Gold Coast Light Rail

[#Metro]

I think a special exception on cultural grounds should be made to allow meter maids to sell things on the GC LRT system and act as ambassadors for it.
That's a nice compromise right there  

[SurfRail]

Agree entirely, and I have said as much on the Bully comments section (others have too it seems).

Light rail is supposed to be sexy...

[HappyTrainGuy]

Meter maids plan protest against light rail

Paul Weston   |  11:46am February 9, 2012

SURFERS Paradise meter maids have vowed to chain themselves to trees lining the streets of Surfers Paradise to stop the $1.8 billion light rail going ahead.

The gold bikini promotion girls tweeted their intentions prior to a protest rally attended by more than 200 business owners and residents about 10am.

Meter maid Christine Palmer, 23, told The Bulletin: "It will definitely not be good for business, especially the little people in here.

"It's not good for us. We do (fill coins in) all the parking meters. There will be nowhere to park."

Asked if she and other girls would chain themselves to the palm trees to be bulldozed in Surfers Blvd, she replied: "It's a first-time experience, but it's good to be involved."

Former mayor and rally organiser Lex Bell, a lawyer and candidate for Surfers Paradise in the local government election, received overwhelming support when he called for the project to be stalled for 12 months.

Mr Bell said he and other opponents to the project would ask the State Government, council and developers for some time to devise another route which would not impact on businesses.

"The high number of people who attended today's rally testifies to the horror and fear of the Surfers Paradise business community at the thought of the main street being a construction site for up to 12 months," he said.

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2012/02/09/389225_gold-coast-news.html

     

Times are changing. Businesses have to adapt. It might hurt in the short term but there will be a big long term gain.

[ozbob]

Media release 9 February 2012

SEQ: Light Rail can be sexy too!

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, says that Gold Coast Light Rail can be sexy too!

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track, said:

"RAIL Back on Track welcomes news that the Gold Coast Light Rail project is progressing and will transform how people get about on the tourist strip. Comfortable and fast light rail vehicles travelling on their dedicated track will hold more than 300 people each and have allocated spaces for surfboards.

"We also welcome news that light rail is stimulating development at a time when the Coast economy is subdued.  It is creating hundreds of construction jobs.  While state and local government have invested heavily in its success, they will reap revenues indirectly through stamp duties and rates from new retail and accommodation precincts along the light rail route.

"Now is not the time to halt the project or change its route, as has been suggested in some quarters.  More thought needs to be given to staging works so that pedestrian access can be provided to affected businesses.  Vacant land where development has stalled could become temporary car parks.

"Far from the Gold Coast's iconic Meter Maids being put out of business by shifting the travel mode share from cars to public transport, Rail Back On Track believes they may have a role in being ambassadors for the light rail service.

"They could perform in a customer service role, giving information, providing direction and perhaps even selling TransLink products or souvenirs. The Meter Maids are an important cultural icon for the Gold Coast and Queensland.  Some due consideration should be given thought to how they may play an expanded role in a more sustainable transport environment for the Gold Coast. Perhaps they could top up Go Cards too, as well as top up parking meters?

"Perhaps funding could be raised by local chambers of commerce, Gold Coast City Council, TransLink or through on-board sales.

"Light Rail can be sexy too," Mr Dow said."

Reference:

Meter maids plan protest against light rail
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2012/02/09/389225_gold-coast-news.html

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Protesters could cost Coast $3 billion

[O_128]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Protesters could cost Coast $3 billion

Is this man a f*****g idiot!! Light rail is going ahead this idiot has been going on for 10 years against it.ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!. Everyone else but a few idiotic people zero foresight want it.

And 14 submissions against jewl? This is a world class development and will change the face of the coast. BUILD IT.

[SurfRail]

Protesters say rail works will kill business
Michelle Lacey   |  02:20pm March 8, 2012

A SECOND rally with locals and Surfers Paradise business operators against the light rail system was held in Surfers Paradise this morning.

About 50 people gathered to voice their opinions about the light rail, which is about to start construction through the Surfers Paradise Boulevard strip.

Long-term Surfers Paradise business operator Frank Goldstein said he didn't want to see the tourist area reverted back into a construction sight.

He said he wanted to see GoldlinQ hold a public meeting in Surfers Paradise.

"They need to hold a meeting to speak with businesses,'' he said.
Have your say on the feedback form below

Paradise Waters action group president Bill Hauff said he was upset for businesses along the Surfers Paradise Boulevard strip.

"Businesses are being killed off by light rail construction,'' he said.

"Five years ago I started rallying against everything to do with it.''

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2012/03/08/397991_gold-coast-news.html

In other words, 4 times fewer people than last time showed up with some p%ss-weak street theatre act, and the majority of online comments are castigating them.  I think the project might just have turned the corner on public opinion.

From an item on the Nine Gold Coast News, there is now some group called "SPRAT" - no idea what it stands for acronym-wise, but I certainly know what their position is.

Luddites.

