Coast bus routes on track for overhaul

FOUR bus routes will be axed, and four existing ones will enjoy increased frequency once the second stage of the Gold Coast light rail is launched early next year.

Passengers will also be able to catch some buses until later at night, with some services extended from having final departures of 7.10pm to running until 10.50pm under changes proposed by TransLink. The routes earmarked for removal are TX1 (Tweed Heads to theme parks); TX2 (Broadbeach to Helensvale theme parks); TX3 (Broadbeach to Coomera theme parks) and 709 (Gold Coast University Hospital to Helensvale train station). These will be replaced by the light rail.

Routes with higher frequency include the 713 and 719 from Southport to Paradise Point; 720 from Arundel to Coomera; and the 765 from Elanora to Robina. Buses proposed to run as late as 10.55pm include the 713, 719 and 765.

Community consultation has closed and is being considered for a final report due at the end of the month.

TransLink staff spoke with more than 650 residents at key locations including Harbour Town, Westfield Helensvale, University Hospital and Pacific Fair Shopping Centre. Key themes included positive feedback on the increased services, requests for bus stops and minor route changes.