Australia’s Queensland Government has announced that the Gold Coast new light rail system will be opened on 20 July.
The $1.2bn Gold Coast Rapid Transit (GCRT) project is jointly funded by state and federal governments, as well as the Gold Coast City council, and covers 14 trams, 16 stations across a 13km rail route.
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Transport minister Scott Emerson said: "After three years of design and construction works, the Gold Coast will have a world-class public transport option."
"As a government, we have a strong plan to get more people on to public transport and light rail provides an easy-to-use, frequent service, ensuring a bright future for anyone travelling in and around the Gold Coast."
The GoldLinQ consortium was selected under a public private partnership (PPP) model to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the light rail system.
The consortium includes Bombardier, Keolis, Downer Rail, McConnell Dowell and the Plenary Group.
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By GlobalData"Following the day of free travel on Sunday, paid passenger tram services and the new bus timetable will commence on Monday 21 July that will include additional high frequency bus routes and improved connections between trains, buses and trams," Emerson added.
"Final testing and training will continue over the next two weeks."
Image: Gold Coast Light Rail near Broadwater Parklands. Photo: courtesy of Advanstra.
