Gold Coast Light Rail

[Golliwog]

Do they know when these preliminary works are supposed to begin?

[ozbob]

Joint Statement:

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Anna Bligh

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
07/10/2010

Gold Coast Rapid Transit on track with $68 million contracts awarded

Two contracts worth $68 million have been awarded for early works on Queensland's first light rail system.

Premier Anna Bligh and Federal Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese today announced Seymour Whyte Constructions and Baulderstone Pty Ltd as the successful tenderers to prepare the Gold Coast Rapid Transit corridor for construction.

"These two contracts are expected to create about 800 direct and indirect jobs, while Stage One of the Gold Coast light rail project will generate 6300 direct and indirect jobs in total," Ms Nolan said.

"Before the light rail system can be built, the roads it will travel on have to be prepared so this early work will include surveying, road widening, intersection upgrades, landscaping, concreting and paving.

"Services located under the road such as the gas, water and telecommunications also have to be moved to a more accessible location to allow for future repairs and upgrades."

Mr Albanese said that "When it comes to public transport infrastructure, the Gillard Labor Government means what it says and does what it promises."

"In just 18 months we've taken this light rail project from the drawing board to the start of construction, with the awarding of these two latest contracts a signal it's now full steam ahead with delivering this long awaited new piece of infrastructure.

"What's more, funding for this project was provided as part of our recession-busting, job-creating Economic Stimulus Plan, the very initiative the Federal Coalition voted against early last year and have consistently opposed ever since.

"Indeed if Steve Ciobo, Stuart Robert and their Liberal colleagues had got their way last year, a light rail network on the Gold Coast would still be nothing more than a dream.

"Only the Gillard Labor Government has a plan to move our cities forward, one which recognises the task of renewing and expanding their public transport infrastructure requires a partnership between all the levels of government."

Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke welcomed the announcement, saying the early commencement of road works necessary for the project would provide a jobs boost for the local construction industry.

"This heralds the project kicking into full swing and that's great news for employment on the Gold Coast," said Mayor Clarke.

"The light rail is truly a city-changing project and once complete, will transform our public transport network and the transport options available to our residents and visitors.

"Obviously, with the road works getting underway, there will be some short term pain for residents and motorists - but the long term gain will be well worth it. The Rapid Transit Project team will be keeping the community informed on a regular basis on the progress of these works and I plead with residents to be patient during this time of transition over the next two years."

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said that Southport roadworks will take place in the following areas:

   * Queen Street west between Wardoo Street and Nerang Street
   * Nerang Street from Queen Street to Scarborough Street
   * Queen Street east between Scarborough Street and the Gold Coast Highway

Broadbeach roadworks and will take place along the Gold Coast Highway between the intersections of Thornton Street and Australia Avenue.

Ms Nolan said local residents would be kept informed of works, which are expected to take approximately 12 months to complete.

"Residents and businesses will be advised in advance of any work, the nature of the work and the working hours," she said.

"Contractors will be required to minimise the impact on the traffic network and demonstrate the highest levels of safety at construction sites.

"When Stage One of Gold Coast Rapid Transit is complete in 2014, it will be a world class public transport system which will change the way people move around the coast.

"The 13 kilometre dedicated light rail corridor will service the new Gold Coast University Hospital, Griffith University, Southport medical precinct and the fast growing commercial, retail and recreational centres of Southport, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach."

The interactive tendering process to determine the successful consortium to construct and operate the light rail system is well progressed with submissions expected in late November 2010 and a successful consortium to be announced in June 2011.

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

[colinw]

Gold Coast Bulletin: Light rail gridlock will be 'worth it' - Click here.

The anti-light rail whingers are out in force in the feedback to this article ... pro public transport comments needed urgently. 

Light rail gridlock will be `worth it'

Matthew Killoran   |  October 9th, 2010

IT could be gridlock for commuters when roadworks for the Gold Coast's light rail network begin next month, but the State Government says it will be short-term pain for long-term gain.

