RAIL - Back On Track Forum

ABC News --> Gold Coast light rail trams to begin services on July 20

Quote from: ozbob on July 07, 2014, 10:41:50 AM
ABC News --> Gold Coast light rail trams to begin services on July 20

Couldn't help himself could he? Had to take yet another swipe at Labor, even though PT is becoming such a joke under his government.

Quote from: dancingmongoose on July 07, 2014, 10:55:34 AM

Quote from: ozbob on July 07, 2014, 10:41:50 AM
ABC News --> Gold Coast light rail trams to begin services on July 20

Couldn't help himself could he? Had to take yet another swipe at Labor, even though PT is becoming such a joke under his government.

With any luck shortly, he won't be in Government...

Sent from my SM-N9007 using Tapatalk

Gold Coast Bulletin --> The light rail will finally begin carrying passengers with a launch date set for July 20 and a day of free travel included

Yay  .....many on the gold coast are getting tired of seeing empty trams...ive heard people discussing the delays at shopping centres and even a gym conversation 
And surfside can now increase thier O.T.P. Thanks to less delays coming from surfers/southport...especially on big event days.

@johninbrisbane

Yep....luck is about all it comes down to...roll the dice.....because both parties have shown tremendous failures in public transport.

So who's heading down on the 20th for their first ride? 

Don't think I can make it on the 20th (other commitments), but Mrs and I will probably go down on the 21st July.

TransLink --> The G: is coming - Monday 21 July 2014

I will definitely be out on the 20th and ideally the 21st (but subject to confirmation).

Full timetable compiled: https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=468DD12906D202D2!181&authkey=!AJVCj8nBGLEsLfg&ithint=file%2c.xlsx

Dunno when I'm going to get out there, I intend to sometime but I needs moneys. Hire me! Not much point getting down there only to have no money to ride it

..

We will be on the trams by mid morning on the Monday (21st).  Probably have lunch at the Pacific Fair end, Mrs will go shopping while I go for a few rides for a while I guess .. 

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast voters want the light rail system connected to trains by 2018 Commonwealth Games

I will now definitely be around both days.

It has been suggested to me the "first" 2 trams shown originating at Queen Street southbound in the morning may just be positioning movements and are not meant to be on the JP.  Unless I can get clarification on that from GoldlinQ during the week (have asked), I will be boarding the first full-length southbound tram at GCUH probably both days.

Anybody want to do lunch?  I was thinking Southport around midday both days - one at The Cecil, and the other at the excellent Ichiban Boshi.  Both are right on the track near the Southport station. 

Will give you a call when I get onboard SR on the 21st ... see how it goes might be able to catch up ..

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast's light rail extensions have competition with other large scale Queensland projects also vying for a chunk of the State Government budget

Gold Coast City Council is best positioned to fund this (but try telling them that). The justification for public improvements is that it increases city amenity and benefits GCCC residents the most, as well as increase property prices and livability generally. GCCC is best placed to collect this uplift in value through rates revenue.

What happened to GoldlinQ offering to fund this entirely?

Quote from: red dragin on July 17, 2014, 11:22:20 AM
What happened to GoldlinQ offering to fund this entirely?

Only guessing but I expect the offer was contingent on snapping up the all fare revenue.  Light rail on the GC will be very successful.  Melbourne trams return a profit, amazing for PT in Australia.  The GC light rail is going to be very successful as well I expect.

Handy addition to this thread, the original 'scoop' of the TL JP data in timetable form thanks to Skyscrapercity.com member Marki:

http://www.worldwideroadtrips.com/timetables/Timetable-GLink-All.pdf

Ignore positioning trips in early weekday mornings (only 2).

^ Thanks.

Media release 20th July 2014

Ring-a-ding-ding!  Gold Coast joins the transit age

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers hails the commencement of light rail services on the Gold Coast.

After a decade of hard work in scoping the project, securing funding, designing and procuring the system and testing it extensively, Gold Coast commuters will now have a much more reliable and capacious public transport service than ever before with the G: now open from today.

Steven Jamieson, Gold Coast spokesperson for RAIL Back on Track, said:

"The G: represents a step-change in the way we travel around the Gold Coast.  The core of our public transport network – the Gold Coast Highway – is also one of the most congested and busy parts of our road network.  The G: completely sidesteps this by offering frequent service at all times of the day with its own dedicated corridor, allowing passengers to avoid congestion.  The Gold Coast has finally joined an elite club of cities which recognise the transformational benefit of placing light rail at the core of their transit network (1)."

RAIL Back on Track also congratulates TransLink on the implementation of additional high-frequency bus services on Route 740 (Nerang to Surfers Paradise) and on new Route 709 (Helensvale to Griffith University), amongst other changes coming into effect on 21 July 2014 (2)."

"The network has been designed in accordance with world's best practice, allowing passengers to transfer between buses and trams at key locations with minimum fuss.  Further investment should continue to be made into the bus network over time to extend the "reach" of the G: far beyond the actual tracks the trams run on, with service headways improved and operating hours extended.  We are also pleased to see that scoping work is already being carried out in relation to Stage 2 of the project (3)."

