Team Bus Comments
“The disruption, expense and outmoded transport of trams are not a good choice for stage 4. Stage 3 caused major business losses, added noise levels, slow transport, loss of parking, rigid transport, not flexible and many traffic jams and breakdowns. Tram has ruined Mermaid Beach and Nobby Beach. These were quiet, enclaves for locals to enjoy. Now they will become slowly high rise developments over time.”
“TOO DESTRUCTIVE . TOO EXPENSIVE. TOO SLOW. TOO NOISY”
“The bus service is quick. Our roads are not wide enough for a tram all the way to the airport. Heavy rail to the airport from Varsity Lakes would be beneficial. The high rise approvals due to the tram with insufficient parking provided and loopholes developers use to avoid providing sufficient parking is unacceptable. The Gold Coast does not have the width of roads or infrastructure to increase the population. We do not want an erosion of our lifestyles while council and developers are enriched. Closing down libraries like Burleigh and Palm Beach take us backwards and indicate no care of community. We should have tens of thousands of trees being planted, roads widened especially turning lanes and parking addresses. Our public pools should absolutely not be sold off.”
“Get rid of the Tram. Should never have been built.”
“We need the heavy rail. The tram to the airport is waste of money.”
“Keep the buses as they are. If it ain’t broke why fix it? People even want The Deckers back on the AIRPORT run. If the Lightrail breaks down, which it does, they call in the buses any way to use them.”
“Electric buses are the flexible future.”
“GC desperately needs “small” buses like we used to have (maybe half size of regular bus) travelling from GC Highway west crossing over the M1 to suburbs such as Elanora, Tugun, Reedy Creek, Broadbeach Waters, Mermaid Waters etc., then back to GC Highway to meet up with North/South Buses.”
“Bus out of airport at back of Uni, onto GC Hwy headed south (200m); turn onto M1 and straight up to Varsity with no stops (or last rail station). Linking airport to airport. Yes, you change; but so much quicker than 777 +tram+ train. Keep the 777 for ‘local tourist drops’ as now. As train only currently goes every half hour the direct bus no stops could also be scheduled for half hour coordination.”
“Why on Earth would we want a NOISY tram being pushed down here? Taking up a lane of the GC highway. We already have noisy planes. Why would we want MORE noise? Why would we also want to BLOCK our beach access because of tram lines.”
“Trams have ruined the Burleigh community, traffic, bus service and most of all the alcohol and drug trade has increased and caused crime and destruction. I can walk 2 feet without finding litter, beer bottles and cans and instruments used for drugs.”
“The tram is just way too expensive and buses can easily do the job much cheaper and with way less disruption.”
“Tram is far too slow and would result in the resumption of too many homes, destroy ancient aboriginal fish traps and would be too much of an environmental risk to Currumbin creek and Tally creek during building phase as extra bridges would have to be built. The tram is an unsightly skid mark on the beautiful Gold Coast. If you were to catch a tram from Helensvale to the airport it would take forever, compared to driving . The tram has no toilets on board and there is no park and ride provided . The tram has resulted in a reduction of car spaces but hasn’t reduced the amount of cars on the road. The project is also cost prohibitive and allows for unfettered development.”
“Love the busses.”
“Buses can go on many routes.”
“Team Bus, the buses are fantastic along the southern coast. Send the tram to places like Harbour Town or spend the billions from the tram on libraries and fixing the inequality around giant high rises in low density areas.”
“Heavy rail should be built before any extension of the light rail south.”
“More buses are needed.”
Team Tram comments
“The tram is great and fast to get around. Our son is in a wheelchair and the tram has easy access. However with the high volume of people using the Tram now it is very difficult to even board the tram. Also there are a lot of people with luggage and nowhere to put their luggage ie: luggage racks. Therefore they sit or stand in the dedicated wheelchair seating area. Most people are good and will move, but we have encountered some who just refuse. This makes it very difficult especially when going more than 3 or 4 stops, as I’m standing in a doorway with my son in his wheelchair. This for one creates a blockage for people boarding and disembarking, secondly he has had people fall on top of him. This is a health and safety issue which needs to be addressed. I suggest putting an area clearly marked for people with suitcases and platform signage just like the wheelchair signage. Also maybe instead of every 7 mins the trams could run every 5 mins to reduce the high volume.”
