Queensland rail holiday timetable: Services reduced until January 22

Queensland rail’s holiday timetable has kicked off today. According to the plan, services have been reduced until January 22. However, meeting with Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe to discuss New Year Eve’s plan is yet to take place.

After the Christmas Day bungle, which caused inconvenience to commuters as about one-third of the services (235 train services) were cancelled with less than 24 hours of notice, the summer school holiday timetable for Dec. 28 to Jan. 22 has started today.

Per the timetable, trains will operate on the Caboolture and Redcliffe Peninsula lines every 15 minutes during peak times. On the Sunshine Coast, services will operate every 30 minutes.

The services have been reduced to reflect reduction in demand. The data shows that the trips during the holidays decline by more than 25 percent.

Commuters have expressed their anger on social media calling Queensland rail as incompetent. Some even labelled the changes as a “joke.”

Services on New Year’s Eve assured despite driver shortages

Queensland’s rail officials will meet the Transport Minister on Wednesday to discuss the New Year’s plan. CEO Jim Benstead said that the meeting will ensure extra services on New Year’s Eve.

“I can give an assurance to commuters that we are doing everything possible to ensure that we deliver the services that are required on New Year's Eve through to New Year's Day,” he said.

Furthermore, Benstead said that the staff’s holiday status as well as rostered days off will not cause any inconvenience to Queensland rail commuters. “We already have contingency plans in place for New Year's Eve, but we are going to look at them again in our planning sessions,” he said.