G:link | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Overview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Owner | Translink | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Locale | Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transit type | Light rail | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of lines | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of stations | 19 (27 after stage 3 completion) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annual ridership | 10.74 million (2018/19) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chief executive | Phil Mumford | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Headquarters | Southport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Website | www.ridetheg.com.au | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Began operation | 20 July 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operator(s) | Keolis Downer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of vehicles | 18 Bombardier Flexity 2 trams | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Train length | 43.5 m (143 ft) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Headway | 7-30 minutes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Technical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
System length | 20 km (12 mi) (26 km (16 mi) after stage 3 completion) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Electrification | 750 V DC overhead catenary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average speed | 27 km/h (17 mph) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Top speed | 70 km/h (43 mph) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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G:link, also known as the Gold Coast Light Rail and the Gold Coast Tram, is a light rail system serving the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, and is the sole light rail system in Queensland. The system forms part of Translink's South East Queensland public transport network and consists of a single 20 km (12 mi) line of nineteen stations. The Helensvale railway station is the northern terminus of the system, while Broadbeach South is the southern terminus. The line opened on 20 July 2014 and was extended northwest from Gold Coast University Hospital to Helensvale on 17 December 2017.
The Gold Coast is one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia, with an annual population growth of 2–3%. [1] The project was first proposed in the Gold Coast City Council Transport Plan 1996 after some years of consideration and review. In 2002, the Queensland and Federal Governments each contributed $650,000 to fund the Gold Coast Light Rail Feasibility Study. [2] [3] In 2004, the draft summary report was released. [4]
In 2009, the Queensland Government committed $464 million to the Gold Coast Rapid Transit (GCRT) project, supplementing $365 million committed by the Federal Government and $120 million provided by Gold Coast City Council. [5]
In June 2011, the GoldLinq consortium comprising Bombardier Transportation, Downer EDI, Keolis, McConnell Dowell and Plenary Group was awarded the contract to build and operate the Gold Coast light rail line for 18 years under a Public Private Partnership. [6] [7] [8]
In August 2012, the cost of the initial 13 km (8.1 mi) section was estimated at $1.6 billion. [9] Construction began on the Gold Coast University Hospital station shell in July 2010. [10] In late 2010, early roadworks began in Broadbeach and Southport. [11]
By November 2013, much of the work was complete with the southern section at Broadbeach being the only section of trackwork to be completed. Testing commenced on the northern section of the line in October 2013. The line opened on 20 July 2014, with a free travel day, before normal operations began on 21 July. [12] [13] [14]
The system had a significant impact on property both directly and indirectly in the corridor. A total of $170 million was allocated for property resumptions. The Queens Park Tennis Club and Southport Croquet Club were both relocated. [15]
After the successful opening and operations of Stage 1, the Queensland Government announced in February 2016 plans to extend the light rail line from the University Hospital to the Helensvale railway station, providing a connection with the Gold Coast railway line that connects the city with Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland. Financial commitment from the state and federal governments needed to progress with the extension was finalised in late 2016. The new extension includes 7.3 km (4.5 mi) tracks and 3 new light rail stations, with Helensvale being the new northern terminus for the line. Construction commenced in 2016 [16] with plans to be completed in time for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April 2018. Construction finished early, ahead of schedule with passenger services commencing in December 2017.
The Queensland Government, in conjunction with the Gold Coast City Council and the Federal Government, announced the plan to extend the light rail line 6.4 km (4.0 mi) south, from the existing Broadbeach South station to Burleigh Heads back in 2018 with the original completion date to be in 2024. Due to funding disputes among the three levels of government, the COVID-19 pandemic along with rising construction costs in recent years, the project kept getting delayed. In February 2020, three parties were short-listed to build the extension: [17]
It was announced in October 2020 that John Holland had won the contract, [18] with the state government releasing a statement in 2021 saying that the agreement will see the construction consortium undertake detailed construction planning and start establishing a site presence along the 6.7-kilometre (4.2 mi) corridor. [1]
In July 2022 construction formally started with water, sewerage and gas infrastructure upgrades and relocation on the Gold Coast Highway between Broadbeach and Nobby Beach. [3] Major construction including earthworks and construction of the tracks will commence in 2023 with the project expected to be operational by 2025. [4]
Eight new light rail stations will be constructed with the original cost estimate of the project at $670 million, [19] which has now blown out to $1.2 billion [6] due largely to rising inflation post-pandemic.
