Improvements continue for Gold Coast rail passengers

Around 8000 additional passenger seats will be offered to commuters as part of the ongoing Queensland Government commitment to deliver extra services on the busy Gold Coast line.

Minister for Transport John Mickel said Queensland Rail (QR) and TransLink were committed to delivering the extra seats to cater for the growing demand of passengers.

He said the seats would be available once the 2008 timetable was finalised.

Last year, a passenger loading survey conducted by QR recorded an average of 2950 passengers during the morning peak and an average 2891 passengers in the afternoon peak on the Gold Coast/Beenleigh corridor.

Mr Mickel said to ease crowding on the Gold Coast corridor, significant Queensland Government funding had been committed to build new tracks to cater for more train services.

``Currently 11 new trains offering 2600 seats are operating on the Citytrain network with further trains coming on line by the end of the year and into 2009-2010 to cater for future demand,’’ he said.

``In June last year QR introduced further services which equated to another 434 seats for customers every weekday afternoon.

``Also in June last year, the existing 8.44am service from Robina was upgraded to provide an extra 217 seats for customers per day,’’ he said.

QR is reviewing Citytrain timetables to provide extra services across the network and will deliver an altered timetable in March and a new timetable in September.

The March changes focus on a 15-minute peak timetable mainly on Gold Coast line services.

Mr Mickel said the Queensland Government spent $250 million on extra tracks for the Gold Coast last financial year, in addition to a $104 million investment in trains.

``The Ormeau-to-Coomera second track and Salisbury-to-Kuraby third track is complete, track-laying has started between Helensvale and Robina and the new track from Robina to Varsity Lakes is well under way,’’ he said.

``Once the Helensvale-to-Robina duplication is completed by August, there will be 50 per cent more track capacity, allowing for further services from the Gold Coast.’’

More services on the Gold Coast will be made possible by major track upgrades in the $82 billion South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan.

Citytrain performance

· Citytrain patronage increased by 9 per cent in the 2005/06 financial year and again increased by 9 per cent in the 2006/07 financial year.

· In 2006/07 Citytrain improved its on-time running performance, with an average of 93.6 per cent of services in the combined morning and afternoon peak periods.

· In the same financial year, Citytrain reliability was steady with 99.6 per cent of total scheduled services operating.

· QR Citytrain remains the most effective and safest metro rail operator in Australia and we are committed to continuous improvement.

Notification of delays or cancellations to passengers

· When disruptions occur on the QR Citytrain network, passengers can access real-time information online about delayed and cancelled QR Citytrain services, including Gold Coast services.

· A notice will appear on Citytrain’s webpage as soon as QR is aware of a disruption, outlining reasons for the delay and expected time of the next service.

· The notices are available at www.citytrain.com.au or at www.translink.com.au

Media: Shannon Mackay 3237 1125 or Chris Brown 3237 1944

February 6, 2008