Re: MP Sam O’Connor says light rail stage two needs fixing before stage three: Gold Coast Bulletin
  Prescott

No doubt there is some financial issue for the operator in terms of the
contract and using a 300 passenger tram to move a dozen people is not a
good use of resources. I don't see why buses can't be used to provide the
service during these hours, quite common practice elsewhere.

Tony P

On Tuesday, 11 September 2018 12:46:30 UTC+10, Richard Youl wrote:
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> Sally Coates, Gold Coast Bulletin

> September 10, 2018 11:36am

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> 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.

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> “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.”

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