COAST MUST CHANGE GEAR

GOLD Coasters will be stunned to learn that the number of vehicles registered in our city in the past five years has outstripped growth in population.

As reported today, ABS data shows there are more than 472,000 vehicles on the Gold Coast – almost 70,000 more than five years ago, while the population has grown by 51,000 in that time.

With long trips to work a fact of life in this narrow city that clings to more than 50km of coastline, the figures demonstrate the urgency in getting a fast, efficient and reliable north-south and east-west public transport system operating.

Games organisers are to kick off an education program to change transport habits to reduce congestion during the event. The Games are expected to attract up to 690,000 visitors. But in fact this change in transport habit could have more far-reaching consequences than a partial easing of all that traffic congestion for the Games. There will be an expectation commuters will stick with public transport from then on, but unless there is a radical change of heart by the authorities and huge amounts are invested to maintain all those additional bus services that will be in heavy demand to get spectators to the sports venues, most commuters will revert to old habits.

However the city is on the right track. Light rail is winning the hearts and minds of locals and tourists. Taking it south to Burleigh and beyond to the airport will deliver a huge asset in public transport that follows the spine of this linear city.

But the trams should also be heading for all the major residential, shopping and sporting centres to the west and north. Alternatively, a superior east-west shuttle bus service has to be developed so that commuters are able to get to work without waiting and travelling for hours, just to go from Nerang to Labrador, for example.

We have already heard cries of indignation at the prospect of a tunnel to get the trams through the hill behind Burleigh that blocks the route south. People fear it could damage the beautiful headland, but no authority would allow that. It would be more likely to follow the existing highway.

But traffic and population figures make it obvious that the city can’t just do nothing, let cars rule and hope for the best. That attitude will see us in gridlock.