Fast train cuts 20 minutes off Gold Coast run to Brisbane for 2032 Games

New upgrades combined with Cross River Rail has the potential to shave off at least 20 minutes from the Gold Coast to Brisbane train ride.

UPGRADES to tracks around Logan and the Cross River Rail will likely cut the 80-minute train ride from the Gold Coast to Brisbane by 20 minutes.

But the biggest benefits will be more trips, less waiting time at Coast stations and more services for workers leaving Brisbane.

Gold Coast to Brisbane rail line – how the Beenleigh north faster rail will work.

The state government’s $1.121bn upgrade of lines include the removal of five crossings being removed from tracks north of Beenleigh.

A notoriously slow section of track through to Kuraby will be straightened.

“The Gold Coast line is already at capacity during peak periods with some trains having to wait in passing loops for express services to pass,” a TransLink spokesman said. “The Kuraby to Beenleigh upgrade will provide for two tracks in both directions.

“This will allow for more express services from the Gold Coast into the SEQ network without having to compete with all stops Beenleigh services and improve the travel experience for customers.”

Gold Coast to Brisbane rail line – the Gold Coast train headed to Brisbane.

The Coast service hits a bottleneck at Trinder Park, where the track was built in the 1880s.

“The sharp curves on this section of the alignment reduce train speeds to around 40km/h, making it one of the slowest points on the network,” the TransLink spokesman said.

“The Kuraby to Beenleigh upgrade will straighten the track and improve speeds.

“The average speed of trains from Brisbane to the Gold Coast is around 70km/h, but Gold Coast passengers will know that train speeds increase where there are longer stretches of rail that are predominantly straight with no competing traffic.

“The Kuraby to Beenleigh upgrade will provide around 20 kilometres of track with no competing traffic for Gold Coast trains in both directions.

“This will allow for more frequent Gold Coast express services and save several minutes on travel times, although the precise time savings will be determined through the detailed design phase and timetable design. More frequent services also mean less time waiting on platforms.”

Estimates during design for the Cross River Rail suggested the $5.4bn project could cut 15 minutes from Coast trips.

Gold Coast to Brisbane rail line – a Coast train headed north to Brisbane.

“These savings are based on the new station at Albert Street, which is more centrally located and will significantly reduce journey times for customers travelling to the southern CBD,” the TransLink spokesman said.

Customers currently need to walk from South Bank or stay on the train to Central and walk to the southern CBD.

A train will leave for Brisbane every five minutes on average in the morning peak on the Coast line, with capacity for an extra 3150 seats

Gold Coast to Brisbane rail line – the ageing track north of Beenleigh.

Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow welcomed the government rail funding but hoped more could be done to complete the connection with Cross River Rail.

He said the four-track upgrade from Beenleigh to Kuraby could be extended in the longer term to Dutton Park to connect with new city rail underground system under the Brisbane River.

“The Gold Coast line will benefit from the removal of those five level crossings. There will be no chance of conflict (with vehicles), it’s more safer,” Mr Dow said.

Gold Coast to Brisbane rail line – rail and road crossing at Bethania, which has to be upgraded.

He said the other improvement was the introduction of an improved signalling system for Cross River Rail to be extended to the Coast stations.

“It’s called a European train control system. That will allow trains to be in an automatic mode in the tunnels, faster and closer together, and more frequent,” Mr Dow said.