Queensland’s regional rail services are cutting back as of today (June 1) amid an ongoing dispute with unions that has already reduced South-East Qld metro services.
Since mid-April, more than 50 long-distance services have been fully or partially cancelled affecting more than 6350 passengers, Qld Rail says.
REGIONAL SERVICES
- Bundaberg and Rockhampton Tilt Trains services: unaffected (a combined 24 return services a week).
- Spirit of Queensland (Brisbane-Cairns) services are down from four to one full return trip a week with one return bus service a week.
- Spirit of the Outback (Brisbane-Longreach) services is down from two to one full return service a week with one return bus service a week.
- Westlander and Inlander services will continue to be replaced by road coaches.
- Kuranda Scenic Railway services are continuing with minor timetable adjustments.
- Gulflander operations are not expected to be impacted.
Queensland Rail’s Head of Regional Scott Cornish says crews are arranging road coaches, adjusting timetables and rebooking passengers into alternative services.
He says going action by unions is affecting their regional team’s ability to respond to incidents and maintain the trains which are now running at slower speeds.
QUEENSLAND RAIL PRIORITIES
“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,” he says.
“Our teams have been proactively contacting 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.”
The Queensland Government is trying to negotiate a new enterprise agreement with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and Electrical Trades Union.
Talks remain on hold after unions rejected a three-year 8% pay rise; click here for more details.
The government has tried to get the Fair Work Commission to overturn its ruling to give the action protected status but was rebuffed.
Weekday metro services have been running for several weeks with less trains and more crowding in the carriages, punctuated by signalling failures.
For more information, visit the Queensland Rail Travel website or call them on 1800 872 467.
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