Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

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Re: Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

Postby geoff_184 » Mon Mar 19, 2012 7:38 pm

kaiwhara wrote:The UK has long lead in times as well...


That's because the UK is like NZ, with an over the top approach to everything by the safety police, to the point where the rules are more of a hindrance than a help.
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Re: Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

Postby param1974 » Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:08 pm

mclgnd wrote:Oh how novel for you. Since we all know you hate the train did you not ask for a loan car for the day?


I felt like riding the train again. Pitty though that my experience has not changed my opinion. In fact its only deepened my belief that the Wellington railway network is run by a bunch of incompetent fools.

mclgnd wrote:I'll leave it to others in the know as to whether there were network issues on the Kapiti Line - if there were then thats unfortunate. And unfortunately loadings would have hit crush in that case.


LOL As others have mentioned. There were big stuffups this morning as per usual. Like most Mondays it seems. Maybe we should start callinging it blue Mondays.

mclgnd wrote:Because NZTA havent given them clearance to be used on the network for unit testing yet, let alone for driver training or revenue service.


Whatever, promises followed by more and more promises. Lets stop making excuses. The whole network is run by a munch of imbeciles who would have a hard time even organising a p1ssup in a brewery.

Kudos on them though for finally getting the new trains onto the Johnsonville line, even though its months behind schedule.
Press Release by GWC at 9:53 am, 02 Mar 2010

New trains will be running on all lines by June 2011, GWC confident that the year will end (2010) on a bright note when passengers can enjoy the comfort and convenience of modern Matangi train travel.
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Re: Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

Postby scooter » Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:24 pm

param1974 wrote:
mclgnd wrote:I'll leave it to others in the know as to whether there were network issues on the Kapiti Line - if there were then thats unfortunate. And unfortunately loadings would have hit crush in that case.


LOL As others have mentioned. There were big stuffups this morning as per usual. Like most Mondays it seems. Maybe we should start callinging it blue Mondays.


I'll accept the evidence of others that there were issues on the Kapiti Line this morning (I was aware of the ones on the Hutt). I, like I suspect others do, take your viewpoints with several grains of salt

param1974 wrote:
mclgnd wrote:Because NZTA havent given them clearance to be used on the network for unit testing yet, let alone for driver training or revenue service.


Whatever, promises followed by more and more promises. Lets stop making excuses. The whole network is run by a munch of imbeciles who would have a hard time even organising a p1ssup in a brewery.


Unfortunately you can't blame GWRC or TranzMetro there. Instead lay the blame at the feet of the appropriate agency. Which I suspect you wont because it doesnt fit with your personal agenda.


Im not making excuses for the Matangi procurement and introduction. Too many talking heads have made statements and promises that havent been followed through on and given the amount of money involved I hope there is a full and frank independent review and appropriate lessons learnt and recommendations made for the future.
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Re: Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

Postby param1974 » Tue Mar 20, 2012 7:50 am

A commuter train left Wellington without some of its crew and had to be held up for almost half an hour while they were driven out to catch it at the next stop.

The incident capped a day of delays triggered on all lines after a technical hitch on a train yesterday morning.

A passenger said the 4.37pm train to Upper Hutt left about 30 seconds early while several people were still trying to board.

The train got as far as Ngauranga station, where the driver announced there had been an incident "and as soon as we figure out what to do, we will leave".

About 15 minutes later, the passenger saw a KiwiRail car pull up. Four staff got out and boarded the train.

"That's half the staff [that were] not on the train," she said.

Tranz Metro spokeswoman Sophie Lee confirmed the train "left with insufficient crew" and was then held at Ngauranga for about 25 minutes.

"I'm not sure how it happened, but we had to hold the service until we could get the remaining crew out there."

The passenger said the clock in the Matangi carriage showed the train left the platform about 30 seconds earlier than its usual 4.37pm departure time.

"While I was sitting there I realised there were people on the platform pushing the buttons to get into the train and the doors refused to open and then it left."

She said she was told by a KiwiRail staff member that a train manager was also among those left on the platform.

Ms Lee said "an operational incident" caused the train delays earlier in the day and details from an investigation would be made public today.

The Traffic Accident Investigation Commission said it had received a report from KiwiRail saying a stationary train had been "recovering from a minor technical issue" at a point on the line where there was a green light.

Just as the train was ready to move off, the light went red and crossed the circuit from one control zone to the next, triggering a safety alert across the network.

Services were delayed for between 15 and 20 minutes.

The commission said that, although the error had created inconvenience for passengers, it demonstrated the rail safety system had worked.

Commission spokesman Peter Northcote said it did not think the incident warranted further investigation.

