LNP Queensland

The Bligh Government today refused in Parliament to release rail passenger figures on overcrowded peak hour services from fear it could show significant safety breaches, the LNP said.

Shadow Transport Minister Fiona Simpson said actual passenger figures needed to be released, not just percentages of trains over capacity, to ensure trains weren’t being loaded over the safety limit.

A six-car train can cater for a maximum load of 1000 passengers, but claims have been made by public transport group Rail Back on Track that 1300 people have been counted on one such service.

"The information released by the Minister this week only confirmed what everyone already knew, that a considerable percentage of trains during peak hour are overcrowded," Ms Simpson said.

"We’ve been lobbying for the Government to release all the figures as this is now a issue of not just passenger comfort but passenger safety.

"We need to know if passenger numbers are exceeding the recommended limit and if this is putting people’s safety at risk."

Limited data gathered by the Government in February and March showed the Ipswich and Caboolture lines experienced the worst overcrowding during peak periods, but all growth corridor had high loadings^*:

Last week the State Opposition lodged an FOI requesting overcrowding figures be released in light of the Government’s previous refusal to answer questions publicly and in Parliament.

"Unless the Government is honest about all of the figures the public can’t monitor whether the best solution are being put in place," Ms Simpson said.