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Category: Rail Transport / State Parliament

Queensland Rail back on schedule after Christmas cancellations

Monday, 26 Dec 2016 07:45:56 | Matt Watson

A total of 235 train services were cancelled on Christmas Day across south-east Queensland. (ABC News: Patrick Williams)

Rail services in south-east Queensland are running as scheduled today with no major cancellations expected, Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has said.

There were 235 train services cancelled on Christmas Day across the south-east and the Shorncliffe line was closed due to staff shortages.

The cancellations were on top of a timetable already reduced in response to an ongoing train driver shortage owing to the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula line in early October.

Mr Hinchliffe said he was furious with the late-notice Christmas Day cancellations and had ordered an investigation.

"In terms of crewing issues, there are not expected to be any issues today," he said.

"I want to encourage, always encourage commuters to check the TransLink website, but certainly the advertised timetable is the timetable that's expected to be run today."

The Christmas Day cancellations, announced late on Christmas Eve, were not made in TransLink's online journey planner timetable.

Buses and taxis were needed to cope with commuter demand.

LNP transport spokesman Andrew Powell said Mr Hinchliffe must quit or be sacked.

Mr Powell said the timetable on TransLink's website could not be trusted.

"Clearly this is a moving feast, and what commuters and south-east Queenslanders are being told at one moment changes the next," he said.

"It's clear that there's a cultural rot in Queensland Rail headed up by the rail unions, and this incompetent Minister has allowed it to fester.

"I think it's clear that Queensland Rail is out of control and he has none of that control. He is ultimately responsible.

"He is continuing to call for reports and let public servants take the blame. At the end of the day he's had enough chances, nothing's changed. In fact, if anything, they're getting worse."

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