Gold Coast trains: Councillor’s war of words over price of train tickets from Varsity Lakes

A war of words has erupted between a Gold Coast councillor and leading State Government bureaucrat over the price of train tickets at Varsity Lakes.

A WAR of words has erupted between a Gold Coast councillor and leading State Government bureaucrat over the price of train tickets at Varsity Lakes.

The Bulletin last week revealed passengers travelling from the southern station paid 27 per cent more than those that get on at the next station on the line, Robina.

The stations sit in neighbouring fare zones, meaning those who travel from Varsity are forced to pay upward of $1500 extra a year. Area councillor Hermann Vorster wants to extend the Robina fare zone.

Cr Vorster is campaigning to have the ticket prices lowered at Varsity Lakes

About 54,700 passenger trips are taken from Varsity station monthly.

Deputy Transport and Main Roads director-general Matthew Longland wrote to the Bulletin to dispute Cr Vorster’s claims.

“It was disappointing to read claims that the State Government is ‘price-gouging’ customers when the cost of a trip between Varsity Lakes and Central Station is 31 cents cheaper than it was prior to the December 2016 introduction of Fairer Fares,” he said.

There is anger over the cost of ticket pricing at Varsity Lakes.

“The State Government subsidises 75 per cent of the cost of each ticket on public transport across southeast Queensland, which costs more than $1.9 billion a year.

“A one-way trip from Varsity Lakes to Central Station or vice versa costs $13.79 with an adult go card, compared to $10.86 for a one-way trip on an adult go card between Robina and Central Station.”

Mr Longland insisted customer satisfaction was high and there were no plans to alter fare zones on the Gold Coast.

Cr Vorster responded by describing Mr Longland’s statement as “reading like a whistleblower’s confession”.

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Cr Hermann Vorster in front of Varsity Lakes train station. Picture: Tim Marsden

“It admits southern Gold Coast residents can pay 27 per cent more for a train ticket – and there is zero intention to fix the problem,” he said.

“The bombshell revelation is the department surveys existing customers to inform pricing decisions – and not those forced on to the M1 because of price.”

“That’s like Event Cinemas asking audiences if like going to the movies and then giving themselves four stars just for asking.”

Cr Vorster said Robina and Varsity Lakes could become dual-zone stations, similar to those in Brisbane.

“There are three dual-zone stations around Brisbane – but not one on the Gold Coast.

“Why is the Gold Coast being treated differently and why should Varsity Lakes Station be the only station that has its own zone? There is no justification unless it’s all about Brisbane.”​