Varsity Lakes Timetable

[ozbob]

http://download.translink.com.au/timetables/091214_goldcoast.pdf

I plan to head down on the first revenue train to VL on the 14th December.

Leaves Central at 4.56am and arrives at VL at 6.17am in time for breakfast  

Park Road 5.08am, Coopers Plains 5.17am.

[ozbob]

Originally VL was to be known as Reedy Creek

http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=39828

Premier & Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie

Tuesday, March 15, 2005

New Reedy Ck Rail Link Centrepiece Of $123M Gold Coast Rail Plan

The Beattie Government will extend the Gold Coast rail line from Robina to Reedy Creek and duplicate the rail line from Helensvale to Robina, in a $123 million Gold Coast transport bonanza.

Premier Peter Beattie and Transport Minister Paul Lucas said today the major new investment in rail would revolutionise public transport in one of Queensland's growth corridors.

"We will build a new railway station, lay 20km of new track, construct tunnels, erect road and rail bridges, build new roads, and create hundreds of parking spaces," Mr Beattie said.

"This initiative will feature in the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan the government will release next month.

"It's the first stage of a longer-range plan to build a rail line to Tugun and then to Coolangatta, ensuring a first-class rail service for the Gold Coast of the future," Mr Beattie said.

Under the $123 million project the government will: - Build a new railway station at Reedy Creek and link it to Robina by laying a 4.1km extension of the Gold Coast line. This is due for completion in mid-2009, at a total cost of $35 million; - Duplicate the 15.9 km railway line between Helensvale and Robina, creating more capacity for increased Gold Coast rail services. This is due for completion by late 2008 at a cost of $88 million; - Build 300m of rail tunnel, eight new rail bridges, four new road bridges, 460m of new road, about 600 car spaces, five bus bays and a kiss-and-ride; and - Build a new transit interchange at Reedy Creek, to link trains with bus and taxi services to the coastal strip and the Tweed. Mr Beattie said: "We are acting now to meet escalating demand for rail travel on the Gold Coast, where the population is set to soar to 520,000 by 2011.

"Today's $123 million announcement means a total of $370 million has been committed in the past 16 months to improve Brisbane to Gold Coast rail services," the Premier said.

Minister Lucas said: "By the end of 2008, there will be an extra three services to and from Robina, in both the morning and afternoon peaks, and some three-car services will be upgraded to six-car services.

"An extra 1350 seats will be provided in each peak period."

Mr Lucas said around 2.9 million passengers were now using the Gold Coast line, up from 2.6 million in 2000/2001.

He said the Reedy Creek station site is immediately to the south of the Powerlink substation, south of Varsity Lakes and west of Tallebudgera.

"The station can be built fairly quickly because the Queensland Government already owns the land.

"The proposed line will pass under Robina Town Centre Drive south of Robina station, then travel west of Laver Drive and under Robina Parkway.

"It will follow a line east of the Pacific Motorway, cross Coromandel Lane and proceed south to the Powerlink Substation through an extension of Scottsdale Drive to the Reedy Creek interchange.

"Nearby car parking for around 600 cars, with pedestrian access to the station, and a kiss-and-ride area will also be provided as part of the project."

Mr Lucas said TransLink bus services would get a further big boost from the new Reedy Creek rail station.

A new bus interchange at the station will provide a better place for passengers to transfer from rail to buses servicing Varsity Lakes, Burleigh Heads, Tugun and Coolangatta.

"There will be travel time savings of up to 10 minutes," Mr Lucas said.

"Bus operator cost savings, due to the fact that buses will only have to travel to Reedy Creek rather than Robina, can be reinvested in the local bus network.

"Since TransLink was introduced in July last year, Surfside bus patronage has increased by 17%."

Mr Lucas said a draft environmental planning study for the Helensvale to Robina upgrade, with consultation with the local community, was scheduled to begin late next month.