Rail and Maritime Transport Union general secretary Wayne Butson said the union was aware of the incident but it was "far too early to jump to assumptions", pending the outcome of the investigation.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/ne ... catches-up
Press Release by GWC at 9:53 am, 02 Mar 2010

New trains will be running on all lines by June 2011, GWC confident that the year will end (2010) on a bright note when passengers can enjoy the comfort and convenience of modern Matangi train travel.
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Re: Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

Postby scooter » Tue Mar 20, 2012 3:06 pm

param1974 wrote:A commuter train left Wellington without some of its crew and had to be held up for almost half an hour while they were driven out to catch it at the next stop.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/ne ... catches-up


Yup. It happened. Would you like the driver publically flogged to slake your thirst? Or have you never made an error in your working life either?
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Re: Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

Postby param1974 » Tue Mar 20, 2012 3:18 pm

mclgnd wrote:
param1974 wrote:A commuter train left Wellington without some of its crew and had to be held up for almost half an hour while they were driven out to catch it at the next stop.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/ne ... catches-up


Yup. It happened. Would you like the driver publically flogged to slake your thirst? Or have you never made an error in your working life either?


It was an "operational incident" And it fits perfectly to this thread...
Press Release by GWC at 9:53 am, 02 Mar 2010

New trains will be running on all lines by June 2011, GWC confident that the year will end (2010) on a bright note when passengers can enjoy the comfort and convenience of modern Matangi train travel.
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Re: Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

Postby c46andc47 » Tue Mar 20, 2012 3:28 pm

param1974 wrote:[*]
It was an "operational incident" And it fits perfectly to this thread...


I do not know anything about the incidents of the past few days so this comment is not meant to specifically refer to them

If you make a mistake at work do you:

(a) Stop what you are doing and report the mistake immediately.

(b) Go and pee in a bottle.

(c) Attend interviews because you are under investigation.

(d) Go home because you are suspended from duty.

Or do you hope no one will notice and carry on working?
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Re: Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

Postby Rail-it » Tue Mar 20, 2012 3:43 pm

c46andc47 wrote:
I do not know anything about the incidents of the past few days so this comment is not meant to specifically refer to them

If you make a mistake at work do you:

(a) Stop what you are doing and report the mistake immediately.

Yes.
c46andc47 wrote:(b) Go and pee in a bottle.

Normally.
c46andc47 wrote:(c) Attend interviews because you are under investigation.

Very possible.
c46andc47 wrote:(d) Go home because you are suspended from duty.

If (c) takes place, usually three days off.
Or do you hope no one will notice and carry on working?[/quote]
Not the most wisest decision to make... Would prefer to keep me job.
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Re: Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

Postby scooter » Tue Mar 20, 2012 4:47 pm

Rail-it wrote:Would prefer to keep me job.


As would this driver I'd think. I dont know the SOP's involved in a train departure but can hardly think the driver took off without believing that all was well
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Re: Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

Postby Daniel » Tue Mar 20, 2012 6:39 pm

mclgnd wrote:
param1974 wrote:A commuter train left Wellington without some of its crew and had to be held up for almost half an hour while they were driven out to catch it at the next stop.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/ne ... catches-up


Yup. It happened. Would you like the driver publically flogged to slake your thirst? Or have you never made an error in your working life either?
He (assuming he's responsible) should be at least a written warning and be on thin ice!

What an absolute un-professional shambles TranzMetro has degraded to if their trains are departing without their crews and then being held-up so they can catch-up. No excuses, this is simply not good enough. They looked like they needed a rocket in the backside when I last saw them, and they must've got worse.
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Re: Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

Postby scooter » Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:01 pm

Daniel wrote: He (assuming he's responsible) should be at least a written warning and be on thin ice!

What an absolute un-professional shambles TranzMetro has degraded to if their trains are departing without their crews and then being held-up so they can catch-up. No excuses, this is simply not good enough. They looked like they needed a rocket in the backside when I last saw them, and they must've got worse.


Im not disagreeing with you! If the driver left without following SOP's then they must bear the consequence. As for the train being held surely even you must be aware that an incident like this requires the immediate replacement of the driver, and since it wasnt a mechanical issue it could carry on (as I understand it did) and to do that it needed a crew.

That was a far better option than backing it up into Wellington and causing all manner of mayhem. Time and an investigation will tell if these circumstances are simply just an isolated incident
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Re: Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

Postby param1974 » Wed Mar 21, 2012 8:08 am

mclgnd wrote:Yup. It happened. Would you like the driver publically flogged to slake your thirst? Or have you never made an error in your working life either?


Stop downplaying this event.

This is public transport, its not selling sausage sizzles - There should be no room for error like this. This is serious, and down playing the seriousness of this situation is part of the problem these things happen here in NZ. Your attitude is typical to most on this forum. In fact is typical too to most who work for KiwiRail and Tranzmetro. Its what I have been saying all along, its part of the problem as to why we have such problems with our PT.