[Stillwater]

If the objecting businesses can't get their head around the game-changer that is light rail, then they go out of business.  Their shop space will be vacant.  The landlord will be able to charge higher rent because of the extra people attracted to the area by light rail and the changed ambience.  New businesses will establish there and will agree to pay higher rent because of the extra people past their door and the extended trading period throughout the day; they may even be able to sell to the hight crowd that will find light rail highly convenient.

Result:  A more vibrant economy for Surfers Paradise, stronger businesses, better employment prospects.

Surfers has too many trinket and tat shops anyway.

[Fares_Fair]

Appears to me that there is some middle ground required, no consideration is being shown to these affected businesses.
I'm not saying to stop the light rail.
I am saying their cries should be heard and acted upon, people face financial ruin, social upheaval and job losses if they don't.

I think that sometimes we lose track of who we are supposed to represent.
That's just my view.

[SurfRail]

Appears to me that there is some middle ground required, no consideration is being shown to these affected businesses.
I'm not saying to stop the light rail.
I am saying their cries should be heard and acted upon, people face financial ruin, social upheaval and job losses if they don't.

I think that sometimes we lose track of who we are supposed to represent.
That's just my view.

But that's just it FF.  GoldlinQ is not operating in an ivory tower.  They have a telephone number, a website etc - they even have a booth at Australia Fair where ANYBODY can go and talk to them during business hours (I've done it, so anybody who has time to stage a protest can do it).  More than that, they ARE actively seeking out local businesses to talk about impacts and management strategies.

The project guys aren't stupid.  Their business case relies on large volumes of people having a need to travel, so they aren't going to prejudice that by turning Surfers into a ghost town.

The protest mob is primarily composed of the old "Stop Light Rail" mob (Paradise Waters Action Group etc who rely on out of date and selective American "research" to "prove" LRT is dangerous) and a series of self-interested business proprietors who are selectively ignoring the steps that are being taken to ameliorate the impacts.  Their focus is quite plainly on trying to get it stopped altogether. 

These are the people I am always complaining about - no concept of their own enlightened self-interest which lies in getting as much foot-traffic as possible into the CBD.  They still think cars are the best way to achieve that, and so they will suffer by not even attempting to adapt to the new situation.

[Fares_Fair]

 

[achiruel]

no concept of their own enlightened self-interest which lies in getting as much foot-traffic as possible into the CBD.  They still think cars are the best way to achieve that, and so they will suffer by not even attempting to adapt to the new situation.

Hit the nail on the head there SurfRail

[O_128]

no concept of their own enlightened self-interest which lies in getting as much foot-traffic as possible into the CBD.  They still think cars are the best way to achieve that, and so they will suffer by not even attempting to adapt to the new situation.

Hit the nail on the head there SurfRail

Good, I hope these businesses die as there vacant spots will be picked up quickly, Vacant blocks along the route are selling very quickly, Only an idiot (or a small business owner who blames everyone but themselves for falling sales) would be against a project that will allow thousands more people to travel into surfers than at present.

[Stillwater]

Now, what was that about some business being against light rail on the Gold Coast?

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2012/03/29/403351_shannon-willoughby-opinion.html

[SurfRail]

Shannon is a champ - she understands it, and I think most of the higher ups in business (especially tourism, property and construction, which are bread and butter here) do as well.

This story will attract the usual motley crew of "white elephant", "waste", "nobody will use it" type comments from the small minded.

I have some sympathy for businesses affected by the works, but not for the ones trying to get it shut down.  I'm all in favour of them pushing for GoldlinQ to go round the clock or otherwise move faster, which requires constructive engagement and discussion, not grandstanding and street theatre.

[colinw]

Anyone know what the position of the new Government is on light rail, and further extensions of the Gold Coast system?

[SurfRail]

Anyone know what the position of the new Government is on light rail, and further extensions of the Gold Coast system?

Will finish the current stretch.  No idea on extensions.  Local MPs still have residual doubts, but I get the impression they really don't understand what it (and public transport infrastructure generally) is for.

Verity Barton who displaced Peta-Kaye Croft promised the T2 lanes would come out on Frank Street.  Ray Stevens has also been complaining about bus lanes on Nerang-Broadbeach Road.  Not a good sign.

[WTN]

While I predict the current stretch will be completed, anything beyond may have to wait. When introduced, the light rail services could also be reduced in frequency than previously planned.

It is quite unlikely the infrastructure will be torn up for more car lanes.

As for the removal of T2 lanes, let Coronation Drive be a reminder.

[SurfRail]

When introduced, the light rail services could also be reduced in frequency than previously planned.

There is no reason why that would be the case.

[WTN]

I was thinking about LNP's cutting of waste. Is it possible for them to reduce services when they're rolled out?

[SurfRail]

I was thinking about LNP's cutting of waste. Is it possible for them to reduce services when they're rolled out?

It's not an issue - those services will all be needed and the business case relies on them being there. 

We will be going from around 20 buses per hour through Surfers on 2 corridors down to 8 trams on one corridor, which will likely result in a better frequency because of the elimination of bunching and leapfrogging.  There will still be more carrying capacity even with those 8 services per hour, and it can be ramped up (especially if they buy more vehicles).

I have no doubt frequencies will actually increase with time.

