Free transport for Games would ease traffic mayhem

EVERYONE should read the editorial of Wednesday 17th January “Too late to play games”.

Eleven weeks until the eyes of the world will be able to see what a marvelous place the Gold Coast really is.

Mrs Premier, who whenever she speaks, says she is a proud Queenslander, you and your union mates must know by now that the Gold Coast is actually in Queensland!

So what have you done about transport for the games in and around the Gold Coast? What have you done to get the visitors and families of the athletes from venue to venue?

The light rail has been a great success and as it now meets the heavy rail at Helensvale it will provide some access for the Games, however it does not service all the games venues.

There are now 11 weeks to go. So from week eight get every bus to work with signage – FREE SHUTTLE TO (Venue/Event).

Visitors to the Games will be staying all over the Coast, so start now to run free buses from the heavy rail stations not served by the light rail and from the light rail at Broadbeach to the Games venues. Clearly signed free buses showing which event and venue they are serving – Metricon, Tennis centre, Aquatic centre, Triathlon, Beach Volleyball etc. Get the buses, the drivers, the maintenance staff, schedulers etc on the job now!

The drivers (from eight weeks out) will be able to see and gauge the routes, make changes and fine tune the schedules to get the games moving. Give the drivers the respect they deserve as they will be a big part of the face of the games, they will ensure the visitors and locals get to and from the venues and light/heavy rail hubs efficiently.

Yes it will mean more buses on our overloaded/chocked roads, but the word free on any transport will get a lot of cars off the roads.

BHJ, SURFERS PARADISE