COVID-19 response sees temporary reduction in Queensland long-haul travel
Published Friday, 27 March, 2020 at 06:00 AM
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey
Long haul train and coach services within Queensland will be temporarily reduced as part of wider efforts to contain COVID-19.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said rural and regional communities would continue to have access to transport for essential travel under the changes.
“Right now, people should not be travelling on coaches or trains across Queensland unless they have an essential reason to,” Mr Bailey said.
“Essential reasons are things like getting to work or to a medical appointment.
“The Queensland border is now closed and we’re already seeing drops in patronage of up to 60 per cent on buses and trains as people stay home.
“People will still have access to long distance passenger services for essential reasons on all key corridors, but the frequency of those services will be reduced, and we’ll manage passenger numbers on board to separate passengers from each other.”
Under the changes, rail services on the Spirit of the Outback (Brisbane to Longreach), Westlander (Brisbane to Charleville) and Inlander (Townsville to Mount Isa) services will be suspended.
XPT trains between Sydney and Brisbane operated by NSW Trains are terminating in Casino and will not enter Queensland.
North Coast Line (Brisbane to Cairns) passenger rail services will be reduced by about 50 per cent.
The Savannahlander, Gulflander and Kuranda Scenic Railway services will also be suspended.
Long distance coach services will be reduced, and will replace rail services in areas where corresponding rail services have been suspended.
Mr Bailey said decisions would be made to restore services as soon as it was safe to do so.
“These are temporary measures, but they are critical to curbing the spread of COVID-19 into our rural and regional communities,” Mr Bailey said.
“Every single Queenslander should avoid long distance travel unless they absolutely have to for essential purposes.
“We need everyone to work together and follow the latest health advice at this time.
“If you do need to get these services for essential travel within Queensland but are feeling sick, please do not travel and ensure you seek medical treatment and self-isolate if required.”
These changes will come into effect from Monday, March 30, except for Kuranda Scenic Railway services which will take effect from Friday, March 27.
Long Distance Rail Services
|
Operator |
Service |
Current Frequency |
Minimum service levels |
|
Queensland Rail |
Spirit of Queensland |
5 return trips per week |
3 return trips per week |
|
Rockhampton Tilt Train |
7 return trips per week |
4 return trips per week |
|
|
Bundaberg Tilt Train |
5 return trips per week |
2 return trips per week |
|
|
|
Spirit of the Outback |
2 return trips per week |
Suspended services |
|
|
Railbus Connection (Longreach – Winton) |
2 return trips per week |
Suspended services |
|
|
Westlander |
2 return trips per week |
Suspended services |
|
|
Railbus Connection (Charleville – Quilpie) |
2 return trips per week |
Suspended services |
|
|
Railbus Connection (Charleville – Cunnamulla) |
2 return trips per week |
Suspended services |
|
|
Inlander |
2 return trips per week |
Suspended services |
|
|
Kuranda Scenic Rail |
2 return trips per day |
Suspended services |
|
|
Gulflander |
1 return trip per week |
Suspended service |
|
NSW Trains |
XPT (Sydney – Brisbane) |
7 return trips per week |
Services terminating in NSW and will not enter QLD |
|
Cairns Kuranda Steam Partnership |
Savannahlander (Cairns – Forsayth) |
1 return trip per week (March – November) |
Suspended services |
Long Distance Coach Services & Contact Details
Coach services on the Brisbane-Charleville, Rockhampton-Longreach and Townsville-Mount Isa corridors will service the same towns that would have been serviced by the suspended the rail services, making an additional stop if required at the rail station to minimise impacts for customers.
|
Operator |
Service |
Current Frequency |
Minimum service levels |
|
Bus Queensland |
Brisbane - Mount Isa |
7 return trips per week |
No Change
|
|
Brisbane – Charleville |
7 return trips per week |
2 return trips per week (replacing Westlander schedule)
|
|
|
Toowoomba - St George (via Mooney Highway) |
3 return trips per week |
1 return trip per week |
|
|
Toowoomba - St George (via Gore Highway) |
2 return trips per week |
1 return trip per week |
|
|
St George - Cunnamulla |
3 return trips per week |
1 return trip per week |
|
|
St George - Lightning Ridge |
2 return trips per week |
1 return trip per week |
|
|
Toowoomba – Rockhampton |
3 return trips per week |
1 return trip per week |
|
|
Charters Towers – Townsville |
5 return trips per week |
No change |
|
|
Mount Isa – Townsville |
3 return trips per week (2 days and 1 nights) |
2 return trips (x1 day trip, x1 night trip) |
|
|
Greyhound |
Emerald - Rockhampton |
5 return trips per week |
3 return trips per week |
|
Longreach – Rockhampton |
2 return trips per week |
2 return trips per week |
|
|
Mackay Transit |
Emerald – Mackay |
7 return trips per week |
4 return trips per week |
|
Bowen Transit |
Collinsville – Bowen |
5 return trips per week |
3 return trips per week |
|
Trans North |
Cairns – Karumba |
3 return trips per week |
3 return trips per week |
|
Cairns - Cooktown (Inland) |
3 return trips per week |
2 return trips per week |
|
|
Cairns -Cooktown (Coastal) |
3 return trips per week |
Change to days of trip and hours of operation |
|
|
North Burnett Regional Council |
Monto - Mundubbera (on demand) |
1 return trips per week (on demand) |
Suspend services |
|
Mundubbera – Bundaberg |
2 return trips per week |
1 return trip per week |
|
|
Mundubbera – Maryborough |
1 return trips per week |
Suspended service |
|
|
Eidsvold - Bundaberg (via Mt Perry) |
1 return trips per week |
No change |
|
|
Monto - Ceratodus (on demand) |
1 return trips per week (on demand) |
No change |
|
Operator |
Contact Information |
|
Bus Queensland |
1300 287 537 |
|
Greyhound Australia |
1300 473 946 |
|
Mackay Transit Coaches |
1300 682 287 |
|
Bowen Transit |
(07) 3036 2070 |
|
Trans North Bus & Coach |
(07) 3036 2070 |
|
North Burnett Regional Council |
1300 696 272 |
ENDS
Media contact: Francis Dela Cruz - 0420 592 078