THE RUSH HOUR TASTE TEST
7.55am: Woolloongabba THE most important task for Gold Coasters about to tackle the peak-hour rush for the commute to Brisbane is checking the traffic report.
Goldcoastbulletin.com.au, radio traffic reports and Google live maps provide an accurate prediction of how long your trip will take.
The Coast to Brisbane trip when the M1 was first widened to eight lanes could take just 45 minutes.
As a Bulletin reporting team leave the Helensvale railway station at 7am the prediction on websites is 70 minutes, almost double the time.
This is on a clear run with no reported crashes or congestion ahead. Regular motorists always allow for at least 90 minutes.
At Oxenford the traffic is steady as a stream of cars merge from the Coomera Overflow bridge on the western side of the M1.
The smooth run continues to Beenleigh where drivers for the first time slow from 110km/h to 90km/h as the eight lanes are reduced.
What happens lottery.
A sign flashing on the lefthand side of the motorway cautions drivers to expect delays. At Loganlea, the wave of Coast traffic meets the other northern wave from Logan. In 20 years it will be 120,000 vehicles-strong, all heading to the CBD. next is a
I CAN LEAVE ON THE TRAIN HALF AN HOUR LATER (THAN MY COLLEAGUES WHO DRIVE) AND STILL BEAT THEM HOME