AusRAIL, Market Sectors

News in Brief – February 13th 2013

<span class="" id="parent-fieldname-description"> NSW Coal dispute update ATSB investigating Cleveland and Lockleys incidents Melbourne public transport complaints on the rise Puffing Billy Railway appoints new CEO. </span> <p><strong>NSW Coal dispute update</strong><br />Asciano’s coal division, Pacific National Coal, has said it is please to confirm that the minister for employment and workplace relations, Bill Shorten, has reached out to try to assist in resolving the current negotiations between the Rail Tram &amp Bus Union and Pacific National Coal NSW over a new Enterprise Agreement (EA) for its 840 NSW employees.</p><p>Based on his proposal, and with the commitment of no further industrial action during the proposed discussions, Pacific National Coal has accepted the offer to return to the Fair Work Commission.</p><p>Pacific National Coal says it remains committed to reaching an outcome that recognises the interests of all stakeholders and believes that the support of the Commission in doing so is our best opportunity to achieve an outcome.</p><p><strong>ATSB investigating Cleveland and Lockleys incidents</strong><br />The ATSB investigation team, comprising six senior investigators, has interviewed a range of critical witnesses including the train driver, guard, passengers and other QR train drivers as relevant following the collision between passenger train and platform at Cleveland, Queensland on 31 January 2013.</p><p>They have completed the download of the train’s data loggers and are in the process of analysing this information. Inspections on the train are continuing with a focus on the braking system and a braking test on a similar train will be conducted in the coming days.</p><p>The rail line leading into Cleveland Station has been inspected and scanned using laser equipment.</p><p>The team continues to liaise with the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Rail to gather all relevant evidence.</p><p>The ATSB expects to release a preliminary factual report within a month of the accident.</p><p>The Bureau is also investigating the derailment of an intermodal freight train, 3MC1, which occurred at Locksley (near Seymour) in Victoria on 12 February 2013 with initial information suggesting that the last 10 of 33 wagons derailed and there were no injuries. Investigators from the ATSB and the Office of the Chief Investigator Vic are attending the site.</p><p><strong>Melbourne public transport complaints on the rise</strong><br />The Victorian Public Transport Ombudsman has released the latest edition of its 6-monthly e-newsletter <em>On Track</em> informing public transport operators, community agencies and key stakeholders about case trends, emerging complaint issues and the PTO’s activities.</p><p>Obudsman Janine Young says at the end of 2012 case receipts (complaints) had stabilised after a very busy first six months of the year. Daily case receipts had decreased from 19 per day in January to June 2012, to 16 per day for July to December.</p><p>However, this still represented a 70% increase in daily case receipts compared with the same period for 2011 with cases involving the myki ticketing system continuing to be a main focus.</p><p>“Detailed myki refund complaint investigations represented a large part of our work and positively, resulted in very effective changes in customer communications being introduced by the Transport Ticketing Authority (TTA).</p><p>This contributed to a decrease in complaints to my office,” Young said. <br />In latest issue of <em>On Track</em> can be downloaded <a href="http://www.ptovic.com.au/images/latestnews/on_track_-_february_2013.pdf"><strong>HERE</strong></a></p><p><strong>Puffing Billy Railway appoints new CEO</strong><br />Victoria’s famous tourism icon the Puffing Billy Railway has appointed John Robinson as a CEO.</p><p>Robinson brings with him more than four decades of experience and a love of Puffing Billy, having been involved in the Puffing Billy Preservation Society for over 40 years in a variety of roles, as well as serving on the official governing body, the Emerald Tourist Railway Board, for over 30 years. He served as Board chairman for ten years from 1989 to 1999.</p><p>A chartered accountant by profession specialising in business and financial management is determined to continue to develop Puffing Billy Railway as a significant tourist attraction and enhance the customer experience and product range of the Dandenongs’ tourist icon.</p><p>“I look forward to working with the tourism and heritage rail industries and to being part of the next exciting chapter in the life of the Puffing Billy Railway,” Robinson said.</p><p>“We have a great team at Puffing Billy Railway comprising of salaried staff and volunteers – all with a common goal and shared vision for the future: a sustainable future for our beloved Puffing Billy Railway.”</p>