Ministerial Statement: Extra Citytrain services to meet New Year's Eve demand

[ozbob]

Extra Citytrain services to meet New Year's Eve demand

Seventy eight extra Citytrain services will run on New Year's Eve to meet passenger demand, Minister for Transport John Mickel said.

Mr Mickel said Citytrain services would continue during the festive period, with additional services on New Year's Eve.

"Every year, QR runs extra New Year's services to meet passenger demand," Mr Mickel said.

"The 78 extra services this year will more than cater for revellers attending New Year's celebrations at South Bank.

"After the fireworks display at South Bank at 9pm and midnight respectively, trains will depart the site every five to 10 minutes.

"Passengers who go on to Brisbane's CBD - or who already are in the city that night - will be able to catch trains from CBD train stations up until 3am on New Year's Day."

Mr Mickel said travellers who bought a TransLink daily or off-peak daily ticket on 31 December could use their tickets until 7am on 1 January.

"On New Year's Day, all services will operate to a normal Sunday timetabled service with extra morning services," Mr Mickel said.

"Three extra services will leave Bowen Hills for Cleveland, Beenleigh and Ipswich at 4.49am, 4.53am and 4.56am respectively.

"Another three services will leave Roma Street for Shorncliffe, Ferny Grove and Caboolture at 4.53am, 4.58am and 5.01 respectively."

"A service will also leave Robina at 4.48am for Bowen Hills.''

Mr Mickel urged passengers to start planning now to ensure their trip home from New Year's Eve celebrations was a safe one.

Mr Mickel said passengers could source detailed travel information on the Citytrain website at www.citytrain.com.au and on Translink website at www.translink.com.au

December 28, 2007

[ozbob]

The extra services are very welcome.  Interesting to note that some states add further incentives for their citizens like free travel for new year eve but not Queensland

eg.  Media Release from the Victorian Minister for Public Transport

DATE: Monday, December 10, 2007


FREE V/LINE TRAVEL THIS CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S EVE

Travel on V/line train and coach services will be free on Christmas Day and New Year?s Eve this year, Minister for Public Transport, Lynne Kosky, announced today.

V/Line passengers will receive free travel on Christmas Day and free travel to Melbourne on services arriving after 6pm on New Year?s Eve as well as free travel home on the first service on January 1, 2008.

?The Christmas-New Year period is typically a time for celebrating with family and friends, but too often these celebrations are marred by tragedy on our roads,? Ms Kosky said.

?That?s why for the third year running, the Brumby Government and public transport operators have again agreed to provide free transport travel on Christmas Day and New Year?s Eve.

Ms Kosky said free travel had been arranged through a partnership between the Brumby Government and public transport operators, Connex, Yarra Trams and V/Line.

Travel on metropolitan trains, trams and buses will be free all day and night on December 25 and from 6pm on December 31 until the first timetabled services resume on January 1, 2008.

For people heading to and from destinations in regional Victoria, free travel will also apply to country bus services travelling to and from Melbourne on Christmas Day and New Year?s Eve.

Ms Kosky said the Christmas Day free travel offer was also the perfect opportunity for regional Victorias to take a V/Line train trip to the city to visit relatives or friends, or explore other parts of the state.

?Some Melburnians might not realise there?s new trains and tracks on many regional lines, so this is a good chance to rediscover country train travel and public transport is a safe and relaxing way to travel over the festive period,? she said.

?With the exception of the public holidays, normal V/Line train and coach services will operate across the state during the festive season. In fact, after recent boosts to the timetables, more services than ever before will operate this Christmas and New Year?s Day.

?I urge all visitors to Melbourne?s central business district to take advantage of the free travel arrangements and to leave their cars at home.

?I would also like to thank the many public transport employees who will work on Christmas Day and New Year?s Eve, whose efforts make it possible to offer these free services.?

V/Line will operate a special public holiday timetable on Christmas Day. Passengers are encouraged to visit vline.com.au for full details or call 136 196.