The new extension will begin from the current southern terminus, Broadbeach South travelling on the median strip of the Gold Coast Highway for the whole way south to Burleigh Heads. The 6.7 km (4.2 mi) extension will pass through Mermaid Beach, Nobby's Beach, Miami and Burleigh Heads [7] with the hopes of creating better connectivity, reducing congestion and improving travel times. [8]
The Gold Coast City Transport Strategy 2031 supports a future expansion to Coolangatta via the Gold Coast Airport. [20] The 14 km (8.7 mi) extension of the light rail line from Burleigh Heads station would continue south along the Gold Coast Highway, passing through the southern suburbs of Palm Beach and Tugun and connecting the city's international airport with the light rail. A potential light rail corridor has also been identified from the Airport to Coolangatta and will be preserved for possible future expansion. [21] In August 2020, funding was provided to formulate a business case for the extension. [22] Since 2021 community consultation and preliminary works have begun on stage 4. [9]
The single 20-kilometre (12 mi) line runs from Helensvale railway station to Broadbeach South. Beginning at Helensvale railway station, the line runs parallel to the Gold Coast railway line until it meets the Smith Street Motorway, which it then follows, stopping at Parkwood and Parkwood East. The next two stops serve the Gold Coast University Hospital and the Gold Coast campus of Griffith University. The line runs south, passing over the Smith Street Motorway and the depot before reaching Queen Street station and Nerang Street station that services the Southport medical precinct. The next two stops serve the Australia Fair Shopping Centre, and the following stop serves the Broadwater Parklands. The line passes over the Nerang River before reaching the only stop in Main Beach, which serves the Sea World theme park. The next stops are Surfers Paradise North and Cypress Avenue, the latter serving the Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre and the Funtime amusement park. The next stop, Cavill Avenue serves the heart of Surfers Paradise including the Cavill Avenue pedestrian mall and Paradise Centre shopping centre. The following station services the Q1 residential tower as well as the SkyPoint observation deck. The next stops are Northcliffe, Florida Gardens and Broadbeach North, the latter serving the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, The Star Gold Coast, the Oasis Shopping Centre and the Oracle Shopping Centre. The line terminates at Broadbeach South which serves Pacific Fair Shopping Centre and provides bus connections to southern suburbs as well as the Gold Coast Airport. It takes around 44 minutes to travel from one end of the line to the other.
There are nineteen stations on the line. One station is located in Helensvale, two are in Parkwood, seven are in Southport, one is in Main Beach, six are in Surfers Paradise, and two are in Broadbeach. All but one of the stations is street-level open-air structures with passenger canopies on the platforms. The Gold Coast University Hospital station is underground. Eleven stations have side platforms and eight have island platforms. Eight of the stations have kiosks on the platforms. Seven stations offer transfers to bus services and Helensvale also offers transfers to train services. Two of the stations have free park-and-ride lots with a total of 1,400 new parking spaces. [23] [24] The most heavily trafficked station is Cavill Avenue, with an average of 4,729 daily passengers in February 2016. [25]
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2016) |
The system uses standard gauge tracks with 750 V DC overhead catenary. It primarily operates in a centre-running configuration.
