Minister for Transport and Main Roads The Honourable Mark Bailey
Friday, March 27, 2020
COVID-19 response sees temporary reduction in Queensland long- haul travel
Long haul train and coach services within Queensland will be temporarily reduced as part of wider efforts to contain COVID- 19.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said rural and regional communities would continue to have access to transport for essential travel under the changes.
“Right now, people should not be travelling on coaches or trains across Queensland unless they have an essential reason to,” Mr Bailey said.
“Essential reasons are things like getting to work or to a medical appointment.
“The Queensland border is now closed and we’re already seeing drops in patronage of up to 60 per cent on buses and trains as people stay home.
“People will still have access to long distance passenger services for essential reasons on all key corridors, but the frequency of those services will be reduced, and we’ll manage passenger numbers on board to separate passengers from each other.”
Under the changes, rail services on the Spirit of the Outback (Brisbane to Longreach), Westlander (Brisbane to Charleville) and Inlander (Townsville to Mount Isa) services will be suspended.
XPT trains between Sydney and Brisbane operated by NSW Trains are terminating in Casino and will not enter Queensland.
North Coast Line (Brisbane to Cairns) passenger rail services will be reduced by about 50 per cent.
The Savannahlander, Gulflander and Kuranda Scenic Railway services will also be suspended.
Long distance coach services will be reduced, and will replace rail services in areas where corresponding rail services have been suspended.
Mr Bailey said decisions would be made to restore services as soon as it was safe to do so.
“These are temporary measures, but they are critical to curbing the spread of COVID-19 into our rural and regional communities,” Mr Bailey said.
“Every single Queenslander should avoid long distance travel unless they absolutely have to for essential purposes.
“We need everyone to work together and follow the latest health advice at this time.
“If you do need to get these services for essential travel within Queensland but are feeling sick, please do not travel and ensure you seek medical treatment and self-isolate if required.”
These changes will come into effect from Monday, March 30, except for Kuranda Scenic Railway services which will take effect from Friday, March 27.
Long Distance Rail Services
Operator Service Current Frequency Minimum service levels
Queensland Rail Spirit of Queensland 5 return trips per week 3 return trips per week
Rockhampton Tilt Train 7 return trips per week 4 return trips per week
Bundaberg Tilt Train 5 return trips per week 2 return trips per week
Spirit of the Outback 2 return trips per week Suspended services
Railbus Connection 2 return trips per week Suspended services
(Longreach – Winton)
Westlander 2 return trips per week Suspended services
Railbus Connection 2 return trips per week Suspended services
(Charleville – Quilpie)
Railbus Connection 2 return trips per week Suspended services (Charleville – Cunnamulla)
Inlander 2 return trips per week Suspended services
Kuranda Scenic Rail 2 return trips per day Suspended services
Gulflander 1 return trip per week Suspended service
NSW Trains XPT (Sydney – Brisbane) 7 return trips per week Services terminating in NSW and will not enter QLD
Cairns Kuranda Steam Savannahlander (Cairns – 1 return trip per week Suspended services Partnership Forsayth) (March – November)
Long Distance Coach Services & Contact Details
Coach services on the Brisbane-Charleville, Rockhampton-Longreach and Townsville-Mount Isa corridors will service the same towns that would have been serviced by the suspended the rail services, making an additional stop if required at the rail station to minimise impacts for customers.
Operator Service Current Frequency Minimum service levels
Bus Queensland Brisbane - Mount Isa 7 return trips per week No Change
Brisbane – Charleville 7 return trips per week 2 return trips per week (replacing Westlander schedule)
Toowoomba - St George (via 3 return trips per week 1 return trip per week Mooney Highway)
Toowoomba - St George (via 2 return trips per week 1 return trip per week Gore Highway)
St George - Cunnamulla 3 return trips per week 1 return trip per week
St George - Lightning Ridge 2 return trips per week 1 return trip per week
Toowoomba – Rockhampton 3 return trips per week 1 return trip per week
Charters Towers – Townsville 5 return trips per week No change
Mount Isa – Townsville 3 return trips per week (2 2 return trips (x1 day trip, x1 night days and 1 nights) trip)
Greyhound Emerald - Rockhampton 5 return trips per week 3 return trips per week
Longreach – Rockhampton 2 return trips per week 2 return trips per week
Mackay Transit Emerald – Mackay 7 return trips per week 4 return trips per week
Bowen Transit Collinsville – Bowen 5 return trips per week 3 return trips per week
Trans North Cairns – Karumba 3 return trips per week 3 return trips per week
Cairns - Cooktown (Inland) 3 return trips per week 2 return trips per week
Cairns -Cooktown (Coastal) 3 return trips per week Change to days of trip and
hours of operation
North Burnett Monto - Mundubbera (on 1 return trips per week (on Suspend services Regional Council demand) demand)
Mundubbera – Bundaberg 2 return trips per week 1 return trip per week
Mundubbera – Maryborough 1 return trips per week Suspended service Eidsvold - Bundaberg (via Mt 1 return trips per week No change Perry)
Monto - Ceratodus (on 1 return trips per week (on No change demand) demand)
Operator Contact Information
Bus 1300 287 537 Queensland www.busqldoutback.com.au (external site) ( https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com )
Greyhound 1300 473 946 Australia www.greyhound.com.au (external site) ( https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com )
Mackay 1300 682 287 Transit Coaches www.mackaytransit.com.au/coach-service (external site) ( https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com )
Bowen (07) 3036 2070 Transit www.transnorthbus.com.au (external site) ( https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com )
Trans North (07) 3036 2070 Bus & Coach www.transnorthbus.com.au (external site) ( https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url? a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.transnorthbus.com.au&c=E,1,bY0nE- RQFinLJbNabgvxTZTMB_NvqO5zowLlewji40eeZ0i-Ra40kw8mgekCID1CB9IyvffxNe6zZOq- S12gzhHxrUKBsCFT-qiv4_HbFQ,,&typo=1 )
North 1300 696 272 Burnett Regional https://www.northburnett.qld.gov.au/bus-service ( https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com ) Council
ENDS
Media contact: Francis Dela Cruz - 0420 592 078