Gold Coast Light Rail

[ozbob]

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

2PM: GOLD Coasters and visitors continue to flock to ride the light rail with locals raving about the long-awaited service.

Free rides will be available until midnight, with no limit on the amount of times you can ride.

Normal ticketing and pricing will apply from tomorrow.

[achiruel]

I travelled down to the Gold Coast today, it was a bit of a wait from Helensvale but I'm guessing that will be fixed with the new 709 bus starting tomorrow.

The trams were absolutely chockers.  So much so that even though I'd planned to ride northbound as well, I took the 745 from Broadbeach to Nerang station in order to get back home.

[ozbob]

^  , I am off for ride tomorrow 

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

Twitter

Gold Coast Locals ‏@Goldcoastlocals 2h

Big crowds enjoying all the free entertainment today to celebrate opening of GLink

[ozbob]

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

5PM: MORE than 55,000 people have jumped on board the light rail so far today — with the free rides to continue through until midnight.

Trams remain packed this evening as commuters take advantage of the first day of service.

Paid services will start at 5am tomorrow morning.

[ozbob]

Brisbantimes --> All aboard - GC light rail takes off

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

21st July 2014

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

Greetings,

Great start to the G: light rail.

A number of us will be heading down to the Gold Coast today to see how the overall network changes are starting to come together.

An exciting time for public transport in Queensland.

Best wishes
Robert

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

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

[ozbob]

Channel 10 News --> http://tenplay.com.au/news/brisbane/2014/7/20/tourism-boost

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> 80,000 people pack Gold Coast trams for its first day of passenger services and more crowd on today as paid services kick off

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> http://media.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/selections/gold-coast-trams-are-fabulous-5611589.html

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

22nd July 2014

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

Greetings,

A number of RAIL Back On Track members spent the day on the Gold Coast yesterday, on the trams and buses of the Gold Coast Public Transport Network.

The light rail system can only be described as brilliant!  Some pax, despite the best efforts of TransLink were still not fully across the bus network changes but that will quickly be sorted.

Patronage on the light rail was heavy for the first day of normal operations.  There is little doubt that the commencement of the light rail services marks a significant positive turning point for public transport in Queensland.

A record of the day including photographs can be found here -->  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10831.0

Best wishes
Robert

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

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

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast commuters defy expectations using the light rail in droves on first day of paid operations

[STB]

Dare I say it, but this light rail system and the supporting bus network (at least the ones that run at a high frequency that directly supports the trams), is pretty much nailed on as what one would expect to be 'world class'.  I will be interested in seeing how they cope with delays such as wayward car drivers and passengers thinking they can beat the tram, including any breakdowns that may happen. 

Early days yet.

[#Metro]

It's not in Frequent Network style. Makes you wonder what people think of the Brisbane network - which has no network map!

"It was a lot of fun to ride the trams but it was much busier than we were expecting with all the people," she said. "It is certainly a much faster ride through Surfers Paradise rather than by car but the only problem we found was the bus map, which was quite confusing."

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/gold-coast-commuters-defy-expectations-using-the-light-rail-in-droves-on-first-day-of-paid-operations/story-fnj94idh-1226996868224

[STB]

It's not in Frequent Network style. Makes you wonder what people think of the Brisbane network - which has no network map!

"It was a lot of fun to ride the trams but it was much busier than we were expecting with all the people," she said. "It is certainly a much faster ride through Surfers Paradise rather than by car but the only problem we found was the bus map, which was quite confusing."

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/gold-coast-commuters-defy-expectations-using-the-light-rail-in-droves-on-first-day-of-paid-operations/story-fnj94idh-1226996868224

Obviously frequency is usually linked in with what has been modeled demand wise.  I have a feeling that in time the frequency on Friday and Saturday nights will be upgraded to run at least every 15mins over a 48hr period (Friday night through to Sunday morning).

[SurfRail]

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/live-chat-ask-goldlinq-chief-executive-phil-mumford-your-light-rail-questions/story-fnj94idh-1226998263505

From 9:30am.

[dancingmongoose]

Why do the destinations on the trams have a black line through the middle of them? You can't read it at all

[SurfRail]

Why do the destinations on the trams have a black line through the middle of them? You can't read it at all

Only when captured on camera - in the flesh they are fine. 

