Christmas comes early with Gold Coast Light Rail Stage Two

The eagerly anticipated second-stage of Gold Coast Light Rail will begin revenue service ahead of schedule on Monday 18 December, in time for the influx of Christmas holidaymakers.

Assistant Minister and Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said that the opening would be commemorated with a family fun day and free travel across the light rail network on Sunday 17 December.

“GCLR has connected our city like never before and it’s incredibly exciting to have the second stage ready to go,” Ms Scanlon said.

“Stage Two will open well ahead of schedule and in plenty of time for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“I want to invite Gold Coasters and visitors alike to come down on Sunday, ride the G for free and enjoy a great day out.

“There will be face-painting, food stalls and goodie bags and the opportunity to be one of the first people ever to ride our new trams.

“Stage Two has already been absolutely vital to the Gold Coast economy, creating local jobs with more than 2000 workers inducted and over $200 million spent in local supply contracts.

“It’s Labor that is building the economy boosting infrastructure the Gold Coast needs and I’m excited to continue delivering great projects for our community.”

Minister for Transport Mark Bailey said that from Sunday commuters would be able to travel from Helensvale through to Broadbeach on the light rail.

“This is a new chapter for Queensland – seamlessly linking our two biggest cities for the first time,” Mr Bailey said.

“Labor is the party of public transport and it is the Palaszczuk Government that is delivering the public transport infrastructure the Gold Coast needs.

“Stage Two will mean an easy, one-transfer journey between Brisbane and the Gold Coast through Helensvale station.

“Helensvale station is now a key transport hub in the fast growing northern Gold Coast with tram, train, bus, and taxi services all in one place.”

Free launch activities will run from 6.00am until 2.00pm on Sunday 17 December at:

• Helensvale station (official opening event)
• Parkwood station
• Parkwood East station
• Gold Coast University Hospital station (GCUH)
   

There will be free travel on all Gold Coast Light Rail services.

The $420 million project is jointly funded by the Queensland Government ($270 million), the Australian Government ($95 million) and the City of Gold Coast ($55 million) and is being delivered by GoldlinQ.

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