“It is pointless leaving the light rail finishing at burleigh – it needs to be extended further to Coolangatta via the airport to allow locals and tourists a seamless connection down the coast.”
“Its not about now, it’s about futureproofing our city – the airport station needs to be under the terminal with provision also for heavy rail tracks for trains from varsity and also a new standard gauge link to service the northern rivers, connecting to the existing Sydney line”
“Used light rail overseas and know how easy and manageable it is to use. Better for older people because you don’t get flung about as you do on a bus, with its constant lurching and stopping. Tram floor level with pavement is better for wheelchairs and other folk with mobility issues.”
“We use the tram & love it. Would love to get to the airport without having to get off to get onto bus with luggage.”
“Reliable, lots of service runs, comfortable and easy to use for our disabled friends”
“I support the tram extension to Gold Coast Airport because it would provide a more convenient, reliable and sustainable transport option for both locals and visitors. It would improve public transport access to the airport, reduce reliance on cars and taxis, and help ease traffic congestion.”
“It would also better connect key areas of the Gold Coast, making it easier for people to travel to and from the airport without needing to drive or arrange a separate transfer. Overall, I believe the tram would provide long-term benefits for accessibility, tourism, residents and the broader Gold Coast community.”
“As a frequent user of the tram I see first-hand how beneficial it is. Trams are a no-brainer and are inevitable as the GC grows. “
“I tried to use buses before but they are usually late or don’t show up at all. Not reliable especially during peak traffic when they are delayed in traffic.”
“It’s the only transport alternative that makes sense. Leverages current tram and completes to important destinations like the airport.”
“We travel to the airport often and have many bags. The light rail is right at my back door at ***** but we can’t handle moving the bags from tram to bus. A continuous tram service to the airport is needed. People with disabilities find it even worse, changing from the tram to a bus. Many times impossible. We will need to continue to use car transport amongst congestion. We have no alternative.”
“The Coolangatta area needs the tram desperately in order to connect to the rest of the Gold Coast community. Most importantly it allows the elderly and disabled in the Coolangatta area to easily access the Gold Coast University Hospital and the state government dental facility as well as other places like Centrelink and the Department of Housing. On top of that businesses in the Coolangatta area need to put traffic in order to stay viable and the light rail is the only thing that will do it because the buses are inappropriate and would only just cope now and would not cope at all in the future.”
“It has just opened up a whole new world for us residents in Burleigh. We now travel to many restaurants and businesses north of here as it is so easy to access. We used to bus it to Palm Beach, Currumbin and Coolangatta but we simply won’t bother now. In addition the obvious one is that the tourists should be able to get off a flight and have an easy mode of transport to their accommodation. I don’t hear of too many arriving at the airport and wanting to stay in Robina or Varsity even if there was a train there.”
“No brainer. Prelim designs already complete. Need to build for a future growing population. A bendy bus is not generational transport infrastructure.”
“Fast, reliable, doesn’t get stuck in traffic, spacious”
“It is better at moving people compared to a stupid bus which just gets stuck in traffic. QLD state government only canned this and heavy rail to Gold Coast airport because they think that 7 goes into 28 3 times and claim that it is a magic 7 to avoid admitting they are wrong.”
“Faster, quieter, more comfortable more reliable OTR”
“I support the tram because it is very smooth to ride on, very reliable, on time , run every seven minutes, more wider spaces to spread out inside the carriages, enough room for luggage to sit with you, no stress while riding on it, it never gets stuck in traffic unlike the buses. Buses always unreliable, get squeezed inside the bus sometimes, no room for luggage if the rack is full, run every half hour, often late or cancelled!, the tram is the better option………..Tram for Coolangatta via the airport and through Palm Beach…………Build it and they will come !!!”
“Has the ability to service more people as airport arrivals and departures will mainly be holiday-makers staying on the coast. We already have a tram line to Helensvale so the connection to the airport would link from a lot of suburbs. Traffic would be reduced and limited if a tram went to the airport as well.”
“Easy access. High volume. Accessible. Environmentally friendly. Easy and affordable. Regular and frequent.”
