Bite the bullet and fast-track speed

GOLD Coasters want leaders to seriously consider a fast-train link between the Gold Coast and Brisbane, as business and political bigwigs say the time is now to plan for the future.

About 90 per cent of those who took part in the Bulletin’s Golden Age survey say they would ride a bullet train to Brisbane if the journey took less than 15 minutes.

Of those, 88 per cent said they would be willing to pay a fare of either $10 or $20.

Federal Tourism Minister and Gold Coast MP Steven Ciobo said it showed Gold Coasters wanted “highquality public transport”.

“The fundamental problem remains that we need to find a fast public transport solution that stacks up financially and fundamentally. I believe we should look at the future, not the past and this means thinking outside the box.

“It is clear there is a revolution coming around public transport and in 20 years we will be the intersection of autonomous vehicles, electrical vehicles and potentially mag-lev technology which will reshape the transport corridor.

“However, Gold Coasters Tuesday, February 13, 2018

wanted to know the solutions for tomorrow and clearly public transport provisions have not had an eye on the future. Progress has been made but given the population growth, more will be required.”

Mr Ciobo this year suggested cutting-edge hyperloop technology — a superfast train which could travel to Brisbane in 10 minutes — as a solution to the city’s traffic woes.

Other leading businesses say it is time to look at future transport options.

A spokesman for The Star Entertainment Group said a fast rail system would have a significant on the Coast.

“The Star Entertainment Group welcomes discussion and supports calls to develop a fast-rail link between the rapid even Gold Coast and Brisbane,” he said. “It has the potential to accelerate and multiply the already compelling economic benefits tourism can deliver to the southeast Queensland region.

“There are infrastructure issues to address if the tourism opportunity is to be fully harnessed.

“They include more hotel rooms to cope with surging visitation and connectivity, where fast rail can be a key part of the solution.

“We know tourists prefer public transport as a mode of travel and the additional attraction for residents of SEQ are obvious.”

Tourism Minister Steve Ciobo urged leaders to think outside the box for transport solutions. One idea is a hyperloop that would travel to Brisbane in 10 minutes.