Ride Of The Century

Over 100 years in the making, the fast-tracked Redcliffe railway arrives fashionably late to its open day celebration.

In no short historical feat, by measure of time or track, the aptly named Redcliffe Peninsula Line will be running alongside a new local bus network and will be fully operational beginning Tuesday, 4 October, ready to transport passengers every six to 12 minutes during peak times.

The $988 million, 12.6 km dual track line and six new stations are ultimately the results of tri-level government funding, cooperation between three public transportation agencies, recurring themes in state elections, and also the relocation efforts of more than 350 displaced koalas.

For more than a decade, I have lobbied for this project to fulfill the promise made back in 1895 by the then Queensland Parliament to construct a crucial rail line,� State Member for Redcliffe Yvette D'Ath said.

Redcliffe was Queensland's first settlement city and it [is] fitting more than 192 years later, we now have built a rail line that connects the peninsula to Brisbane and honours our history,� Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe said.

Following an indefinite timeline derailment and independent audit sought by Mr Hinchcliffe over safety standards regarding the line's traffic signalling system, the Redcliffe Peninsula Line is ready to pull out all the stops on open day.

To be held on the Queen's public holiday, the open day celebration will feature activities and events at each station, plus free train rides along the new line from 10am-3pm,� according to TransLink.

Locals selected by ballot for the inaugural ride will be the first on board as our special VIPs for the day,� says Mrs D'Ath, and because of intense public interest, online registration is vital for both shuttle service and all open day rides.

These pioneering passengers will be the first among many to enjoy new and improved transportation access and opportunity, and who will together transform the Moreton Bay region.

More than 34 percent of our region's residents will, for the first time ever, be connected to a fast, reliable rail line linking our local suburbs via new stations at Kippa-Ring, Rothwell, Mango Hill, Mango Hill East, Murrumba Downs and Kallangur,� according to Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland.

I'm looking forward to the official opening and I know everyone will get on-board with the region's new train line,� Sutherland said.