All aboard: Partial return to rail service begins tomorrow

Rail services on the South East Queensland rail network will resume in stages from tomorrow (Thursday), following extensive repairs to the network.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey praised the efforts of crews who worked tirelessly to ensure services could resume as soon as possible.

“The Queensland Rail network was hit hard by this extreme weather event, with multiple track washouts, landslips and fallen powerlines identified at locations impacting every corridor,” Mr Bailey said.

“We’ve even found several vehicles in the rail corridor, swept there by floodwaters.

“Thanks to crews working day and night to complete repairs, we will partially resume services at a reduced timetable from tomorrow.

“Safety is absolutely paramount, which means that some lines will not be fully operational as further recovery works take place.”

Mr Bailey said services on reduced timetable would resume on the following lines:

• The Beenleigh and Ferny Grove lines, between Kuraby and Keperra stations
• The Airport line, between Central and the Domestic Terminal
• The Cleveland and Shorncliffe lines, between Lindum and Northgate stations
• The Springfield and Redcliffe Peninsula lines between Springfield Central and Kippa Ring stations
• The Caboolture and Ipswich lines between Ipswich and Caboolture stations
• The North Coast line between Central to Caboolture and Nambour stations
• The Doomben line between Park Road and Doomben stations

“Some stations across the network will have temporary access changes, but all will be attended by staff from first train tomorrow morning,” Mr Bailey said.

“Attendance at stations throughout the day may vary, pending the availability

“At this stage due to the availability of buses and broader difficulties with the road network, rail replacement buses will not be available for customers.

“This is an important step towards getting our public transport network back to full capacity for all those who rely on it and should ease pressure on the road network.

“Information will be available to customers on Queensland Rail’s social media pages, the TransLink journey planner, and from Station Staff at all staffed stations.”

Mr Bailey thanked all regular rail users for their ongoing patience.

“I want to assure every person that we are doing everything we can to get operations back to full capacity,” he said.

“It’s an enormous task and we will not compromise on safety.

“I thank customers for their patience over the past few days.

“We will provide more information, as it comes to hand, as more services get up and running in the coming days.” 

For information on public transport timetables, please visit http://www.translink.com.au/

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Courtney Thompson - 0433 585 570