Gold Coast light rail: Patronage figures reveal how popular city’s tram network is

New data has revealed the truth about the Gold Coast light rail and how popular it really is with locals and tourists as planning for its extension ramps up. NEW DETAILS

Treasurer Cameron Dick in his budget speech has thrown down the gauntlet to the LNP over its stance on the tram extension, in the biggest signal yet the Government backs light rail to the border.

More than $300m was committed in Tuesday’s budget to the next phase of the Broadbeach to Burleigh Stage 3 extension, as part of a $2.8bn spend on infrastructure across the city.

But with the future of the $4bn Stage 4 extension, which will run from Burleigh Heads to the border under threat, Mr Dick said the government’s support for the tram extension was rock solid.

“The people of the Gold Coast know that when we receive a business case, we carefully consider it and we know a really important city like the Gold Coast, which continues to grow, deserves a central infrastructure and that is the way we can improve the lives of Gold Coasters and the economic life of the city,” he said.

Premier Steven Miles and Deputy Premier Cameron Dick. Picture: Liam Kidston

“We remain committed to these major infrastructure projects because we know the difference they make to the Gold Coast, both to individuals and their families and the broader economy.

“The light rail has been an outstanding success and Gold Coasters have voted with their feet, and their Go-Cards to support that.”

The budget does not contain any funding for light rail Stage 4 across forward estimates, with the project currently the subject of a $10m detailed business case study co-funded by the state government and Gold Coast City Council.

It comes after the LNP vowed to completely review the project if elected in October, including considering alternative routes and options.

The move has raised fears among light rail proponents that it will potentially prevent the public transport link from being completed before the 2032 Olympics.

Artist impression of Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4 between Tugun and Coolangatta, including Gold Coast Airport and the NSW border. Picture: Department of Transport and Main Roads.

The detailed business case is expected to be completed in late 2025.

The extension has an estimated cost of $4.4bn, with state government documents revealing it has a cost range between $3.1bn and $7.6 billion.

LNP Deputy Leader Jarrod Bleijie earlier this month slammed the cost.

“Let’s put this in context. This is a project the Labor Party are now saying is worth more than the entire Olympic and Paralympic Games budget,” Mr Bleijie said at Palm Beach on Friday.

“There is a $7 billion funding pool for the Olympic and Paralympic 2032 Games and the Labor Party now is seeing the Gold Coast light rail Stage 4 is over $7 billion.”

It comes as budget documents reveal light rail patronage far exceeded expectations this financial year. 11.4m trips were recorded on the light rail, up on the projected 10.7 million. The numbers are expected to remain above 11 million in 2024-25.

Passenger satisfaction with the trams also exceeded expectation, with it averaging a 4.3 out of 5. It had been expected to come at below 3.5.

Mayor Tom Tate, who committed funding in last week’s council budget for Stage 4 of the light rail, welcomed Mr Dick’s statement and said the high patronage figures showed why the project was critical.

Local transport user Juno Smith, 29, at Broadbeach South station talking about Light rail. Picture Glenn Hampson

Among those who regularly catch the tram is hotel worker Juno Smith who said it was a convenient way of moving around the city.

The 29-year-old said she wanted to see the tram extended beyond its current coastal route to Robina and Harbour Town, both of which have been earmarked for future stages.

“I think it should have gone to places that are less accessible by transport, like the buses already go the route that the tram goes … it would have been more helpful to go to places like Harbour Town or Robina where it’s not easily accessible by buses,” she said,

Heavy construction for Stage 3 of the light rail from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads has sparked outrage among some local residents and Ms Smith said she was concerned about the impact of construction on businesses.

“It’s already done, there is not point stopping it from where it’s going now.

“But I just went past Burleigh the other day for Cooly Rocks On and seeing all the businesses already starting to close, it does give you a reflection of what was happening in Surfers during construction and it’s sad to see small businesses close … they’ve been there for decades,” she said.