The state government has announced a major overhaul of bus services on the southern Gold Coast following the opening of Light Rail Stage 3.
Commuters travelling south from Broadbeach will now be forced to catch two modes of transport if they want to travel beyond Burleigh Heads.
The popular 777 express service to the airport and the 700 to Tweed Heads will no longer travel between Burleigh and Broadbeach South.
Instead, passengers will need to catch a tram to Burleigh then jump on the bus from there.
The 777 and 700 services will now terminate at Stocklands in Burleigh.
A new route, the 701, is being created which will run every 15 minutes between The Pines and Robina Station, travelling via Elanora, Burleigh Heads and Varsity Lakes.
Changes are also being made to routes 754 and 764, which are being combined at Burleigh Heads and will run as route 754 between Broadbeach South and The Pines, while route 764 will operate between The Pines and Currumbin Park.
While the late-night 700 service is being renamed to Route 70 and extended to Helensvale to run every 30 minutes between midnight and 4am, Monday to Thursday.
The state government says the changes will increase weekday services by 25 per cent, with an extra 167 bus trips, while weekend services will increase by 19 per cent.
“Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 has already transformed the way people move around the city, connecting Burleigh Heads to the wider public transport network and providing more travel options for residents and visitors,” Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said.
“These bus network improvements are the next step, ensuring buses, light rail and heavy rail work together as one integrated transport network across the southern Gold Coast.
“By reducing duplication between buses and trams, we’re able to reinvest services into stronger local connections, more frequent services and better access to key destinations.”
The changes will come into effect from September 7.
New Route 701
- New frequent service running every 15 minutes between 7am and 7pm, 7 days a week, connecting The Pines, Elanora, Burleigh Heads, Varsity Lakes station, Robina Town Centre and Robina station.
Route 700
- Will operate between Tweed Heads and West Burleigh Road at Stockland Burleigh Heads, connecting with the tram network at Burleigh Heads.
Route 70
- Former late-night Route 700 renamed and extended to Helensvale on the nights the tram doesn’t operate.
- Will operate between Burleigh Heads and Helensvale stations every 30 minutes between midnight and 4am, Monday to Thursday.
Route 754 and Route 764
- Routes will be combined at Burleigh Heads and operate as Route 754 between Broadbeach South and The Pines.
- Route 764 will operate as a local loop service between The Pines and Currumbin Park.
Route 765
- Will operate between Christine Avenue and Robina station, connecting with the tram network at Christine Avenue.
Route 777
- Will operate as a limited-stop express service between Gold Coast Airport and West Burleigh Road at Stockland Burleigh Heads, connecting with the tram network at Burleigh Heads.
Route 760
- Timetable updates to improve reliability.
