Gold Coast light rail marks 1 million trips

18 September, 2014 10:11AM AEST ABC Australia. By Charmaine Kane and staff

The Gold Coast light rail system has marked its one millionth paid passenger since it opened to the public. The G:Link was officially launched on July 20 and reached the six-figure milestone on Wednesday afternoon.

The State Government initially revised down its early forecasts of how many people would use the trams.  However Member for Surfers Paradise John Paul Langbroek says the popularity of the G:Link has exceeded expectations.

"From numbers that began as low as 13,000 a day now up to 16,000, 17,000 and on some days even up to 20,000," he said. "Gold Coasters are taking to this whether they are tourists, visitors, locals, they are certainly using it to get to work and to play."

Games 'unlikely factor' in expansion

The Commonwealth Games in 2018 are unlikely to be a factor in considering expanding the city's light rail network. Mr Langbroek says any expansion would need to be carefully planned regardless of the Commonwealth Games.

"It's only four years away and I know there is a small window of opportunity to supposedly extend this and get it done before 2018, but it's also important to make sure we plan properly fund it properly," he said.

"Without it the games are going to go ahead anyway with a comprehensive transport plan should that be the case."

'Confident' of increasing numbers

Mr Langbroek says it is important the city has a number of events which can be serviced by the light rail system. He says the light rail will provide another transport option for people attending events like the Gold Coast 600 motor race.

"The operators of it are very positive about moving people through the precinct where it will be held at Main Beach and that that will be another alternative," he said. "We need to make sure that we have lots of other events, day to day events as well that people use the light rail for.

"I am confident they are going to in increasing numbers." The government will continue to monitor patron numbers on the light rail system.