Commonwealth Games 2018: Gold Coasters urged to rethink travel plans

COMMONWEALTH Games bosses have unveiled the ads they hope will convince Gold Coasters to leave their cars at home during the event. Will they work on you?

GOLD Coasters are set to be swamped by hundreds of advertisements urging them to help reduce road congestion during the Commonwealth Games.

The Get Set for the Games campaign, which launches today, asks locals to consider alternative travel options during the event in a bid to avoid overwhelming the city’s already stretched road network.

The first television commercial will air during tonight’s Big Bash cricket clash, while billboards and posters feature warnings such as ‘The Gold Coast will get much busier than you think’ and ‘Expect long delays on Gold Coast roads’.

A pole vaulter helps spread the message: “The Gold Coast will get much busier than you think.”

Gymnasts suggest to “Be flexible with your Games time travel.”

“GC2018 is a unique opportunity for the Gold Coast region and also presents a unique and complex transport challenge,” Transport and Main Roads deputy director general Matthew Longland said.

“Travelling out of peak times, working from home and walking or cycling instead of driving are perfect examples of small changes that people can make to help make the Commonwealth Games a huge success.”

The campaign warns people to “Expect long delays on Gold Coast roads.”

Council chief executive Dale Dickson said the campaign would feature TV, radio, outdoor, print, digital, social, direct mail and website advertising.

Cyclists and walkers epitomise the message that Gold Coasters should “Rethink how you travel during the Games.”

“Education and early planning is key,” he said.

“People visiting our city for the Games and locals moving about will need to plan their journey. It can’t simply be a decision to drive as there will be many changes to road networks.”

More information on how to prepare for the Games can be found here.