The third stage of the Gold Coast Light Rail network has entered passenger service, extending one of Australia’s busiest light rail routes by 6.7km and adding eight new stations.
Alstom has delivered and integrated the core rail systems for the new alignment, including digital signalling and telecommunications solutions designed to enable seamless operations across the expanded network while improving reliability, resilience and safety. The systems connect to an enhanced control system deployed within an upgraded Operational Control Centre, now supported by a new Disaster Recovery Centre.
Five Flexity II trams, manufactured, tested and commissioned by Alstom, have entered service to support the extension, bringing the total number of Alstom-maintained Flexity II trams on the network to 23.
The stage three opening adds 6.7km of track, taking the total network length to 27km and enabling travel between Helensvale and Burleigh Heads, opening the southern section of the Gold Coast to light rail services for the first time. Eight additional stations have opened as part of the extension, bringing the total across the network to 27. All 23 trams in operation were developed and built at Alstom’s site in Vienna, Austria, with fleet maintenance delivered locally by Alstom on the Gold Coast.
As a long-term partner to GoldlinQ, the delivery consortium for Gold Coast Light Rail, Alstom has delivered the entire light rail fleet as well as key rail systems supporting the network alignment. As fleet maintainer, the company said it has consistently delivered a near perfect level of availability, with each tram travelling more than 100,000km a year.
Guillaume Tritter, managing director of Alstom Australia and New Zealand, said the Gold Coast Light Rail fleet, with its surfboard racks and picturesque vistas, was among the most iconic networks in the world. He said supporting all three stages with tram maintenance, digital infrastructure and signalling technology that makes the network operate was testament to both the global technology leadership of Alstom and the local expertise of its team in Queensland.
As a subcontractor to the GoldlinQ consortium, Alstom has delivered a tailored turnkey system in support of the Queensland Government’s goal of developing a rapid light rail transit network for the Gold Coast, funded by investment from the Australian, Queensland and local governments.
