Ministerial Statement: Say G?Day to "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie ...

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel

Friday, January 23, 2009

Say G?Day to "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie ... bus, rail and ferry" this Australia Day

Queenslanders heading out to Australia Day festivities this long weekend are being encouraged to say G?day to public transport, especially if enjoying a few beverages with a snag on the barbie.

Transport Minister John Mickel has reminded South East Queenslanders using public transport on the Australia Day public holiday, Monday January 26 to familiarise themselves with extra rail services and altered bus, train and ferry timetables.

?We want this year?s Australia Day long weekend, which holds greater significance for Queenslanders than usual as it is our 150th anniversary, to be enjoyable for everyone,? Mr Mickel said.

?That?s why I ask everyone to please ensure they get travel safely amid the celebrations by considering public transport, particularly if they are enjoying a few beverages.?

He said TransLink?s different operators would have varying service levels on Monday, with additional rail services scheduled to convey people to and from the Australia Day Races at Doomben Racecourse.

?If you plan to catch public transport on Monday, make sure you call the TransLink call centre on 13 12 30, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit www.translink.com.au to ensure you are across the arrangements,? Mr Mickel said.

?All TransLink operators will work to Sunday or public holiday timetables on Australia Day, except for Mount Gravatt Bus Service, Laidley Bus Service and Westside Bus Company which will all run to Saturday timetables,? he said.

Brisbanites descending on the Hear & Now concert at Riverstage on Sunday, the Story Bridge Hotel on Australia Day for the cockroach races, or the Australia Day festival and concert at the South Bank Parklands have also been urged to catch public transport.

?Revellers can easily avoid the hassle of driving and trying to find a park, particularly when there is such a diverse range of public transport options available,? Mr Mickel said.

He also reminded commuters that the QUT Gardens Point ferry terminal would be closed between 5.30pm and 9pm due to the Australia Day evening fireworks display at South Bank.

?Slight delays are also expected for CityCat and Inner City ferry services due to preparations for the fireworks,? Mr Mickel said.

He said the track between Corinda and Roma Street stations would be closed on Sunday 25 January from 8pm until the last train because of necessary maintenance works.

?During the track closure buses will replace trains on all inbound and outbound services between Corinda and Roma stations, stopping all stations,? said Mr Mickel.

"There will a connecting train service from Corinda to Ipswich stations.

?We have organised ample buses in a bid to minimise disruptions and TransLink Transit Officers and customer service officers will also be on hand to assist people with their journeys."

For more information about public transport over the Australia Day long weekend, visit www.translink.com.au or call TransLink on 13 12 30, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

[ozbob]

Two services have been cancelled this afternoon on the Caboolture line ....  due to "staff issues"  now changed to a fault with a train ....  I would have thought plenty of spare trains on a Saturday 

Another service, the 3.32pm Ipswich from Caboolture has been cancelled due to a problem with a train ...

And yet another to BNE airport delayed .... (Notice now removed). 

--> http://www.citytrain.com.au/

[O_128]

at south brsibane today the 11:1 cleveland train was delayed due to a trespasser on the tracks for 15mins

[stephenk]

The 5:28 from Ferny Grove to Beenleigh had standing passengers from Enoggera yesterday. A good example of why a 15min off-peak service is required!