Plan for major rail closures over the festive period
The 10-day track closures included changes to Queensland Rail services on the Beenleigh, Gold Coast and Cleveland rail lines from Christmas Day until 3 January.
RACQ spokesperson Kate Leonard-Jones said while the timing was chosen to minimise impacts to commuters - locals and visitors should expect delays on rail, bus and road networks.
“Buses will be replacing trains on some lines and timetables will vary, so if you’re preparing to travel around Brisbane over that period, please plan your journey before setting off,” Ms Leonard-Jones said.
“Motorists may experience heavier traffic along Ipswich, Fairfield and Wynnum Roads due to replacement bus services, so please be patient and allow extra time.”
On weekends and public holidays, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, trains on the Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines will run express to Roma Street station from Moorooka and Altandi respectively.
There’ll be no train services to South Brisbane or South Bank stations on weekends or public holidays, except from midnight to 4am on New Year’s Day. Meanwhile, buses will replace trains on the Cleveland line between Roma Street and Lindum for the full 10 days.
Ms Leonard-Jones said there would be a particular impact to revellers heading to New Year’s Eve celebrations in the South Bank precinct.
“Those travelling to the fireworks display need to be aware you can only access South Bank and South Brisbane stations on the Shorncliffe or Ferny Grove lines between 6pm on New Year’s Eve until 4am New Year’s Day,” she said.
“This will mean those coming from the south may need to travel beyond South Bank and South Brisbane stations to Roma Street and either change trains or walk to the South Bank precinct.
“While these changes may cause some temporary inconvenience, they are necessary to carry out important work on Cross River Rail. This project will help future-proof Brisbane and revolutionise how we travel around the River City.”
More information could be found on Cross River Rail’s Travel Checker website.