"Community consultation for the Robina to Reedy Creek upgrade is expected to be undertaken by November 2005 when the preliminary design work should be completed," he said.

In November 2003 the Queensland Government announced $247 million for a third track between Salisbury and Kuraby stations, a second track between Ormeau and Coomera, and more trains for extra peak hour services. These measures will reduce travel time, particularly in peak hours, because trains will not have to wait at stations to pass each other.

15 March 2005

[ozbob]

Robina Varsity Lakes Newsletter #5 27 Nov 2009  PDF

[ozbob]

From the MYGC.com.au  click here!

Locals get sneak peek of Varsity Lakes train station

Locals get sneak peek of Varsity Lakes train station
Date: 25 November 2009 - 07:17am

Locals will be able to have a look at the new Varsity Lakes railway station even before the official launch, with an open day planned for the day before, on December 13, 2009.

The $25 million station includes 300 car parks, 50 bike lockers, taxi rank, bus station and a drop off zone.

The Queensland Government announced on Tuesday the AirTrain would also stop at Varsity Lakes, along with an extra service in the morning and in the evening during peak-hour.

The services will begin on December 14,2009 with a special breakfast planned at the station.

[somebody]

So, it's true.

The new services don't go to the airport.  Not so bad in the AM at least in winter, as there aren't too many planes arriving before 7:30am, but pretty dumb in the evening, especially as 15 minute frequency applies either side of the gap that this service would fill.

[STB]

I will pick up the first train from Varsity Lakes from South Bank on the day (4am wake up call for the 5am train to South Bank, eeks!).  Then head down to Varsity Lakes afterwards for pics, look around, bite to eat etc.  Should be a good day, can't wait!

[WTN]

Unfortunately I won't be able to come on the day due to work (wish I could).  For those that do come, you'll get to appreciate a whole new world at that hour.  Station staff up so early, near empty stations, near empty trains, even at Central.  Very good reasons for early bird off-peak (say before 6-6:30am).

[ozbob]

Robina to Varsity Lakes rail extension opening celebration

http://www.translink.com.au/event.php?id=121

Be one of the first to ride on the extended rail line and view Varsity Lakes station before services begin on Monday 14 December 2009.

Start at Robina station to enjoy a sausage sizzle, face painting, great entertainment and a visit from Santa.

Collect your free ticket from QR staff to ride the free loop train, running every half hour between Robina and Varsity Lakes from 10am to 1.30pm.

[WTN]

Looks like I'll be going to that one!  Who's coming?

[ozbob]

Suggest you get there early.  Sure to be a big local roll up, heavy promotion down the coast.

I am sticking to my plan to travel down on the first revenue service to VL, have some other commitments tomorrow.

Have fun!

[ozbob]

There is a nice 3D visual representation of the run from Robina to VL --> here!

[ozbob]

From the Gold Coast Mail click here!

Inspect new rail facilities

Inspect new rail facilities

Ashleigh James | 10th December 2009

Local Robina and Varsity Lakes residents have received an early Christmas present - an invitation to be the first to ride the new train line extension on Sunday.

Varsity Lakes and Robina residents are on track to be the first to ride the new Gold Coast rail extension.

After two-and-a-half years of construction and nearly one-and-a-half million working hours, the Gold Coast's first rail extension in more than ten years will open on Monday.

And locals from the area have been invited to have a sneak preview of the new station and to ride on the new train line on Sunday, ahead of the first official service.

Member for Burleigh Christine Smith has encouraged residents to inspect first-hand the new facilities.

"Spaces on the trains are limited and I'm urging residents to get in quickly to reserve their seat on one of the first trains from Robina to Varsity Lakes station," she said.

And locals seem pleased with the new addition to their suburb.

Delfin Varsity Lakes senior project director Carl Bruhn said the Gold Coast rail line extension will benefit the wider Gold Coast's transport needs.

"This is a positive announcement for both the residential and business community of Varsity Lakes," Mr Bruhn said.

