- Train customers are being advised that the South East Queensland (SEQ) rail network will be operating at a reduced timetable from Tuesday (5 May).
- This is a direct result of union protected industrial action, which has caused a shortfall of train availability.
- This maintenance backlog means there are not enough trains to meet the full timetable.
Queensland Rail has been forced to reduce services across the SEQ network, because of ongoing union protected industrial action.
From Tuesday May 5, trains will run similar to a Saturday timetable, with extra services in the morning and afternoon peak, resulting in around 300 fewer services operating each weekday, until further notice.
This new timetable maintains approximately 80% of services.
For customers, this means 15-minute services in the morning and afternoon peaks for the Gold Coast, Cleveland, Redcliffe Peninsula, Springfield, Ferny Grove, Caboolture and Ipswich lines.
There will be 30-minute services on the Shorncliffe and Beenleigh lines and the Sunshine Coast line between Caboolture and Nambour. The Rosewood - Ipswich and Doomben - Eagle Junction shuttle service will also run every 30 minutes.
A regular weekday peak period on most lines sees services approximately every six to 10-minutes, so customers should factor in longer wait times than usual.
Outside of peak, most trains will operate roughly every 30 minutes instead of the 15-minute services that usually run on a weekday.
Union protected industrial action is also behind delays, service alterations and cancellations for Queensland Rail Travel customers and freight, coal and mineral trains.
Queensland Rail CEO Kat Stapleton called on the unions to stop their action and think of the impacts on our customers across the state.
"We know rail travel is essential to get Queenslanders to school, work, appointments and the footy," Ms Stapleton said.
"We know our customers are frustrated - I am frustrated too. We want the unions to come back to the table and seriously consider the fair and reasonable and enhanced offer that we have presented.
"Queensland Rail wants to run a full timetable, but we can't do that during this continued union protected industrial action.
"A reduced timetable is the best way to ensure as many services as possible can operate with the limited number of trains that we have available.
"There are no longer any track closures on the SEQ network, with the Banoon to Boggo Road section reopening this morning after being closed due to extended planned track closures since 3 April for major project works.
"However, with members of the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) and the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) refusing to conduct maintenance on trains, it means we simply do not have enough trains to run our full timetable.
"With more customers delayed and freight services impacted, it's time for this protected industrial action to stop."
Taxpayer funds should be respected, therefore Queensland Rail will not pay workers who do not complete rollingstock maintenance from tomorrow (Saturday 2 May).
SEQ rail customers should stay in touch regarding the timetable changes via Queensland Rail's social media channels and the Translink website.
Journey Planner is also being updated, so please check your trip before you travel.
REDUCED SERVICES TIMETABLE
• Gold Coast line -15-minute services in the morning and afternoon peaks, 30-minute services off peak
• Cleveland line -15-minute services in the morning and afternoon peaks, 30-minute services off peak
• Redcliffe Peninsula line -15-minute services in the morning and afternoon peaks, 30-minute services off peak
• Springfield line -15-minute services in the morning and afternoon peaks, 30-minute services off peak
• Ipswich line - 15-minute services in the morning and afternoon peaks, 30-minute services off peak
• Ferny Grove - Running to Roma Street every 15 minutes in the morning and afternoon peaks, 30-minute services off peak
• Caboolture line - 15-minute services in the morning and afternoon peaks, 30 minute services off peak
• Shorncliffe line - 30-minute services all day
• Beenleigh line - 30-minute services all day
• Sunshine Coast line (between Caboolture and Nambour) - 30-minute services in the morning and afternoon peaks, 90-minutes off peak (as per normal timetable)
• Rosewood - Ipswich shuttle - 30-minute service all day
• Doomben - Eagle Junction shuttle - 30-minute service all day
• Airtrain services are unaffected
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