Rapid Transit System spokeswoman Anna Carroll said the $1 billion project would be a world-class public transport system that would take 70,000 cars off the road.

''It's short-term pain, long-term gain,'' she said, adding that the project would provide benefits to the city for the next 50 years, making it well worth the initial disruption.

Yesterday, the RTS team revealed the extent of the roadworks, which could create Gold Coast traffic chaos for 12 months.

Southport and Broadbeach in particular will be affected, as they will be the sites of the initial construction in preparation of the light rail.

[#Metro]

Oh well. If they don't want it, I would be glad to accept something like that being built outside my house Brisbane.
How strange it is. Seems like Brisbane wants light rail but the local authorities hate the idea. Down on the Gold Coast the opposite- the authorities are fine with LRT but the residents (or a group of them it seems) hellbent on stopping rail being laid.

If it were a busway, IMHO you still would need the roadway expanded as the service needs its own lanes anyway.

[colinw]

Indeed, twice I've actually posted "sod you, we'll have it in Brisbane instead" comments on the Gold Coast Bulletin.  Strangely, both times my comment was the last one published!

[colinw]

If it were a busway, IMHO you still would need the roadway expanded as the service needs its own lanes anyway.

IMHO light rail is by far the least disruptive and most attractive way to get high capacity surface transit into an area like Surfer's Paradise.  Heavy rail or a busway would be far more disruptive in terms of resumptions, construction impact and visual impact.  Underground rail would be horrendously expensive given the proximity to the ocean and waterlogged sand that underlies much of the coast.

The options for the coast really were LRT or a combination of busway and bus lanes.  LRT wins hands down!

Bring 'em on: 

[colinw]

The feedback on the Gold Coast Bulletin article is going from bad to worse.  If that feedback is in any way representative of the true attitude of Gold Coasters to public transport, then why, oh why are we spending money on LRT down there rather than in Brisbane where we desperately want it?

Of course it could just be a small but vocal minority.

Does anyone here have their finger on the pulse of Gold Coast opinion?  Does the Gold Coast actually want this project?

[ozbob]

The conversations I have had with Gold Coast based folk would seem to confirm that is eagerly anticipated.  And Mayor is right behind these days too.  He was against it originally but the obvious advantages for all down there convinced him.

Blogs can get very lopsided ... (says me  ) lol
Often they are 'editorialised' to create an impression as well.  Often I have had comments not published because they express a contra line ...  but put in another view and up it goes ...

[colinw]

I was hoping what you say might be the case, because I am relying on GCRT to show the way for modern light rail systems in this country.

I just hope that stage 2, connecting it to Helensvale station, goes ahead as quickly as possible.

With any luck Gold Coast will win the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and that will trigger the Government to "pull their finger out".

[O_128]

I was hoping what you say might be the case, because I am relying on GCRT to show the way for modern light rail systems in this country.

I just hope that stage 2, connecting it to Helensvale station, goes ahead as quickly as possible.

With any luck Gold Coast will win the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and that will trigger the Government to "pull their finger out".

Me to, if we are really lucky we might even see the gold coast line extension to the gold coast airport brought forward, not likely though, perhaps a light rail spur to the stadium aswell

[colinw]

Gold Coast Bulletin: Rapid Transit chaos up close, personal - click here.

Another brain-dead bit of non reporting, plus the usual dribble from the anti light rail nongs on the coast.

Sigh.  

Rapid Transit chaos up close, personal

Stephanie Bedo   |  October 11th, 2010

WHEN you are stuck in the Southport traffic chaos of the rapid transit system roadworks next month spare a thought for Geoff Conrau.

The Queen Street resident of 25 years will see and experience it all from his front porch, along with daughter Nicole and four-year-old granddaughter Azhure.

Yesterday the truck driver still had no idea of what compensation he would be getting or the timing of its arrival when 2m of his frontyard is resumed by the State Government to make way for the rail line.

ith a car, a truck and a boat to move in and out of his property regularly, he is also concerned about how he will navigate his way around what is set to be a 'nightmare' road.