[#Metro]

Aren't they getting the 350 pax LRT vehicle? I think there is HUGE demand on that corridor once it goes in. Look at all the towers...

[SurfRail]

Aren't they getting the 350 pax LRT vehicle? I think there is HUGE demand on that corridor once it goes in. Look at all the towers...

It's variously been quoted as 306 or 309 - I just assume 300.  The total number of seated passengers is around the total carrying capacity of an average Surfside bus (around 80-90), rest are standees.  The longest possibly trip would be around 35 minutes, so there's no issue. With 12 of 14 on the road at any one time in the course of a usual day, that equates to system capacity of 3,600 at any one time (both directions combined).

Originally they looked at getting 35m vehicles and making the stations big enough to accommodate longer vehicles, but now they have just started with the longer 45m vehicles up front.  It would have been more expensive with more vehicles, and there would have been no noticeable difference in frequency and capacity between 5 min headways with 240 people per tram and 7.5 min with 300 people per tram.  The shorter trams would eventually be a liability given their shelf-life and expected growth.

I have seen figures as high as 40 million trips per annum, which would be double the total patronage carried on buses now, and even then there are meant to be an additional 50 million or so bus trips and 10 million heavy rail trips!  Those kinds of figures are nearly double the entirety of QR's current patronage, and equal around 270,000 passenger trips a day - around 110,000 rapid transit trips, which would need a tram roughly every 3 minutes in both directions for 16 hours a day, assuming every tram was not completely packed 100% of the time.  (Admittedly it wasn't clear to me whether this included the full length Helensvale to Coolangatta route, but it is a good goal to have.)

I fully expect the "it runs on rails" attraction to actually get people using it who have never caught a bus before, quite apart from the good quality service.

[#Metro]

The SE Busway does about 44 million trips per year. I would not be surprised if the LRT does something similar- the corridor and geometry (straight line, all demand centres dotted along it) has a similar achievement.

[colinw]

More boofheaded nonsense from the vocal minority on the coast: click here.

Comments ready: Lock & load ...

[SurfRail]

As a result of our media release earlier today, it appears there might be some in the pro-camp attending from as far away as Brisbane!  (I'm not one of them, currently still at my desk in town)

[Gazza]

The longest possibly trip would be around 35 minutes, so there's no issue.

Didn't think people from the GC were capable of standing longer than the magical 20 minutes bahahahaha!

[Golliwog]

More boofheaded nonsense from the vocal minority on the coast: click here.

Comments ready: Lock & load ...

Oh dear, this is from one of their local candidates:

Robert McClelland - candidate Posted  At 2:14pm today
BACKLASH? There is enough Public outcry and "backlash" to demand a light rail moratorium for 12mths at least to review the route, costing and possible "canning" of this behemoth whose real destination is the debtors Court! As it is, the light rail will desimate over 1000 businesses, and incur over $240,000 in daily interest alone; and where do commuters park?Nowhere sufficiently allocated! Help stop this nonsense now! www.robertmcclellandgoldcoast.com.au

[somebody]

The longest possibly trip would be around 35 minutes, so there's no issue.

Didn't think people from the GC were capable of standing longer than the magical 20 minutes bahahahaha!

Enough people have to get on to fill all the seats in less than 3/7 of the trip and remain on for 20 minutes after that point.  It is unlikely that you would stand for 20 minutes on a 35 minute trip unless nearly everyone is getting on/off at one end of the trip.

[Dean Quick]

I am astounded that there are some clowns who don't want the light rail on the coast. Lets hope that there are just as many pro-light rail supporters to balance this ridiculous rally tonight.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Protest wants end to 'zombie' light rail

Interesting poll, seems a lot more support for light rail than against it ...

[SurfRail]

No surprises for most people.

[Gazza]

Haha, WTF is the comment by Mr Midwood about trams being bad in the middle of the road and that requires ped crossings, but buses are OK because they pull up by the kerb so you don't have to cross the road.

Errm, yes you do have to cross the road to catch a bus on a street, if you intend on getting home on the outbound bus 

[colinw]

For reference, click here to access a copy of the original Gold Coast Light Rail study, retrieved using web.archive.org. Note how a decade of delays have already blown out the project cost by 3x. Original cost (around 2001) was about $320 million.

It is striking how repeated studies from 1997 onward have always come out with the same mode selection (LRT) and core route.

[Jonno]

@APTA_Transit

Study of Minneapolis' Hiawatha LRT cooridor found the LRT had positive impact on property values.  Residential pvs increased by $47 mill.

[ozbob]

Twitter

PublicTransportation ‏ @APTA_Transit

Since 1999 the total value of projects in Dallas attributable to the presence of DART Rail station is $4.26 billion

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

[Gazza]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Protest wants end to 'zombie' light rail

Zombie light rail?...Guess they got sick of calling it a toy train? 

[SurfRail]

Or a white elephant.

Or Anna's choo-choo.

Or an abomination.

Or a criminal conspiracy.

[Jonno]

Or Freeway Stopper

[Gazza]

Should we put out a media release 'stating the facts' on this one?