SpeedyCat to Start Services from Northshore Hamilton, New Sports-Themed CityCat Launched

The new SpeedyCat is all set to start services on Monday 24 September 2018 to cut travel times from Northshore Hamilton to Riverside and from the University of Queensland to North Quay. The announcement comes as Brisbane City Council launched a new sports-themed CityCat.

Public and Active Transport Chairman Cr Adrian Schrinner said more than 100 weekly SpeedyCat express services will operate during peak hours on weekdays.

SpeedyCat Brisbane
Photo credit: Luke Hauck (WT-shared) Anewcleardawn/Wikimedia Commons

“The express services will also service terminals at Apollo Road in Bulimba, Teneriffe, Guyatt Park in St Lucia and West End, to boost travel options for residents so they can spend less time travelling and more time at home with family and friends,” Cr Schrinner said.

“The completion of river works for the Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade now means we can roll out new SpeedyCat services, however this new timetable will also incorporate changes to other river transport services, including CityCats, CityFerries, CityHoppers and Cross River Ferries.

The same number of CityCat services will remain. However, passengers can expect a go-slow section of the river during construction of the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane.


Read: New Express SpeedyCat to Service Northshore Hamilton Through $68 Million Investment


Notices and information will be provided at terminals to inform passengers of any changes due to the ferry services.

TransLink, for its part, has updated the timetables. Commuters can head over to their website to plan their journeys.

CityCat for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments

In anticipation for the upcoming International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (INAS) Global Games in Brisbane next year, a CityCat will carry the colours of the INAS.

INAS Brisbane 2019This is in line with the celebration of Australia’s first INAS Global Games, recognised as the biggest sporting event for athletes with an intellectual impairment.

Cr Schrinner said the INAS games will strengthen Brisbane’s reputation as an inclusive city.

“With only one year to go, we are today unveiling Brisbane’s 18th sports-themed CityCat that will proudly display the colours of the INAS Global Games, coming to our city in October 2019,” CR Schrinner said.

Robyn Smith, CEO of the Global Games Sports Company, is delighted to hear about the CityCat branding with INAS colours.

“It will not only promote this inclusive event to the Brisbane community, but showcase the world’s best athletes who will compete and demonstrate that their impairment is no barrier to sporting excellence,” said Ms Smith.

The games are expected to attract more than 1,000 athletes from other parts of the world.

New Express SpeedyCat to Service Northshore Hamilton Through $68 Million Investment

Brisbane City Council’s $68 million investment promises to shorten travel time along the Brisbane River as new express SpeedyCat services will be deployed between Northshore Hamilton and University of Queensland.

Brisbane’s river transport network has been servicing more than five million passengers every year. According to Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, the new express SpeedyCat services will significantly improve public transport services for commuters on the water.

“CityCats are icons of our New World City and Council will introduce around 100 new express ‘SpeedyCat’ services per week from September, that will travel from the University of Queensland and Northshore Hamilton, into the city,” Cr Quirk said.

Photo credit: Twitter/Team Quirk

“These new express services will operate during weekday peak periods, saving river commuters up to 24 minutes between Northshore Hamilton and Riverside, while passengers will be able to travel between the University of Queensland and North Quay in as little as 16 minutes,” he added.

The Council Annual Plan and Budget 2018-19 also includes a $4.5-million funding to deliver a larger, new generation CityCat. This will be added to the current 21 vessel fleet servicing 25 terminals across a 22-kilometre stretch of the Brisbane River.

The new CityCat is set to hit the water in 2019.

The 2018-19 Budget also has allocations for ferry terminal upgrades.

Photo credit: Twitter/Team Quirk

“A further $19.3 million will be dedicated towards upgrading ferry terminals across the city, including a major overhaul of the Guyatt Park ferry terminal at St Lucia, with construction starting in the coming year,” Cr Quirk said.

“The upgrade will include replacing the existing pontoon with a new flood-resilient terminal that will be easily accessible for all ages and abilities,” he added.

Improvements to Brisbane’s river transport network follows Cr Quirk’s promise for new CityCat services in the 2016 elections. Although it took two years for the Council’s promise to be delivered, commuters will be able to take advantage of the shortened travel time starting in September.