''It will be a mess and we're not looking forward to it,'' he said.

''I haven't heard anything yet, I'm still waiting...we just don't know where we are at.''

Down the road his neighbours Steven and Virgenia Gray have had more luck.

They have received an offer for the 21sqm of land they will lose and said they were quite pleased with the result.

''We're going to stay...they've made us a pretty good offer so we're more than happy,'' said Mr Gray.

The couple, who have lived in Queen Street for 15 years, said their front wall would be rebuilt by the transit team but they would need to make changes to their home themselves for privacy reasons.

Ms Gray said she needed quick and easy access to her driveway because of her work as a carer and dreaded the thought of roadworks making that hard.

[Golliwog]

Does anyone remember back when Waterworks Rd was widened along most of its length to two lanes each way? There were significant resumptions there, but as I understand it, vehicle access to their properties was retained at all times.

[#Metro]

Maybe we should write a letter offering to take the Gold Coast Light Rail System off them.
They can have the buses in exchange for us getting the trams.

Sounds like a good deal?

[colinw]

I'd gladly take it off 'em and have inner city LRT including to UQ.

Most likely 'though it is a tiny but vocal minority.

[somebody]

I'd gladly take it off 'em and have inner city LRT including to UQ.

Most likely 'though it is a tiny but vocal minority.

When BRIZtram was proposed in 1997 or so, the residents got it stopped for whatever reason.

[colinw]

BrizTram was cancelled due to a change of Government.  UQ were strongly in favour of the LRT terminus at UQ and a light rail bridge from West End.

The problem was residents of West End - supported by their local member, one Anna Bligh - who complained that LRT would be "out of character" for the area.  Given that West End historically had trams, this claim was laughable.  If anything is out of character for the area it is fume belching diesel buses.

Nonetheless after the 1998 election, the Labor minority Government canned BrizTram, then re-invented it as "The Brisbane Light Rail Project", this time without the West End / UQ route.  That proposal was then quietly canned again in about 2001, mainly because neither consortium tendering for the thing believed it could be done for the $220 million or so that the Government claimed.

[somebody]

BrizTram was cancelled due to a change of Government.  UQ were strongly in favour of the LRT terminus at UQ and a light rail bridge from West End.

The problem was residents of West End - supported by their local member, one Anna Bligh - who complained that LRT would be "out of character" for the area.  Given that West End historically had trams, this claim was laughable.  If anything is out of character for the area it is fume belching diesel buses.

Nonetheless after the 1998 election, the Labor minority Government canned BrizTram, then re-invented it as "The Brisbane Light Rail Project", this time without the West End / UQ route.  That proposal was then quietly canned again in about 2001, mainly because neither consortium tendering for the thing believed it could be done for the $220 million or so that the Government claimed.

How much good is stopped by residents' action in QLD?  They managed to prevent a CBD rail bridge for 100+ years!

Bring back Sir Joh!  "Don't you worry about that!"

[colinw]

Correction.  Brisbane Light Rail didn't can the West End route, just truncated it so it no longer ran through to the Uni.

Brisbane Light Rail map:






Sigh. 

[colinw]

Bring back Sir Joh!  "Don't you worry about that!"

Err, no thanks.

I'd like the "can do" attitude of those times, but not a lot of the other stuff that came with it.

[somebody]

I'd like the "can do" attitude of those times, but not a lot of the other stuff that came with it.

Of course.

I was at least half joking.

[colinw]

I'd like the "can do" attitude of those times, but not a lot of the other stuff that came with it.

Of course.

I was at least half joking.

I guess I'm a little over-sensitized by too many conversations (well, arguments) with my parents, who actually are would LOVE to have Joh & his policies back.

[#Metro]

Places like New Farm, West End and UQ are high patronage places that would likely make profits in the peak hour at least. These could then be used to cross subsidise the less patronised routes.