LEDs cycle on and off at high speed.  Some destination displays can be caught on camera because the whole board goes on and off at once and with the right shutter speed you can capture it easily when the whole thing is "on".  However, some systems (like the screens fitted on the G:) cycle differently - apparently at different times for different rows.  I haven't got a still photo of a complete display yet with my SLR or phone, always rows missing.  You'd need to get a longer exposure to capture all of the rows illuminated, which effectively means it would have to be at night or in low light with a static vehicle.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Premier Campbell Newman supports light rail expansion to heavy rail for the Commonwealth Games, but says it will cost the community

[colinw]

I'm yet to make it down to the GC to go Tram gunzelling (G: spotting?  ) as opening day just happened to be my wedding anniversary.  Really looking forward to trying the system out, although it so happens that my next tram ride will be on the very weird gauge of 1100mm (3'7 5/16").

How are loadings holding up on day 3 of full fare operation?  If it follows the trend elsewhere, it will hold up with "rubberneckers" for a couple of weeks, dip a bit (cries of Doooom from the usual suspects), then slowly build to a sustained patronage level that will typically exceed expectations.

Still get a buzz from seeing this on the TransLink homepage:

[ozbob]

ABC Radio Gold Coast --> Dr Matthew Burke on why we need the light rail

[SurfRail]

Unfortunately I can't really keep up close tabs on weekday operations, but from when I took the day off on Monday loadings were very healthy and yesterday when I took a detour via Surfers on the way home there were more passengers on the tram into Surfers than I can recall on a bus at that time of night (around 20 odd), and probably as many got on the one I boarded to continue south an hour later around 9pm.

[ozbob]

A recent meeting with PTUA reps in Melbourne it was stated that Yarra Trams is now breaking even with respect to fares and costs (main routes).  Yarra trams is doing very well thank you very much.

Not surprising, fare evasion is right down now, trams are very well supported with pax.  Routes like the 96 are amazing ...

Hey ho ...

GoldLinQ are not in it for the ' feel good ' factor either.  The G: will be  a gold mine ..  particularly with the extensions ..

It is a great improvement for the Gold Coast.  Pity Brisbane is so messed up ..

[#Metro]

Private money is quite cheap given that the banks etc have been flooded with stimulus money and the reserve banks of many countries having low or near zero (some slightly negative) lending rates.

Something like GCLRT will probably not cover construction costs (costs increased due to having to redo the underground services as well) but operationally could possibly have a stab at cost recovery given that (a) it is in a high density corridor, (b) the destinations are 'on the way', (c) the trams are very high capacity so this keeps labour costs low and capacity for paying pax high, and (d) good feeder bus network design will prop up the patronage.

Future extension to Helensvale is needed, and potentially with some funding perhaps from Warner Brothers and Movie World, a stop at the theme parks there as well. This would permit some car parking space to be removed for expansion of those venues if desired.

[SurfRail]

The only conceivable routes involving theme parks would probably be Seaworld (to allow the 705 to be recast in some fashion) or Dreamworld (as part of a connection between GCUH/Harbour Town and the northern suburbs as far as the Coomera town centre).  Can't see Movieworld or Wet'n'Wild paying for an extension from Helensvale.  I will admit the idea is attractive because it instantly frees up a lot of theme park buses for use elsewhere.

[#Metro]

Yes, you could return the route km from the theme park buses back to the network with this move. Good all day patronage from theme parks I would guess.

[colinw]

Theme parks from Helensvale station would be what, another 3km of line?

I can see that eventually being an attractive extension, as it adds more major destinations to the system.

For the same reason, after vacillating on the issue for some time, I have decided I prefer the heavy rail connection to be Helensvale via Olsen Ave and Gold Coast Hwy because it adds Harbour Town to the network, avoids adding another station on the heavy rail, and is also the logical route if it is to eventually extend to Movie World and Wet 'n' Wild.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Coolangatta, Robina and Parkwood considered for light rail expansion as council investigates four different routes

[SurfRail]

Theme parks from Helensvale station would be what, another 3km of line?

I can see that eventually being an attractive extension, as it adds more major destinations to the system.

For the same reason, after vacillating on the issue for some time, I have decided I prefer the heavy rail connection to be Helensvale via Olsen Ave and Gold Coast Hwy because it adds Harbour Town to the network, avoids adding another station on the heavy rail, and is also the logical route if it is to eventually extend to Movie World and Wet 'n' Wild.

My view remains that the "northern line" should go all the way up Olsen Ave and Oxley Dr to Lae Dr, then via Lae Dr to Runaway Bay shops, then up Bayview St to Paradise Point, and ultimately over to Hope Island / Monterey Keys.  Much further on, you build a bridge from here parallel to the railway line, duck the route via Dreamworld and finish up at Coomera (when it starts to resemble something closer to Robina than its present state).

