Cross River Rail fail as wait times double

Wait times have more than doubled on the state government’s much-hyped Cross River Rail line compared to what was promised for key services. And they could blow out even more.

Wait times have more than doubled on the state government’s much-hyped Cross River Rail line compared to what was promised for key services when the project opens.

Despite a pledge in 2018 from the government that a train would leave from the Sunshine Coast for Brisbane every six minutes on average during the morning peak, CRR is now saying it “could” be every 15 minutes.

While Transport Minister Mark Bailey says the exact timings and configuration are still being worked out, the CRR website has revealed major increases on several lines ahead of the multi-billion dollar project’s opening in four years’ time.

An artist’s impression of the Cross River Rail’s Albert St Station.

An April 2018 media release from the government had claimed that a train would leave from the Sunshine Coast for Brisbane every six minutes on average during morning peak.

But the CRR website now says the project “could” mean for the Sunshine Coast a train leaving for Brisbane every 15 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Nambour line north of Caboolture.

The media release from three years ago had also claimed the project would deliver for Logan a “train every 2 minutes on average during peak on the Gold Coast/Beenleigh line”.

The CRR website now indicates that for Logan, the project could mean a train leaving for Brisbane every five minutes on average on the Gold Coast line in the morning peak.

And a train could leave every six minutes on average for Brisbane in the morning peak on the Beenleigh line from Loganlea.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey says the exact timings and configuration are still being worked out. Picture: Liam Kidston

Asked about the changes, Mr Bailey said planning would consider current and projected demand, “expected strong population growth” to Queensland and base level timetables.

“It will also include looking at the impact of COVID on public transport patronage over the past year and how long it will take to recover to pre-COVID levels,” he said.

“Cross River Rail’s infrastructure will double capacity at centre of the SEQ rail network allowing for more train services more often – that’s what building a second river crossing and new stations does.”

Mr Bailey said while it was difficult to predict what COVID-19’s lasting impact on patronage would be, the impact was being “closely monitored” and that changes would be made when there was a clearer picture of longer term trends.

“Even if social change brought on by the pandemic leads to long term changes in public transport travel habits, we know the region’s population will continue to grow,” he said.

LNP transport spokesman Steve Minnikin slammed the blowout in wait times. Picture: Anna Rogers

The LNP’s transport spokesman Steve Minnikin claimed it was another example of the government over promising but under-delivering.

“Here they are again starting to condition us that this project will be watered down and will not deliver what was promised,” he said.

“It’s time this government was honest with Queenslanders about this project.”

STATE GOVERNMENT MEDIA RELEASE – APRIL 16, 2018

Cross River Rail will deliver:

– For the Sunshine Coast – a train leaving the Sunshine Coast for Brisbane every 6 minutes on average during the morning peak

– For Logan – a train every 2 minutes on average during peak on the Gold Coast/Beenleigh line

CROSS RIVER RAIL WEBSITE NOW

With increased capacity for more frequent rail services, Cross River Rail could mean for:

Sunshine Coast

– a train leaving for Brisbane every 15 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Nambour line north of Caboolture

Logan

– a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Gold Coast

-a train leaving for Brisbane every 6 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Beenleigh line (from Loganlea station)