New Kuranda Scenic Railway App For Overseas Customers

Queensland Rail has launched a free app for iPhone and Android technology to assist customers from non-English speaking backgrounds onboard Queensland’s most popular tourist train, the Kuranda Scenic Railway.

Queensland Rail Executive General Manager Customer Service Martin Ryan said the app would enhance the experience for local and international tourists by providing audio and visual commentary from onboard the train to their mobile devices.

“We have developed a unique and interactive app to give customers, in particular overseas visitors, the opportunity to listen to commentary while they sit back, relax and take in the many historical sites onboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway,” Mr Ryan said.

“The app is very simple and easy to use and can be downloaded for free by searching ‘KSR’ in the iTunes and Google play stores, and selecting from one of the four available languages including Japanese, Mandarin, German and English.

“Once downloaded, customers simply select their departure station (Cairns, Kuranda or Freshwater) and choose from the numbered landmarks for more information. An audio playbar, image and transcript of the commentary will appear.

“Customers can scroll through the app browsing information about the World Heritage protected rainforest landmarks from Cairns to Kuranda, learn about the history and making of the Kuranda Scenic Railway as well as be educated on important safety messages for each station.”

Mr Ryan said the app was expected to be a big hit with international visitors who made up about three quarters of the Kuranda Scenic Railway market.

“More than 350,000 customer journeys were made on the Kuranda Scenic Railway in the last financial year, with about 75 per cent of these from overseas visitors, including our biggest markets Japan, China, Germany, United Kingdom, France, United States and New Zealand.

“We expect the new app to encourage even more overseas tourists to visit the Cairns region and to use the service as they now can now travel independently without the need for an interpreter.

“We are looking to add to the languages available for overseas visitors in the coming months.

“We are committed to boosting the Queensland tourism industry and supporting regional centres by operating efficient and effective long distance services for Queenslanders and the tourist market.”