Gold Coast Light Rail

[#Metro]

Well, where's our cannon??

RAILBOT Cannon ---> http://www.onlyyoutrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Tsar-Cannon.jpg

[ozbob]

The Minister on behalf of the LNP government has said the project is going ahead as planned. And Mr Caltabiano has echoed that " The Minister has made it very clear that the works will be progressing." 

I wouldn't be concerned.

[SurfRail]

I'm certainly not.  I find it increasingly unlikely that Tate will be mayor anyway - this article itself should cost him something.

[colinw]

The Bulletin -> Tate plans to make RTS lemon 'lemonade'

MAYORAL candidate Tom Tate has released his long-awaited masterplan to unshackle the Gold Coast's transport gridlock -- and the rapid transit system is back in the mix.

Mr Tate has been criticised for flip-flopping on the rapid transit issue -- first opposed, then in favour and then against once again.

Now rapid transit is again on his menu but only after a `state government review of the project to ensure we are getting value for money'.

At the heart of the Tate plan for the RTS is a rapid bus system to link the northern end of the system to Helensvale station and the southern end to Robina Town Centre/Skilled Park.

"Once the system is linked north and south with a rapid bus service timed to link with heavy rail, it will be a far better integrated system," he said.

"We need to ensure that when a person steps off the RTS they can immediately connect to other transport options.

"My plan will turn the system from a lemon into lemonade.''

Mr Tate pointed out that the town plan did not reflect the existence of the RTS and it would need to be updated to allow for increased living densities.

Turning to present problems with the light rail, he said the impact of the system on business needed to be mitigated by fast-tracking construction, but his plan is less than clear on how this will be done.

But it is buses that are at the heart of the Tate plan.

Seniors would get free bus travel in off-peak times while bus fares would be reduced and frequency increased across the board to encourage car-addicted Gold Coasters to use public transport.

"Under my plan, by 2016, 80 per cent of residents will live and work within a 10-minute walk of public transport," he said.

He said in 2010-11 public transport accounted for just 4.9 per cent of local travel.

"I want to double public transport kilometres by 2016. My plan will make buses cheaper and more frequent to get more bums on seats," Mr Tate said.

Along with more and cheaper buses running more frequently, traffic lights on arterials would be synchronised, T2 lanes removed and a `turn left at any time with care' system initiated.

Bermuda Rd/Bundall Rd would be turned into a `clearway' using on-off ramps and overpasses at intersections to do away with traffic lights and to create a third north/south arterial.

The best aspect of the plan is the cost -- $34 million on top of current spending by council, state and federal entities -- with the money to come from `identified savings'.

[#Metro]

"Under my plan, by 2016, 80 per cent of residents will live and work within a 10-minute walk of public transport," he said.

Was that supposed to read:

"Under my plan, by 2016, 80 per cent of residents will live and work within a 10-minute walk of cr%p legacy routing low frequency -public transport," he said.

[#Metro]

I was a bit cynical when I first read this article, however, if the GCCC want's to have more say in services and frequency, then TL should be open to the idea of them receiving funding for that.

[O_128]

Rapid bus system but no T2 lanes

[SurfRail]

I was a bit cynical when I first read this article, however, if the GCCC want's to have more say in services and frequency, then TL should be open to the idea of them receiving funding for that.

Tate's plans are not actually legal or desirable as I understand it (eg introduce non-TransLink services to feed GCRT).

GCCC already has the City Transport Improvement Levy, around 50% of which goes to public transport - he can just increase that and decrease the differential rate proportionately if he wants to play transit planner.  The GCCC guys are very switched on but hamstrung by numerous factors, principally funding and TransLink being uncooperative at times ...

It appears he may in fact snatch it, mainly because most ratepayers don't know jack and will vote for whoever has the best brand penetration (his campaign is bigger than anybody else's).

Could be much worse, so I'm not too bothered - once the extended election fever clears away people will start to behave themselves.

Noticed this weekend that most of the foliage the Paradise Waters Action Group was trying to save on the highway frontage has now gone due to construction works.  Cheers for progress!

[O_128]

I was a bit cynical when I first read this article, however, if the GCCC want's to have more say in services and frequency, then TL should be open to the idea of them receiving funding for that.

Noticed this weekend that most of the foliage the Paradise Waters Action Group was trying to save on the highway frontage has now gone due to construction works.  Cheers for progress!

Just to make a point at what a pain in the ass these people were lets remove the paradise waters stop 

[HappyTrainGuy]

Just to make a point at what a pain in the ass these people were lets remove the paradise waters stop 

Using wordart to notify them 

[SurfRail]

Just to make a point at what a pain in the ass these people were lets remove the paradise waters stop 

There isn't one.  It's between Main Beach and North Surfers.  (See how switched on GoldlinQ is?)

