Published Thursday, 12 July, 2007 at 01:21 PM

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Paul Lucas

Huge boost to Gold Coast bus services

Gold Coast commuters will get an extra 23 buses over the next 12 months, and an extra 620 services a week as part of a State Government plan to boost bus services across South East Queensland.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas said under the TransLink Network Plan $6.3 million more would be spent on Gold Coast buses to keep pace with booming patronage that has risen by 36.7 per cent on the coast since July 2004.

“By June next year that will mean an extra 1150 seats for each and every trip these 23 new buses make,” Mr Lucas said.

"This is in addition to the 72 new buses that have already been delivered for the Gold Coast since July 2004.

"TransLink is constantly monitoring demand growth and providing extra services and infrastructure where it’s needed most.

“One example is the 24 hour, seven day service we established last year between Southport and Tweed Heads,” Mr Lucas said.

Mr Lucas said another $226.9 million would be spent in the next 12 months on public transport infrastructure improvements on the Gold Coast.

“This enormous expenditure will fund extensive planning for the Gold Coast Rapid Transit System along with more bus priority measures and improvements to bus stops and waiting areas.

“This level of expenditure reflects the government's absolute commitment to provide the best possible transport infrastructure and services for the Gold Coast," Mr Lucas said.

“This new expenditure builds on the enormous improvements we already have made to Gold Coast bus services since TransLink was established. In the previous three years spending on service improvements rose to $8.6 million per annum and $85.9 million has been spent on public transport infrastructure improvements for Gold Coast commuters,” he said.

“All previous coast bus routes have been replaced with new routes to better service growing suburbs, improve connections between services, and make services more frequent and reliable,” he said.

Minister Lucas said bright new TransLink livery would start appearing within weeks across the Gold Coast to make transport services even more visible and easier to catch.

"The new blue, green and orange livery signifies a new era for the TransLink network and a new era for public transport in Southeast Queensland.

"We can have a cleaner, greener environment and better, more efficient movement around what is the fastest growing region in Australia by embracing these services."

Mr Lucas said planned improvements to Gold Coast services this year included:

·A major restructure of the southern Gold Coast route network, increasing frequency, introducing new services and making routes more direct and reliable

·New routes and increased frequency for services to and from Labrador, Australia Fair, Pacific Pines, Arundel Crest and Griffith University

·New services and expanded coverage for emerging communities in the Nerang area

·Introduce security guards for late night services on Route 700 Southport to Tweed Heads

·Trial flexible route services (such as demand-based services with smaller vehicles) in areas where traditional bus services are not feasible, like canal estates and developing suburbs.

Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 3237 1942