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 ( 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 ) passenger rail services will be reduced by about 50 per cent.

The , and 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 5 return trips per week 3 return trips per week

Rockhampton 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