[colinw]

I was a bit cynical when I first read this article, however, if the GCCC want's to have more say in services and frequency, then TL should be open to the idea of them receiving funding for that.

Noticed this weekend that most of the foliage the Paradise Waters Action Group was trying to save on the highway frontage has now gone due to construction works.  Cheers for progress!

Just to make a point at what a pain in the ass these people were lets remove the paradise waters stop 

Nah, just charge a NIMBY surcharge at their stop.

[Mr X]

Designate it as zone 23 

[SurfRail]

[Jonas Jade]

 

[somebody]

I think it's a great shame that the stage 1 isn't going to Helensvale rail.

[colinw]

I think it's a great shame that the stage 1 isn't going to Helensvale rail.

Stage 1 strikes me as about right, as it covers the busiest part of the bus system, but I agree that it should go to Helensvale sooner rather than later. It would be a joke if it wasn't connected to the heavy rail by the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

I was a little disappointed that Stage 1 didn't at least stretch another 2.5km or so along Olsen Ave to Harbour Town. That is a major trip generator that the LRT falls just short of reaching.

[Jonno]

Streetcars, trolleys making a comeback in the US
By Adam Housley
Published April 25, 2012
FoxNews.com
 
Seattle is already building a rail line, and California cities like Pasadena and Long Beach would love to add one too.

Cities like Portland, San Diego and Sacramento already have urban rail, but are considering adding good old-fashioned streetcars to the mix. Basically, what's old is new again.

According to Sacramento's Regional Transit Director Mike Wiley, "Whether it's antiquated technology or not, it's cost-effective and it's proven."

They have been proven enough that many city leaders believe the business of rail isn't just nostalgia, but a catalyst to change areas that no longer get the foot traffic they once did.

Some studies show these urban projects, if done correctly, can boost property values, encourage development, cut carbon emissions and ultimately raise tax revenue.

"That streetcar will go by a lot of small businesses, will drop people off at these small businesses whether they be restaurants, clothing stores or drug stores, or somebody's doctor's office. They become a real economic corridor," says U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Zak Alemi couldn't agree more. He and his business partner just opened a new coffee shop at the K Street Mall in downtown Sacramento, and the light rail line runs within feet of his front door.

"It's good for our business. It drops people off every single day. As you can tell as gas prices are going up, it's more packed. And it's a guaranteed business flow for us."

Of course, not everyone agrees with the resurgence of streetcars or light rail. Once found in more than 800 American cities, streetcars nearly disappeared from downtown roadways. At one point, only 6 major cities had anything of the sort.

Now it seems a revival has begun, with at least 40 communities across the country actively using, or planning to return to, urban rail.

Wiley says, "Where you have a very limited right of way, you don't have to acquire and tear out buildings and tear out areas to bring light rail through that area. We can take the traffic lane and make it a mixed use traffic lane so that light rail flows right with the cars and the trucks."

Secretary LaHood argues it also helps with job creation. "Washington, D.C., Tucson, Sacramento -- they have taken their cues from other cities where they see that they can be an economic engine, provide jobs, but also be a very significant, 21st century transportation system in these communities."

Opponents will counter that streetcars are an outdated form of transportation that can bog communities down with significant costs, high insurance coverage and, unless closely watched, can only attract more crime.

Opponents cite the ongoing issues with Tampa's rail line and the mismanagement that has cost taxpayers there millions.

That hasn't stopped the revival though, as even a city famous for its urban rail, San Francisco, continues to highlight its old-fashioned railcar line along the famed Embarcadero.

Cincinnati has a system that studies suggest could eliminate nearly 14,000 tons of carbon emissions over the next 20 years.

These numbers, and the chance to possibly draw more folks downtown, means riding the rails on Main Street is a restoration that could be coming your way soon

[ozbob]

From the Gold Coast Bulletin 23rd April 2012 page 2

Tweed's bid for train down track

Tweed's bid for train down track

TANYA WESTTHORP

TWEED Shire Council is pushing for the Gold Coast's eventual rail link to Coolangatta to extend over the border.

Council executives will approach newly appointed NSW Cross Border Commissioner Steve Toms to start negotiating with Queensland and New South Wales governments about getting the Tweed involved in the eventual link-up between the Gold Coast Airport and the city's northern suburbs.

Councillor Kevin Skinner said he would ideally love the light rail line to extend from Cootangatta into Tweed Heads and across to Murwillumbah.

He said such a rail line could link up with the currently abandoned heavy rail line that runs from Murwillumbah to Casino.

"It would be fantastic if people could get on the train at Brisbane and continue on to Casino," he said.