RAIL Back on Track is proud to have supported the project since its inception and looks forward to the next chapter in the Gold Coast's transport future unfolding.  We congratulate the GoldlinQ consortium and its members, consultants and staff.  Congratulations are also due to the Commonwealth Government, the Queensland Government and the City of Gold Coast (administrations past and present) for each ensuring the fruition of this great enterprise.

"We look forward to seeing the Gold Coast's public transport network continue to grow with the city, and become a meaningful choice for more and more people from all walks of life."

Contacts:

Steven Jamieson
Gold Coast Region Spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

References:

1. NextCity - When Car-Loving Cities Start to Embrace Light Rail - http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/light-rail-city-traffic-congestion-la-salt-lake-city-phoenix

2. TransLink – The G: is coming - http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/17051/details?utm_source=translink&utm_medium=primary-tile&utm_content=gold-coast&utm_campaign=twenty-one-july

3. Department of Transport and Main Roads – Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2 – http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/G/Gold-Coast-Light-Rail-Stage-2.aspx

--> https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202972347043822&set=pcb.10202972348643862&type=1&theater

All is ready. Photograph by SR last evening ..

Gold Coast Bulletin --> All aboard: Gold Coast light rail takes its first passengers

Quote... The launch ceremony will be held at the Gold Coast University Hospital station at 9.45am ...

... It is hoped the minister might make an announcement regarding a second stage of the light rail, no commitment has yet been made ...

My G: App

IOS: > https://itunes.apple.com/app/id863018534

Android: > https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kdr.glink&hl=en

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coasters young and old to ride the light rail for the first time and celebrate, including 72-year-old Danny Sheehan who was the last to ride heavy rail in Southport

Twitter

Josh Adsett ‏@joshadsett

There are so many people riding the G today people are having to queue to get on. @7newsbrisbane

Twitter

Andrew Potts ‏@GCS_Pottsy

@gclightrail boss Phil Mumford preparing to launch light rail

Twitter

GoldLinQ ‏@gclightrail

Three levels of govt on board official G:link tram from GCUH to Surfers Paradise

Update: http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/all-aboard-gold-coast-light-rail-officially-launches-with-full-tram-cars-for-day-of-free-travel/story-fnj94idh-1226994946028

Quote... 10AM: GOLD Coast light rail trams are so full people are being turned away from stations in Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise.

Thousands of Gold Coasters have come out in force to be a part of the city's history with tram cars full since 5am when the first passenger journey took off ...

... But crowds have gradually grown throughout the morning with long delays at every light rail station and shoulder-to-shoulder conditions on the tram.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson and Mayor Tom Tate cut the ribbon on the light rail officially launching it just before 10am.

GoldlinQ boss Phil Mumford said extra services were commissioned today to deal with the larger than usual crowds ...

Twitter

Scott Emerson ‏@scottemersonmp

Lots of enthusiastic passengers on the new Gold Coast light rail.

Time will tell  ... hey?

Quote from: ozbob on July 25, 2013, 19:10:45 PM
Media release 25th July 2013



SEQ: Gold Coast Light Rail

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has said the Minister for Transport needs to back up the claims that patronage forecasts for the Gold Coast Light Railway are not correct.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Today in the Transport and Main Roads Budget estimates Minister Emerson said that Labor had it wrong and the daily passenger trip projection for the Gold Coast Light rail is 20,000 trips daily not the 45,000 originally projected in 2009."

"We disagree with this latest projection.  The Gold Coast Light rail will be a frequent high capacity service."

"During the weekdays service frequency will be every 7.5 minutes with 15 minutes outside the 7am to 7pm period. The trams can comfortably carry over 300 passengers (1)."

"As has been clearly shown with the BUZ network, frequency drives patronage, the Gold Coast Light Rail will be no different."

"We ask the Minister for Transport to make public the assumptions and methodology behind these latest passenger projections."

"Our estimate would be at least 50,000 passengers daily.  Road congestion is a nightmare on the Gold Coast and the light rail will be very welcome and strongly supported.  Particularly with the bus network being geared up to also support the light rail.  In fact the TransLink SEQ bus review has already positioned the Gold Coast bus system in a form to allow this to occur."

"Rather than attempt to score political points, we would expect the Transport Minister to be promoting the wonderful opportunity for improved public transport for the Gold Coast."

Reference:

1. http://goldlinq.com.au/operating-light-rail/your-journey/

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Quote from: ozbob on July 26, 2013, 13:06:06 PM
Sent to all outlets:

26th July 2013

Re: SEQ: Gold Coast Light Rail

Greetings,

Still waiting for the Minister to outline the assumptions and methodology for his claim.

Meanwhile:  Some basic number crunching

To achieve 50K passengers per day ...

Proposed weekday 124 journeys each direction, total of 248 journeys.

Each journey only has to have 50,000/248 to make 50,0000  which is around 200 boardings on average per trip.

16 stations average needed is 200/16 = 13 pax per station ....