By cutting off the profitable parts of the LRT system, the plan was doomed to fail from the outset.
What person only wants to go far as West End Central? It should take them down to the ferry terminal where the 1969 tram route terminated.

[colinw]

Yes, IMHO the BrizTram route structure was viable - Map on page B-3 of this document: click here.

The 1999 Brisbane Light Rail plan was doomed, as it didn't extend far enough to be useful.

[colinw]

Gold Coast Bulletin: Traders fear death by rapid transit: click here

Oh dear.    After years of pro light rail editorials, the Gold Coast Bulletin appears to have had a change of heart and is pushing the negative view on a daily basis at present.

This whining about the impact of construction mirrors what happened in London when the Croydon TramLink system was built.  Today those same traders wouldn't be without it, as the trams bring huge amounts of pedestrian traffic to formerly car choked thoroughfares, and the agitation is now for extensions of the system.

Traders fear death by rapid transit

Jessica Elder   |  October 12th, 2010

DEVASTATED Gold Coast traders are too hurt and angry to even talk about the rapid transit construction they believe will cripple their businesses.

Work will begin in Queen and Nerang Streets, Southport, late next month and could continue for more than 12 months.

Footpath dining, shop signage and parking will all be replaced by jackhammers, cranes and construction workers.

City business leaders insist it is 'short-term pain for long-term gain' but local retailers insist they will not survive.

One passionate business owner was so upset about the impending construction chaos that he ejected a Bulletin reporter from his shop yesterday.

e said it was 'too late' and 'not worth talking about'.

"It will kill our business," he said.

Most Nerang Street traders declined to talk but pawnbroker Rick Summerhayes was prepared to break the silence.

Mr Summerhayes has run his business in 44 Nerang Street for the past 10 years.

But this year he said he would not be renewing his lease.

"No one will even walk down this street anymore, it will be an absolute ghost town," he said.

"The worst part about this whole thing is we were never consulted.

"A Korean grocery store next door shut up shop and got out a few months ago. I am now thinking that was the smart move.

"The rapid transit will be a good thing for the city but businesses stuck in the middle of construction sites for years just won't make it."

Southport Chamber of Commerce president Laird Marshall said the pain would be worth the long-term gain.

"The value of businesses along the route will increase dramatically when construction is finished," he said.

"Traders need to be prepared to put up with the short-term pain -- they all knew this was coming."

Rapid transit system spokeswoman Anna Carroll confirmed speed limits would be reduced and parking would be removed.

[colinw]

Gold Coast Bulletin: Light rail to take 10 years to hit paydirt - click here.

Light rail to take 10 years to hit paydirt

Tracey McBean   |  October 12th, 2010

ECONOMIC spin-offs from the Gold Coast Rapid Transit could take at least a decade to materialise and will rely on getting commuters out of their cars and on to the light rail, according to a local consultant.

RPS Group economics researcher Will Owen told a recent UDIA luncheon that light rail had the potential to significantly boost residential property values and commercial rental returns around light rail stations.

Mr Owen, who has studied public transport systems in the US and Europe, said some cities in the US had recorded commercial rental premiums of between 5 and 50 per cent.

But the benefits might not start flowing for a decade.

"The economic success of the light rail will depend more on how we work and how we travel to work than any other factor," he said.

"Just because you do a light rail doesn't mean you are going to see economic activity or economic uplift.

"The one thing that has come out of the US is that it needs to be driven by positive comparison to the car.

"If there is lots of traffic congestion, if there are lots of costs to get to work and if it takes up time and money, you are going to look at the light rail and public transport more favourably.

"Time and time again people aren't on the light rail because it's still too easy and too cheap to use the car."

Mr Owen said local authorities in the US had used cash and planning incentives to encourage residential and commercial development next to a transit system so that more people could live and work near public transport.

In Europe, the 'stick' approach used strategies such as reduced road capacity, less parking, extensive traffic calming, and congestion pricing to encourage commuters on to transit systems.

