Public transport to operate at reduced timetable as omicron impacts staff numbers

Some public transport services will operate on a reduced timetable for at least the next month but the Transport Minister remains confident cuts to other services won’t be required. Here’s what commuters can expect.

Reduced public transport timetables are expected for at least a month as staff numbers plummet amid surging Covid-19 case numbers.

TransLink has announced that CityCat services will operate on a reduced timetable until the end of February as ongoing staff shortages are expected for weeks.

Services from Monday through Sunday will be altered to operate on a weekend-like schedule.

CityCat services will be reduced to a maximum of 110 daily trips, pending further review from BCC, which is 59 fewer than typical peak services.

Prior to the announcement, there were 153 services in operation each day from Monday to Thursday, 169 on Fridays, 127 on Saturdays and 98 on Sundays.

It comes as transport authorities confirm contingency plans are in plan for major public transport networks if required.

CityCat and ferry services will be reduced until at least Sunday February 27 as staff numbers are hit by the omicron variant. Picture: David Clark

TransLink confirmed in a post on Monday that reduced staff availability necessitated the move to a reduced timetable.

“From Monday 24 January until Sunday 27 February, CityCat services will operate Monday to Sunday on a reduced timetable due to staffing availability,” the post read.

The Bulimba to Teneriffe Cross River ferries will also not run until further notice.

A TransLink spokesman said Brisbane City Council is responsible for the planning and delivery of the Brisbane River ferry services, provided by contracted operator, River City Ferries.

“The unavailability of River City Ferries staff due to the pandemic recently resulted in a temporary reduction in the number of CityCat and Cross River Ferry services,” he said.

Currently, only ferry timetables have been adjusted and Transport Minister Mark Bailey remains confident that other services will not be scaled back.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey remains confident further service reductions won’t be required. Picture: David Clark.

“We did create contingency plans for other public transport services like trains and buses, but so far, we’ve been able to maintain normal services with Covid-19 having a lesser impact on our workforce than projected,” Mr Bailey said.

“Services have still been running consistently and there are also bus options near many of Brisbane’s ferry and CityCat routes,” he said.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey confirmed earlier this month that contingency plans were in place for many of the states major public transport networks. Picture: Josh Wonning

Mr Bailey said the move was not unexpected, with Brisbane River City Ferries adjusting services times at various points over the past few weeks.

Public transport patronage continues to lag as a result of the government’s work-from-home directive and public hesitancy.

TransLink data shows all major public transport types are carrying less than half the passengers they were before the pandemic.

Rail is the most heavily affected service with a 64.5 per cent reduction in patrons comparing the week ending last week to the same time in 2019.

Ferries are carrying 55 per cent less passengers, while buses (-53.4) and light rail (-50.8) have also dropped significantly.

Originally published as Public transport to operate at reduced timetable as omicron impacts staff numbers