Why is my train replaced by buses this weekend?
If your line keeps getting closed on weekends and swapped for buses, you're not imagining it. Brisbane is in the middle of a huge rail build, and the works mean regular weekend closures across several lines. Here's what's shut right now, why it's happening, and how to still get where you're going.
Why it keeps happening
Most weekend closures are planned trackwork, and a big share of it is for Cross River Rail— the new rail line and tunnel being built under the river and the city. Connecting a brand-new line into the existing network, along with routine maintenance, means crews need the tracks clear, so trains are replaced by buses on the affected section while they work. It's disruptive, but it's scheduled in advance rather than something going wrong on the day.
What to do when your line's closed
- Allow extra time.Rail replacement buses run along the closed section to the nearest open stations, and they're slower than the train.
- Plan the actual trip. Our journey planner works from live data, so it routes you around the closure instead of the normal timetable.
- Check before you leave. The live disruptions board shows everything affecting the network, and last service home has your latest safe way back on a night the trains finish early.
How much are the works disrupting the network?
We track every disruption across the network. Our network report breaks down alerts by cause, including construction and maintenance, and the reliability tracker shows unplanned disruptions with scheduled works kept separate — so you can see what's the build versus what's the network failing on the day.
Weekend closure questions
Why is my train replaced by buses this weekend?+
Most weekend line closures in Brisbane are planned trackwork, much of it to build and connect Cross River Rail, plus routine maintenance. Trains are replaced by buses on the affected section while crews work safely on the tracks. The panel above shows which lines are closed for works right now.
How do I know if my line is closed this weekend?+
The live panel on this page lists the current rail closures for works, straight from TransLink's feed and updated automatically. For everything affecting the network right now, including short-notice changes, see the live disruptions board.
What is Cross River Rail?+
Cross River Rail is a new rail line with a tunnel under the Brisbane River and CBD and new underground stations. Building and connecting it into the existing network is a major reason for the weekend track closures on several lines. Check the official Cross River Rail site for the current construction timeline and opening dates.
How do I get around a line closure?+
Rail replacement buses run along the closed section and connect to the nearest open stations, so allow extra time. Plan your exact trip with the live journey planner, which routes you around the closure rather than quoting the normal timetable.
Live closures come from TransLink's service alerts feed and update automatically. For official construction timelines, see the Cross River Rail project site.