"We very much need to link southeast Queensland and NSW together to make public transport more seamless."

Cr Skinner said he realised the extension required big money but he hoped the Rapid Transit stage to Coolangatta would get fast-tracked with the 2018 Commonwealth Games looming.

The first stage of the project is already under way with a 13km light rail corridor connecting passengers from the Gold Coast University Hospital and Griffith University in Parkwood to the fast-growing commercial, retail and recreational centres of Southport, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

Further stages are proposed to cover a 40km stretch from Helensvale to Coolangatta.

Those stages are only in the preliminary planning phase, which Tweed powerbrokers hope is early enough to be included in the conversation.

Tweed Mayor Barry Longland said he was also keen for a light rail extension from the Gold Coast.

"It is certainly something that we want but it is no easy task," he said.

"Only about 1 per cent of people use public transport on the Tweed and it's not good enough."

In the meantime, Tweed Shire Council is also pushing for the NSW Government to implement "go cards" so passengers can travel without having to buy new tickets when they cross into Queensland.

Cr Longland said the Tweed region could benefit from the Gold Coast hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2018.

He said the Tweed would be an ideal place for athletes to train, with world class-standard netball courts, hockey field at Murwillumbah, rowing courses and bowling.

"We'd be looking for that spinoff from the Games." he said.

[#Metro]

Focus on the core - get the LRT connected to Helensvale, extend it down the coast to Coolangatta.
As for extending across the border, I've always thought QLD could do by just annexing Tweed.

[ozbob]

The signs are everywhere,  LRF (Light Rail Fever) is soon to be a pandemic.  A heavy dose has landed in Queensland.  Everyone wants Light Rail, and this 'fever' will be even more rampant as tracks and trams appear on the Gold Coast. 

LRF - there is no cure.  Best managed by watching youtube vids of modern and not so modern tramway systems.   

[colinw]

Not a problem.  The side of the tram that faces Paradise Waters just needs to be decorated with this:

[ozbob]

I was a bit cynical when I first read this article, however, if the GCCC want's to have more say in services and frequency, then TL should be open to the idea of them receiving funding for that.

Tate's plans are not actually legal or desirable as I understand it (eg introduce non-TransLink services to feed GCRT).

GCCC already has the City Transport Improvement Levy, around 50% of which goes to public transport - he can just increase that and decrease the differential rate proportionately if he wants to play transit planner.  The GCCC guys are very switched on but hamstrung by numerous factors, principally funding and TransLink being uncooperative at times ...

It appears he may in fact snatch it, mainly because most ratepayers don't know jack and will vote for whoever has the best brand penetration (his campaign is bigger than anybody else's).

Could be much worse, so I'm not too bothered - once the extended election fever clears away people will start to behave themselves.

Noticed this weekend that most of the foliage the Paradise Waters Action Group was trying to save on the highway frontage has now gone due to construction works.  Cheers for progress!

Yes it is Mayor Tate ... lol   big spender ...   might be time to get in his ear about light rail further stages ...

[colinw]

This could get interesting. Many of Tate's promises concern issues that are not actually within the control of GCCC. Others would be extremely difficult or expensive (cruise terminal on seaway), or expose the coast to massive liquidated damages (cancel light rail, which is the State's decision anyway).

I'm expecting he'll follow the same path Ron did. Elected on the back of big promises, won't actually achieve much while wrestling with a council that doesn't agree with most of what he stands for.

The LRT will proceed with or without Tate's support.

[huddo45]

Funny how when it became obvious that Tate's opposition to the light rail was becoming a liability, he trotted out the impossible cruise terminal plan with plenty of publicity from the Bulletin. Colin, they blocked my email address too. Anyone who expects the Bulletin to keep the b.....d honest is doomed to disappointment. His website is still calling out for a rethink of light rail even now. Tom's idea of extensions is via buses, brilliant, just what Translink will do anyway.

[colinw]

Tom's idea of extensions is via buses, brilliant, just what Translink will do anyway.

Exactly.  That ridiculous "lemonade from RTS lemon" article in the Bulletin quoted him as saying he would do exactly what TransLink has always said they will do - run high frequency buses to link with the RTS.

He's going to look quite silly if he tries to lock in buses between Griffith & Helensvale Rail instead of progressing Stage 2 to connect the light rail to the heavy rail. Particularly as doing so will mean the LRT would not reach Harbour Town (which I still think should have been the terminus of Stage 1).

With the Commonwealth Games coming, I think it is going to be clear to everyone that further stages of the light rail should be built.

[O_128]

As for extending across the border, I've always thought QLD could do by just annexing Tweed.

makes way to much sense, As you've seen we have two different time zones, building a rail line will be impossible even with the same gov parities.