Gold Coast Rapid Transit spokeswoman Anna Carroll said the light rail would not employ any of the 'stick' measures as population growth and the subsequent pressure on roads would make the light rail an 'attractive alternative' to driving and parking.

Ms Carroll said public transport use would rise because of light rail's ability to move large numbers of people quickly and easily between key centres.

"By 2026, 11 per cent of the Gold Coast population will be located within walking distance or 800m of the corridor," she said.

[#Metro]

Gold Coast Rapid Transit spokeswoman Anna Carroll said the light rail would not employ any of the 'stick' measures as population growth and the subsequent pressure on roads would make the light rail an 'attractive alternative' to driving and parking.

The reason why public transport projects cost so much, is that so an exclusive alignment with brand new lanes is built so that car users can keep their lanes. The largest costs in these projects come from keeping car users happy.

[colinw]

Good point.  Maybe its time to steal back some of the lanes given to cars by Clem in 1969.

[Golliwog]

What annoys me is the insistance that they absolutely MUST keep the number of people annoyed by projects to a minimum, for fear of being booted out come next election. I feel most would be ok with taking lanes away from cars, but they don't simply because of the shear number of car drivers out there.

[somebody]

What annoys me is the insistance that they absolutely MUST keep the number of people annoyed by projects to a minimum, for fear of being booted out come next election. I feel most would be ok with taking lanes away from cars, but they don't simply because of the shear number of car drivers out there.

I know what you mean.  But it is even worse the inequitable way that projects are prevented from happening by a loud mouthed few.

I don't know about your point that most are OK with taking lanes away from cars though.  I'm pretty sure that the removal of the Coro Transit Lane is popular with the majority.  If you tried to do that in Sydney, you would face almost certain defeat at the next election.  This is simply due to the greater market penetration of PT in Sydney in peak hour.

[Golliwog]

Yeah, definatly hate the louder must mean more important view that sometimes gets taken.

[colinw]

Hence the need for the pro-PT viewpoint to be as loud as possible on things like online feedback to articles like that one in the bulletin.

[colinw]

Something interesting has come to light.

The "Stop Light Rail" anti- light rail protest group on the Gold Coast have this on their website, allegedly quoting Cr Susie Douglas, councillor for Gold Coast ward 7.

http://stoplightrail.com/documents/rapid_transport_cr_s_douglas.pdf

Light Rail Rapid Transport by Cr Susie Douglas

The Light Rail Rapid Transport system was first mooted ten years ago.
Since then Surfers Paradise has transformed from a traffic clogged "place to be
avoided" to a thoroughly comfortable and scenic route for residents and
visitors. Public transport has improved markedly with buses using dedicated
lanes, with modern bus stops and regular timetables. There has been a dramatic
decrease in traffic congestion with the completion of the Surfers Paradise
Traffic Management Scheme. Surfers Boulevard has evolved into a tree lined
shopping and dining precinct.

Now ten years after planners put forward their light rail plan we are being told
that all of these improvements and transport solutions have been in vain. The
trees along the Gold Coast Highway and the Boulevard will be ripped out to
widen roads and pavement. Overhead wires will mar the landscape and major
changes to road and intersections will occur. I believe many buildings will
have to be resumed to accommodate double tracks, parklands will be
encroached upon and traffic will come to a halt. This will be anything but
rapid!
Paradise Waters residents will transform from "exclusive waterfront" to
"exclusive rail front".
We must fight this totally outdated transport plan.
If the Government are keen to ease traffic congestion more buses should be
allocated to the central route of Ferry Rd, Bundall Rd and Bermuda Street.
Thankyou to Major General Kevin Cooke for standing up for the residents of
Surfers Paradise.
Cr Susie Douglas Gold Coast City Council

And yet, on the Gold Coast City Council's official website, Cr Douglas has a "Ward 7 newsletter" which says this :-

http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_standard2.aspx?pid=455

Light Rail Project

I have been given a briefing on the future planning of the precincts around the future light rail.

