Improved customer information during trackwork

TransLink and Queensland Rail will trial timetabled rail replacement bus services and better customer information during two Ferny Grove train line closures next month.

The trial, which will take place during Ferny Grove line maintenance in early October, will include a new trial bus route R395 with set timetables published at rail replacement stops and online via the TransLink Journey Planner for the first time.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said TransLink and Queensland Rail had listened to feedback from customers wanting replacement bus timetables to be published to enable customers to better plan their journey during track closures.

“Maintenance closures are a routine and important part of running a safe and reliable rail network,” Mr Bailey said.

“Buses run when rail lines are closed and this trial is about doing that better and smarter with enhanced customer information.”

“This trial is designed to test and improve journey times and customer information during track closures.”

Customers currently have to allow up to 60 minutes extra travel time depending on the nature of the closure.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said that through this trial, customers will have access to more accurate travel times on rail replacement bus services, with anticipated additional travel time no greater than 20 minutes for most customers in comparison to rail.

“We hope this trial will prove beneficial for customers offering a more efficient experience,” Mr Bailey said.

The upcoming Ferny Grove closure will be the first trial of a range of potential improvements to test what could be rolled out to other train lines in the future, when Queensland Rail closes lines for trackwork and maintenance.

The trial will take place the nights of Tuesday, 2 October and Wednesday, 3 October and also across the weekend of October 5-7.

The Ferny Grove track closure trial will offer these improvements for customers:

• replacement buses running on a trial route: R395
• scheduled services with a published timetable including stopping patterns
• full timetable in Journey Planner via the TransLink website and MyTransLink app
• services every 20 minutes for most of the day, every 30mins in early mornings and late evenings
• improved signage at stations and stops
• informed staff at key stations to help customers

The R395 bus will run along the Ferny Grove line and link to Fortitude Valley and Central stations, stopping at bus stops close to the train station.

To ensure a fast and efficient trip for customers travelling to the city, the R395 will not stop at Bowen Hills train station but will service RBWH bus station. Customers travelling to Bowen Hills can travel to Fortitude Valley and catch a northbound train to Bowen Hills.

For more details on the Ferny Grove trial, visit here.

-ENDS-

Media – 0447 355 565

Background

Works will include ballast replacement at Newmarket station and between Keperra and Ferny Grove stations; embankment and retaining wall repairs at Newmarket and Gaythorne stations; as well as maintenance of stations, rails and overhead lines from Bowen Hills station to Ferny Grove station.

The planned works are part of Queensland Rail’s $211 million asset maintenance program for 2018-19 for the South East Queensland network.