Queensland Rail wants to hear from customers to help design the best alternatives for travel, while Burpengary Station temporarily closes for its important refurbishment.
The site will be rebuilt to modern accessibility standards as part of a $53 million facelift though the Queensland Government’s Station Accessibility Upgrade Program.
Station platforms will be raised to make the platform and train door level, reducing the gap making boarding safer and easier.
Customers in wheelchairs, with walking frames, parents with prams and people with luggage will also be able to catch a lift to a station overpass and then onto platforms which is a great accessibility outcome.
Other improvements include upgraded customer facilities like accessible toilets, disability-compliant ticket windows, improved seating and extended platform shelters, improved bicycle storage and new security cameras.
The operator is also installing hearing augmentation loops, tactile floor indicators, new wayfinding signage, information screens and better security through CCTV and lighting upgrades.
In order to expedite the upgrade, Burpengary Station will close during construction and Queensland Rail wants to consult with customers about alternative travel arrangements.
Queensland Rail is planning a replacement bus service from Morayfield to Narangba according to the regular timetable. But to make sure everyone is covered, Queensland Rail has launched a survey that asks customers directly about their travel patterns and how best they can be supported when the upgrade is progressing from January next year.
Customers would already have noticed the first glimpses of this exciting project with site establishment works well underway at Burpengary.
Customers can look forward to the station reopening throughout the second half of 2024, pending construction and weather conditions.
The projects are all part of the rail revolution occurring across the South East with Cross River Rail and 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games preparation underway and will support 1250 Queensland jobs for the duration.
Member for Kurwongbah Shane King said while the upgrades would make Burpengary Station better for everybody, there would be some disruptions with the closures.
“This will be inconvenient, but when reopened the upgraded Burpengary station will ensure everyone can catch the train with ease, whether they are using a wheelchair, are injured, or simply travelling with a pram or luggage,” he said.
Queensland Rail Head of SEQ Scott Riedel said it wanted to hear directly from those customers who’ll be affected by these closures so it could work out how best to support them while their upgrade is progressing from January next year.
“This feedback will be used to ensure there is appropriate alternative transport in place and help us prepare for any extra patronage at surrounding stations,” he said.
“We understand this will change the way customers travel for a period of time, but we’re committed to making our rail network accessible for everyone in the long-term.
“Once reopened, the upgraded Burpengary station will ensure everyone can catch the train with ease, whether they are using a wheelchair, are injured, or simply travelling with a pram or luggage.
“We’re delivering for our loyal customers and are committed to a world-class network when Brisbane takes the world stage in 2032.”
STATION UPGRADES
- Since 2017, Queensland Rail has completed 12 full station upgrades including at Alderley, Newmarket, Graceville, Nambour, Dinmore, Morayfield, Boondall, Strathpine, East Ipswich, Dakabin, Cannon Hill and Auchenflower. Southbank Platform 1 was also completed in November 2022.
- As part of Tranche 4 of the Station Accessibility Upgrade Program upgrades will be delivered at Bundamba, Lindum, Morningside, Banyo, and Burpengary stations.
- As part of the Cross River Rail project, Dutton Park to Salisbury stations on the southside, and Exhibition station in Brisbane’s Inner City, are at various stages of upgrades from main construction to concept and planning. The project will also see three new, fully accessible stations built on the Gold Coast line at Pimpama, Merrimac and Hope Island.
- All new station accessibility upgrades will feature new lift-accessible footbridges, fully raised full-length platforms, extended platform shelters. Other improvements include upgraded customer facilities like accessible toilets, disability-compliant ticket windows and improved seating. We’re also installing hearing augmentation loops, tactile floor indicators, new wayfinding signage, information screens and better security through CCTV and lighting upgrades.
- All stations will also receive new active transport enclosures to enable customers to ride to and safely store their bicycles or scooters at the station.
- Burpengary station’s site-specific additions include the retention of the current heritage station building in addition to a new modern standard station building, compliant accessible parking bays with an upgraded bus interchange and kiss’n’ride.
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