BTQ Welcomes Pimpama Station Opening but Urges Bus Service Improvements

Better Transport Queensland welcomes the opening of Pimpama Station on the Gold Coast Line this morning; the first new station to serve the Gold Coast since 2009. This milestone marks a significant step forward in the delivery of the Cross River Rail project and reflects years of planning and investment in better public transport for Queenslanders.

New Gold Coast Stations a Win for Connectivity, but Capacity Must Keep Pace

Pimpama is the first of three new stations set to open on the Gold Coast as part of the Cross River Rail program, representing a major win for residents across the region. These new stations will improve access, reduce travel times for residents, and support the growing communities along the corridor.

However, BTQ notes that the addition of new stations will increase the travel time for existing passengers and place further pressure on existing rail services. To ensure that the journey time remains competitive and the capacity keeps pace with demand, Better Transport Queensland urges the Queensland Government to fast-track the Logan to Gold Coast Faster Rail Project to improve capacity in the peak travel periods. Delivering increased frequency and faster travel times is critical to maintaining reliability and supporting the long-term success of the Gold Coast’s public transport network.

Bus Network Adjustments Welcome, but Poor Frequency Remains

BTQ is pleased to see that Translink has reviewed the surrounding bus network to ensure that Pimpama Station is well integrated into the broader public transport system. As part of this review, several key bus routes have been adjusted to better serve the new station: 721, 722, 724, 732, and 733. These changes will improve local connectivity and make it easier for residents to access rail services, supporting a more seamless and multimodal travel experience.

However, BTQ notes that many of these services continue to suffer from inadequate frequencies. During the morning and evening peaks, routes 733, 732, 724, and 720 operate only once per hour. This is an unacceptable level of service for a growing community and with trains departing Pimpama every 15 minutes or better during peak periods, such limited bus frequencies discourage multi-modal travel and instead incentivise driving, or risk leaving passengers stranded without a timely connection home.

To fully realise the benefits of the new station and meet rising demand, BTQ calls on the Queensland Government to invest in improved bus frequencies for Gold Coast services, ensuring that public transport is a viable and attractive option for all residents from door to door.

Quotes attributable to Rowan Gray, Better Transport Queensland President

“Pimpama Station’s opening is great news for the surrounding community. It offers a more convenient access point to the rail network and eases the pressure on nearby stations, where on-street parking has become increasingly congested and unsustainable.”

“While the new bus connections are a welcome addition, the low frequency means most residents will still opt to drive for convenience. For buses to be seen as a viable alternative, their schedules need to match the frequency and reliability of train services.”

“Pimpama Station will encourage increased patronage on the Gold Coast line, especially during the already-congested morning peaks. To keep pace with growing demand, the Logan to Gold Coast Faster Rail project must be fast-tracked. Without it, the benefits of new stations risk being undermined by capacity constraints.”

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Better Transport Queensland Inc. — Queensland’s leading advocacy group for public, active, and freight transport.

Spokesperson
Rowan Gray - BTQ President
[email protected]

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