Delay on Games rail timetable

THE State Government says no trains will be cancelled in its southeast Queensland network to allow for upgraded services on the Gold Coast line during the Commonwealth Games.

But there is no guarantee that new rolling stock being ordered will arrive in time and the integrated transport timetable is yet to be released.

The Opposition during Estimates hearings in State Parliament yesterday grilled Queensland Rail CEO Nick Easy on whether track closures would be needed to ensure enough drivers for the Coast line.

Mr Easy said one of the principles of planning the integrated transport timetable was “there will be no closures on the line”.

He said the integrated transport plan for the Games would not be developed until later this year and a Gold Coast journey planner released in early 2018.

Outside Parliament, Shadow Transport Minister Andrew Powell accused Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Jackie Trad of a “rail fail” which was placing the Games at risk.

“Labor released a glossy operational plan with no detail – and today we find out they haven’t planned a timetable when the Games are nine months away,” he said. “There’s no guarantee the new trains will be ready to go for the Games.”

A report in May said the $4.4 billion order of new trains was on hold while flaws were addressed with only 13 of the 75 New Generation Rolling Stock having been delivered.