Minister for Transport and Main Roads, HON. V. G. JOHNSON
20/11/97
QUEENSLAND RAIL IMPROVES PASSENGER SERVICES ON THE
Queensland Rail will expand its passenger services between Brisbane and
Townsville from early February, the Transport Minister, Vaughan Johnson said
today.
Mr Johnson said the Spirit of Tropics will be extended to run between Brisbane
and Townsville in both directions rather than between Brisbane and Proserpine,
its current journey.
As well, an extra Spirit of the Tropics will operate in both directions between
Brisbane and Townsville during the peak winter months and as required during
school holidays.
"Queensland Rail expects to be running two Spirit of the Tropics services
between Brisbane and Townsville in both directions about twenty weeks each
year but it will run the extra service for longer periods if there is demand".
The likely timetable will provide for a departure from Brisbane on Wednesdays at
6.55pm, arriving in Mackay on Thursdays at 11.05am, Proserpine at 12. 55pm
and Townsville at 5.05pm.
The return service is expected to depart from Townsville on Fridays at 10am,
Proserpine at 1.23pm, Mackay at 3.35pm and arriving in Brisbane on Saturdays
at 7.10am.
"The increase in the number of Spirit of the Tropics services and the extension to
Townsville will provide an important boost to coastal tourism.
"Further, the residents of Mackay and Proserpine will welcome the convenient
daytime arrival times.
"Townsville also is a big winner with an additional train service to and from
Brisbane each week. As well, the arrival and departure times for The Spirit of the
Tropics are ideal for backpackers".
Mr Johnson said The Spirit of the Tropics will provide economy sleeping berth
and sitting accommodation, ideal for backpackers and budget travellers.
"Backpackers spent more than $1030 million in Australia in 1996. Given that 70
per cent of all backpackers in Australia spend time in Queensland, QR is keen to
grow this part of its business''.
Mr Johnson said a dining car also would be provided on Spirit of the Tropics
trains with the introduction of the new timetable in February.
The car would be able to serve meals as well as hot and cold snacks, providing
customers with a wide choice of food.
He said Queensland Rail would continue to provide an economy sitting service
between Brisbane and Cairns, attached to The Queenslander.
This train would continue to depart Brisbane on Sunday mornings, arriving in Cairns on Monday afternoons. It would return from Cairns on Tuesday mornings, arriving in Brisbane on Wednesday afternoons.
Mr Johnson said the improvement in The Spirit of the Tropic timetable was consistent with Queensland Rail's determination to upgrade its long-distance passenger services.
"In recent years QR has refurbished its Queenslander and Sunlander trains, running between Brisbane and Cairns. It also is introducing its luxurious Great South Pacific Express currently under construction at Townsville Workshops late next year as well as its high-speed tilt trains between Brisbane and Rockhampton, also late next year".