Queensland Rail’s biggest ever station upgrade program ‘shovel ready’ with a commitment to keeping customers moving

LINK TO EARLY WORKS FOOTAGE

• Major accessibility upgrade construction is set to start at six Queensland Rail train stations.
• The building program over the next 12 months will deliver life-changing accessibility upgrades to Morningside, Lindum, Banyo, Buranda, Bundamba and Burpengary stations.
• Customers are urged to plan their travel with shuttle buses in place to keep them moving from January 2024 during the temporary station closures.

In its biggest station revamp program on record, Queensland Rail’s accessibility construction works at Morningside, Lindum, Banyo, Buranda, Bundamba and Burpengary stations are surging ahead. 

As part of Queensland's Big Build, the Palaszczuk Government is committed to delivering a modern, accessible public transport network for all.

As well as Queensland Rail stations, accessibility upgrades are also underway as part of Cross River Rail, including at the recently reopened Yeronga and Fairfield stations, with work progressing at Dutton Park, Yeerongpilly and Rocklea, and Salisbury and Moorooka to follow.

To keep customers moving during the closures, customers are urged to plan their travel in advance with Buranda and Bundamba stations closing on 8 January and the remaining stations closing on 22 January. 

Alternative transport solutions will be put in place by Queensland Rail and Translink following extensive community consultation and customer feedback. Alternative transport arrangements informed by community feedback includes shuttle buses between stations, a new pedestrian shared path to Bindha station for Banyo station customers and bus stops to cater for nearby schools.

The upgrades to the six stations form the biggest ever station upgrade program undertaken by Queensland Rail. Queensland Rail is partnering with Hutchinson Builders and Laing O’Rourke to deliver these vitally important projects.

When the upgrades are complete, the stations will boast lifts, overpasses and fully raised platforms to reduce the gap, making boarding the train safer and easier for all customers as well as a range of other accessibility improvements.  

Early works are in full swing, paving the way for the contractors to get straight into major construction when the stations close temporarily in January 2024. 

A site compound has been established at Morningside station, while overhead line works, vegetation removal, geotechnical works and the installation of safety barriers have also commenced. 

At nearby Lindum station, the establishment of a site compound as well as vegetation works, site surveys and geotechnical works have begun. At Buranda station vegetation works and safety barrier installation are underway and at Banyo, the safe relocation of a heritage shelter, minor works and vegetation removal has occurred.

Detailed alternative travel information can be found on the Queensland Rail website. 

Please allow extra travel time and plan your journey closer to the date. To plan your journey, download the MyTranslink app, visit translink.com.au or call 13 12 30.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey:

“We’re building big when it comes to rail in Queensland because we are committed to accessible transport for all.

“By the end of next year five of these stations will be back open and better than ever for all customers – with lifts, raised platforms, overpasses and other life changing accessibility features.

“Rebuilding six stations in one go is the biggest station upgrade project Queensland Rail has ever undertaken; our Big Build is ensuring a modern, accessible public transport network for all."

“We’re ‘shovel ready’ for the major transformation in the new year. I look forward to seeing these stations transform.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Rail CEO Kat Stapleton:

“We listened to our customers when they told us how we can best keep them moving during the upgrade so we’re urging them to familiarise themselves with the alternative transport plan they helped develop.

“Dedicated shuttle buses to nearby stations will run and we’ve even opened a new walkway to make it easier for customers on the northside to reach Bindha station.

“We’re already hard at work on the stations of the future with all the modern accessibility standards the community expects.

“By closing the stations temporarily, our contractors can hit the ground running with those major works and main construction can kick off safely and efficiently.

“When complete, customers can look forward to incredible upgraded stations across South East Queensland from accessible drop off points, to lifts and platforms closer to the trains – making the whole experience of catching public transport easier.

"Paralympian, gold medallist and world record holder Vanessa Low OAM toured both the Bundamba upgrade and the recently completed Auchenflower station.”

Quotes attributable to Paralympian Vanessa Low OAM:

“We now have the chance to get this right and make sure that we are open to a diverse society, and I think transport is a really important aspect of that.

“It's not just for a person in a wheelchair, it’s for the young mum, it’s for the people that are coming from the airport, just wanting to go home.

“It sends out a message that everyone is welcome, Queensland Rail is going to do an amazing job.”

ALTERNATIVE TRAVEL INFORMATION

Bundamba

A dedicated shuttle bus service will run between Booval and Bundamba stations to assist customers during the station closure.

• Shuttle bus 501 will operate between Booval station, Bundamba station and Ipswich TAFE.
• All route 501 services will be accessible.
• The shuttle will run according to the Ipswich line timetable at Booval station.
• Existing bus routes 500 and 503 will be also available for customers.
• Booval and Ebbw Vale are the nearest stations to Bundamba and will remain open during the upgrade works.
• Limited parking will be available at Bundamba station for those catching the 501 shuttle bus service.

Burpengary

A dedicated shuttle bus service will run between Burpengary and Narangba stations to assist customers during the station closure.

