Rail station hours boosted

Passengers will be the winners under a plan to extend staff hours at four Brisbane rail stations.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the Queensland Government would also end Labor’s practice of having stations open when there were no trains or passengers.

“We made an election promise to revitalise frontline services and these changes will expand our customer service at four busy rail stations,” Mr Emerson said.

“Corinda, Ferny Grove, Indooroopilly and Yeerongpilly stations will now be staffed to assist passengers from the first to last service Monday to Saturday.

“Sunday shifts will remain the same.

“The seven stations, which are currently staffed when there are no trains between midnight and 4am will remain staffed from first to last service, seven days a week.”

Overnight security patrols will still operate at the seven stations.

Mr Emerson said the plan would continue the government’s focus on frontline services, including having Queensland Rail staff more visible on platform and assisting passengers with boarding to maintain on-time running.

“We won’t be reducing the number of staff, rather we are using our resources smarter, allowing more stations to remain open for longer,” he said.

“Recent surveys have shown that overall satisfaction on the City network had increased to the highest level ever achieved by Queensland Rail.”

Police, transit officers, security guards and mobile dog patrols operate across the Queensland Rail network in addition to more than 8,000 CCTV cameras and help phones.

The changes will start from Monday 19 May.

[ENDS] 9 May 2014

Media Contact: Stephanie Shield 0418 186 625