Gold Coast light rail: Incredible patronage figures revealed

City leaders have renewed demands to extend light rail to the airport after data was revealed they say makes the case irresistible.

THE Gold Coast light rail has carried more than 42 million passengers in its first five years, data shows.

Data supplied by TransLink reveals:

* 42.1 million passenger trips have been recorded by the tram across both stages since July 2014.

* The busiest station in the 2018-19 financial year was Cavill Ave, with 1.67 million people boarding the G-Link from the heart of the party precinct.

* Other busy stations include Broadbeach South, Southport, Helensvale and Gold Coast University Hospital, all of which took passengers ranging from 900,000 to 1.49 million people in the past financial year.

A Gold Coast tram yesterday Picture: Mike Batterham

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the figures spoke for themselves.

“Extending the light rail to the airport is a no-brainer. Numerous Gold Coast leaders are behind the project, as are peak planning, development and transport experts,” he said.

“Other levels of government need to realise there is a huge economic upside to this project. Increased land values, increased stamp duty turnover and increased market activity all benefit the Federal and State budgets.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate. Picture Tim Marsden

“We are Australia’s number one tourism destination and light rail direct to the airport is essential. It will mean less cars on the roads, increased property prices, increased rates and an economic upside for all levels of government.”

The tram had its busiest weeks during the 2018 Commonwealth Games when more than 100,000 people used it each day.

GoldLinQ chairman John Witheriff said more than one million trips were now being taken on the light rail monthly.