42M CAN’T BE WRONG

Tram trips in the tens of millions after five years so why the Stage 3A stall?

NEW figures show users have clocked up 42.1 million trips on the Gold Coast’s light rail since it first launched five years ago this week. Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate says the impressive numbers for the tram – which logged 100,000 users on its first day in July, 2014 – speak for themselves when it comes to pushing for extensions south.

THE Gold Coast tram has carried 42 million passengers in its first five years as pressure builds to extend it south.

The light rail notches five years this week with political and city leaders saying it’s time a deal was done to make the Broadbeach to Burleigh Stage 3A a reality. Translink data reveals: ● 42.1 million passenger trips on the tram since July, 2014;

● The busiest station in the 2018-19 financial year was Cavill Ave, with 1.67 million people boarding from the heart of the party precinct;

Broadbeach South, Southport, Helensvale and Gold Coast University Hospital stops were used by 900,000 to 1.49 million in 2018-19.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the figures spoke for themselves: “Extending light rail to the airport is a no-brainer. Numerous Gold Coast leaders are behind the project, as are peak planning, development and transport experts. Other levels of government need to realise there is a huge economic upside.

“We’re Australia’s number one tourism destination and light rail direct to the airport is essential. It will mean less cars on roads, increased property prices, increased rates and an economic upside for all levels of government.”

The tram was busiest during the 2018 Commonwealth Games when more than 100,000 used it each day.

GoldLinQ chairman John Witheriff said more than a million trips were being taken on light rail a month.

He welcomed the passenger data and said each stage of extension had a greater purpose beyond public transport.

“Stage One was about getting rail in the ground. But it was about also upgrading the city’s underground infrastructure to cope with the population growth over the next 40 years,” he said.

“It was intrusive but hard to be done because it’s hard to dig up the underground. Stage 2 gave us a taste of capacity to manage growth if we get public transport right.”

A funding row over its $709 million third stage has been running for months. The Federal Government is refusing to budge from $112 million it has committed.

State Transport Minister Mark Bailey said it was $157.5 million short of matching its Stage 1 commitment.

Mr Baily said funding talks were ongoing but State Government would not shoulder a higher percentage.

“We’ve been clear and consistent in saying the current federal offer for the next stage of light rail is the lowest proportion ever and just not good enough,” he said.