Queensland trains switch to weekend timetable amid industrial action, with 273 fewer weekday trains
Queensland’s rail network has shifted to a weekend-style timetable from Tuesday, May 5, with commuters warned to expect more crowded services and longer waits as industrial action continues and enterprise agreement talks remain at a standstill. The changes amount to a 20 percent reduction in services, with 273 fewer trains operating on weekdays and no end in sight.
During peak hours, trains will run every 15 minutes on the Caboolture, Cleveland, Ferny Grove, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Redcliffe Peninsula and Springfield lines. That is a cut from the normal weekday timetable, which runs services every 6 to 10 minutes. Services will operate every 30 minutes on the Beenleigh and Shorncliffe lines, and on the Doomben line between Doomben and Eagle Junction.
Trains will also run every 30 minutes between Rosewood and Ipswich and on the Sunshine Coast between Nambour and Caboolture. Queensland Rail said most trains will operate roughly every 30 minutes outside peak times and urged passengers to check the TransLink journey planner before travelling.
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said the changes would have a “considerable impact” on Queenslanders and, along with Queensland Rail, blamed the disruption on the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU), the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) and the Electrical Trades Union.
The RTBU announced industrial action from today over stalled negotiations on a new enterprise agreement. A Queensland Rail offer of an 8 percent pay rise over three years was rejected by the union last week.
RTBU Queensland branch secretary Peter Allen said the union had implemented partial work bans and provided “quite a lot of notice.” He said it appeared Queensland Rail was heading down the same path as just before Easter, when it seemed to want to lock their members out again.
Hundreds of services have been impacted by cancellations. The weekend-style timetable is set to remain in place for at least the rest of the week. With no end in sight, Queensland Rail is advising commuters to allow extra time for their journeys and to confirm services before they travel.