[colinw]

The Gold Coast Bulletin -> Plot heads off the rails

May 3, 2012

THE new Transport and Main Roads Director-General has been dragged into a plot to stop the light rail on the Gold Coast, even as the State Government reaffirmed its commitment to the $1.2 billion project.

In a letter emailed to mayor-elect Tom Tate, leading light rail protester Alan Midwood alleges the LNP Government's newly appointed Director-General of Transport and Main Roads Michael Caltabiano asked opponents of the project to "lay low" until after the council election before pushing for a review into stage one of the project.

Mr Caltabiano yesterday denied making the comment to Mr Midwood.

In the email, Mr Midwood appealed to Mr Tate to push for the review.

The LNP also reiterated its position, with the Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson saying the Government remained committed to seeing stage one completed.

"There are no plans to review or change the scope of the project," said Mr Emerson.

Stage one is a 13 km track from the new hospital at Parklands to Broadbeach. Parts of the track are due to be laid at the end of the year.

It is estimated that tearing up the construction contract would cost more than $250 million in compensation and contractor payouts.

Mr Midwood is part of a vocal group that wants more buses rather than the light rail.

Despite being linked to a company located along the track route at Surfers Paradise, Mr Midwood maintains his reason for lobbying to stop the light rail is to "save the government millions".

The director and a shareholder of Surfers Paradise attraction Infinity -- also linked to Deborah Kelly, another vocal opponent of the project -- said the tracks should not be laid.

He claimed tourists would not use the trams and wanted it stopped before work through the strip started.

He met Mr Tate and Mr Caltabiano before last weekend's election to express his concern.

It was at this meeting he says he was told to lay low until after the election.

"Obviously the State Government didn't want to be the meat in the sandwich," Mr Midwood said yesterday.

In another email -- sent to people including councillor-elect Lex Bell, who used the light rail as part of his platform for election -- Mr Midwood said his letter to Mr Tate was an "angle" to "raise doubts" about the project.

"This is the angle I have adopted to raise doubts in the minds of council and Government that there may be better options that have not yet been considered," read the email.

Yesterday Mr Midwood admitted he was "trying to interest" the busy State Government in considering his review request.

The Resident and Ratepayers Association also tried unsuccessfully to stop the project via a Native Title claim, which was criticised by a local Aboriginal elder.

[ozbob]

Begs the question, who is really the Minister for Transport?   Mr Emerson or Premier Newman's mate??

[ozbob]

Surfers Paradise bus service changes

From Monday 14 May 2012, bus services that travel along Surfers Paradise Boulevard will be re-routed to accommodate the construction and operation of the Gold Coast Light Rail project.

Details --> http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1333328468

[O_128]

If tourists won't use trams they certainly won't use buses. Get over it.

[Jonno]

If tourists won't use trams they certainly won't use buses. Get over it.

The curtains will fade, the cows wont know what time to be milked, the sun wont come up....

[SurfRail]

The curtains will fade, the cows wont know what time to be milked, the sun wont come up....

That is SO not apt for the Gold Coast given that it overwhelmingly supports daylight savings being introduced - we do happen to touch the border down here.

(Personally I don't care one way or the other...means we can have 2 NYE parties if nothing else..)

[Jonno]

The curtains will fade, the cows wont know what time to be milked, the sun wont come up....

That is SO not apt for the Gold Coast given that it overwhelmingly supports daylight savings being introduced - we do happen to touch the border down here.

(Personally I don't care one way or the other...means we can have 2 NYE parties if nothing else..)

I was having a go at the protesters not the rest of the Gold Coast!!!

[SurfRail]

I was having a go at the protesters not the rest of the Gold Coast!!!

Understood, but I think you'll find there are plenty of other very easy ways to dig at them.

The RARA appears to be backpedalling away from their position, engaging in retconning (ie "we never said scrap it" and "we just want to see the business case"). 

Not too concerned here.  They remind me of the Iraqi Information Minister (or John Fraser).

[SurfRail]

There is a small piece in the Gold Coast Sun today about Michael Hart, the new MP for Burleigh - he will be talking about light rail in his maiden speech.  Will take to work and scan in tomorrow.

[SurfRail]

As flagged:

[colinw]

Some good ideas there, but ... Varsity Lakes?

Robina maybe, although I'd rather the LRT just kept right on down the coast to Coolangatta & Tweed Heads.

Anyway, good to see one of the coast's new MPs supporting the project. 

[Gazza]

I cant see it. I can see a paperclip on the post, but no attachment.

[Golliwog]

I cant see it. I can see a paperclip on the post, but no attachment.

Same here.