This thread is for Gold Coast Light Rail discussions.
Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 is delivering a 6.7km extension south of the existing tram network to link Broadbeach South and Burleigh Heads.
Notes
Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/gold-coast-light-rail
As well as doubts over SC Rail, it sounds like Stage 4 of Light Rail is in danger as well…
Futuristic buses and a giant transit centre in Burleigh are on the agenda to connect light rail to Gold Coast Airport as the tram’s future extension south is increasingly unclear.
Paul Weston
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3 min read
January 29, 2025 - 8:56AM
Mayor Tom Tate says he’s “open and persuadable” to using buses instead of trams between Burleigh and Gold Coast Airport as light rail’s Stage 4 extension faces an unclear future.
Asked about alternatives to the tram extension, Mr Tate - who remains steadfast in working with state government on a Stage 4 business case - confirmed in a transport bombshell on Tuesday that buses were on the agenda.
“If it has to be buses it will have to be like the Brisbane Metro and look like light rail. I understand what their thoughts are. I have an open and persuadable mind.
“As long as you walk across the platform and you don’t feel like you have changed your mode. The only concern I will be looking at is the detail on people with mobility issues and luggage.
“How do we ensure we make it seamless - do we have enough people to help?”
Mr Tate said State Government, leading the project, would need to resolve how to create a large transit centre in Burleigh’s heart if light rail was to link to airport buses.
“The key is our public transport system getting to the airport,” he said.
Mr Tate added any workable alternative to trams would need “dedicated bus lanes” on Gold Coast Highway and “be similar to the Brisbane Metro”. The Brisbane Metro, which started on Tuesday, is a turn-up-and-go service using electric 25-metre bendy buses for up to 170 passengers.
Mayor Tom Tate arrives by tram to Broadbeach. A stage four extension from Burleigh to Gold Coast Airport is facing an increasingly unclear future. Picture Glenn Hampson
Mr Tate said: “I’m not concerned at all (that the Government could opt for buses).”
But political sources say the Crisafulli Government’s preferred southern Gold Coast public transport option is high-speed buses with their own lanes from the airport and a Burleigh transport interchange.
Full article:
Madness. The GLink vehicles are far too large to cram into a bendy bus, even if it’s bi-articulated.
It is just moving the current setup with the LRT-Bus interchange and Route 777 from Broadbeach further south to Burleigh.
The vehicles would then get an upgrade to vehicles similar to Brisbane metro. Its not ideal, it’s not recommended, but that said, it’s also not surprising at all.
Any Priority A ROW transport project, but particularly rail, just seems to have escalating costs. Part of it seems to be the large number of projects up and down the east coast.
Only in Queensland, would you build something 3/4 of the way and then do some weird bus thing the last stage…is everyone born in this state secretly a product of bus industry DNA or something??? Madness… 
ABC News ran a story about a ‘review’.
Always intrigues me that public transport is up for discussion despite the benefits yet widening a freeway with known congestion creation outcomes is just accepted as the right thing to do! Car culture strong in Australia!! Stronger than religion if you ask me
Time to life the tram bike ban
^^That would be great
Current FB poll for bikes on trams
Yes please, similar to the Canberra set up.
Not sure I can agree with bicycles on GCLR. It’s often far too crowded. It’s also pretty slow, so you could probably ride your bike at around the same speed. Most of the route is rather flat, too.
I think it’s ok, but the spaces should be in specific areas and limited in number - e.g. first and last carriage.
Do they still have room in the carriages with them surfboard racks and wheelchair spaces?
Have your say on the future transport options on the southern half of the Gold Coast.
Anyone got Bulletin access.
I love that the Mayor is such a strong supporter of completing the last stage of GCLR
I find the line about trusting the transport traffic planners to make the right decisions since over the last 50 years they have made and continue to make wrong decisions still. They makes some right ones but the minority amongst the wrong ones
If Tate is very supportive, the GC council should increase their $$$ funding towards to it
