New QR Citytrains on track

MARYBOROUGH: Acting Premier Paul Lucas was in Maryborough today inspecting the latest of QR’s new Citytrain passenger train fleet currently under construction by EDI Bombardier.

“The Government has invested more than $500 million dollars in 44 new trains and new yards to store the trains when not in service,” Mr Lucas said.

“This represents a 30% increase in QR’s fleet and a significant investment in improving the reliability and frequency of services for Citytrain passengers.

“Once all 44 trains are in service, they will create 30,000 additional seats for customers per day.

“Eleven trains have already been delivered, two are currently going through acceptance testing and another two are expected soon.

“The remaining trains will be progressively rolled out over the next two to three years, with all expected to be introduced to the network by 2010.

“The new trains will not only improve the frequency of services, but also provide a more comfortable journey for passengers.

“Public transport patronage growth in South East Queensland over the last three years has outstripped population growth five to one, which is why we’re making the investment in these new carriages.

Mr Lucas said $7 billion had been allocated to improve the urban rail network and deliver 144km of new track and the 44 new trains through the Queensland Government’s $82 billion, 20-year South-east Queensland Infrastructure Plan (SEQIP).

“QR Citytrain patronage increased by 9% in the 2006/07 financial year with 58.8 million passenger journeys recorded. This demand will continue as south-east Queensland’s population continues to rise,” Mr Lucas said.

“In order to satisfy the significant increase in demand for services, the Government is progressively rolling out the new trains, additional tracks, signalling, station infrastructure and rollingstock.

“The trains will be placed on tracks on a priority basis according to passenger loading information to ensure so the areas that need them most will get them first.”

Mr Lucas said the benefits of the new rollingstock were already being enjoyed by Gold Coast passengers.

“Since the first train was rolled out in May last year, QR has introduced three new peak hour services and upgraded five services from three to six-cars,” Mr Lucas said.

“An altered Citytrain timetable, due to take effect from March, will include an additional four, three-car trains on the Gold Coast corridor offering more than 8,000 additional passenger seats from Monday to Friday.

“In September, further improvements to service levels are planned for the Gold Coast, Nambour, Caboolture, Ipswich, Beenleigh and Ferny Grove lines in response to the growing demand, as rollingstock and track upgrades become available.”

During this financial year, Maryborough's EDI Rail will manufacture $104 million worth of three-car passenger trains and new coal locomotives worth $40.3 million.