GOLD Glider

New ‘Gold’ CityGlider proposed to service high-growth areas

 

The Schrinner Council has put the wheels in motion for a new CityGlider bus service to link Hamilton to Woolloongabba.

 

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the 2021-22 Budget allocated $94,000 to undertake a business case for a potential Gold CityGlider route.

 

“Under this exciting proposal a dedicated service would connect the fast-growing area of Hamilton to Woolloongabba, via Fortitude Valley and the Eagle and Mary street end of the CBD,” Cr Schrinner said.

 

“It would operate like the existing and very successful Blue and Maroon CityGliders, providing a high-frequency service – seven days a week and 24 hours on the weekend.

 

“The Blue CityGlider which was launched in April 2010 was followed by the Maroon CityGlider in February 2013. These two routes are some of our most popular with more than 4.3 million trips a year pre-covid.

 

“It’s important that as Brisbane’s population grows, the city’s public transport network continues to expand and offer new travel options.

 

“This new bus could provide a connection to and from the State Government’s Northshore Hamilton Priority Development Area which has plans for thousands of new dwellings.

 

“The Schrinner Council’s delivery of the upgraded Kingsford Smith Drive project allows for reliable travel times along that corridor and into the CBD, so the timing is perfect to start exploring high-frequency public transport in this area.

 

“In the 2021/22 financial year we’re going to put the plans in place, do the necessary studies and then ask the State Government to jump on board to help us deliver this service.

 

“The Gold CityGlider is part of our plan to reduce traffic congestion and build on our record of operating one of Australia’s largest and most modern bus fleets.”

 

Hamilton Ward Councillor David McLachlan said the Schrinner Council’s investment in the business case was great news for residents.

 

“There have been so many new residents moving into Hamilton Ward recently and a high-frequency bus service would give residents transport choices,” Cr McLachlan said.

 

“A Gold CityGlider like this could even be extended by 2032 to service a future Olympics Village if Brisbane is successful in its bid.”

 

Central Ward Councillor Vicki Howard welcomed the possibility of another high-frequency transport route servicing the inner-city.

 

“We are seeing more and more people return to their CBD office building post COVID and the popular Eagle Street precinct currently does not have a high-frequency service, so a Gold CityyGlider would meet that need,” Cr Howard said.