wellington to Johnsonville: 3.40pm
Wellington to Porirua: 4.21pm and 4.43pm

I guess they cancelled that service because it is NCEA exam time
"Bank in the day" the 3:40 was (and probably still is) known as the school kid special and was usually backed to the gunwales with schoolies

[john-ston]

What I would like to know is what corresponding Johnsonville to Wellington service was cancelled - or did the rolling stock for that run come out of thin air?

[greenwelly]

What I would like to know is what corresponding Johnsonville to Wellington service was cancelled - or did the rolling stock for that run come out of thin air?

The tranzmetro notice also included a bunch of return services, but I edited them out for expediencies sake in my post as that particular one on the Johnsonville line returns basically empty

[keg]

Six-year wait for buses to carry bikes
KATIE CHAPMAN
02/12/2011

Bikes and buses are set to combine – but not till 2017.

Plans to install racks to enable buses to carry bikes are included in Greater Wellington regional council's draft long-term plan, which will go out for consultation next year.

At present only folding bikes can be carried on buses.

Though cycling advocates are pleased plans to enable buses to carry bikes have been included, they are disappointed by the six-year wait.
continues

IMO bikes on buses is a nice to have rather than an essential. There are more important things that should be done first (eg integrated ticketing and fares, route restructing, stop rationalisation, more RTI stuff including onboard displays ...).

[scooter]

As we know any life loss around the rail corridor is tragic and one clearly feels for the loco engineer involved... However the reporting of these collisions has to change. Both this headline and the variations of the initial story "Train hits car" implies that its the fault of the train that this happened, and not the inattention or stupidity of the vehicle driver.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/6123279/Police-name-woman-killed-by-train

Maybe more realisation for Steve Gurney just how lucky he is to be alive

[keg]

From WCC:

Willis Street Upgrade
12.12.11

We're gearing up to start the final phase of upgrade work on Willis Street, including installing new traffic lights at Chews Lane so pedestrians will have another safe place to cross on this busy bus route.

We want to bring the rest of the pavements on both sides of the road up to the same high standard as the section between Mercer and Manners streets that was repaved in 2010.

There has been a lot going on in Willis Street over the past couple of years. This work will complete the area, enhancing the look of the street and further improving the Golden Mile - the city's most popular pedestrian route through the central city.

We'll be repaving the footpaths between Willeston and Mercer streets, and on the other side between Lambton Quay and Boulcott Street, using the same pavers that have been used elsewhere on the Golden Mile.

We'll also be upgrading the pedestrian crossing points at intersections, including installing tactile pavers to help people with impaired vision. The new signals and crossing at Chews Lane will hopefully encourage more people to cross safely.

The lights will be installed during the project but won't be in use until the work is nearly finished.

The work also includes laying new kerb and channelling; putting in new lighting poles and lights and resealing sections of the street.

The Council's Built Environment Portfolio Leader, Councillor Iona Pannett, says the completion of the Chews Lane development and the Telecom building has meant more people are now living and working in this vicinity, which has increased pedestrian activity in the area.

"Upgrade work like this can be a bit of a pain while it happens but in the long-term, having an attractive, pedestrian-friendly city centre is a huge benefit. As well as shoppers and visitors, large numbers of people use the Golden Mile to walk to and from work and our busy, compact city centre is the heart of the region's economy. We know that it is one of the things that attracts people to live, work, visit and spend money here."

The work is expected to start in early January and take about five months, the bulk of it will be done in sections to minimise disruption.

Pedestrians will be able to use both sides of the street at all times and get to all the shops and businesses. We'll be talking with retailers over the next few weeks and as the work progresses.

Getting work like this done in an area that is used by large numbers of pedestrians and has two busy bus stops is a challenge. There will be barriers, equipment and people working and some noise, dust and disruption is inevitable.

Particularly noisy work won't be carried out between 12 noon and 2.00pm and work on the road will be kept to a minimum at peak times, 7.00am - 9.00am and 4.00pm - 6.00pm.

The Willis Street bus stops will have to move slightly while work is done in these parts of the street. When that happens, there will be signs to show where the temporary bus stops are.

Please take extra care while the work happens - use safe crossing points, always look both ways and watch for uneven surfaces.

[keg]

However the reporting of these collisions has to change. Both this headline and the variations of the initial story "Train hits car" implies that its the fault of the train that this happened, and not the inattention or stupidity of the vehicle driver.

"Train hits car" is probably technically correct (unless the motorist drove into the side of train - which has happened on a number of occasions in the past). Agree that in "train hits car" situations it should be made clear that the blame lies with the motorist for (illegally) being on the crossing when the train is approaching.