"It's a great idea for an open day, that people living near the railway extension be invited to be the first to try it out."

Mr Bruhn said the extension encourages sustainable public transport opportunities for the future.

"The new rail link will improve the transport options for the community by providing excellent solutions that will save travel time," Mr Bruhn said.

Jumping on at Robina station to be taken to Varsity Lakes, attendees will enjoy a sausage sizzle, entertainment and a special visit from the man in the red suit, Santa.

Event co-ordinator for The Chancellor Apartments at Varsity Lakes, Nicole Fitzgerald, welcomed the station.

"It's definitely going to bring business to us," she said.

"More people are going to be able to come to the area now that they will be able to get there easily."

Ms Fitzgerald said the development would bring exposure to the area.

"It's nice that they think of the locals first, that's really great," Ms Fitzgerald said.

Christine Smith said the $25 million Varsity Lakes station incorporated the latest train station designs in Australia.

"We have turned a wasteland into a valuable community asset," Mrs Smith said.

For more information visit www.railsmart.com.au/rvl or call 13 16 17.

[ozbob]

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Anna Bligh
13/12/2009

Gold Coast rail extension opens six months ahead of schedule

Premier Anna Bligh has joined local residents for a trip on the new $324 million Robina to Varsity Lakes rail extension six months ahead of schedule.

"This is the first rail extension on the Gold Coast since the 8.7 kilometre Nerang to Robina track extension was completed in 1998," said Premier Anna Bligh.

"The Gold Coast population has boomed and this rail line has become one of the busiest on the rail network.

"After more than two and a half years construction and one and a half million working hours, this project will open six months ahead of schedule

"My government is delivering on its commitments to the Gold Coast."

Ms Bligh said the project involved building 4.1km of new track from Robina to a new station at Varsity Lakes, including a 300-metre tunnel, three new road-over-rail bridges and 3.2 km of new roads in and around Varsity Lakes station.

The project created approximately 2300 jobs during design and construction.

Ms Bligh said the $25 million Varsity Lakes station featured some of the most modern latest train station designs in Australia.

"We have turned a wasteland into a valuable community asset, removing more than a million tonnes of waste from the former landfill site to create the station," Ms Bligh said.

"This building has an open, modern design and many environmentally sustainable elements. It is partially powered by solar energy and features natural lighting and ventilation.

"Underneath the building are two large rainwater tanks to collect roof water for use on the station's gardens and bathrooms.

"The new station has lift and stair access onto a high-level platform, which provides easy access for entering and exiting trains.

"Other features include a 300-bay commuter car park, a bus interchange with a covered walkway to the station, bike lockers, drop-off zone, taxi rank and security coverage."

Ms Bligh said the new timetable effective from tomorrow would deliver an extra 868 passenger seats each weekday.

"From tomorrow, there will be an extra morning and afternoon peak-hour service each weekday, taking the total number of inbound morning peak services to eight and outbound afternoon peak services to nine.

"Residents of the Gold Coast will reap the rewards of this magnificent new station and better public transport connections when services start tomorrow."

The Varsity Lakes station site will be the centrepiece of the future Varsity Station Village.

Minister Nolan said the 14-hectare Varsity Station Village was the first project of its kind in South East Queensland, combining the delivery of a new train station with government-led land development.

"The master plan for the village has been finalised and is being made into a local area plan by Gold Coast City Council," Ms Nolan said.

"We expect to go to the market in the first quarter of 2010 to obtain expressions of interest for development of the site."

Ms Nolan said the project included improving access from the Pacific Motorway to the suburb of Varsity Lakes, as well as the local road network around Varsity Lakes Station.

"By building the road and rail works together, construction impacts on local residents were minimised," Ms Nolan said.

"Exit 85 of the Pacific Motorway has been upgraded to provide safer and easier access to Varsity Lakes. A new road called Stapley Drive from Exit 85 allows residents direct access into the area or to the station. The new road includes a pedestrian and cycle path so people can also walk or cycle to the new station.

