​Commuters across the southern Gold Coast are set to see a major shift in how they travel, with the state government unveiling plans for a new metro-style service.
Dubbed The GC Surfer, the project focuses on connecting southern suburbs and coastal villages. The service will run every 10 minutes, creating a critical link between Robina, Varsity Lakes, Burleigh Heads, the Gold Coast Airport, and Coolangatta.
The decision to implement a metro-style fleet instead of extending the light rail further south comes following a government review of the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4, this also comes with the announcement this morning of an extension of the light rail in the north.
The review highlighted community preference for transport options that safeguard key environmental sites, specifically Burleigh Heads National Park and Tallebudgera Creek. By opting for The GC Surfer, the government aims to deliver a sustainable solution that preserves the coastal atmosphere.
Member for Burleigh Hermann Vorster noted the importance of balancing connectivity with environmental protection. “The GC Surfer will connect our suburban centres to our coastal villages and will provide a fantastic new connection to the heavy rail network for everyone,” Mr Vorster said.
With the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games approaching, the project is being accelerated to ensure infrastructure is in place to support the growing population. Commuters will also benefit from permanent 50-cent fares, making travel to and from the Gold Coast Airport significantly cheaper.
Member for Currumbin Laura Gerber said the new direction was a direct result of community feedback. “We made a commitment to listen to the community and that’s exactly what we did with a genuine review process that heard from thousands of local voices,” Mrs Gerber said.
