Sally Coates, Gold Coast Bulletin
September 10, 2018 11:36am

A GOLD Coast MP is pushing for existing light rail issues to be fixed before tackling the costly third stage.

Bonney MP Sam O’Connor is lobbying to extend light rail operating hours between Gold Coast University Hospital and Helensvale, which currently does not run between midnight and 5am, seven days a week.

He said he has received complaints from residents stranded, largely at the hospital and university, at odd hours of the night.

“We want people to use the light rail and stage two should run the same as the rest of the line,” he said.

“It’s only three extra stops taking just over 10 minutes.

“It’s a real concern for hospital and hospitality workers who finish their shifts at odd hours. They should be able to walk to, or park at, a station at the start of the night and catch a tram home at the end.

“The cost of a taxi or Uber, especially for students, means they’ll often just take a long walk home, which is not safe especially at those hours of the morning.”

Sam O’Connor MP with Griffith University student Brittany Higgins at the Gold Coast University Hospital tram stop. Picture: Glenn Hampson
When Mr O’Connor inquired with TransLink about the lack of off-peak trams he was told there was a lack of demand, however they made this assessment from existing bus patronage.

“Making this decision based off the old bus data is a joke,” Mr O’Connor said.

“You’re comparing apples and oranges.”

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A TransLink spokesman said the latest data showed an average of 12 boardings were made on the last service to Helensvale station, however did not specify when that data was collated.

“TransLink is not proposing to extend the span of hours on the light rail, however TransLink constantly reviews network demand to ensure it meets the needs of local community,” he said.

“Feedback from the community is being used to inform the Detailed Business Case for Stage 3A, which will be complete by the end of 2018 for government consideration.”

Mr O'Connor is lobbying to extend tram times between Griffith University and Helensvale so that students like Ms Higgins can get home safely. Picture: Glenn Hampson
Griffith University business student Brittany Higgins said the tram’s unsatisfactory timetable is notorious among students.

She said she and many other students she knows have been caught out, leaving them in the frightening situation of being stranded alone after midnight.

“If it’s running everywhere else it doesn’t make sense that it wouldn’t keep running for the whole length of the rail,” she said.

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“When you get stuck you either have to catch an Uber or taxi – which is relying on your phone having battery – and not everyone can afford to pay to get out to the northern Gold Coast.

“If you can’t get yourself home then you’re stranded with no other choice to walk, which can be really scary.

“I know it’s only an extra 10 minutes to get out to the final stop so I don’t see why they can’t extend.

“It wouldn’t even have to be every 15 minutes, even every hour would be better than what it is right now.”