Gold Coast bus services will receive a major boost following a State Government announcement of an extra $6.2 million a year to improve services, including a new 24 hour high frequency bus service along the Gold Coast Highway.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas today said 25 new air conditioned, low floor buses manufactured on the Gold Coast would be provided for the new services.
“A new Route 700 high-frequency service will operate around the clock along the Gold Coast Highway between Coolangatta and Southport,” Mr Lucas said.
“Route 700 will be Australia's best all-night bus route, with a 30 minute service frequency 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” he said.
“This new route, combined with other service improvements, will mean buses every five minutes between 7am - 7pm Monday to Friday between Southport and Burleigh Heads.
“There will be buses a minimum of every 15 minutes between Southport and Helensvale, and Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta.
“The State Government is prepared to back the Gold Coast with these new services and the Gold Coast should back the new services with their support.”
He said the other major service improvements from May 15 included:
* New timetables to ensure on-time running,
* Extra services to address over-crowding,
* A new direct University service, bypassing the busy Southport business district,
* Three routes bypassing the Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, delivering time savings of up to 10 minutes,
* Tripling of services from HarbourTown to Southport and Surfers Paradise,
* Doubling of services from Helensvale Town Centre to Southport,
* New routes to the popular Gold Coast theme parks,
* Improved coordinated bus services from the Highway corridor to train stations at Helensvale, Nerang and Robina.
“The State Government is also investing $200,000 a year to provide a new bus route for Pacific Pines, where many residents currently have little access to public transport,” Mr Lucas said.
“The proposed route for this service is available from TransLink and is expected to commence by August.
“We are providing the services the community has asked for.
“These improvements have resulted from consultation on the Draft TransLink Network Plan with Gold Coast passenger transport users and operators.
“TransLink will continue to consult the community about further improvements to local bus services,” Mr Lucas said.
He said timetables for the new services would be available soon. The proposed routes would be available from TransLink at www.translink.com.au or by calling 13 12 30.
Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 3237 1942
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