Train services at the Morningside Station have resumed following nearly a year-long closure for significant accessibility upgrades, with some access challenges still in place for commuters.
A Year of Improvements and Delays
The station resumed operations before the New Year’s Eve 2025 celebrations, as part of the Station Accessibility Upgrade Program. Despite the reopening, work on additional features and finishing touches will continue into early 2025.
The reopening aims to provide long-term benefits by improving accessibility, ensuring that all passengers can travel more safely and without barriers.
Construction, which started in late January 2024, was impacted by significant rainfall, with South East Queensland experiencing its wettest December in nearly 15 years.
This also delayed the reopening of Banyo Station, which is now expected to be operational in early 2025. Meanwhile, Buranda Station is scheduled to reopen mid-year.
Community Adjustments and Challenges
While Morningside Station has reopened, access remains challenging, particularly from Wynnum Road. Commuters using this entrance face lengthy detours, either over an old overpass or via Jack Flynn Memorial Drive, which involves navigating high-speed traffic and uneven footpaths.
Cyclists from East Bug Inc. have expressed concern over the inconvenience, citing the difficulty of carrying bikes across these routes and the absence of a secure bike storage facility at the station.
They recommended that bike users allow extra time for their journey and use the rear carriage for inbound trains, as it is closest to the station entrance. However, they noted this area often becomes crowded as it is popular among other passengers for the same reason.
More Improvements Underway
Morningside Station is set to receive additional improvements, including a bicycle storage cage, which will address some of the current concerns of the cycling community. The accessibility upgrades are part of a broader effort to modernise the network, ensuring stations are equipped to serve the needs of all passengers.
Published 10-Jan-2025
