Queensland Rail timetable and recruitment progress

Queensland Rail Acting Chief Executive Officer Neil Scales has provided me with an update on the preparations for the timetable to recommence on Monday (23 January) with the start of the school year.

In my meeting with Mr Scales this afternoon, he advised Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe and I that the timetable to operate from Monday was sustainable and would provide reliable services for the travelling public. 

This is the timetable which operated from 7 November to 23 December last year. 

Mr Scales also advised there was continued progress was being made to deliver on the five-point plan and the recruitment of additional 200 drivers and 200 guards approved by the Government.

I do not want to pre-empt the findings of the Inquiry being led by Mr Phillip Strachan, which the Government expects to receive on 31 January.  The Strachan Inquiry is a thorough examination to get to the bottom of what has happened with the train crewing practices at Queensland Rail.