Ministerial Statement: New station and new Gold Coast services

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
19/11/2009

New station and new Gold Coast services

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan today announced that passengers travelling on the Gold Coast line would enjoy extra peak hour services from next month when the Queensland Government opens the new Varsity Lakes train station.

Ms Nolan said the new timetable would be effective from Monday 14 December 2009, when services start operating on the new railway line between Robina and Varsity Lakes stations.

"The amended timetable will deliver an extra 868 passenger seats each weekday from Monday to Friday," Ms Nolan said.

"From Monday 14 December, there will be an extra morning and an extra afternoon peak hour service each weekday, increasing the total number of inbound morning peak services to eight and outbound afternoon peak services to nine.

"This is the seventh new service we've added to the Gold Coast line in the past two years, confirming that the Bligh Government is delivering for the Gold Coast community."

Gold Coast MPs Peter Lawlor (Southport), Margaret Keech (Albert), Christine Smith (Burleigh), and Peta-Kaye Croft (Broadwater) welcomed the new services.

Southport MP Peter Lawlor said the new timetable was evidence that the State Government, QR and TransLink recognised the Gold Coast's increasing demand for public transport.

"The Bligh Government is continuing to improve services and meet the growing public transport needs of this growing region," Mr Lawlor said.

Member for Albert Margaret Keech said the new timetable was made possible because of more trains and the new rail infrastructure, ultimately boosting rail capacity along the Gold Coast line.

"The new 4.1km of electrified track from Robina to a brand new station at Varsity Lakes has paved the way for increased services," Ms Keech said.

"The track duplication is part of the $324 million Robina to Varsity Lakes Rail Extension project that also involves constructing a 300 metre tunnel, three new road-over-rail bridges and 3.2km of new roads in and around Varsity Lakes station."

Member for Burleigh Christine Smith said Gold Coast residents would also be impressed by the new $25 million station.

"The architecturally designed station has an inviting open plaza, security coverage, lighting, real-time passenger information systems and a new car park accommodating around 300 cars," Ms Smith said.

"It is partially powered by solar energy and uses the coastal breezes to provide natural ventilation.

"All station facilities have been designed to meet Disability Access Standards with lifts, accessible toilets, tactile paving and hearing aid loops."

Member for Broadwater Peta-Kaye Croft encouraged Gold Coast residents to attend the free breakfast for commuters at Varsity Lakes station on the morning of 14 December 2009 to celebrate the launch of the new station.

"This is a great way to celebrate the new station and additional services for the Gold Coast community and I encourage everyone to come out and participate," Ms Croft said.

"Projects such as this confirm that the Bligh Government is committed to delivering for the Gold Coast."

Ms Nolan said the new morning service would depart Varsity Lakes at 6.02am, arriving at Central station at 7.23am, while the new evening service would depart Central station at 5.39pm and arrive at Varsity Lakes at 7.03pm.

The amended Varsity Lakes timetable will follow the current Robina timetable, with all outbound (Gold Coast) trains arriving at Varsity Lakes station five minutes later and inbound (Brisbane city) trains departing Varsity Lakes station five minutes earlier. The first inbound service will depart Varsity Lakes at 5.18am each weekday.

Under the Queensland Government's $124 billion South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan, over $30 billion has been committed to building a better rail network.

Updated timetables are available at www.translink.com.au or call 13 12 30.

Passengers who use TransLink bus services to connect to rail services are encouraged to check their bus timetable on www.translink.com.au or by calling 13 12 30 before 14 December.

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[WTN]

Bob, another tour on the 14th?

And I wonder what the plan is for the next stage (Elanora/Coolangatta). 

[ozbob]

I do plan to go down to VL on the first outbound service on the 14th.  Still working out details.

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http://www.translink.com.au/servicechange.php?id=256

New Gold Coast line services from Varsity Lakes station Effective 14 December 2009

Two new services will increase capacity on the Gold Coast line when Varsity Lakes station opens on Monday 14 December 2009:

    * Morning service
          o departs Varsity Lakes at 6.02am
          o arrives Central station at 7.23am.
    * Evening service
          o departs Central station at 5.39pm
          o arrives Varsity Lakes at 7.03pm.

Varsity Lakes station will be serviced by all trains currently travelling to Robina:

    * Outbound (Gold Coast) trains will arrive at Varsity Lakes station five minutes after Robina station
    * Inbound (Brisbane city) trains will depart Varsity Lakes station five minutes earlier than Robina station
    * The first inbound service will depart Varsity Lakes at 5.18am.

Connecting buses will also service the station.