Joint Media Statement: Full steam ahead: Moreton Bay Rail Link on track to open in October

Moreton Bay’s biggest public infrastructure project in more than a generation – the Moreton Bay Rail Link – is on track to open in early October.

Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher said the $1 billion Moreton Bay Rail Link (MBRL) project is set to officially open on Monday 3 October 2016.

“We are inviting all members of the community to celebrate the official opening of this critical piece of rail infrastructure on 3 October, with regular passenger services scheduled to commence the following day,” Mr Fletcher said.

“The community day is a chance to thank the people of the Moreton Bay region for their patience during construction, and also provide them with an opportunity to experience for themselves the new rail line linking Petrie and Kippa-Ring, the new stations and the shared pathway adjacent the rail corridor.”

Queensland Minister for Transport Stirling Hinchliffe said the new rail link will be transformational for the region, especially for suburbs adjacent to the 12.6 kilometre rail line.

“From Tuesday 4 October, regular passenger services will commence together with an all new-look public transport network including more buses and higher frequency services for locals,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“When the line opens there will be more than 650 train services a week between Kippa-Ring and Brisbane, trains every six to 12 minutes in morning and afternoon peaks and trains every 30 minutes in off-peak periods and during weekends.”

Federal Member for Petrie Luke Howarth said all six new stations on the line would be open for the public to inspect during the community day.

“I encourage locals to come along for the community day and see up close, this exciting new piece of infrastructure for the Moreton Bay community,” Mr Howarth said.

“Given it will be a public holiday in Queensland and the last official day of school holidays, it will be the perfect opportunity to ride the train and inspect the new line.”

“The changes to the local public transport network will support the new MBRL train timetable and achieve a better integrated public transport network for the Moreton Bay region.”

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland said the historic rail line would transform the Moreton Bay Region.

“The rail line was first talked about in the late 1800s and when MBRL opens in October we will see the dreams and plans of our region’s pioneers finally realised,” Mayor Sutherland said.

“For the first time ever more than 34 per cent of local residents will be connected to fast and reliable public transport via the new electric train line – what an incredible thing for our community to celebrate on 3 October!

“MBRL has been more than 100 years in the making and is set to continue the strong economic growth of our region which already boasts some of Queensland’s fastest-growing urban areas.”

During the community day on 3 October free return train service will be provided between Kippa-Ring and Petrie stations with information stalls, food and entertainment being provided at Kallangur, Murrumba Downs, Mango Hill, Mango Hill East, Rothwell and Kippa-Ring stations.

The $1.026 billion MBRL project is jointly funded with the Australian Government committing $595 million, the Queensland Government committing $323 million and Moreton Bay Regional Council committing $108 million.