Gold Coast Light rail stage 2 to begin taking passengers on Sunday
THIS is the view you will get while riding along the Gold Coast light rail’s second stage after it opens on Sunday. You will get to see the city’s north in a whole new way. SEE THE VIDEO
Gold Coast
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PASSENGERS will get to ride the second stage of the light rail from Sunday.
The 11km second stage from Griffith University to Helensvale will begin running from 5am Sunday morning, with passengers to get free travel throughout the day.
The move will connect tram to train for the first time and will see the light rail running across 19 stations to Broadbeach.
Gold Coast-based Assistant Tourism Minister Meaghan Scanlon made the announcement this morning at the Parkwood Station saying the opening would be celebrated with a family fun day on Sunday ahead of the official opening on Monday.
“This is well and truly ahead of schedule and a Christmas present for all Gold Coasters,” she said.
“It is really exciting — we know this piece of infrastructure has been critical for the Gold Coast and a huge economic boost for our community.
“It is absolutely critical that we have public transport to relieve the pressure of congestion on our main roads.
“We have the business case now for stage three and we’re really excited to see where that goes as well.”
Jason Ward, Communications director for GoldLinQ said the $420 million stage two project was well ahead of schedule.
“The project has given a huge economic boost with 2000 inducted on the project over the past 18 months of construction,” he said.
“It has been fast compared to stage one because of the great team of workers on the project. “There has been a lot of effort from the construction teams to get here earlier than planned.”
The family fun day will run from 6am until 2pm at the Helensvale, Parkwood, East Parkwood and Gold Coast University Hospital stations and will include goodie bags, face painting, food stalls and free travel across the rail line.