Gold Coast light rail: Patronage falls for trams after COVID shutdown

The State Government has vowed to press ahead with expanding the light rail as part of its post-COVID recovery, despite data revealing something shocking about the trams.

THE State Government has vowed to press ahead with expanding the light rail as part of its post-COVID recovery, despite data revealing a massive drop in patronage.

Budget papers show the number of people using public transport in the past financial year was dramatically lower than expected, with numbers set to fall even further.

The impact of the pandemic shutdown and the tourism downturn have both been blamed for the decline.

Light rail will still go from Burleigh Heads to Gold Coast Airport despite a fall in patronage figures. Picture: Supplied

The G-Link tram carried 8.46 million passengers in 2019-20, below the 11.1 million predicted in last year’s budget.

The figures for this financial year are grim, with just 5.66 million passenger trips expected through until June, down 49 per cent on the previous year and the lowest since the light rail system first launched in July 2015.

Overall, public transport usage across the Gold Coast was down 68 per cent in the past financial year.

PLANNING CONTINUES ON TRAM EXTENSION

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the numbers were bleak but insisted the State Government remained committed to expanding the Gold Coast’s tram system.

“Before COVID hit we saw Gold Coasters and visitors hop on board light rail in their droves with a record 50 million trips,” he said.

“While COVID saw G:link patronage down by as much as 80 per cent, our borders are now open and with an economic recovery plan we’re starting to see people get back on board.

“The budget also locks in $2.5 million to start the business case for a future light rail link to the Gold Coast Airport, jointly-funded with council.”

The State says it is committed to building the coast. Picture: Supplied

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Budget documents reveal the Palaszczuk Government will this financial year spend $50.9 million of the $709 million committed to extending the trams from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads.

The budget also confirms funding for stage 3, which will run from Burleigh Heads to the border via Gold Coast Airport.

“The Queensland Government has also committed planning funding for a future light rail link to Gold Coast Airport, the budget documents said.

A business case on the project, jointly funded by the Gold Coast City Council, is expected to be completed in mid-2021.

Construction will begin as early as 2023 once work on stage 3 is completed.

That’s music to the ears of southern Gold Coast businesses who say the tram extension will be critical to the area’s future.

Vanilla Lily Cafe owner Dean Saul. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Dean Saul, general manager of Vanilla Lily and cafe Kirra said connecting to the airport would help the tourism industry.

“Obviously, we desperately need some additional transport options to the airport, with domestic tourism about to take off again,” he said.

“It must go to the airport, whether that be light rail, heavy, or a combination of both.”

The proposed extension has proved divisive on the southern Gold Coast but Mr Saul said it was an understandable reaction given the difficulties in delivering stage 1.

“It is a natural response to be concerned, as the construction is taking place on your doorstep,” he said.

“We were fortunate, as we didn’t have to cross that bridge, but I can understand the commercial concerns that it creates.

“I think it’s important that transport infrastructure goes ahead, but I just hope that the consultative process with small businesses is robust.”