Peak commuter services across Brisbane and Gold Coast are expected to return to near-normal levels by October 12, Queensland Rail says.
The announcement follows its reaching outstanding in-principal agreements with unions after industrial action had forced a reduction in rail services.
Queensland Rail says work is under way to clear a maintenance backlog generated by the (protected) industrial action.
It says an extra 417 extra weekly services will run by mid-October, bringing the total number of services to 7725 per week or 91% of the full timetable.
The full timetable is expected to return to normal by the end of November.
Agreement was reached after Qld Rail agreed to:
- 8.5% wage increase over three years and an extra cost-of-living relief payment (up to 1 %) in the second and third years.
- A bonus for completing major projects on time.
- Backpay from August 1 to be paid for the Network, Rollingstock and Operations agreements, and from September 1 for a new electrical-only agreement.
INDUSTRIAL ACTION: Services were reduced from early May after unions took protected industrial action over new enterprise service agreements which led to a backlog of maintenance which stranded trains.
PEAK SERVICES RESUMING
Qld Rail’s Head of Corporate Affairs Nev Conway says they are now back on track.
“We appreciate the ongoing patience of our customers over the last few months while we navigated these challenges,” he says.
“Qld Rail is still working its way through the maintenance backlog, and we expect to be back to full timetable by the end of November.”
The additional services will be added to TransLink’s Journey Planner website in coming days and customers are encouraged to check online before they travel.
EXTRA SERVICES AS OF MONDAY, OCTOBER 12
MORNING PEAK: The Beenleigh line will go to a 15-minute service to match most other lines (currently a 30-minute service)
The Shorncliffe line will go to a 15-minute service.
A Doomben shuttle will operate as a through service to Roma Street (peak and off peak).
Additional contra services on the Shorncliffe line
Additional sweeper services are: 6.41am Kippa-Ring to Roma St, 6.42am Caboolture to Roma St, 7.01am Springfield Central to Bowen Hills, 7.05am Manly to Bowen Hills
AFTERNOON PEAK: The Beenleigh line will move to a 15-minute service.
The Shorncliffe line will move to a 15-minute service.
A Doomben shuttle will operate as a through service to Roma St.
Additional sweeper services: 4.44pm Roma St to Ferny Grove, 4.59pm Roma St to Kippa-Ring, 5.14pm Bowen Hills to Springfield Central.
OFF PEAK: Northgate to Cannon Hill service added.
