Bushfire disruption for train passengers

SPIRIT of Queensland passengers were left frustrated when their Townsville train trip came to an unexpected halt.

Passengers were told they would have to evacuate the train to be ferried by buses to Townsville as raging bushfires just outside of Bundaberg had burnt overhead live train wires.

Marcus Howe and his son Ashton were travelling on the Spirit of Queensland last night after boarding the train in Maryborough West to come to Townsville.

Mr Howe said passengers were told at Maryborough West railway station they would be transported to Townsville from Bundaberg in buses because of the fires.

However, the passengers were not told there would be a four-hour delay until the buses arrived to meet the train.

“We were in Bundaberg until 1.30am waiting for buses for four hours,” he said.

Mr Howe said he would appreciate a refund.

Queensland Rail CEO Nick Easy said because of the fires the rail corridor north of Bundaberg on the North Coast line was closed.

“At this point in time, customers scheduled to travel on the following Queensland Rail travel services up to and until Sunday, 22 December are being advised that they may be impacted, and we will continue to keep customers informed of service updates as this situation progresses,” he said.

“Road coaches will continue to be utilised to convey customers, providing the highway remains open and it is safe to do so.”

Mr Easy said limited replacement bus services were available to Queensland Rail in the early hours of yesterday.

“Customers on board the terminated Spirit of Queensland Service were able to stay on board the airconditioned carriages and had access to all amenities while the available buses were sourced from Rockhampton,” he said.