18 Mar 2014: SEQ: Gold Coast "tramsformation" at hand

[ozbob]

Media release 18th March 2014



SEQ: Gold Coast "tramsformation" at hand

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 congratulates GoldlinQ on their successful operation of a G:Link tram along the entire route of the Gold Coast light rail line from the Gold Coast University Hospital to Broadbeach South (Pacific Fair) for the very first time (1).

RAIL Back On Track Gold Coast Regional Spokesperson Steven Jamieson said "With the commencement of tram services only a few months away, the future of public transport on the Gold Coast is looking positive."

"We congratulate GoldlinQ on this key stage of the project and look forward to seeing trams testing more frequently in the coming weeks."

A single G:Link tram can carry 309 passengers and services will operate every 7-8 minutes in the core "peak" period from 7am to 7pm on weekdays. 14 trams have been delivered to the new Southport depot, 3 of which have been placed into a special livery advertising safety messages to the public while the system is being rolled out and tested.

Tram services are expected to commence in mid 2014.

"It will be important for the supporting bus network to deliver high frequency services into the major tram / bus interchanges and for local feeder routes to have improved hours of operation. It is now up to TransLink to start advising locals about the upcoming changes to their public transport network as soon as possible and to ensure that the bus services connect seamlessly with trams to all points of the compass."

"The Gold Coast has the potential to be a leader in integrated public transport. We support any moves to better integrate bus, light rail and train timetables to extend high-frequency coverage to as much of the city as possible."

Reference:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=546.msg140072#msg140072

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

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Light Rail discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=546.msg140090#msg140090