“Trams are much more efficient. They will bring additional tourists to the area and provide a vital link up and down the whole gold coast.”
“It’s necessary to build for the future. There is existing density and demand along the coastline to Coolangatta, as well as businesses and destinations worth visiting for locals and tourists alike.”
Buses without dedicated lanes will not keep up with future requirements and fragments the network at Burleigh. Stage 3 construction was disruptive but it is so convenient and popular now that it’s open. I’d love if visiting Palmy and Coolangatta was so convenient.”
“I love travelling by the tram. I find buses too difficult to travel by. Buses are not easy to get on and off and it is hard to find the right timetable for the bus. Trams may cost more to construct but they get vehicles off the road and reduce congestion. Buses are on-road vehicles and add to congestion. They are a very short-term solution and Gold Coast needs long-term solutions. It is embarrassing that we don’t have a tram to the GC airport. Trams are a stress-free way to travel and I would love to see them extend to the border and then eventually offer east-west connections and/or extend to northern Gold Coast (Coomera, Hope Island and Harbourtown).”
“I strongly support the proposal to progress the next stage of the Gold Coast Light Rail, extending the tram from Burleigh Heads through to the Gold Coast Airport.”
“Completing this important extension would provide a reliable and convenient public transport connection for residents, workers and visitors, while reducing traffic congestion and improving access to the airport and surrounding areas.”
“The extension is an important investment in the Gold Coast’s future, and I believe it should be progressed as a priority and completed as soon as possible.”
“The G-Link Tram was approved a decade ago and corridors preserved tor all
4 Light Rail Stages. As GC is a long narrow city running along coast with hinterland to west I have always believed in a continuous North to South public transport system for our city and growing population. It must run as planned, on dedicated tracks (not clogging up our already busy at capacity roads and highways) to a regular timetable 7-10mins with suitable parking multi-level garages for park & ride passengers at major stops like currently at Parkwood. Trams can carry 3 times as many passengers as any of the other modes of public transport in safety and are boarded at road level making it easy to get on and off at stations for everyone as well as mothers with babies & prams, disabled and elderly. As far as luggage storage for suitcases to airport, areas for these can be re-assigned within each carriage as they do on trams all over the world, some use double decker storage for the stronger able-bodied passengers too use upper levels for smaller cases. It works well as I have witnessed. I’m retired, live in ***** and I have tram station a kilometre walk from my home and use it regularly.”
“So much easier than buses to get around, more reliable, runs on time, runs regularly. Often see empty buses. Never see empty trams.”
“It makes sense – the tram was planned to go to the airport and SHOULD be continued. The popularity of the tram to date by both residents and visitors is hands down a success. The alternative of buses is absolutely ridiculous – roads are already clogged daily. Why add to this? No other tourist capital in the world doesn’t have light rail as their transport system!”
“Trams are far more efficient at moving people (and thus reducing car use) than buses. This is not about cost. It is about the number of people moved per hour! Continuation of the light rail just makes sense. Finish the line otherwise people will keep saying it goes nowhere. Let’s not do half a job on it. Go all the way to the airport.”
“Fast, reliable, on time, doesn’t get held up in traffic. Easy access for the elderly.”
“It must connect to the airport.. we are a city now and we need city like public transport infrastructure The tram will provide continuous transportation to the southern Gold Coast. Linking the whole area with mass rapid transit that is comfortable and efficient.”
“The tram is easy, convenient and very reliable. I do not drive and have not really used a bus since the tram came in years ago. Unfortunately, this means I have not gone to places like Harbourtown, Robina, Burleigh (until last weekend on the tram) and further south unless I go with a friend who drives. I spent 15 years waiting for buses that were so often late, slow, cancelled, skipped and incredibly frustrating. I was not ever able to know when I would arrive at my destination as it could vary so much.”
“Once the tram was first introduced, I occasionally had to go to Burleigh, Robina Town Centre and Harbourtown. I was always shocked and irritated by how long I would have to wait for a bus once getting off the tram. Buses were supposed to be every 10-15 minutes but I would sit and wait at Broadbeach South Station or Southport bus stop, watching as 2 or 3 trams came and went since the one I got off. I was just wasting my time. Most of the time, the timetable seemed to only run every second service, meaning there would often be a wait of 30 minutes. Then, further delays would occur as so many people who had also been waiting would get on, and once we finally departed, the trip itself would take an inordinately long time due to passengers getting on and off at every single stop (sometimes just 2-5 blocks apart), plus of course the traffic.”
