- Queensland Rail's long distance trains that operate throughout regional Queensland will move to a reduced timetable from Monday (1 June).
- While services have been operating at reduced capacity due to union protected industrial action since mid-April, the new reduced timetable will give customers some certainty when booking.
- The Bundaberg and Rockhampton Tilt Trains (Brisbane to Bundaberg and Rockhampton) will continue operating to timetable.
- However, the Spirit of Queensland (Brisbane to Cairns), Spirit of the Outback (Brisbane to Longreach), Westlander (Brisbane to Charleville) and Inlander (Townsville to Mount Isa) services will be impacted.
From Monday (1 June), Queensland Rail's regional trains will operate on a reduced timetable that can be safely maintained until further notice, rather than services being cancelled ad-hoc.
These ongoing disruptions are a result of impacts from union protected industrial action, with this reduced timetable necessary to ensure most long-distance services can continue for customers.
Since mid-April, more than 50 long-distance travel train services have been fully or partially cancelled due to union protected industrial action, impacting more than 6,350 customers.
Key impacts include:
- Bundaberg and Rockhampton Tilt Trains will continue to operate to their usual timetable, which is a combined 24 return services a week.
- Spirit of Queensland services will be reduced from four to one full return rail service per week and one return replacement coach service per week.
- Spirit of the Outback services will be reduced from two to one full return rail service per week and one return replacement coach service per week.
- Westlander and Inlander services will continue to be replaced by road coaches.
Queensland Rail Head of Regional Scott Cornish said crews had been working incredibly hard to keep customers moving by arranging road coaches, adjusting timetables and rebooking them onto alternative services, where possible.
"We will never agree with the assertion that it is in the public's interests to disrupt their lives and limit their access to their public transport system," Mr Cornish said.
"We understand how important our regional rail services are for our customers to get to medical appointments, work or see family and friends, and we absolutely understand their frustration during this time.
"The union protected industrial action is impacting our regional team's ability to respond to incidents on the network and ensure corrective maintenance is completed. Trains are also having to operate at reduced speeds, putting pressure on our network control.
"To manage this load safely and to keep some of our passenger and freight services moving, we have had to prioritise maintaining our highest patronage routes and ensuring vital freight can continue.
"Our teams have been proactively contacting both our passenger and freight customers regarding any disruption to their services.
"With union protected industrial action ongoing, the reduced timetable will remain in place until further notice.
"However, given this is a dynamic situation, further changes could occur at short notice and we will continue to keep customers updated."
Kuranda Scenic Railway services are continuing with minor timetable adjustments and Gulflander operations are not expected to be impacted.
Queensland Rail Travel's online booking system has been adjusted to reflect the new timetable.
Customers with a pre-existing booking who are impacted should receive a text to contact us to discuss their booking.
