Major track closures, timetable changes planned over school holiday period

Southeast Queensland commuters are being warned of major track closures over the next month, with every line impacted.

Rail passengers are being reminded to plan their travel in advance over the Christmas and Ney Year school holiday period with track closures and timetable changes imminent. Picture: File Photo.

Commuters across Southeast Queensland are preparing for major track closures and timetable changes during the busy Christmas and New Year school holiday period, ahead critical Cross River Rail works.

From Saturday, December 21 to Sunday, January 19 all lines throughout the Southeast Queensland rail network will experience disruptions at varying times, including rail replacement buses on some segments and significant timetable changes across the network.

CEO of the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority, Graeme Newton said over 300 workers would be active in the rail corridor during the quieter period, carrying out essential works that extend beyond the Cross River Rail underground tunnels and stations.

“Works include hundreds of metres of track removal and realignment between Bowen Hills and Albion for the Mayne Yard, connecting overhead line equipment from the wider network into Cross River Rail’s southern tunnel entry, signal relocation and testing, as well as station works at Dutton Park, Yeerongpilly and Salisbury,” Mr Newton said.

“These works require continuous and extensive access to the rail corridor and could not be completed safely for efficiently with trains on the tracks.

“We thank customers for their patience and understanding as we continue to deliver these important works to help upgrade and modernise the rail network”.

All lines will be affected by track closures between Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 29, with major timetable changes on December 23, 24 and 27.

No trains will run on the Ferny Grove line between Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 29, while no trains will run through the city between Roma Street and Eagle Junction on these date.

Services on the Cleveland line will not operate between Cannon Hill and Boggo Road/Park Road from Saturday, December 21 and Monday, December 30.

Services between Cleveland and Cannon Hill will operate as three-car services on these dates.

New Year’s Day will not see any track closures, but will operate on the public holiday timetable.

Only the Doomben line will be impacted by track closures on New Year’s Eve, although all lines will have major timetable changes.

In the new year, only selected lines will be affected by track closures, while major timetable changes will be implemented until Sunday, January 19.

The Beenleigh and Gold Coast line will operate as combined services stopping all stations between Banoon and Varsity Lakes, from Saturday, January 11 to Sunday, January 19.

No services on the Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines will operate between Banoon and Eagle Junction, with services to be replaced by buses.

Long distance services are not immune to the disruptions, with Queensland Rail services on the Bundaberg and Rockhampton Tilt Trains, Spirit of Queensland, Spirit of the Outback and Westlander to be affected by the closures.

Queensland Rail have said during this time, customers may face changes to departure and arrival times and day, changes to train departure and arrival location, a change to the total travel time and significant additional time required before and after the train journey.

Passengers may also experience portions of the journey being replaced by coach transport and portions of up to two and half hours of travel with seats facing the rear of the train which may impact comfort.

Queensland Rail said “while we do not plan to cancel services in response to infrastructure works, there is a chance cancellations may occur due to unplanned weather or operational impacts”.

Services will return to normal from the first service on Monday, January 20.

Commuters are being urged to plan their journey every time they travel, with Head of TransLink Dr Deborah Hume saying up to 220 rail replacement buses will be operation to ensure customers can continue to travel around the Southeast.

“This will include some buses running as express services and others stopping at all stations,” she Hume said.

“Customers should consider their travel options, plan ahead to find their best travel option and allow extra travel time for their journey.

“I do appreciate the patience we’ve see among customers in previous track closures, and I thank them for their understanding this time around as this work impacts on their travel plans.”