“If I wanted to get from where I live in Surfers to Burleigh to meet a friend, right now I would be able to virtually guarantee what time I’d arrive. 10 minute walk to the tram, usually a 2-5 minute wait, then a 25 minute ride. Easy! If the tram did not go to Burleigh, the 10 minute walk and 2-5 minute wait would remain the same, and then a 12 minute tram ride to Broadbeach South Station. After that? Who knows. The waiting time alone could be 5-30 minutes and the bus trip also could be anywhere from 15-30 minutes. This means I would have to allow up to an extra HOUR that I may or may not even need. It is extremely inefficient.”
“Personally, I really dislike having to change modes of transport. Tram to bus, bus to train, etc. The connections never seem to sync up so again, the sitting around waiting time is very frustrating. When travelling up to Brisbane occasionally, the bus from ***** to Nerang Station would take between 20 and 40 minutes and always seemed to arrive just as the train was pulling away, this resulting in a guaranteed 30-minute wait. I stopped using this route because of that, and now take the tram from ***** to Helensvale Station, which takes 35 minutes and can arrive 10 or 20 minutes after the train leaves (due to the high frequency of the trams), guaranteeing only a 10-20 minute wait, which is much better in my experience.”
“Also, often when coming back from Brisbane, it is such a relief to get off the train and head to the tram, and see it sitting there, waiting. No forced waiting like at Nerang Station with the unpredictable bus. It is also nice knowing that even if a tram does pull away just as you get to the platform, another one will be along within minutes. No stress. On the other hand, 80% of the time when I used to get off at Nerang Station, if the train was even a few minutes late, the bus to ***** had already left and often buses would appear to be skipped, leaving passengers on my train AND the next one, 30 minutes later, waiting for one very slow, overloaded bus. VERY stressful and unnecessary.”
“Basically, the tram is reliable, consistent, convenient, frequent, and pleasant. Traffic and passengers generally do not impact these benefits, unlike with buses.”
“I am looking forward to a tram that goes to Harbourtown, and I REALLY hope that somehow a practicable tram route can be established to go through Tallebudgera, Currumbin, Tugun, Kirra, GC Airport, and Coolangatta ending at the Tweed border. I would also love if a tram went to Robina Town Centre, via Carrara Markets, the stadiums, and a few other areas of Robina (which is a large suburb). I only go there when with a friend who drives, and it takes 20 minutes from Surfers (even in traffic). Whenever I would get the tram and the bus, it would take over an hour waiting for, and travelling on, the bus alone (plus the short tram trip).”
“Ideally, there would be a tram route doing a loop between Cypress Ave, going over Chevron Island, down Bundall Road for office workers and HOTA, then Sorrento shops and over the Isle of Capri, meeting up with Northcliffe Station back in Surfers. I realise this is impossible as the road and bridges cannot be widened, but it would be good.”
“Thank you for listening!”
“1 It connects the coast without the need to change modes of transport
2 Better access for people with disabilities and elderly people, especially those in wheelchairs
3 Better traffic flow by design
4 Cost is a fact of life, for the buses to be efficient and effective they will need expensive infrastructure that may take up more room than the tram
5 I have used both modes extensively and my personal preference is for the tram
6 Trams have superior on-time performance
7 Trams carry a lot more passengers”
“A North South backbone makes such good sense.”
“I have total trust in the public transport experts who have been working on best outcomes for GC for decades. They spend their lives researching public transport systems in cities worldwide. What a ‘smack in the guts’ for them, hearing that the NIMBY’S in Palm Beach plus our LNP can halt the light rail to Coolangatta”
“I think long-term it is the best option for the Gold Coast, support the Tram backbone with good bus services by all means, but every great city has mass transit – and that does not mean buses. I have lived on the Gold Coast for over 30 years and have seen much growth and change. Yes, it’s painful and expensive to build, but it’s an investment in future generations and lifestyle that buses can never match.”
