Interstate train to make way for local services

More train paths will be opened up for Gold Coast commuters following an agreement between Queensland and New South Wales governments to change the timetable of the interstate passenger train.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the changes for the Sydney-to-Brisbane XPT services meant less congestion on the line used for Gold Coast services.

“The interstate service currently requires two paths on the Gold Coast line between Roma Street and Salisbury – departing Roma Street at 6.30am and a second path at 7.30am during summer," Mr Emerson said.

“As a result of negotiations we will see the gradual removal of the XPT service from the morning peak period, allowing additional capacity for Queensland Rail to provide additional Gold Coast capacity.

“More than 9,000 passengers a day catch trains on the Gold Coast and Beenleigh lines in the morning peak and many have to stand long distances.

“A number of local Members have already raised the issue of overcrowding with me and this will allow us to get on and deal with the situation in the coming months.”

From October 21 the XPT will be completely removed from the morning peak times, arriving at Roma Street station at 3:53am and departing at 4:55am.

The XPT service currently averages about 170 passengers a trip. Additional customer service arrangements will be put in place to meet the earlier arrival times.

Shifting the XPT is an initiative of the Brisbane Inner Rail Solution which was developed to address imminent inner-Brisbane capacity constraints on the rail network.

[ENDS] 17 September 2013

Media Contact: Stephanie Shield 0418 186 625