Cross River Rail train ‘shortage’ to leave commuters stranded: Opposition

Commuters will be stranded when Brisbane’s multibillion-dollar Cross River Rail network opens, the Opposition says, claiming there won’t be enough trains.

A shortage of trains could leave commuters stranded when Brisbane‘s multibillion-dollar Cross River Rail network opens, with the government accused of underestimating the number of new rollingstock required to deliver a promised service increase.

The State Government has ordered an initial fleet of 20 trains to service the new $5.4bn network when it opens in 2025.

However, the Opposition claims the order is 17 short of what is required to operate the 37 extra peak services as promised.

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, Cross River Rail is now saying it “could” be every 15 minutes.

A Cross River Rail Boggo Road station precinct concept. Picture QLD Government

The multibillion-dollar project was promised to provide eight new peak hour services on the Ipswich and Varsity Lakes lines, six on Loganlea and five on Springfield and Kippa Ring.

Cleveland commuters were set to receive four extra services while Nambour would receive one.

Opposition Transport spokesman Steve Minnikin said the government’s order of 20 new trains would not be enough.

“This is yet another example of where this Labor State Government overpromises and underdelivers,” he said.

“They’ve already watered down the number of train services they originally promised, and it’s now doubtful that they’ll even have enough trains to run these services.

“We’ve had delays and a cost blowout and yet again, it all points to a big black hole that is the Cross River Rail project.”

Transport Minister Mark Bailey refused to confirm whether the 37 additional services would be delivered, insisting COVID-19 and Brisbane City Council’s Metro project meant “circumstances have changed and will continue to change”.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey and Cross River Rail Delivery Authority CEO Graeme Newton with a Tunnel Boring Machine. (News Corp/Attila Csaszar)

“Now the LNP has been forced to accept Cross River Rail is a good project for Queensland, their new game is trying to cast doubt on its benefits, using train frequency figures forecast in the project’s 2017 business case,” Mr Bailey said.

“Cross River Rail is still four years away from operating and experts from multiple agencies will determine the exact configuration and timing of rail services well ahead of its opening.”

The Opposition‘s train shortfall claims comes amid growing fears the initial fleet of 20 New Generation Rollingstock won’t be built in time for Cross River Rail’s opening in 2025.

Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow predicted it would take three years to build the 20-train fleet, putting the timing of the project under pressure.

“That is the critical thing, whether they can rapidly escalate the building of trains and we don’t think they can,” he said.

It took two years for the first train to be delivered under the Newman Government in 2013.

Mr Dow warned Cross River Rail, the largest infrastructure project in Queensland‘s history, could see a repeat of the 2016 “rail fail” – when a lack of drivers after the opening of the Redcliffe line forced services to be cut.

He acknowledged the Brisbane project would increase network capacity, but said commuters would see little benefit if trains aren‘t on the tracks.

A Transport and Main Roads spokesman confirmed a shortlist of proponents to build the initial fleet of 20 trains would not be formed until the end of this year.

Mr Bailey insisted the process to award contracts to build new trains “is progressing as we’ve always planned”.