stoplightrail.com.au (Gold Coast Public Transport Alliance)

[Sunbus610]

The website:- http://www.stoplightrail.com.au/

Tuesday, 11 August 2009
PWAG Inc has today started a newspaper advertising campaign. "We aim to inform the people in South East Queensland of the many problems that light rail will create for us all." This initial phase will concentrate on
1. Irresponsible financial shortcomings
2. Extremely serious safety and security issues.
Our advertisements will quote reputable sources for data presented (unlike the bulldust spread by the authorities).

The Queensland Government has endorsed an American style at-grade system that will kill and maim more people than ever before.
The hypocrisy of that government is manifest when you consider their spin about concern for the rising road toll.
They can talk about saving lives but they are trying to introduce a transport system that is a proven killer.

In the near future we contemplate additional media to
1. Question the social credentials of this aberrant government
2. Pinpoint the financial effects on Gold Coast residents and businesses
3. Satirise the glaring inconsistencies between what the Bligh government says and what it actually does.
4. Continue driving for improved integrated public transport - without the monstrosity of light rail.

If you can help, please contact us by E-mail.

[ozbob]

I support the light rail at the coast.  I think it is the best long term solution.  

Support their right to oppose it though.  Web site is bit dated, Ministers changed months ago.

Cheers
Bob

[#Metro]

Gotta love NIMBY action!

"American Style", is that an attempt to sour up the image of the proposal. I thought light rail was European.
And how many people get killed on the Gold Coast highway anyway?

Why do I suspect the bus groups have something to do with this?

[O_128]

do these people not have anything better to do than complain. I would much rather light rail than a busway slicing through the gold coast. From the drawings ive seeen it looks great and well integrated my favourite picute is one where the light rail vechile is going through a park of some sort and people casually walking around it. These idiots ahve not done there research adn dont realise how many cars this will take off the raod. I am sure these people are also against global warming.Add to this that for 17km of track it is coasting only 700 million compared to 450 million for 1km of busway. My only issue is that the line isnt connected to helensvale from the start as this would be a high priorty option getting people straight off the train to sufers or griffith compared to getting a bus to griffith.

[stephenk]

The paper on the website does have some good points:-
http://www.stoplightrail.com.au/documents/gcbrtt_currie2.pdf

However it forgets that LRT is more attractive to users than BRT. For a tourist centre, the image of the mode needs to be taken into account. (Monorail would also suit the Gold Coast's image and be grade seperated, but would cost more than LRT, and have some aesthetic issues). Personally I think that LRT is the better option for the Gold Coast. However, connecting & feeder bus services need to be both well planned, integrated, and frequent. I also agree that the line should start at Helensvale from the onset for connections to QR CityTrain.

[p858snake]

Why do I suspect the bus groups have something to do with this?

Wasn't the main issue they pointed out that they turn almost all intersections into level crossings with no guarding around the corners which induces safety risks or something?. Which is what the old bris tramway system used to do but back then vehicles didn't travel as fast and more people obeyed the traffic laws...

[ozbob]

Welcome p858snake!    

Melbourne doesn't have any real problems and most of the LR on the coast will have a separate right of way   --> http://download.translink.com.au/goldcoastrapidtransit/surfersparadise.wmv

Some bus companies are supporters of the GCPTA but that is no surprise.  The project is underway.  Updates at http://www.translink.com.au/gc_rapidtransit.php

Interestingly, some of the strongest supporters of the light rail at the coast are the some of the folks at the ATDB - Bus Australia

Cheers!

[O_128]

the best thing about light rail is you know exactly wehre you are going which is great for tourists. Also over 90% of the Light rail way is grade seperated.

[#Metro]

BRT lost, and now that the process gave them the answer they didn't want, they're going to use the back door and derail the proposal using political processes. Take a peek at who is behind it.

LRT may cost more, however there can be no discussion about the financing without having the corresponding social benefit quantified in terms of $$. I would suspect that LRT gives higher benifits than BRT does, for this specific case.

   *  Ray White Surfers Paradise
   * Southport Chamber of Commerce
   * Paradise Waters Action Group Inc
   * Chevron Island Village Association (Incl Cronin Island) Inc
   * Main Beach - Tedder Avenue Association Inc
   * Bus Industry Confederation Inc
   * Croquet Club Southport Inc
   * Sun City Resort
   * Professor Graham Currie
     (Chair of Public Transport, Monash University)
   * Mr John-Paul Langbroek MP
   * Mayor Ron Clarke MBE
     (Mayor of the Gold Coast)
   * Cr Dawn Crichlow
     (Councillor Division 6)
   * Cr Susie Douglas
     (Councillor Division 7)

Regent Taxis is also a partner.

Something just doesn't feel quite right here....

[O_128]

Its already decided anyway.when does construction start.

[ozbob]

The first phase is already underway -->  http://www.translink.com.au/gc_rapidtransit_partner.php