The existing 704 bus route follows a very good alignment and I would be reticent to split that up.  I suppose that if you did do Harbour Town and Helensvale in one hit, one possibility is you can connect the Seaworld to Harbour Town stretch of the 704 to the Harbour Town to Paradise Point stretch of the 719 and run the whole length of that at high frequency.  This would make it difficult to ever extend the line north of Harbour Town given where the Harbour Town station would have to be for a Helensvale route.

Helensvale to Movieworld wouldn't have quite the same catchment and I have no major objection to it, but it would see next to no use compared to other extensions which could be built in advance like The Spit, Robina, Elanora etc

[SurfRail]

Yes, you could return the route km from the theme park buses back to the network with this move. Good all day patronage from theme parks I would guess.

Not really.  The services are of course very well patronised but they are effectively the Gold Coast's closest equivalent of a "rocket".  They only run north from around 7am to midday and south from around 3pm to 6-7pm.  There would be virtually no demand outside theme park operating hours and the flow is very tidal.

The cost of operating the current bus services would be a lot less than the capex for a light rail line, and you would still need a Dreamworld version.  Plus, they are probably the closest services to being profitable (they may even be already), so the cost issue isn't massive.

[Gazza]

I remember from the bus reviews that the TX routes were break even or above...no doubt due to overcrowding and most pax paying inflated paper ticket fares....nice money spinner.

[hU0N]

Something like GCLRT will probably not cover construction costs (costs increased due to having to redo the underground services as well) but operationally could possibly have a stab at cost recovery given that (a) it is in a high density corridor, (b) the destinations are 'on the way', (c) the trams are very high capacity so this keeps labour costs low and capacity for paying pax high, and (d) good feeder bus network design will prop up the patronage.

Something like GCLRT needs to stack up on the basis of your points (a), (b) and (c) alone.  Feeder buses might prop patronage on the light rail, making the light rail more profitable in isolation, but the evidence is that feederising bus routes reduces patronage on those buses.  This can be countered by increasing frequency on the feeder bus, but that increases the opex.  The long term outcome is usually that the opex per boarding on the bus is similar after feederization as it was before.

To say that a feeder bus network increases the likelihood of the LRT network breaking even is great, but it needs to be recognised that a feeder bus network probably also reduces the likelihood of the bus network breaking even.  And in a (more or less) integrated system like translink, increasing profit on the trams by increasing loses on the bus is really kind of zero sum.

There are of course reasons for having feeder buses.  I just don't think that increased profitability is a good one.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Late night tram travellers will be under police watch this weekend to prevent bad behaviour

[ozbob]

From the Sunday Mail 27th July 2014 page 21

Around the traps with Peter Cameron

DING DING, NEXT STOP BRISBANE

[SurfRail]

Not while BCC has any responsibility for operating public transport.

[techblitz]

will just go on record to say that the new 745 timetable is near perfect with a good 7 minute train - bus connection and a more generous 9-10 minute bus - rail connection gap.
Last weekend 6 pmish saturday...the 745 arrived on schedule for the FIRST time
(for me)...in a loooong time.
Expect the 745 facebook complaints to virtually disappear.

[SurfRail]

^ They should have eliminated the Surfers - Broadbeach leg in January to begin with.  Now that's gone there will be very few issues.

One thing I have noticed is that it can be a bit torturous for buses to get into Broadbeach South coming from the west due to the signal phases.  The "B" light allowing buses to turn into the interchange is beyond the Jupiters intersection.  Unless both are active the "B" light can only let one bus through while the rest queue up on the other side of the Jupiters intersection.  With both intersections going I have seen something like 6 buses go through in one hit.

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Albanese calls out Coalition on Gold Coast light rail

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Witnesses scream warning at elderly man in mobility scooter who plays chicken with Southport tram

[Set in train]

will just go on record to say that the new 745 timetable is near perfect with a good 7 minute train - bus connection and a more generous 9-10 minute bus - rail connection gap.

Needs to be 4 or 5 min train to bus and a dynamic buffer bus to train but usually 10 mins.

Remember the time sink that is the Pac Fair loop and the riverside caravan park stops (ugh).

745 still does not connect with each morning train in either direction.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin -->Light rail has done as it was promised, boosting business for many traders in Southport and Surfers Paradise