Fewer stations on new Gold Coast rail line means less stops en route to Brisbane CBD
The Gold Coast will have more express rail services and fewer stops to Brisbane with the final station in the CBD, under a new plan.
Transport
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The Gold Coast will have more express rail services and fewer stops to the Brisbane station in the central CBD, under a new blueprint released by the State Government.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey appearing at an Estimates hearing in State Parliament on Tuesday has released details showing how the opening of Cross River Rail in 2025 would overhaul the Coast trip.
The new map does not feature 10 stops from Beenleigh to Altandi stations and another 10 from Boggo Road to the city, on the current Coast to Brisbane line.
The existing service does operate an express run from Beenleigh to the city but Cross River Rail opens up more quick trips.
A transport source said: “The mapping shows you will have from Boggo Road, just Woolloongabba to Albert Street (stations). You have a direct route (to the city from the Gold Coast) with less stops.”
The existing Coast rail line closing in on the Brisbane CBD has stops at Park Road, Southbank, South Brisbane and Roma Street, where commuters walk blocks to work.
Mr Bailey told Estimates the underground station at Albert Street next to the Queen Street Mall would improve access to the city.
“It will be the most popular station straight up. A lot of people will get out to their place of work in a block or two,” he said.
Under questioning from the government, Mr Bailey said the $5.4b Cross River Rail project was “on time and on budget”. Tracks were being put down between Albert Street and Woolloongabba stations.
The Opposition accused Mr Bailey of being a “runaway train” in terms of “budget blow-outs”.
While not providing specific time details, Labor says the Cross River Rail along with the $2.6 billion Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail Project to upgrade tracks and stations between Kuraby and Beenleigh will reduce the trip from Coast stations.
Mr Bailey told the Bulletin: “In 2025, the first underground rail system in the state’s history will be built paving the way for faster, more frequent services, but we aren’t just building Cross River Rail, we’re building a brand new network.
“This network will be a change for Queenslanders, but it will open the door for future
investment and timesaving timetable changes to help Queenslanders get home
sooner and safer.”
The new plan would open up new public transport opportunities for many residents and visitors to southeast Queensland by establishing a new “three sector network”.
Sector One will create a north-south spine connecting the northern and southern
regions through the Cross River Rail tunnel from Varsity Lakes and Beenleigh run to
Redcliffe Peninsula and Nambour.
All trains will run through Roma Street either through the existing station or the new
below ground Cross River Rail station.
“This will be a big change for some customers, but presents many opportunities
especially when considering the sheer level of investment and good jobs that will be
supported,” Mr Bailey said.
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