What a disgrace this beat up is ...

The Gold Coast Light Rail will be a culture transforming event for the Gold Coast.  Soon Brisbane will be the only mainland capital without light rail.

Such is the transport failure here in Brisbane.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Quote from: ozbob on July 25, 2013, 19:18:39 PM
Media release 25th July 2013



SEQ: Gold Coast Light Rail

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has said the Minister for Transport needs to back up the claims that patronage forecasts for the Gold Coast Light Railway are not correct.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Today in the Transport and Main Roads Budget estimates Minister Emerson said that Labor had it wrong and the daily passenger trip projection for the Gold Coast Light rail is 20,000 trips daily not the 45,000 originally projected in 2009."

"We disagree with this latest projection.  The Gold Coast Light rail will be a frequent high capacity service."

"During the weekdays service frequency will be every 7.5 minutes with 15 minutes outside the 7am to 7pm period. The trams can comfortably carry over 300 passengers (1)."

"As has been clearly shown with the BUZ network, frequency drives patronage, the Gold Coast Light Rail will be no different."

"We ask the Minister for Transport to make public the assumptions and methodology behind these latest passenger projections."

"Our estimate would be at least 50,000 passengers daily.  Road congestion is a nightmare on the Gold Coast and the light rail will be very welcome and strongly supported.  Particularly with the bus network being geared up to also support the light rail.  In fact the TransLink SEQ bus review has already positioned the Gold Coast bus system in a form to allow this to occur."

"Rather than attempt to score political points, we would expect the Transport Minister to be promoting the wonderful opportunity for improved public transport for the Gold Coast."

Reference:

1. http://goldlinq.com.au/operating-light-rail/your-journey/

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/7/20/full-steam-ahead-for-gold-coast-light-rail-passengers

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Full steam ahead for Gold Coast light rail passengers

Passengers boarded the G: for the first time today, enjoying free rides on the new light rail system between the Gold Coast University Hospital station in Southport and Broadbeach South station.

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson, Federal Member for Moncrieff Steven Ciobo and Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate thanked Gold Coast people for their patience during the two-year construction period for the $1.2 billion project.

"With the G20 and 2018 Commonwealth Games just around the corner, the Gold Coast is now in a good position to show off one of Queensland's best holiday destinations," Mr Emerson said.

"The light rail will give local residents far more than a world-class public transport network. Light rail has a proven track record for revitalising cities by connecting people and places, and attracting investment."

Federal Member for Moncrieff Steven Ciobo said the Australian Government had invested $365 million in the $1.2 billion project.

"The Gold Coast Rapid Transit delivers a modern, integrated light rail system that helps meet the transport needs of Australia's sixth largest city," Mr Ciobo said.

"This project is a perfect example of a public-private partnership delivering the infrastructure this country needs for a more prosperous future.

"In peak periods, each light rail vehicle will be able to carry 309 passengers, which is the equivalent of 6 buses."

Mayor Tom Tate said the project was Queensland's first light rail system and the first for any regional city in Australia.

"It is an exciting time for the Gold Coast and I am confident this project will drive new investment and more local jobs. It is important for everybody to get behind the G:link and make public transport a part of everyday life," Mr Tate said.

"I'm really excited about the opening and the future of this important piece of city-building infrastructure."

The Queensland Government contributed $464 million to this project, the Australian Government contributed $365 million and the Gold Coast City Council provided $120 million to the project, with the GoldLinQ consortium also investing in the project.

The free light rail rides will run every seven and a half minutes between Southport and Broadbeach on Sunday 20 July 2014. Light rail services thereafter will run as per the GoldLinQ timetable from 5am to 11.50pm Monday to Thursday and 24 hours on Friday and Saturday.

[ENDS] 20 July, 2014

Twitter

Karin Adam ‏@karin_adam

Hundreds alight from the #surfersparadise station of @gclightrail @abcgoldcoast

Twitter

Australian Rail Maps ‏@railmaps

Congratulations Gold Coast. Today you're the first new Australian city to join the tram family since Geelong in 1912 #goldcoast @gclightrail

Twitter

Scott Emerson ‏@scottemersonmp

Fantastic day on the Gold Coast celebrating the official opening of @gclightrail:

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/all-aboard-gold-coast-light-rail-officially-launches-with-full-tram-cars-for-day-of-free-travel/story-fnj94idh-1226994946028

Quote1PM: TRAM enthusiasts are reporting waits of up to 1.5 hours at Broadbeach stations as thousands take advantage of the light rail's free open day.

Lines at Broadbeach are stretching for kilometres and parking is an issue with street parking and Pacific fair reportedly full.

Despite the chaos the day has been declared a raging success with tens of thousands supporting the G:link's launch ...

All sounds very exciting - would have liked to go down today, but alas, Sunday buses and other commitments meant today would have been a stretch.

Will have to make do with taking a trip on the new 709, then LRT to Broadbeach, then truncated 745 back to Nerang tomorrow.

Presently 2 trams northbound, 8 southbound ..  very big day by the sounds of things.