Kiwirail /Tranzmetro need an overall makeover. Somebody needs to come in with balls and a stick to sort out this general carelessness, laid back attitude of most of the staff and management. Otherwise these problems are not going away, they are just going to get worse.

So depending on the seriousness of an error at my work. Yes I would be obliged to report it. An error like this at my place of work would probably be similar to reporting a near miss.

Daniel wrote:He (assuming he's responsible) should be at least a written warning and be on thin ice!

What an absolute un-professional shambles TranzMetro has degraded to if their trains are departing without their crews and then being held-up so they can catch-up. No excuses, this is simply not good enough. They looked like they needed a rocket in the backside when I last saw them, and they must've got worse.


[ignore]HAHA Somebody here agreeing with me. Daniel maybe we just have more in common that you may think.[/ignore]

mclgnd wrote:Im not disagreeing with you! If the driver left without following SOP's then they must bear the consequence. As for the train being held surely even you must be aware that an incident like this requires the immediate replacement of the driver, and since it wasnt a mechanical issue it could carry on (as I understand it did) and to do that it needed a crew.

That was a far better option than backing it up into Wellington and causing all manner of mayhem. Time and an investigation will tell if these circumstances are simply just an isolated incident


Back peddling now on your previous comments I see?
Press Release by GWC at 9:53 am, 02 Mar 2010

New trains will be running on all lines by June 2011, GWC confident that the year will end (2010) on a bright note when passengers can enjoy the comfort and convenience of modern Matangi train travel.
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Re: Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

Postby rail_up » Wed Mar 21, 2012 9:34 am

param1974 wrote:So depending on the seriousness of an error at my work. Yes I would be obliged to report it. An error like this at my place of work would probably be similar to reporting a near miss.


That phrase always makes me wonder. If it's a 'near miss', then technically it's a hit.

As for this issue, surely there are checks done by the driver to ensure all staff are onboard before leaving?

The other thing that I note is the service left 30 seconds early, at the point the staff were still standing on the platform. If I had to be at my post on time, I would not be leaving it until 30 seconds before I arrived. I'd be at my post a good 10 minutes before. I presume the train is standing at the platform for at least 10 minutes before it is due to depart?
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Re: Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

Postby param1974 » Wed Mar 21, 2012 9:49 am

rail_up wrote:
param1974 wrote:So depending on the seriousness of an error at my work. Yes I would be obliged to report it. An error like this at my place of work would probably be similar to reporting a near miss.


That phrase always makes me wonder. If it's a 'near miss', then technically it's a hit.


I see it like this, Qantas airways for example. Look at all the bad news in the media etc, the amount of "near misses" reported.. There are even jokes doing the rounds.

But at the end of the day, Qantas is one of the safest airlines in the world. Probably one of the only airlines with 0 fatal events. And its good to hear about the issues involving qantas.
Press Release by GWC at 9:53 am, 02 Mar 2010

New trains will be running on all lines by June 2011, GWC confident that the year will end (2010) on a bright note when passengers can enjoy the comfort and convenience of modern Matangi train travel.
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Re: Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

Postby keg » Wed Mar 21, 2012 12:35 pm

Challange to Param:

Outline your ideas for public transport for the Wellington Region without any negative whinging. Post something positive for a change - it might help you be taken more seriously (since you claim not to have been trolling).

Otherwise you may be more at home in the DomPost comments section.
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Re: Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

Postby Daniel » Wed Mar 21, 2012 2:01 pm

keg wrote:Challange to Param:

Outline your ideas for public transport for the Wellington Region without any negative whinging. Post something positive for a change - it might help you be taken more seriously (since you claim not to have been trolling).

Otherwise you may be more at home in the DomPost comments section.
You know he's pro-private-car, anti public transport and a troll. He probably won't answer your question.

Why not just ignore him?
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Re: Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

Postby scooter » Wed Mar 21, 2012 3:18 pm

param1974 wrote:
mclgnd wrote:Yup. It happened. Would you like the driver publically flogged to slake your thirst? Or have you never made an error in your working life either?


Stop downplaying this event.

This is public transport, its not selling sausage sizzles - There should be no room for error like this. This is serious, and down playing the seriousness of this situation is part of the problem these things happen here in NZ. Your attitude is typical to most on this forum. In fact is typical too to most who work for KiwiRail and Tranzmetro. Its what I have been saying all along, its part of the problem as to why we have such problems with our PT.

Kiwirail /Tranzmetro need an overall makeover. Somebody needs to come in with balls and a stick to sort out this general carelessness, laid back attitude of most of the staff and management. Otherwise these problems are not going away, they are just going to get worse.

So depending on the seriousness of an error at my work. Yes I would be obliged to report it. An error like this at my place of work would probably be similar to reporting a near miss.