The Gold Coast Rapid Transit fleet consists of 18 Bombardier Flexity 2 trams built in Germany. [26] The trams feature low floors and have dedicated spaces for wheelchairs, prams and surfboards. [27] They have a top speed of 70 km/h (43 mph) and room for 309 passengers with seating for 80. [28] Fourteen trams were ordered to serve the original section of the line. Four additional trams were ordered in November 2015 to service the Helensvale extension. [29] These were delivered in September and October 2017. [30] As at July 2023 a further 5 vehicles are under construction or in commissioning.
Services are operated by Keolis Downer, a joint venture between Keolis and Downer. Fares are set by Translink with all stations fitted with go card readers. [31] Translink charges fares that increase as passengers travel through eight concentric zones radiating outward from the Brisbane central business district; [32] All G:link stations are located within zone 5.
Service frequencies (in minutes) from 17 December 2017: [33]
Weekdays | Weekends | |
---|---|---|
00:00 to 05:00 | Closed | 30† |
05:00 to 07:00 | 15 | 15 |
07:00 to 19:00 | 7.5 | 10 |
19:00 to 23:30 | 15 | 15 |
† No service between Helensvale station and Gold Coast University Hospital
On Monday to Friday mornings (midnight to 5 am), light rail services are replaced on most of the routes by Kinetic Group route 700. [34] These buses do not service the section between Helensvale station and Gold Coast University Hospital. [33]
Over 1.74 million passengers used the Gold Coast Light Rail in its first 100 days after opening. More than five million paid trips were made in the first nine months of operation. [35] 6.6 million passengers were carried on the line in its first year, and total public transport users on the Gold Coast - across buses and trams - increased by 25 per cent. [36] [37] In February 2016 the Queensland Government announced the ten million passenger milestone had been reached and noted that Cavill Avenue was the busiest station with 4,729 boardings a day. [38]
The following table lists patronage figures for the network during the corresponding financial year. Australia's financial years start on 1 July and end on 30 June. Major events that affected the number of journeys made or how patronage is measured are included as notes.
Year | 2014–15 | 2015–16 | 2016–17 | 2017–18 | 2018–19 | 2019–20 | 2020–21 | 2021–22 | 2022–23 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patronage (millions) | 6.28 [lower-alpha 1] | 7.68 | 7.97 | 9.49 [lower-alpha 2] [lower-alpha 3] | 10.74 | 8.46 [lower-alpha 4] | 6.12 [lower-alpha 5] | 6.34 [lower-alpha 6] | 10.39 | |||
Reference | [39] | [40] | [41] | [42] | [43] | [44] | [45] | [46] | [47] | |||
|
Bus | 14 000 000 [48] |
Light rail | 10 740 000 [49] |
Heavy rail | 5 800 000 [50] |
Besides Stages 3 and 4, the Gold Coast City Council envisions an extensive light rail network that would potentially consist of 68 km (42 mi) of track and 4 light rail lines as outlined in the City Transport Strategy 2031. Future extensions however are not expected to take place until after stage 4 is fully completed and further feasibility studies are undertaken.
A branch line from Main Beach to The Spit was proposed in the Gold Coast City Council's 2031 transport plan, City Transport Strategy 2031. [51] The council announced a number of potential route options in April 2017 and invited public comment. [52] The line is expected to cost around $200 million and would be paid for by developers and would be around 2.6 km (1.6 mi) long. The time frame for construction remains undecided but is not expected to be completed until after the extension to the Gold Coast Airport. [53]
The Gold Coast's council 2031 Transport plan published outlines a possible extension to Biggera Waters. [54] The proposed line would branch off from the existing University Hospital light rail station, travelling north before terminating at Harbour Town Shopping Centre in the suburb of Biggera Waters. It is not expected for the line to be completed until after the extension to the Gold Coast Airport.
The Gold Coast's council 2031 Transport plan published outlines a possible extension to Bundall. [55] The proposed line would branch off from Cavill Avenue, travelling west for several kilometres before terminating in the suburb of Bundall. Stations may include Chevron Island, HOTA, Bundall Business District and Gold Coast Turf Club. It is not expected for the line to be completed until after the extension to the Gold Coast Airport.
