Queensland

Queensland Rail's new CEO has no rail experience

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A man with no rail experience who ran Australia's busiest port has been appointed to overhaul Queensland Rail in the wake of a timetable and driver crisis.

Nick Easy, who was the CEO of the Port of Melbourne until recently, has been endorsed by the body's board, to start work next month.

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Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Jackie Trad said Mr Easy's experience delivering major projects would help him restore public confidence.

The government is expected to respond on Wednesday to Queensland Rail board chair Phillip Strachan's report into south-east Queensland's train debacle.

"The Palaszczuk government has a plan to put Queensland Rail back on a path to better services and working with Nick as the new CEO we will fix the trains," Ms Trad said.

"Nick's experience leading two other a major statutory authorities and managing stakeholders will help him drive reform, modernise Queensland Rail and implement the recommendations from the Strachan Inquiry."

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Driver shortages were laid bare in October following the introduction of the Redcliffe train line and across the Christmas break.

Queensland Rail's former chief executive Helen Gluer and several other senior staff were sacked following the transport meltdown as revelations emerged about staffing concerns not being acted on.

The Strachan report highlighted major problems with the organisation's culture, in addition to understaffing and an over reliance on overtime.

Ms Trad told ABC Radio Brisbane Mr Easy would have the "lion's share" of responsibility for cultural overhaul.

She said Mr Easy head "completely transformed and modernised" Victoria's Metropolitan Fire Brigade and the government wanted the same thing at QR.

Mr Easy told News Corp he would be "robust" in dealing with unions and saw the Strachan report as his "mandate" for change.

"I'm quite comfortable getting my hands dirty and getting involved in the operations of the business," he said.

Earlier speculation Toronto Transit Commission CEO Andy Byford was set to take up the roll was quickly quashed by the TTC and the city's mayor.