Queensland

'Enough crew': Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe issues assurance on trains

Almost half of the train drivers working New Year's Eve were originally on a rostered day off.

Figures provided to Fairfax Media revealed there would be 259 Queensland Rail drivers working on New Year's Eve.

Of those, 120 drivers would be working an RDO.

Under Queensland Rail's rostering arrangements, it's not uncommon for drivers to be offered shifts on RDOs.

Earlier, Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe assured New Year's Eve revellers there was enough crew in place to cover train services tonight and tomorrow.

Mr Hinchliffe said he had another briefing with Queensland Rail on Saturday morning to confirm the resources were in place for "smooth delivery" of rail services.

Advertisement

"There are extra services in place to cater for families coming to and from the early fireworks display at 8.30 here in the CBD and also the midnight fireworks display," he said.

"I have confidence that we've got the train crew in place to deliver the services.

"It's not going to be focused on those extra services, on running to precise timetabling, it's going to be about making sure that we load those services well and ensure that people get a chance to get away, to get home, to get on to their next celebration."

But Mr Hinchliffe could not say how many workers would be called in from rostered days off, or RDOs, to make sure the trains ran reliably on New Year's Eve, despite receiving a briefing in the morning.

"I don't know the number immediately to hand but what I can assure you is that all of these matters are being dealt with appropriately in a way that manages our workforce," he said.

"We've got all the rosters we need and we've got spares in case we have any last minute changes."

Mr Hinchliffe also said a two-page report handed to him by Queensland Rail into the Christmas Day cancellations was not up to scratch.

The letter confirms sick leave was lower than other periods and that rostering arrangements concerning the use of RDOs were a key factor in the Christmas Day cancellations.

"Fundamentally it's clear that the report made it clear that it was a rostering issue, but I need more detail to get to the heart of how that occurred," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"It's clear there were some poor decisions made by rostering management."

Mr Hinchliffe has asked QR to work on a more comprehensive report at the weekend.

Meanwhile, Police Minister Mark Ryan encouraged Queenslanders to plan ahead, stay safe and look after their mates.

"Police have been planning the New Year's Eve response for many, many months now," Mr Ryan said.

"All across Queensland we'll be seeing a large police presence and that's to keep Queenslanders safe but it's also to make sure that all Queenslanders continue to behave in the way that we expect them all to do so."

Mr Ryan said any violence, whether towards frontline officers or other people, would not be tolerated.

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said there would be extra police on duty, with about 75 operations across Brisbane on Saturday night, and urged people not to drink and drive.

"The security level for Australia remains at probable and of course we take extra care in our planning and preparation for large scale public events like this so you can be sure that we have extra police out patrolling for all contingencies," he said.

In terms of terrorism threats, Commissioner Stewart said police were alert to it, but there was no current known threat to any person or structure in Queensland.

EARLIER: Queensland's opposition is foreshadowing New Year's Eve commuter chaos and has again called for Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe to be sacked.

Mr Hinchliffe this week cautiously answered questions about Saturday's roster arrangements, saying he had "great confidence" in a smooth operation.

But doubts have been raised following the cancellation of more than 230 Christmas Day services amid an ongoing rail staffing saga.

Acting Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington accused Mr Hinchliffe of using "weasel words" after he said the New Year's Eve services were focused not on delivering on-time running but moving people.

"New Year's Eve services are in grave doubt and south-east Queenslanders will be on the edge of their seats over whether their trains will turn up on time - if at all," she said.

Mr Hinchliffe ordered a "comprehensive report" on the Christmas Day drama, but Ms Frecklington scoffed at the two-page document he received.

The saga began in October when a driver and guard shortage caused widespread service cancellations and commuter chaos.

Mr Hinchliffe has consistently pointed to a five-point plan designed to solve the staffing problems, but has faced calls for him to resign or be sacked.

A government probe into the origin of the issues was also ordered following October's timetable meltdown.

- with AAP

3 comments