There are talks of increasing the densities within 800 metres of the light rail to create transit-orientated developments. I have told staff that the communities of Main Beach west of Tedder Avenue and the residents of Budds Beach, Paradise Island would fight very hard to maintain the status quo.

I encourage residents to make their voices heard.

Early light rail enabling works will soon occur south of Thornton Towers on the Gold Coast Highway to put in the underground services required.

While this project will impact on traffic, it is important to start these projects to deliver the light rail on time (2014).

(Bolding is mine). Note the final sentence in her ward newsletter.

So either Cr Douglas is presenting different faces to different interest groups, or the Stop Light Rail mob are putting words in her mouth.

I think this deserves to be brought to the public's attention.

[Stillwater]

It is a somewhat risky policy, but on balance usually works -- and that is to give a pretty frank briefing to Gold Coast Bulletin journalists about all aspects of the project.  That way, they have the facts for their stories.  Unfortunately, the Bully, and similar newspapers, follow a style of 'personalising' an issue.  It can result in trivialisation of an issue.  In other words, forget about the whole and focus (say) on the individual.  Example:  'The next time you consider the benefits of the Gold Coast Rapid Transit System, think about Fred Nerk in his wheelchair as he tries to negotiate the construction mess at the end of his driveway to get to the shop for the newspaper and milk. "It's my one outing of the day and keeps me in touch with my community and now the government has taken that away to force me to become a prisioner in my own home," said Fred.'  Time for the project publicity people to track down a few Freds and his ilk and give the Bully some 'exclusives'.  Example:  'Joe and Betty said they couldn't put up with the construction noise at the bottom of their garden, scheduled for this weekend, so the state government shouted them a hotel room in Brisbane on Saturday night.  "It was wonderful, we went to a show and had a romantic weekend just like the old days -- and returned home to see all the work had been done," said Betty.'

[colinw]

Yeah, the Bulletin (and increasingly the Courier-Mail) are notorious for this approach.

What I'm more concerned about is that on the surface it seems either that the local councillor appears to be playing both sides of the issue, or the Stop Light Rail people are putting words in her mouth.

I'm also concerned for the future of this project if - as seems likely - the Government changes at the next state election in 18 months.  Opposition Leader Paul Langbroek - who is the member for Surfers Paradise - is on the record as opposing the light rail.

[#Metro]

Hurry up and cancel the Gold Coast Light Rail project and take the money and use it to put light rail in Brisbane.
You can build LRT outside my house!

[colinw]

Gold Coast Bulletin: Power's mayoral bid hits track - click here.

Power's mayoral bid hits track

Nick Nichols, business editor

THE Gold Coast light rail system should have been up and running two years ago, said resurgent mayoral aspirant David Power.

The former deputy mayor has blamed the delay on a lack of civic leadership.

Mr Power, who has been working in the private sector over the past three years, made the comments as he unofficially flagged his intention to run for mayor at the 2012 election.

He said he had been standing on the 'outside for three years' watching the Coast take a giant leap backwards as the city's leaders were consumed by bureaucracy and egos.

Mr Power said the light rail's progress was a 'clear example of lack of leadership' as it should have been operating two years ago, but for Mayor Ron Clark 'running interference'.

He said the council increasingly was being driven by bureaucracy, not by common sense, and councillors were letting it happen.

''At the moment, this city is dying. It's dying a very slow, inexorable death due to its lack of leadership,'' said Mr Power.

The business community yesterday applauded his stand during a speech before a joint Gold Coast North and Coomera Chambers of Commerce breakfast.

[colinw]

Gold Coast Bulletin: Calls for a light-rail go-slow - click here

Calls for a light-rail go-slow

Lucy Ardern   |  October 22nd, 2010

SPEED limits are likely to drop between 10km and 30km along the light rail route from 2014 if recommendations of a traffic management study are adopted by the Gold Coast City Council.

Rapid Transit city building manager Dave Mepham said speed zones were being assessed along and near the stretch where the light rail will run from Parklands to Broadbeach, in preparation for the project's roll out.