Where am I downplaying this event? The comment was in reference to your oft-repeated belief that TranzMetro are incompetent and I was musing just how far you'd like the disciplinary process to go?


param1974 wrote:
mclgnd wrote:Im not disagreeing with you! If the driver left without following SOP's then they must bear the consequence. As for the train being held surely even you must be aware that an incident like this requires the immediate replacement of the driver, and since it wasnt a mechanical issue it could carry on (as I understand it did) and to do that it needed a crew.

That was a far better option than backing it up into Wellington and causing all manner of mayhem. Time and an investigation will tell if these circumstances are simply just an isolated incident


Back peddling now on your previous comments I see?


Nice to see you've cut my response to Daniel's comment to remove its context. For the record there wasnt any backtracking at all. In fact Im glad that when incidents like this happen that TranzMetro/KiwiRail/NZTA et al take the action that they do, even if the knock-on effect can be quite drastic, embarrasing to them and annoying to their customers, because the consequences can be absolutely horrific.
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Re: Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

Postby john-ston » Wed Mar 21, 2012 6:08 pm

param1974 wrote:But at the end of the day, Qantas is one of the safest airlines in the world. Probably one of the only airlines with 0 fatal events. And its good to hear about the issues involving qantas.


Not exactly - read here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Qa ... _accidents) to see that there have been fatal QANTAS crashes.
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Re: Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

Postby rail_up » Wed Mar 21, 2012 7:24 pm

param1974 wrote:
rail_up wrote:
param1974 wrote:So depending on the seriousness of an error at my work. Yes I would be obliged to report it. An error like this at my place of work would probably be similar to reporting a near miss.


That phrase always makes me wonder. If it's a 'near miss', then technically it's a hit.


I see it like this, Qantas airways for example. Look at all the bad news in the media etc, the amount of "near misses" reported.. There are even jokes doing the rounds.

But at the end of the day, Qantas is one of the safest airlines in the world. Probably one of the only airlines with 0 fatal events. And its good to hear about the issues involving qantas.


I don't think you understood my point.

If you 'nearly miss' something, it means you must have hit it. If you didn't hit it (i.e. you missed it) then it would be a 'near hit'.
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Re: Wellington transport delays, breakdowns & stuff ups

Postby grunter » Wed Mar 21, 2012 10:33 pm

Right- so you all know exactly what happened do you? You all know what went wrong, whose fault it was and what the system is. So here is something for you- the train departed beacuse the driver got a doors closed and right away signal. How did that happen well the crew was still on the platorm? Unlawful interfernce by a member of the public? Technical fault in the train? Is the driver lieing and only saying he had the doors closed/right way indication when in fact he didn't? (The black box will provide the definitive answer to that question BTW). SO how bout not speculating and blaming incompetence of management until we KNOW not Guess what went wrong here.

PS- to the comment re the crew not being on-board 30 seconds before I ask where are they supposed to be. How can the TM see that all the doors are clear, there are no running passengers and that correct signal at the far end of the platform is being displayed, UNLESS they are standing out on the platform? Know something about the job, before lectureing on how to do it.

param1974 wrote:
mclgnd wrote:Yup. It happened. Would you like the driver publically flogged to slake your thirst? Or have you never made an error in your working life either?


Stop downplaying this event.

This is public transport, its not selling sausage sizzles - There should be no room for error like this. This is serious, and down playing the seriousness of this situation is part of the problem these things happen here in NZ. Your attitude is typical to most on this forum. In fact is typical too to most who work for KiwiRail and Tranzmetro. Its what I have been saying all along, its part of the problem as to why we have such problems with our PT.

Kiwirail /Tranzmetro need an overall makeover. Somebody needs to come in with balls and a stick to sort out this general carelessness, laid back attitude of most of the staff and management. Otherwise these problems are not going away, they are just going to get worse.

So depending on the seriousness of an error at my work. Yes I would be obliged to report it. An error like this at my place of work would probably be similar to reporting a near miss.

Daniel wrote:He (assuming he's responsible) should be at least a written warning and be on thin ice!

What an absolute un-professional shambles TranzMetro has degraded to if their trains are departing without their crews and then being held-up so they can catch-up. No excuses, this is simply not good enough. They looked like they needed a rocket in the backside when I last saw them, and they must've got worse.


[ignore]HAHA Somebody here agreeing with me. Daniel maybe we just have more in common that you may think.[/ignore]

mclgnd wrote:Im not disagreeing with you! If the driver left without following SOP's then they must bear the consequence. As for the train being held surely even you must be aware that an incident like this requires the immediate replacement of the driver, and since it wasnt a mechanical issue it could carry on (as I understand it did) and to do that it needed a crew.

That was a far better option than backing it up into Wellington and causing all manner of mayhem. Time and an investigation will tell if these circumstances are simply just an isolated incident


Back peddling now on your previous comments I see?
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