The Gold Coast's council 2031 Transport plan published outlines a possible extension to the Nerang. [56] The proposed line would spur off from Broadbeach, travelling west along Hooker Boulevard and north along Nerang–Broadbeach Road before terminating at the Nerang railway station. Stations would include Mermaid Waters, Carrara Markets and Carrara Stadium.
A 9 km (5.6 mi) Robina extension is proposed in the Gold Coast City Council's Light Rail southern Gold Coast publication. [57] The proposed extension would branch off from Nobbys Beach and terminate at Robina railway station passing through Bond University, Market Square, Robina Town Centre and Robina Stadium. It is not expected for the line to be completed until after the extension to the Gold Coast Airport.
The Light Rail southern Gold Coast published by the Gold Coast City Council also outline a proposal extension to Varsity Lakes [58] from Burleigh Heads. The extension would branch out from Burleigh Heads and follow Burleigh Connection Road, passing by Stocklands Burleigh Heads Shopping Centre and the light industrial areas of West Burleigh before terminating at Varsity Lakes railway station, providing a heavy rail connection. It is not expected for the line to be completed until after the extension to the Gold Coast Airport
The Gold Coast light rail project was championed by Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, but was subject to prolonged and vigorous protest campaigns from what were probably a minority of vocal objectors. Those who attempted to stop Stage One included Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke, [60] former mayor and candidate Lex Bell [61] (who proposed the use of native title to stop the project), [62] [63] and a string of short-lived protest organisations. [64] [65] Their claims included that it was a 'zombie' project and 'white elephant' that would saddle ratepayers with unsustainable debt. [66] The removal of iconic palm trees and poincianas for the construction upset others. [67]
The most prominent and influential objector was a retired property analyst, Alan Midwood. As late as 2016, Midwood was still claiming light rail had been a ‘gross financial disaster’ that had doubled roadway congestion, and calling for it to be scrapped. [68] Other notable objectors who achieved media coverage included the owner of Surfers Paradise shop Condom Kingdom, who feared construction would impact his sales, [69] and Surfers Paradise Meter Maids, who vowed to chain themselves to trees to prevent the project going ahead. [70]
One particularly vocal group operated by a Paradise Waters resident, alleged light rail was "a proven killer" [71] that slaughtered at "a rate 2.5 times that of cars". [72] Following the success of the project, in 2017 a group of Paradise Waters residents appealed for a tram stop to be added at their locality, as had been originally planned, but were denied it by Council. A former mayor suggested there was a feeling they "were punished because some of them opposed it at the time." [73]
The Gold Coast is the second-largest city of Queensland, Australia, after Brisbane. It is Australia's sixth-largest city, the most populous non-capital city, and the state's after Brisbane, with a population over 600,000. The Gold Coast is a coastal city and region located approximately 66 kilometres (41 mi) south-southeast of the centre of the state capital, Brisbane. The city's central business district is located roughly in the centre of the Gold Coast in the suburb of Southport. The urban area of the Gold Coast is concentrated along the coast, sprawling almost 60 kilometres, joining up with the Greater Brisbane metropolitan region to the north and to the state border with New South Wales to the south. Nicknames of the city include the ‘Glitter Strip’ and the ‘Goldy’. The demonym of a Gold Coast resident is Gold Coaster.
The Gold Coast railway line is an interurban railway line operated by Queensland Rail in Queensland, Australia, connecting Brisbane with the Gold Coast. The line has 17 stations. In 2021, a journey from Central station to the terminus of this line was scheduled to take 1 hour 23 minutes. There are plans for several new stations along the existing line, as well as an extension south.
Burleigh Heads is a suburb in the City of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Burleigh Heads had a population of 10,077 people.
Palm Beach is a coastal suburb in the City of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Palm Beach had a population of 14,654 people.