The Gold Coast Highway speed limit could go to 60 km/h and a section of Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Nerang Street are likely to drop to 30 km/h or 40 km/h if the recommendations are adopted.

The speed limits around the light rail stations could be as low as 30 km/h.

Recommendations will be delivered by the Rapid Transit team to the council for consideration by the middle of next year.

[colinw]

Gold Coast Bulletin: Coast roads among state's busiest - click here

Coast roads among state's busiest

Merrin Jagtman   |  October 22nd, 2010

THE Gold Coast has claimed the honour of having the third most congested road in the state.

A recent RACQ survey revealed that the Pacific Motorway between Nerang and Varsity Lakes took the honour while Bundall Road followed close behind, along with the Hope Island Road and Pacific Motorway intersection.

Other notorious spots for jams are the roundabout at Gooding Drive and Robina Parkway and the Southport-Burleigh Road and Reedy Creek Road intersection.

Council figures show increased traffic problems are thanks to rapid population growth and a rise in vehicle ownership.

The council report said each Gold Coaster made an average of three-and-a-half trips a day, resulting in more than one million trips each day in the city.

''Of these, it is estimated just over three per cent are by public transport, while over 80 per cent are made by private car or commercial vehicle, '' said the report.

Robert Dow, a public transport advocate from Rail Back on Track said finding a solution to easing congestion on the Coast was not easy.

He said Coast had the lowest number of public transport users per capita.

''It's a difficult situation on the Gold Coast,'' he said.

''The only way to ease congestion is to look at bus priority but buses will also get caught up on the roads.

''The completion of the light rail project should help to reorganise public transport though and drive an increase in public transport use.

''There won't be much relief until this happens.''

Mayor Ron Clarke said the problem emanated from the city's design.

''This is a city designed for cars,'' he said.

The city's record number of roadworks are also to blame.

The Department of Main Roads is working on 14 major projects on the Coast.

A spokesman said congestion would ease with the completion of the $1 billion Gold Coast Rapid Transit project in 2014.

[#Metro]

Sam Posted  At 8:45am today
The GC is the lowest user of Public Transport per capita...? thats because our Public Transport network is a joke,unreliable and a 10 minute drive can take you an hour to an hour and a half in a bus.On weekends the services are cut right back so driving is the only option.The only way the Light Rail will ease the traffic congestion to our western suburbs is to dramatically improve the East West public Transport system linking it to the Light Rail and run the buses every 10 to 15 minutes..

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2010/10/22/264745_gold-coast-news.html

The sooner the bus network is re-organised to feed rail, by using East-West routes, the better.
If you are out in suburbia, the bus service is terrible for you, infrequent and illegible. Some of the routes (like certain ones connecting to Helensvale Rail)
are a complete and utter waste of time, looping around, going at snails pace through cul-de-sacs and heavily traffic calmed streets which makes for a bumpy and generally horrible ride.

[colinw]

Gold Coast Bulletin - Ride on time with Coast light rail - click here.

Bicycle / Rail integration thread in Active Transport:    :bi :bi :bi
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4319.0

Ride on time with Coast light rail

Lucy Ardern   |  October 26th, 2010

BIKE riders will be encouraged to pedal into the centre of the Gold Coast and jump onboard the light rail when it is up and running in 2014.

The Gold Coast Rapid Transit team has included bike facilities near station shells as part of its plans to get cars off the road and transform the Coast's transport network in the future.

Bike racks, plus toilet and shower blocks for cyclists could be part of the facilities.

GCRT city building manager David Mepham said part of the projects success would be working out how to get as many cyclists and pedestrians as possible to use the light rail.

''There should at least be basic facilities for cyclists near station shells,'' he said.

''Gold Coast University Hospital and Griffith University might take the initiative themselves to build the facilities.''

GCRT group is also being lobbied to incorporate park-and-ride facilities for cars, but at this stage no details for major carparks have been released.