Gold Coast trams used for more than a million journeys in just one month

A new statistic has been revealed about the light rail which sheds fresh light on the service’s impact on the Gold Coast.

NEW data has revealed the Gold Coast’s light rail is busier than ever, with more than one million journeys taken on the trams in a single month.

TransLink figures obtained by the Bulletin show the record number of journeys were taken on the tram during July.

The high figure coincided with the fifth anniversary of the first tram journey and is on top of the 42 million passenger journeys recorded since 2014.

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Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk with member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon and Minister Mark Bailey at the Broadbeach South tram station last week.

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Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said usage of the light rail was growing consistently.

“The fact we’re still seeing strong and consistent passenger growth five years after light rail started shows what a valued and dependable public transport service it has become for the Coast,” she said.

The figures come just a week after the State Government announced it would commit $351 million towards the 6.6km Stage 3A which will run from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads.

The state is now negotiating with the Federal Government to increase its $112 million contribution.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison at Broadbeach South station last November. Picture: Jerad Williams.

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Transport Minister Mark Bailey said construction of the tram system would begin next year if a funding agreement could be reached soon.

“We’re on board, Mayor Tom Tate and his council is ready to go – the only thing holding the project back is the lack of a serious offer from Canberra,” Mr Bailey said.

“We need the Morrison Government to get on board to allow construction to start next year.”

Stage 3A is expected to create more than 760 jobs during construction.