Delays, full rail replacement buses due to Cross River Rail project as commuters return to work

CBD workers are facing major delays as they return to work this week due to disruptions caused by Cross River Rail construction.

As commuters headed back to work for the new year on Monday, travellers have begun to experience major delays due to Brisbane track works and closures in effect because of Cross River Rail construction.

Train lines are running on a “special timetable”, with multiple rail replacement buses running to assist with commutes in and out of the city.

Translink and Queensland Rail had previously warned people of potential delays.

But many commuters have already taken to social media on the first day of work, with one Reddit user posting they were waiting more than an hour with two to three bus loads of people for a rail replacement bus.

“So far in 40 minutes, one full bus has turned up, didn’t let anyone on, and (left),” the post said. “Another just turned up and let on maybe 10 people.”

Brisbane train lines are running on a “special timetable”, with multiple rail replacement buses running to assist with commutes in and out of the city.

One commenter said they were avoiding rail buses entirely and extending their commute by taking another bus to a different line.

Another said how “ridiculously inconvenient this is during a work week”.

“It’s messy, most of my guys are working from home this week/next based on their line,” one Reddit user said.

“Started my commute at 6.30am and arrived in the office at 8.30am.”

“My commute ordinarily takes 45-1hr door to door, I will be working from home for the rest of the week which sucks,” a commenter added.

The delays are expected to last until the end of the week for Brisbane, while the Gold Coast and Beenleigh are facing longer commute times until the end of next week.

Commuters have begun to experience major delays because of Brisbane track works and closures in effect due to Cross River Rail construction. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Last year, the Palaszczuk government had committed to build 200 rail replacement buses, investing $133.8m.

The buses were to be used to ensure South East Queensland public transport users could travel across the network during track closures on the train network.
But the first bus is not expected to be delivered until March, with the full delivery of the 200 buses by the end of the year.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads is working with its contracted bus operators to source rail replacement buses during track closures.

Stations at Nundah, Toombul, Wooloowin, Albion, Dutton Park, Fairfield, Yeronga, Yeerongpilly and Rocklea have been closed since December 23, affecting about 49,000 customers.