Double the trains to Ferny Grove

Passengers will be able to turn up and go with daytime trains arriving every 15 minutes on the Ferny Grove train line starting from Monday, October 8.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson announced the start date for the election commitment, which will see 28 new train services a day between 9am and 3pm.

“For too long passengers on Brisbane public transport have paid too much for poor frequency,” Mr Emerson said.

“In our first six months, the Newman Government added 2,000 additional weekly bus services and from next month we’ll double the off-peak train frequency to and from Ferny Grove station.

“The new services would operate through the CBD to Park Road station on the Beenleigh line, also providing more off-peak weekday options on the southern side of the river.

“Ironically off-peak trains will now be better than some peak frequency on the Ferny Grove line due to poor planning by four former Labor Transport Ministers, who ignored the looming capacity crisis at the Merivale Bridge, first raised by former Premier Beattie in 2005.

“We are working on a plan to fix their mess and extend the capacity through Brisbane’s CBD beyond the 2016 crisis deadline.”

Member for Ferny Grove Dale Shuttleworth said the $18 million, two-year commitment for more train services would require an additional 18 train crew

“Better frequency will attract more customers back to public transport and start reducing congestion on roads in north-west Brisbane,” Mr Shuttleworth said.

“A train every 15 minutes or better inbound and outbound on the Ferny Grove line during off peak on weekdays, now means frequent public transport is never far away.”

The first new inbound train will leave Ferny Grove station at 8.42am weekdays, with a train departing every 15 minutes until 3.12pm. The first new outbound train will depart Central at 8.21am, with trains departing every 15 minutes until 3.18pm.

Member for Everton Tim Mander said there had never been a better time to get out of the car and onto public transport.

“Train passengers are already saving hundreds of dollars a year with the LNP’s free travel after nine journeys and we’ll be halving Labor’s fare hikes in 2013 and 2014,” Mr Mander said.

“Better frequency is an important part of the LNP’s plans to get people back onto public transport.”

There will also be some minor changes on the Shorncliffe, Doomben and Cleveland lines, so passengers should keep their eye out for updated timetables at stations or online.

Several bus timetables are also being upgraded to ensure bus-train connectivity at train stations.

[ENDS] 18 September 2012

Media contact: Andrew Berkman 0429 128 637