Gold Coast network to be pushed for Comm Games

The number of services running on the Gold Coast rail line will be tripled, and light rail services will operate 24 hours a day during the Commonwealth Games in April, the State Government has said.

The Palaszczuk Government has released its 2018 Commonwealth Games Transport Plan, with the aim of providing residents and spectators the time they need to plan for Queensland’s largest ever international event.

Transport and main roads minister Mark Bailey said the significant capacity increases had been made possible by almost $1 billion in infrastructure investments across the network.

“The Palaszczuk Government is absolutely focused on ensuring that more than one million spectators, around 6600 athletes and team officials, 50,000 workers and volunteers, 3500 accredited media representatives arrive safely and on time,” Bailey said.

“We majority funded and built the $420 million Gold Coast Light Rail stage 2 in record time, delivered the $163m Gold Coast heavy rail between Coomera and Helensvale to get more trains to the games and invested more than $160 million to upgrade key local road infrastructure in our first budget.”

Six million extra journeys are expected on South East Queensland’s transport and roads network, between April 4 and 15, thanks to the Games.

“These Palaszczuk Government infrastructure investments will also be a lasting Commonwealth Games legacy for Gold Coast residents, supporting continued economic development for decades to come,” Bailey said.

Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones said that the transport plan was solid and put Gold Coast residents and visitors in a good position to keep moving.

“We want locals and spectators to familiarise themselves with how they can prepare and adapt their normal travel habits during the event,” Jones said.