Brisbane trains are set to get more crowded as the government warns it will have to run more three-car trains during an industrial dispute
Queensland Rail has warned there will be more three-car trains as a backlog of routine maintenance work causes congestion for commuters, blaming union-protected industrial action.
Commuters endured weeks of frustrating delays as rail closures forced passengers to queue for hours for new buses over Easter.
Closures for maintenance have been extended several days beyond the original school holiday calendar, at a time when the fuel crisis is forcing more people to use public transport. Queensland Railways has blamed industrial action by union members during ongoing wage negotiations.
Queensland Rail has warned customers that three-car trains will operate on the network, with Ferny Grove and Cleveland lines the worst affected.
“We share your frustration and understand this is an inconvenience to customers, but this is necessary to ensure services remain on schedule for as long as possible,” a Queensland Rail spokesman said.
“If union-protected industrial action continues, customers will face more three-car sets and Queensland Rail may be forced to further reduce or cancel its services.”
While six-car services will continue where possible, the introduction of more three-car services is likely to continue into next week.
This means more crowded services, with some passengers having to stand on long journeys, and the possibility of skipping stations if trains fill up.
Train controllers and workers represented by the Rail Tram and Bus Union and the Electrical Trades Union have gone on strike over an ongoing pay dispute with Queensland Railways.
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said unions continued to submit notices for protected industrial action, including on Anzac Day in the case of the ETU.
“Even though unions have withdrawn all protected industrial action today, the maintenance backlog means it may be some time before all trains return to service,” he said.
“Unions’ refusal to carry out essential maintenance on trains means there are fewer trains available to run the normal number of services.”
The ETU said on Wednesday that no industrial action would be taken on Anzac Day “to the extent that it affects the public and affects the operation of services”.
“Any disruption to services on Anzac Day will be the responsibility of Queensland Railways and the LNP state government,” the statement said.
Mickelberg said entire train lines could be closed with little notice if the strike led to union members refusing to fix a fault on the rail network and Queensland Railways being unable to operate safely.
Earlier this month the RTBU said it only intended for its employees to refuse work on coal and mining trains, and that the government had extended the cancellations to passenger services.
As part of the Fair Work Commission processes, the body will present an updated offer to workers on Monday, April 27, and unions must respond to the offer by May 7.
The Electrical Trades Association Queensland and Northern Territory Branch has been contacted for comment.
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Matt Dennien is a reporter covering state politics and public services for the Brisbane Times. He previously worked for newspapers in Tasmania and Brisbane community radio station 4ZZZ. Contact him securely on Signal @mattdennien.15Connect via email.
