NGR charges on to Springfield and Redcliffe Peninsula lines

The New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) fleet has successfully rolled out to the Springfield and Redcliffe Peninsula lines today (10 September 2018), as part of the fleet’s continued commissioning on the South East Queensland (SEQ) network.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the fleet made its inaugural debut on the lines bright and early this morning, first servicing the 3.46am Kippa-Ring to Springfield Central service.

“There are now 27 NGR trains fully commissioned and available for service across the South East Queensland network,” Mr Bailey said.

“This builds upon the initial rollout of the trains to the Gold Coast and Airport lines in mid-December 2017, Doomben line in May 2018 and Northgate to CBD services in July.

“It’s great to see the fleet continuing to service customers across SEQ and entering the Springfield and Redcliffe-Peninsula lines.

“I'm told Queensland Rail has already received messages from excited train enthusiasts eager to catch a glimpse of the trains servicing these stations for the very first time.

“As more trains are commissioned and successfully undergo testing and safety assessments, the NGR fleet will gradually commence rolling out on other lines across the SEQ network.

“Queensland Rail will continue to keep its customers informed ahead of deployments to other lines.”

To support the next stage of the rollout, Mr Bailey said Queensland Rail had strengthened its customer service presence at stations along the Springfield and Redcliffe Peninsula lines as part of the organisation’s customer service model for the NGR fleet.

“We are committed to providing boarding assistance for our customers and, from today, all stations along the Springfield and Redcliffe Peninsula lines will be staffed from first to last NGR service to ensure we accommodate this,” he said.

“This change will not only  ensure customers requiring boarding assistance are supported from first to last NGR service, but will also boost our customer service presence at these stations for other queries or assistance customers may require which is a great customer outcome overall.”

Mr Bailey said rectification works were underway in consultation with the accessibility sector.

“This has been done through a series of co-design workshops to ensure that the modified trains will meet functional requirements for all customers, as well as meeting the compliance standards required by the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (DSAPT),” he said.

“Qtectic, Bombardier and Downer EDI are progressing with detailed design work and preparation of the Maryborough workshops for the train upgrades.”

ENDS

Media contact: 0447355565