Extra services for Gold Coast light rail during the 2018 Commonwealth Games
NEW figures show just how popular the Gold Coast light rail is but big changes are on the way for our trams which will make it easier than ever to catch public transport.
Gold Coast
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TRAMS will run along the Gold Coast line 24 hours a day as the central plank of the State Government’s long-awaited transport plan for the Commonwealth Games.
The light rail’s entire fleet will be put on the tracks to run all day and night during the 12-day event as the city’s population briefly swells to more than 1 million people.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey will unveil the blueprint tomorrow for how the Gold Coast will keep moving during the Games. The light rail will be a key element.
BIG PATRONAGE FIGURES FOR LIGHT RAIL
A revamped timetable will come into effect in early April, increasing the frequency of trams arriving at stations to one every six minutes during peak periods in a bid to move more people across the 24km route.
“The trams will be running 24/7 throughout every day of the Games and it will connect a lot of key precincts,” Mr Bailey said
“It will let people get on and off and get to the events and places they need to.
“There is going to be a massive influx of people during the Games, but we are confident we have done the planning to make sure this is an incredibly successful event.”
HOW LIGHT RAIL LAUNCHED NEW LINK
Mr Bailey said he would base himself on the Gold Coast during the Games and would oversee the transport network personally.
Of the 18 available trams, 17 will be running on the network servicing customers at any one time, with the remaining tram on standby in case of a breakdown.
Mayor Tom Tate welcomed the news and said the increased services would make travel during the Games easier.
“It makes absolute sense for 24/7 light rail as the trams are the spine of our broader transport network,” he said.
“During the Games we will be host to at least 670,000 new visitors, many from countries with modern transport systems.
“Let’s make them feel welcome and give them the best Gold Coast experience they can have. All aboard.”
The announcement comes on the back of new figures which show how busy the newly extended tram system was over the past six weeks.
GOLD COAST LIGHT RAIL’S NEXT MILESTONE
Since launching on December 18, passenger trips recorded from the three new stations between Helensvale and the Gold Coast University Hospital had totalled 110,863 up until yesterday.
That was well up from the 78,000 trips announced by the Department of Transport and Main Roads just three weeks ago.
HOW LIGHT RAIL STAGE 3 COULD ARRIVE EARLY
This increase has caused a 27 per cent spike in patronage across the entire system and Mr Bailey said it represented an extra 245,259 trips on the trams.
The 7.3km, 11-minute journey along stage 2 connects the light and heavy rails together at Helensvale and allows people to travel from Brisbane to the beach by rail for the first time in more than 50 years.
It is expected to be one of the major ways visitors from Brisbane will make their way to the city during the Games.
Mr Bailey will unveil the Commonwealth Games Transport Plan tomorrow.
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