Happy ‘tramiversary’ for Games light rail

This time last year, Gold Coasters were getting ready to ‘Ride the G’ as Stage 2 of the Glitterstrip’s light rail extension carried commuters for the first time.

On Sunday 17 December 2017 more than 45,000 people came out to celebrate the opening of the 7.3 kilometre extension.

Twelve months on, Stage 2 has helped the G achieve the 10 million trip milestone within a calendar year.

Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said the spike in passenger trips since the completion of Stage 2 meant light rail has now carried more than 36 million passengers since it opened in July 2014.

“In the 12 months prior to the Stage 2 launch, about 7.9 million trips were taken on the G Link,” Ms Scanlon said.

“With the expansion of the light rail network ahead of the Commonwealth Games, that number has already grown to over 10.5 million trips in a year.

“It’s an impressive jump in growth when you consider passengers travelling for free during the Commonwealth Games were not included in that annual figure.

“It’s been a really phenomenal year for light rail with about 1.1 million trips taken during the games, a record-breaking weekend for GC600 and now the 10.5 million passenger trips milestone.”

In the first year of Stage 2, trams travelled more 700,000 kilometres between Helensvale and Gold Coast University Hospital station with Helensvale proving the busiest new station, passing one million passenger trips by December this year.

Heavy Rail has also benefitted from Stage 2, with Helensvale station experiencing a 55 per cent increase in passenger trips (from about 717,000 to 1.1 million comparing 12 months before Stage 2 to the 12 months since).

Northern Gold Coast bus services connecting with light rail experienced a similar boost in patronage.

Local bus routes reconfigured to provide convenient connections with light rail recorded a 42 per cent increase in passenger trips on those routes*. (comparing the new configuration of routes 713, 719, 765 and TX7, to the former configuration of routes 713,719,720,765, TX1, TX2,TX3).

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the 10 million trip milestone in a single year showed trams had quickly been embraced as a unique part of the Coast’s landscape and identity.

“These passenger numbers overwhelmingly point to the success of Stage 2 and I’m pleased to say we agree the numbers stack up to move ahead with the 6.7-kilometre Stage 3A alignment between Broadbeach South light rail station and Burleigh Heads.

 “The detailed business case for stage 3A has been completed by Building Queensland in partnership with the Department of Transport and Main Roads.  The business case is expected to be considered by the Building Queensland Board this week.

“That evaluation will ensure the construction cost, job numbers, economic benefits, operating efficiencies, community and environmental impacts of the project are understood.”

Mr Bailey said subject to the Building Queensland Board’s consideration, the findings and recommendations will be considered by Government in early 2019.

“There are still steps we need to take at the tail end of getting ready for Stage 3A,” Mr Bailey said.

"Any decision around future Queensland Government funding for Stage 3A will depend on that evaluation and the ability to secure funding from both the Federal Government and City of Gold Coast.

‘‘If this projects receives the level of support we believe it should, then Stage 3A construction could start by 2020.’’

ENDS

Media: Adrian Taylor – 0448 994 172