New trains, new timetable

The first of 44 new QR Citytrains have had their final test run before being pressed into service on the Gold Coast tomorrow morning.

Premier Peter Beattie and Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Paul Lucas, were on board as the new carriages were put through their paces.

“These are state of the art trains and they hit the tracks on the Gold Coast tomorrow morning to significantly boost the number of seats on peak services,” Mr Beattie said.

“We’re putting two, three car sets on-line to provide more than 800 extra seats for Gold Coast commuters.

“More trains are a key election commitment for my Government – and we’re delivering,” Mr Beattie said.

The new trains will allow QR to add another two services on the Gold Coast line with the maiden run departing from Robina station at 7.38 am tomorrow (Monday).

Mr Beattie said the new Citytrains were being built in Maryborough by EDIRail and Bombardier Transportation.

“They’re sleek and can reach a top speed of 130 km/h more quickly than existing trains on the network.

“Stopping power has been improved and they’re more comfortable with bigger seats, more leg room, toilets, plenty of space for luggage, and no doors between carriages.

“Technology hasn’t been left out of the equation either with improved CCTV security systems and LED screens inside every carriage for up to the minute journey information.

“We will spend over $500 million to deliver 44 new three car train sets by the end of 2010,” Mr Beattie said.

Mr Lucas said the new rolling stock would boost QR’s fleet by 30% - that means an extra 30,000 extra seats a day across the network.

“Twenty-two sets will be dedicated to the Gold and Sunshine Coast lines with the remainder to be spread over the suburban Brisbane network,” Mr Lucas said.

”The roll out will give priority to lines with the highest demand.

“It’s another instalment in a multi million dollar overhaul of rail services for the Gold Coast,” Mr Lucas said.

“In addition to new trains, we are also laying more tracks with work already started on a third line from Salisbury to Kuraby.

“We’ve doubled the tracks on the Ormeau to Coomera link on time and on budget and the duplication of the Helensvale to Robina section is underway.

“There are plans in train to extend the line even further south to Varsity Lakes.

“This brings our total investment for Gold Coast rail to more than $350 million on almost 37 kilometres of track and 26 rail bridges for Gold Coast commuters.

“It demonstrates the Queensland Government’s continued commitment to boosting public transport to meet the demands of Australia’s fastest growing region.

“Already public transport patronage has surged by more than 27 per cent since the introduction of Translink in 2004. The new trains will go a long way to ensuring the system keeps pace with demand,” Mr Lucas said.

South East Queensland’s sleek new passenger train fleet will be housed in a large specially built stabling yard at Mayne. The stabling yard will provide security for the trains at night and while they are not in service.

Mr Beattie said the new yard, which was officially opened today, had many state of the art features, including a new graffiti-removal facility, which makes it one of the most efficient and safety-conscious in Australia.

“Once commissioned, the graffiti removal facility has the potential to slash water use by 80 per cent when removing graffiti,” Mr Beattie said.

“Stage One of the stabling yards cost $11.5 million. The second stage commits another $7 million in State Government funding to build an extension to the yard.

“The new facility makes QRs Citytrain operation more efficient.

“The centralised location of trains allows more efficient scheduling, as trains have less distance to travel at the start and end of each day,” Mr Beattie said.

Mr Lucas said the new graffiti removal facility was a heavy duty cleaning area using special power hoses to quickly remove graffiti and reduce the time that trains are inactive.

“Improved security at the yard also reduces the likelihood of graffiti and other damage to the trains when they are stabled,” Mr Lucas said.

“QR is finding it increasingly difficult to stable trains in outer Brisbane locations due to noise complaints from residents. By increasing the capacity of Mayne Yard, QR eliminates the need to stable more trains at these locations,” Mr Lucas said.

Media Contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500

Minister’s office: Roanne Johnson 0401 669 276