Plan to remain ahead of Games

COMMONWEATLH Games organisers have revealed how 1.2 million spectators will make their way to and from events next April.

The GC2018 Transport Operations Plan, released yesterday, details a network of shuttle buses, light and heavy rail that will shift people from transport hubs and park and ride facilities to the nine key Gold Coast venues.

Shuttles will run free of charge to ticket holders direct to venues from Coomera, Helensvale, Nerang and Varsity Lakes heavy rail stations and from light rail stations at Gold Coast University Hospital, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach South.

Park and ride facilities will be created at Chandler, Beenleigh, Yatala, Oxenford, Parkwood, Varsity Lakes, Mudgeeraba and Bilinga. Three park and rides will be based at Helensvale, where the heavy rail will join the light rail, while there will be two facilities at Merrimac.

There will also be a campaign encouraging people to ride or walk directly to venues or to public transport hubs.

More than 500 people responded to public consultation on the draft plans, with key issues including access to venues, regular travel around the city, impacts on business, and whether or not a ferry system could be used. Organisers ruled out using the Gold Coast’s extensive waterways because of speed limits, bridge heights and proximity of some venues to waterways.

Games CEO Mark Peters said the release would allow people to plan early.

“And we ask everyone – residents, businesses and industry – to get on board to make sure we meet the transport challenges and keep the Games moving,” he said.

More information will be provided in early 2018 in a GC2018 journey planner, spectator event guides and online travel information, the plan said.

Shadow Transport Minister Andrew Powell said the plan provided “more questions than answers”.

“Here is a lazy transport plan that is only going to show that residents are going to get stuck and visitors are going to get stranded.”