Double trouble for commuters as train wait times worsen

The number of South East Queensland train services running behind schedule has doubled. This is what is being blamed for the delays. VOTE IN THE POLL

The number of South East Queensland train services running behind schedule has doubled, with track failures and overhead line outages being blamed for the delays.

New data has revealed that between October and December last year, roughly 10 per cent – or one in ten train services – in the state’s South East did not run on time.

In comparison, less than half the number of services – or 4.3 per cent – were delayed in the prior three month period between July and August.

Queensland Rail says four issues caused “major disruptions” during the October to December period, including incidents involving overhead line equipment outages at Bowen Hills.

A track failure caused by storm activity also led to delays, as well as vegetation from a private residential property that came into contact with overhead line equipment at Albion.

Local train commuters were hit with big delays in the three months to December last year. Picture: David Nielsen / The Queensland Times

Queensland Rail’s head of SEQ Scott Riedel defended the worsening on-time results, insisting the rail operator worked hard to minimise any impacts to customers.

“Queensland Rail immediately deployed resources to repair the network and restore full operations as quickly and as safely as possible, partnering with TransLink for alternative travel arrangements and customer communications,” he said.

“While these incidents are rare and atypical of operations, as a preventative approach Queensland Rail has implemented enhanced multidisciplinary track, overhead and signalling inspections in the affected area, including drone inspections.”

LNP transport spokesman Steve Minnikin seized on the delayed train numbers – saying Transport Minister Mark Bailey was unable to get the basics right.

“For the thousands of Queenslanders who catch a train to work, uni, school or home, they just want a reliable timetable,” he said.

“While the state government grapples with a health crisis, youth crime epidemic and infrastructure blowouts, the Transport Minister can’t even get trains to run on time.

“Mark Bailey’s record speaks for itself.”

In response, Acting Transport Minister Steven Miles said: “The LNP and Steve Minnikin have promised to prune billions from the budget and yet they are trying to lecture us about Queensland’s public transport network which we are making a record level of investment in.”

More buses have also been running behind schedule of late. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dan Peled

Meanwhile, between October and December last year, about 7 per cent of bus services in the South East did not run on time – making it worse than the 5.7 per cent recorded in the quarter before.

In Brisbane, 9.5 per cent services were behind schedule, while 6.4 per cent of services on the Gold Coast were not on time.

A TransLink spokesman said bus driver shortages were impacting the delivery of bus services across Queensland.

“We acknowledge delays do happen on the network, particularly during peak periods,” he said.

“Delays can be caused by a number of issues including congestion, roadworks, traffic accidents, and mechanical problems with vehicles.”