Gold Coast Light rail: Surprise tram patronage figures revealed

Just how popular is the Gold Coast light rail? New data delivers the verdict on whether people are actually using the tram system as planning continues for its extension to the airport.

PUBLIC transport use is bouncing back, with new data revealing the Gold Coast light rail has had its best month since the pandemic began more than two years ago.

More than 800,000 trips were taken on the tram in August, making the light rail one of the best-performing modes of public transport in southeast Queensland.

The data, compiled by the Department of Transport and Main Roads, shows the tramline has returned to 84 per cent of its pre-Covid levels.

Gold Coast-based Minister and Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said: “August’s post-Covid record monthly patronage on The G: shows Queenslanders and visitors to the Gold Coast are choosing public transport more often.

End of the line, but not for long. Picture Glenn Hampson

“The record number of post-Covid trips on trams happened in the same month we also set a record for the highest daily patronage figure across the entire southeast Queensland network, with more than 527,000 trips hit on two days in August.”

It is a significant turnaround for the tram, which struggled to attract passengers again.

State budget papers released in June showed the trams recorded 6.07 million passenger journeys during the 2021-22 financial year, far below the 8 million people forecast to be riding the trams for that period.

A reluctance to return to public transport post-Covid and residual fears of close-quarters contact with other people have been blamed.

Meaghan Scanlon Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Trams were not alone in failing to reach their patronage targets during the 2021-22 financial year, with no state-run public transport service coming close to the milestones.

Across southeast Queensland, 114.25 million passenger trips were recorded, far below the target of 154.76 million.

TMR has tipped the system to carry 8.74m passengers during this financial year.

More than $4.37m was committed in the budget across the forward estimates towards planning for Stage 4, while a further $203,000 was put towards planning the extension of the heavy rail south of Varsity Lakes to the airport.

Artist impression of Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4 between Burleigh Heads and Tugun

Construction of light rail Stage 3, which has been beset by delays and cost blowouts is expected to take at least three years.

Mayor Tom Tate is pushing for construction of Stage 4, a key project for the 2032 Olympic Games, to begin as Stage 3 is completed in 2025.

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