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The new light rail system has finally arrived on Australian shores and will provide local residents of real estate in the Gold Coast with new and improved public transport facilities.
Two of the 14 trams were unloaded last week (September 20) and were welcomed with an official launch ceremony, held by the tram operator GoldLinQ.
Passenger services are expected to begin in mid-2014, while in the meantime the G:link units will be tested on the rail system with new tram drivers.
One passenger services get underway, local residents of real estate in the area will enjoy reduced commute times across the city.
"The trams will have the ability to deliver more than 300 people, every seven-and-a-half minutes, to Southport, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach," said Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson in a September 20 statement.
In turn, this will help to remove the number of people commuting around the city in their cars and will reduce the traffic congestion on roads.
"I hope commuters will embrace the 21st public transport operator to join the South East Queensland network and discover how much time can be saved by taking light rail trams instead of driving," said Mr Emerson.
Running for 13 kilometres, the $1.2 billion project will pass the Gold Coast University Hospital and Griffith University, providing both students and workers with easy public transport access.
The tram route will run from Broadbeach through Surfers Paradise and all the way along the coast into Southport.
A total of 16 stations will be accessible through the new G:link trams, allowing a number of residents across the city to take advantage of the new public transport system.
The new light rail system has been welcomed by Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, who stated it will help to futureproof the city.
"Investing in public transport reduces congestion on our roadways, helps our environment, and this light rail project has already created thousands of good paying jobs right here on the Gold Coast," Mr Tate said.
"The system will become a part of daily life as many Gold Coasters use it for travel to work, school, the beach and to access the food and entertainment areas the Glitter Strip is famous for."
This is just one of the many initiatives that the city of Gold Coast has in place to improve the area's liveability and to provide for residents now and into the future.