• Shuttle bus 661 will operate between Burpengary and Narangba stations.
• The shuttle will run every 10–15 minutes in peak hour (6am to 9am and 4pm to 6pm​ on weekdays).
• Outside of peak hour, route 661 will connect with arriving trains at Narangba station.
• The 661 departs from the eastern side car park of Burpengary station, off Burpengary Road.
• All route 661 services will be accessible.
• Existing bus route 664 will be also available for customers.
• Morayfield and Narangba are the closest stations to Burpengary and will remain open during the upgrade works, however parking is very limited at these stations. Commuters electing to drive to nearby stations are encouraged to go to the multi-storey carpark at Dakabin.​
• ​Limited parking will be available at Burpengary station for those catching the 661 shuttle bus service.

Banyo

A dedicated shuttle bus service will run between Northgate and Banyo stations to assist customers during the station closure.

• Shuttle bus 316 will operate between Northgate and Banyo stations, including stops at the Australian Catholic University (ACU) and Earnshaw College.
• The shuttle will run according to the Shorncliffe line timetable at Northgate station.
• Existing bus route 306 will also be available from Tufnell Road, near Banyo station.
• All route 316 services will be accessible.
• Limited parking will be available at Banyo station for those catching the 316 shuttle bus service.
• Bindha and Nudgee stations are the nearest stations to Banyo and to assist customers Queensland Rail is reinstating the footpath from Royal Parade to Bindha station.

Lindum

A dedicated shuttle bus service will run between Lindum and Wynnum North stations to assist customers during the station closure.

• Shuttle bus 229 will operate between Lindum and Wynnum North stations, including a stop on North Road directly opposite Iona College.
• The shuttle will operate every 10-15 minutes in peak hours (7am to 9am and 3pm to 4pm on weekdays), with additional services running to support school start and finish times.
• Outside of peak hours, route 229 will connect with arriving trains at Wynnum North station.
• All route 229 services will be accessible.
• Wynnum North and Hemmant are the nearest stations to Lindum and will remain open during the upgrade works.

Morningside

A dedicated shuttle bus service will run between Morningside and Cannon Hill stations to assist customers during the station closure.

• Shuttle bus 237 will operate between Morningside and Cannon Hill stations.
• The shuttle will operate every 15 minutes or better in peak hour (6am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm on weekdays).
• Outside of these hours, route 237 will connect with arriving trains at Cannon Hill station.
• All route 237 services will be accessible.
• Council bus routes 227, 235, P216, P228 or P236 from the Wynnum Road stop outside the station also run toward the city. 
• Cannon Hill and Norman Park are the nearest stations to Morningside and will remain open during the upgrade works.
• During the temporary closure, express trains will stop at Cannon Hill.
• Limited parking will be available at Morningside station for those catching the 237 shuttle bus service.

Buranda

Buranda busway station is next to Buranda station and has lots of alternative transport options.

• To connect to the train at Park Road station, catch a route 28, 139, 169 or 209 service from Buranda busway platform 1 to Boggo Road station.
• To get to South Bank or the CBD, hop on a route 111, 222 or 555 bus, also from platform 1.​
• Park Road and Coorparoo are the closest stations to Buranda and will remain open during the upgrade works.
• No parking will be available at Buranda station during the station closure. ​

MORE INFORMATION ON THE STATION ACCESSIBILITY UPGRADE PROGRAM

• The Station Accessibility Upgrade Program projects that are being delivered at Lindum, Morningside, Banyo, Buranda, Bundamba and Burpengary stations are the largest number of stations Queensland Rail has delivered simultaneously.

• All new station accessibility upgrades will feature new lift-accessible footbridges, fully raised full-length platforms, extended platform shelters. Other improvements include upgraded customer facilities like accessible toilets, disability-compliant ticket windows and improved seating. We’re also installing hearing augmentation loops, tactile floor indicators, new wayfinding signage, information screens and better security through CCTV and lighting upgrades. Active transport enclosures are being provided to enable customers to ride to and safely store their bicycles or scooters at the station.

• Following customer surveys, an alternate transport plan, based on the needs of the community, has been developed which includes shuttle buses, and improved pedestrian access to nearby Bindha station.

• Since 2017, Queensland Rail has completed 12 full station upgrades including at Alderley, Newmarket, Graceville, Nambour, Dinmore, Morayfield, Boondall, Strathpine, East Ipswich, Dakabin, Cannon Hill and Auchenflower. Southbank Platform 1 was also completed in November 2022.

• Accessibility upgrades are included as part of the Cross River Rail rebuilds of Dutton Park, Yeronga, Moorooka, Salisbury, Fairfield, Yeerongpilly, Rocklea and Exhibition stations. The new stations being delivered as part of Cross River Rail, including Underground Roma Street, Boggo Road, Albert Street, Woolloongabba, Pimpama, Hope Island and Merrimac, will also meet passenger accessibility requirements.

  ENDS

Media contact – James Kleeman - 0466 620 176