"This is a great example of government agencies cooperating to improve infrastructure for the community's benefit."

QR staff will be welcoming commuters with a free breakfast and live radio broadcast tomorrow at Varsity Lakes Station to celebrate the launch of the new services.

The Robina to Varsity Rail Extension Project is part of the Queensland Government's $124 billion South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program 2009-2026.

"This infrastructure plan will manage growth and protect our lifestyle. As part of the plan, more than $30 billion has been committed to plan and build a better rail network over the next 20 years," Ms Nolan said.

==============================================================

[STB]

Was a great day.  I managed to jump on the second train down to Varisty Lakes with a dozen or so pics which I'll upload later on.  IMU175/176 had the honors of doing the shuttles.

I'll be on the first outbound service tomorrow to Varsity Lakes, for one more ride (early 4am start with taxi to Roma St station!).  Which will be the 'official' first revenue service.  Here's hoping it'll be a brand new IMU to head down there.

[ozbob]

Glad to see some decent IMUs doing the honours STB! 

Presently I am at Central waiting for the inaugural revenue service to VL.   Updates via twitter

[ozbob]

PID Display at Central, now on board IMU103



Photograph R Dow 14th December 2009

[ozbob]

IMU103/101 formed the first revenue service to Varsity Lakes



The first revenue bus at Varsity Lakes station

























Photographs R Dow 14th December 2009

[Jon Bryant]

Bob, great pics.  What was the passenger loads like on train and bus?

[ozbob]

Thanks, was a great morning. Probably about 100 pax on board total all up.  Bus only had a handful.  Car park at VL was over half full, many folks on holidays.  I expect patronage will build slowly with a surge in January.  I noted many of car parks on the Gold Coast line had empty spaces, many folks already on annual holidays.

[WTN]

Great pics and update Bob.  I wasn't fortunate enough to go due to other arrangements, but I plan to pop down when I get a chance.  But it's good to see new infrastructure completed and in use.  The station looks very modern and quite like a busway station.

[O_128]

looks great slowly we are moving towards a more european design. but why not just keep going to elanora

[Jon Bryant]

The design looks great.  Pitty Indooroopilly was not done in this style.

Yes just keep going to the Border and beyond.  Every km and passenger says us in the long term. 

Let start upgrading all the station in similar design in association with TOD's.  Developers will jump at it and help fund it.

[ozbob]

The station at Richlands presently being constructed looks like it will be similar in basic design concepts to the Varsity Lakes station.

Open, plenty of space, some sustainable features and functional.

[ozbob]

From the Gold Coast Bulletin click here!

Varsity Lakes rail still off track

Varsity Lakes rail still off track

Leah Fineran   |  December 15th, 2009

IT has been hailed as a model transport hub, but the $324 million Varsity Lakes rail station is a commuter nightmare, with no buses to meet the first trains in each morning.

And there is no relief in sight, with Translink only saying it will monitor the situation.

The problem emerged on the station's opening day yesterday when there were no buses to meet passengers on the first three trains which arrived before the first bus service of the day at 7.07am.

Weekend scheduling is also off track, with four trains arriving before the first bus connection at 8.22am.

Yesterday, more than 50 people who arrived at the station at 6.17am on the first Brisbane service were left without a bus transfer for up to an hour.

Queensland Rail executive general manager Paul Scurrah said the opening of the station had gone smoothly -- despite the passengers being left stranded.

"It has been designed as a proper transport hub, but obviously it will be a gradual process," he said.

A TransLink spokesman said demand for bus services would continue to be monitored and more services added if required.

The bus bungle did not affect northern commuters who trialled the first new service to Brisbane at 6.02am.

The new service will add an extra 860 seats to the morning train schedule in a bid to prevent commuter crowding.

Terranora couple Rosemary and Graham Beard said they almost had the entire 6.02am train to themselves yesterday.

