Fast transit bus lanes from Nerang and Robina will link with light rail

Rapid bus transit routes with stand-alone lanes will be built east-west across the Gold Coast before being transformed into tram tracks, in a bid to fix the city’s gridlock. Find out where & when

Rapid bus transit routes with their own lanes will be built east-west across the Gold Coast before being transformed for tram tracks, in a City bid to fix the city’s gridlock.

City transport officers in a briefing to councillors revealed talks had begun with the State Government planners on creating bus lanes to later covert to more expensive light rail links.

The City’s proposed 2031 public transport plan includes protecting light rail corridors between Robina to Nobby Beach, Bundall to Southport and north from Parkwood to Biggera Waters.

The key takeaways from the latest briefing are:

* Robina to Nobby Beach or Miami along with Nerang to Broadbeach would be the first links in a high-frequency bus service.

* The bus routes would have lanes free of traffic and connect to new bus stations.

* The buses have rapid transit branding to encourage use. Some could be electric.

“With light rail being a very expensive proposal, the idea is to look at bus rapid transit option which is something to transition to light rail in the longer term,” an officer said.

Location of east-west bus rapid transport route to link with light rail on the Gold Coast.

Designs show a new Robina bus station next to the proposed Athletes Village for the 2032 Olympic Games. It includes a “red lane” for buses only.

Hinterland-based councillor Glenn Tozer said east-west rapid buses linking Miami with Robina and Varsity heavy rail was feasible but requires much planning.

“The idea the parallel spines of heavy rail and light rail are linked by an east-west rapid bus project is not new, but seems a practical solution to optimise use of both rail services for coastal and suburban residents,” he said.

Roads for the service had separate lanes but they had not been selected yet, he added.

“I’ll be talking with officers and planning the best solutions together with my colleagues,” Mr Tozer said.

He hoped the transport system would link with not just the Mudgeeraba retail precinct but cater for thousands of children attending larger private schools west of the M1.

New bus station at Robina as part of rapid bus transport plans to link the west to east and light rail on the Gold Coast.

“People are supportive of reducing traffic congestion on our roads. The jury is probably still out on whether or not they are willing to take public transport to reduce that congestion,” Cr Tozer said. “Frankly, the answer to congestion is not “more roads” but a cleverer and more efficient approach to enabling people to choose non-car modes. We’ve got work to do with the public on that.”

The new bus stations as part of bus rapid transport routes linking light rail in the east to Gold Coast western suburbs.

Robina councillor Dan Doran is supportive but wants more detail from transport officers.

“There was something Councillor Tozer recently said about more bus services from Mudgeeraba to Robina Train Station would help take some pressure off Robina Town Centre Drive that has stuck with me. Robina’s traffic is a citywide matter and not a Robina problem,” he said.

Robina handles not just school traffic crossing the highway to the hinterland but coastal traffic from Burleigh north using the M1 to avoid light rail construction.

Cr Glenn Tozer — along with colleague Dan Doran in Robina supporting public transport options. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

“One roundabout upgrade or intersection improvement - as important as they are to the wider problem - is not going to solve the problem today, let alone when you consider the projected growth,” Mr Doran said.

“Therefore, concepts that include more public transport options, should be investigated in a deliberate and consultative way to determine the best outcomes for the City and Robina.”

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