Rail service slashes weekday trains during union fight
Hundreds of weekday train services in one of Australia’s biggest cities will be cut from next week due to a labor dispute between a rail operator and workers.
Queensland Rail said 300 fewer services will operate in and around Brisbane on the state’s south-east network from Tuesday and the new timetable will be similar to Saturday.
In the statement made on Friday, it was stated that instead of trains running every 6 to 10 minutes, there will be 15-minute and 30-minute intervals between rush hours.
The agency said a maintenance backlog linked to industrial action had caused a “lack of train availability”, leading to service disruptions.
“This maintenance backlog means there are not enough trains to cover the entire schedule,” it said in a statement, adding that the new schedule would continue until further notice.
Queensland Railways and unions have been locked in weeks of talks over a new enterprise agreement, sparking shielded action.
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said commuters should prepare for reduced services.
“Trains will be more crowded. It will be slower as more people have to get in and out of the trains,” Mr. Mickelberg told reporters.
Queensland Rail general manager Kat Stapleton said the action would impact commuters trying to get to “school, work, appointments and football”.
“We know our customers are frustrated. I’m frustrated, too,” he said.
“We want unions to come back to the table and seriously consider the fair, reasonable and improved offer we have put forward.”
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union said train users were paying the price for poor planning by Queensland Rail and the state government.
“AMWU has made clear for weeks that industrial action could be withdrawn if agreement was reached,” a spokesman said in a statement.
“The solution is clear; Queensland Rail and the LNP government need to stop playing politics, take responsibility and come to the table.”
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