The government workers usually drive to Robina to catch the train to work each day but were excited to try out the Varsity Station on its first day.

"It's a lovely station and it's nice to be able to have the first pick of seats on the train," said Mrs Beard.

"But this may be the first and last time, because Robina has undercover parking and we've had to leave our car in the sun here."

The new service caused consternation for some confused travellers, who boarded the train at Robina expecting to travel north and were alarmed to find they were heading south toward Varsity Lakes.

"I didn't know the train could do that," said one man.

The next rail extension is due to reach Elanora, Tallebudgera and Coolangatta by 2026.

[O_128]

although wikipedia isnt exatly accurate i found this

"It was announced in the 2006/07 Queensland State Budget that the Gold Coast rail line is to be extended through to Varsity Lakes at a cost of $39.6 million."

[ozbob]

Opposition Statement

http://www.fionasimpson.com.au/Pages/Article.aspx?ID=628

Passengers stranded by lack of bus links

Tuesday, 15 December 2009

Haphazard planning could put the success of the new Varsity Lakes station at risk with early morning commuters stranded without bus services, LNP Shadow Minister for Transport Fiona Simpson said today.

"It is typical that the Bligh Labor Government can get the trains running for a photo opportunity for the Premier but cannot get bus services for everyday commuters.

"Perhaps the photo opportunity should have been the Premier standing around waiting for the buses to arrive?" Ms Simpson said.

Three trains arrive at the new Gold Coast station on weekday mornings before bus services begin and a spokesman for Translink has admitted there were no concrete plans to introduce earlier bus services.

Weekend travellers will also be stranded with no bus services before 8.22am.

"If the Bligh Labor Government is serious about encouraging South East Queensland residents to use public transport it needs to ensure that all the links are in place," Ms Simpson said.

"How many of the people stranded at the Varsity Lakes station yesterday waiting for a bus will now avoid the train service?

"The extra rail services for the Gold Coast have been a long time coming but the Premier can hardly boast of 'better public transport connections' when passengers are left stranded."

[ozbob]

Now we know why there was no 'bus' icon next to Varsity Lakes on the Central Station PIDs yesterday ....

PID Display at Central



Photograph R Dow 14th December 2009

[p858snake]

For a government that is ment to be trying to push for people to go environmentally friendly and such they don't seem to be pushing trees and gardens or such in their designs much.

From that picture it looks like a concrete jungle with a few trees just stuck in randomly... are they even natives trees?

[stephenk]

Opposition Statement

http://www.fionasimpson.com.au/Pages/Article.aspx?ID=628

Passengers stranded by lack of bus links

Tuesday, 15 December 2009

Haphazard planning could put the success of the new Varsity Lakes station at risk with early morning commuters stranded without bus services, LNP Shadow Minister for Transport Fiona Simpson said today.

"It is typical that the Bligh Labor Government can get the trains running for a photo opportunity for the Premier but cannot get bus services for everyday commuters.

"Perhaps the photo opportunity should have been the Premier standing around waiting for the buses to arrive?" Ms Simpson said.

Three trains arrive at the new Gold Coast station on weekday mornings before bus services begin and a spokesman for Translink has admitted there were no concrete plans to introduce earlier bus services.

Weekend travellers will also be stranded with no bus services before 8.22am.

"If the Bligh Labor Government is serious about encouraging South East Queensland residents to use public transport it needs to ensure that all the links are in place," Ms Simpson said.

"How many of the people stranded at the Varsity Lakes station yesterday waiting for a bus will now avoid the train service?

"The extra rail services for the Gold Coast have been a long time coming but the Premier can hardly boast of 'better public transport connections' when passengers are left stranded."

A new station servicing a large area, and lack of connecting buses. Yet another classic Translink failure.

[mufreight]

The standard response to the lack of coordination of services from a government staffer was "Well if Translink is involved there are bound to be problems" that pretty well says it all.