QR sorry for NSW supporters travel blues
Debbie Schipp, Jack McKay, news.com.au
QUEENSLAND Rail has been forced to apologise to a NSW supporter who claims he was kicked off a Brisbane train and told to f*** off back to NSW.
Chris Chambers, 30, lives on the Sunshine Coast but was born in NSW, and remains an ardent Blues supporter at Origin time.
I could understand if I was wearing a racist shirt or had offensive language on it but its a rugby league shirt, Mr Chambers said.
I played my first game of league in New South Wales. Im a Blues supporter.
Hes been outnumbered by Maroons for more than 20 years, and is used to copping sledges and exchanging Origin banter, but allegedly being told he wasnt staying on the train in that shirt when he boarded a train at Albion, in Brisbane about 8.30am Wednesday, was a whole new level.
I seriously cant believe the arrogance and rudeness of Queenslanders, he later posted on his Facebook. This would be hilarious if it wasnt so serious.
When Chris, proudly wearing his Blues jersey in enemy territory, boarded the train, he said there were four men in Queensland Rail uniform.
One said: You cant get on in that shirt, Chris said.
I asked him if he was joking.
He said: No, get off.
Chris says he then got off the train, thinking the four men were conductors or rail officers, and if I didnt Id get a ticket.
I had no idea if he was a conductor or not, he said.
As far as I was concerned hed given me a directive, and he was serious, so I got off.
As the doors closed he said: f*** off back to NSW, you loser.
Chris contacted TransLink to make a complaint.
The guy from TransLink was brilliant, he said.
A Queensland rail spokeswoman this afternoon said they had contacted Chris this morning and apologised for the incident.
Here at Queensland Rail, we love our Mighty Maroons and we encourage our staff to get in the spirit by wearing their colours and theming their stations, however if swearing was used this is taking banter too far.
We are currently working to identify the staff who were on board to discuss the incident with them. Maroon is our favourite colour but it isnt compulsory for travel.
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