Helensvale railway station is a major public transport interchange in the Gold Coast suburb of Helensvale. Helensvale railway station is served by the Queensland Rail Citytrain network Gold Coast line, G:link light rail and Kinetic Group bus services.
Pacific Fair is a major shopping centre in Broadbeach Waters on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It is Queensland's second-largest shopping centre and the fifth-largest nationally.
Australia Fair Shopping Centre is a dual-level regional shopping centre covering 59,540 square metres (640,900 sq ft) located in Southport, Gold Coast, Queensland. The centre also incorporates a five-level office tower comprising 5,824 square metres (62,690 sq ft) of office space, housing specialist services and commercial offices.
Helensvale is a suburb of the City of Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Helensvale had a population of 16,862 people.
The South Coast railway line was a railway from Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland, Australia. The route via the South Coast to Tweed Heads on the border of Queensland and New South Wales. The line operated from 1889 to 1964. The Gold Coast railway line re-opened in 1996 along a modified alignment in the north and a new route south but does not extend as far south yet as the South Coast line.
The Gold Coast is the largest regional city and fastest growing city in Australia. As a result, the Gold Coast has a wide range of public and private transport options from cars and bikes to buses, heavy rail and light rail. The car is the dominant mode of transport in the city with an extensive arterial road network that connects the standard residential streets with major suburbs and motorways.
Parkwood is a suburb in the City of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Parkwood had a population of 8,702 people.
South East Queensland has a large passenger and freight railway network centred on Brisbane, the capital city of the Australian state of Queensland. Suburban and interurban passenger services in the region are operated by Queensland Rail, which also operates long-distance trains across the state. Aurizon and Pacific National operate freight services.
Gold Coast Highway links the coastal suburbs of the Gold Coast in south eastern Queensland such as Miami, Mermaid Beach, Tugun, Bilinga and across the border of New South Wales to the Tweed Heads suburb of Tweed Heads West. At 39.6 kilometres (24.6 mi) in length, the highway runs just west of Pacific Motorway at Pacific Pines to Pacific Motorway at Tweed Heads West. It passes through the numerous popular tourist areas including Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, a commercial centre at Southport, residential areas, shopping centres and the Gold Coast (Coolangatta) Airport.
Nerang–Broadbeach Road is a road on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It is classified a state-controlled district road, and is part of State Route 90. The eastern section is also known as Hooker Boulevard.
Broadbeach South light rail station is a major public transport hub in the Gold Coast suburb of Broadbeach. The station opened in July 2014 as the southern terminus of the G:link light rail line.
Cypress Avenue light rail station is an important public transport interchange in the Gold Coast suburb of Surfers Paradise. The station is part of the Gold Coast's G:link light rail system situated on the corner of Cypress Avenue and Surfers Paradise Boulevard. The G:link connects Broadbeach South with Helensvale railway station via the key activity centres of Surfers Paradise and Southport. Cypress Avenue also provides a bus connection to Nerang via the Nerang railway station.
Gold Coast University Hospital light rail station is a major public transport interchange, providing an important bus - light rail interchange for the Gold Coast suburb of Southport. GCUH is part of the Gold Coast's G:link light rail network and was the original northern terminus of the G:link until an extension was completed to Helensvale in 2017. The Gold Coast University Hospital station is the only underground light rail station for network and provides a bus interchange located on the street level.
Parkwood East light rail station is located off Faldo Court and adjacent to Smith Street Motorway on the eastern portion of Parkwood, a suburb on the Gold Coast. The station is serviced by the Gold Coast G:link light rail system and provides a bus connection. Parkwood East light rail station services the local residential community.
The Coomera Connector, formerly known as the Intra Regional Transport Corridor, is a proposed 45-kilometre (28 mi) motorway that will connect Logan City with the Gold Coast in South East Queensland, Australia. It will run parallel to the M1 Pacific Motorway for its entire length and will run adjacent to the Gold Coast railway line south of Coomera.
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