The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has welcomed the opening of the G:link Gold Coast light rail over the weekend, with commuters getting to trial the new public transport system for free before full fares commence today.

CEO of the ARA Bryan Nye OAM said the project was a viable, sustainable and smart solution for the Gold Coast, with tourism and urbanisation starting to cause greater stress on the city’s existing infrastructure.

“Light rail is the ideal way to revitalise the Gold Coast. With sixteen stations along the thirteen kilometre route the people of the Gold Coast will be able to travel to key locations in the area easily and efficiently,” said Mr Nye.

“Each of the fourteen trams running along this network can transport up to 309 passengers at any given time, which will see the removal of hundreds of cars from the busy streets and an overall decrease in congestion.

“This new system will suitably complement the already healthy and active lifestyle people enjoy on the Gold Coast by promoting walking and cycling and getting people out of their cars.

“A world first, surfers can even bring their boards onto the new trams with tailored frames installed to slide in and hold surfboards securely whilst in transit.

“With the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and New South Wales (NSW) governments also investing in light rail for their capital cities, it is great to see light rail really make its mark in Australia.

“I congratulate GoldLinQ, KDR Gold Coast, the Queensland Government and Gold Coast City Council on the successful implementation of this transformational project,” Mr Nye concluded.

ARA members Bombardier, KDR Gold Coast and McConnell Dowell constructers delivered the project as part of an eighteen year public private partnership with the Queensland state government to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the system.

(Source: Australasian Railway Association, ARA)