“The tram makes the cost accessible for all, as I have a business along the tram line, I am frequented by more and more customers. As the line extension for Burleigh opened I am now overloaded and can’t keep up. That is how much extra the tram is providing to one small business. What is unfortunate is that my place of business is not accesible from the rest of GC due to a few losers who opposed it, and additionally no thought has gone into creating an actual grid pattern network which is what trams are used for. “
“Extend the tram to tweed. It’s already half way completed and the job needs to be finished. Public transport is not just about locals but about the 100s of thousands of other members of the public who will use it. That’s what makes a city great.”
“Gets cars off the road, more reliable than buses, more accessible, it’s already so close to the airport that it makes no sense not to continue it. Stopping the tram at Burleigh is just going to clog the streets of Burleigh with people needing another mode of transport to continue on to the airport.” It reduces traffic congestion and is comfortable and accessible for all needs Light rail is far more sensible option than dangerous and unreliable busses It just works better than other options.”
“The Gold Coast’s population has always grown and it will continue to do so in huge steps. Despite the disruption it is imperative to get decent public transport infrastructure built as soon as possible and a rail network, both light and heavy, is the best way to go. I have been a regular user of buses and trams on the Gold Coast for many years.. once you have tried trams you can see how superior they are to the buses. I find that most of the people opposing light rail are people who never or rarely catch public transport.”
“As its partly started it makes sense to continue it through to the airport. Living in the entertainment precinct the trams are essential for getting around. We have tried the buses, they are late, or if you aren’t lucky they don’t show up at all. I get bus sick, drivers aren’t the best, and fling you around the corners, and the scenic route is fine if you have time. My time is precious I just want to get from A to B. Going to the airport would be great without having to get off with luggage and change to buses.”
“A bus system – no matter in what form it is presented – is most definitely not better than the Light Rail for myself and my wife who is a permanent wheelchair user. We use the bus frequently and getting on/off the bus is hard. We use Light rail and QLD Heavy rail as well and it is so much better than bus transport as you can roll on/off to a flat floor inside the tram/train versus using the kerb and fold down ramp on the bus plus the space onboard a bus is restrictive especially when non-disabled people are standing in the aisle and sitting in the seats reserved for disabled. We have done luggage on the train to Brisbane but would never contemplate doing it on a bus as it would be too difficult for us as we travel with 4 items which is 1 suitcase each + 2 items of disability equipment that would not fit it the racks.”
“Dedicated corridor and large capacity. Greater efficiency. They arrive every 7 mins approximately. They are on tracks. Far simpler to use than buses. Short-term pain for long-term gain (in terms of the disruption during construction process). The Qld govt and people have such short-sighted views…. sigh. Feels like Qld is in the dark ages. Get with the times and install MORE public transport.”
“Easy to get to, no taking the car out, and supporting businesses along the tram line now.”
“Carry luggage better, smoother, no hold ups, no changing ride.”
“Consistent running timetable, minority of accidents and breakdowns, cleaner, reliable easier to alight and board, more room. Ex bus driver 20 years, ex uber driver 8 years, there will always be people who ride buses, like some like uber over taxis, but to move the masses trams are the answer, hence every major city in Australia installing them.”
“When the infrastructure that has been built to date has been so successful why stop now. For tourists flying into the Gold Coast airport a tram service from the airport would offer them a seamless door to door transfer to their accommodation or into Surfers Paradise for dining, shopping and entertainment.”
“The tram works fabulously from Burleigh to Helensvale. I have a disabled son and we regularly attend appointments at Gold Coast hospital and Queensland children’s hospital. The tram part of our journey is so much better than the bus part of our journey. Getting on buses with a child with mobility issues and medical equipment is difficult and dangerous. Sometimes when the bus pulls up it’s already full and there’s no space for us to get on so we have no choice but to wait another half an hour for the next one and try our luck there. I have witnessed similar with other people in wheelchairs waiting at the bus stops. Never had a tram pull up and been “set down only”. The bus is very jerky and often takes off before we are in position. I’ve personally helped elderly people who’ve fallen over because of this. The buses get stuck in traffic, unlike the seamless and gentle tram. The timetable and app say the buses come every 7 minutes but you only get one bus for every 3 that are listed on the timetables. We call them “Phantom buses”.
