QLD announces new OOL - Burleigh & Varsity Lakes Metro service + Light Rail extension North

[justinbrett]

The new service will connect OOL with Burleigh Light Rail & Varsity Lakes Heavy Rail stations. The proposed route is Robina, Varsity Lakes, Burleigh, OOL and Coolangatta.

Separately, the light rail is getting a spur line from Gold Coast University Hospital to Harbour town (Bigerra Waters area). It would be interesting if they use this to run higher frequencies to the core line - eg one service Helensvale to Burleigh, the other service Harbour town to Broadbeach South, and alternating between them.

https://www.railexpress.com.au/qld-government-unveils-major-gold-coast-rail-expansion/

 

[dajop]

Good news.

But of course using the Qld definition of "Metro" not the globally accepted definition for a metro.

Often mocked on social media.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1292684779013337

 

[DC3]

Good news.

But of course using the Qld definition of "Metro" not the globally accepted definition for a metro.

 

[moa999]

So basically they are buying new articulated buses for the 777

(Noting that they at least previously used double deckers as well as regular buses on this route)

 

[justinbrett]

So basically they are buying new articulated buses for the 777

(Noting that they at least previously used double deckers as well as regular buses on this route)

Not quite - the Brisbane "metro" vehicles are definitely better than a bendy bus - a lot more capacity, and in the context of an airport vehicle - step free, so will be a lot easier with luggage.

I haven't seen the double decker buses here for years. I think since Surfside buses joined the Kinetic behemoth they're being used elsewhere. If they are, I've never been on one, and I use the 777 somewhat frequently.

Good news.

But of course using the Qld definition of "Metro" not the globally accepted definition for a metro.

Often mocked on social media.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1292684779013337

Hey, it's 50c.

It would have been a proper light rail but the NIMBYs complained.

 

[ols]

Kinetic Behemoth
Good name for a prog rock band

 

[Melburnian1]

But of course using the Qld definition of "Metro" not the globally accepted definition for a metro.

Often mocked on social media.

Yes, the Brisbane claim it has a 'metro' is the silliest misuse of a term I have ever seen in mass transit worldwide.

It's just a bus network.

 

[justinbrett]

Yes, the Brisbane claim it has a 'metro' is the silliest misuse of a term I have ever seen in mass transit worldwide.

It's just a bus network.

Have you been on it? I agree it's not a metro by any definition - but it is closer to light rail than a bus.

Fully grade separated, dedicated roadways, only stops at platforms, large capacity.

IMO it's closer to light rail than many of Melbourne's trams, that share roads with cars and have a much smaller capacity. In fact, in terms of being fully grade separated, you can't even say that about many light rail networks including Gold Coast.

"Just a bus network" is not an accurate assessment.

 

[clifford]

It would have been a proper light rail but the NIMBYs complained.

Yes, that was a good excuse, but I think the $$$$$$$'s complained louder.

 

[CaptJCool]

Wonderful
Aiming to head up when stage 3 opens

https://www.instagram.com/lightrailstage3

 

[clifford]

I'll be there again in August, but if it's in operation I don't see it reducing my travel time from Southport to OOL.

But it will be interesting. I was there a few weeks ago and could see that it was virtually completed.

 

[justinbrett]

I'll be there again in August, but if it's in operation I don't see it reducing my travel time from Southport to OOL.

But it will be interesting. I was there a few weeks ago and could see that it was virtually completed.

It's been completed for a while (early May), it's in testing now.

It's not so much the time saving for me, but a) being on a bus for a shorter time and b) the buses in theory should be more reliable - both in terms of getting stuck in traffic when you're on it since the distance is halved, and also the fleet in general should be better at keeping the schedule. The 777 may as well not have a schedule departing Broadbeach South currently. For a frequency of 15 minutes, it's been closer to a 30 minute wait on more than one occasion.

They've said the "surfer" will go every 10 minutes (vice 15 from BS) so maybe they'll retime the 777 to do that as well initially.