“We only have one car, live in Palm Beach and husband works in Broadbeach. He works in hospitality so sometimes he has late finishes. Sometimes he’s scared for his safety when it’s late at night and he has to get off a tram and wait for a bus. Bringing the tram to Coolangatta via the airport would be the ultimate travel system for us and many others. Would be great for tourists to be able to get to town from the airport. I feel like it would be great for businesses in Coolangatta if the tram went down there as they are often overlooked by tourists as “too far away and too hard to get to”.
“We live in Australia’s top tourist destination. A few old people in Palm Beach who don’t want the tram shouldn’t be able to hold the whole city’s transit system hostage because they want us to remain in the year 1981.”
“The trams run more frequently than the buses. Too often the bus doesn’t show up and one has to wait for the next one. The tram has card readers on the stations, on the buses there is delay caused by people lining up to tap on. The tram has level boarding which is good for people in wheelchairs or with luggage strollers and safer for elderly people too. Tram can carry more wheelchair users. Tram has a smoother ride and no jerky stops and starts. Tram is not held up by traffic and red lights.”
“I support the tram because it will reduce traffic congestion, provide a reliable public transport connection to various places along the coast, restaurants, shops and the airport. It will support tourism and local businesses and help meet the transport needs of the growing Gold Coast population while hopefully reducing reliance on private vehicles. I live in the Hope Island/Gold Coast area and travel regularly, having access to the tram will make it easier to travel to the airport without needing to drive, pay for parking, or rely on increasingly expensive ride-share services.”
“It’s a reliable service that should be heavily expanded across Gold Coast.
-Soaks up traffic
-Increases housing supply
-Supports economic development
-New station at Southern Cross Uni and Currumbin Sanctuary
-Provides a direct link between Gold Coast CBDs and Airport
-Allows for improvements, eg putting the tram and road in a tunnel to protect Burleigh heads
-A tram and heavy rail extension could support a South GC transport hub where air travellers can connect with rail, tram, bus, coach, as well as park n ride for travellers coming up from NSW.
-Coupling with heavy rail extension and joining at Coolangatta creates a full rail loop connecting Helensvale, Nerang, Robina, Ellanora, Coolangatta, Burleigh, Broadbeach, Surfers, Southport and the Knowledge precinct at Parkwood.”
“46 years as an urban planner, project management for country-wide transport plans. Cannot half finish it.”
“Because going from Burleigh north is much more comfortable. If standing room only it is a lot smoother to stand. I do not want tram to airport as luggage takes up too many seats, no luggage racks. Train to link with NSW would be ideal. Can’t wait for bus to link Burleigh to Varsity.”
“Easy access, faster, and safer.”
“Convenience, capacity, reliability, accessibility, speed and traffic avoidance.”
“Tram convenient if going near designated few stops – cheap & quick though not useful as a local wanting to visit/access other suburban areas for work, appointments local sport, functions restaurants. Terminal at Burleigh is a distance for elderly to main precinct shopping area.”
“It’s the only transport that has its own system and will not be affected as much as other transport.”
“It’s easy at my age to access. It’s regular and reliable.”
“I support tram for the north south traffic for the whole of the Gold Coast and integrated buses for the rest of the Gold Coast.”
“I support the tram because:
– Level boarding
– audible automated announcements
– interior screens showing stops and time till arrival
– great frequency
– hearing loops at stations
– ticket and top up machines at every station
– loads of priority seating, and several wheelchair spaces
– surfer friendly, with surfboard storage racks It’s an amazing piece of infrastructure for the Gold Coast, being more successful than anticipated. It needs to go to the airport instead of stopping it in favour of a small minority of protestors that have NEVER used public transport before.”
“Reliable energy efficient transportation – long-term infrastructure to support Gold Coast (GC) airport helping tourists to access all parts of the coast at low cost. Offers southern GC residents access to northern retail, arts, entertainment, sporting, and business areas without using vehicles and having to pay for parking. Reduces traffic congestion and decreases need for taxis and Ubers etc to park in public beach areas. Long-term planning needed now for expected population growth.”