Bombardier celebrates opening of Australian system

Bombardier Transportation is celebrating the start of passenger services on the Gold Coast light rail system in Queensland, Australia. The GoldLinQ consortium has successfully delivered the 8 mile light rail line with 16 stations and 14 distinctive, modern Bombardier Flexity 2 trams in just three years, as part of an 18-year public-private partnership with the Government of Queensland and the Gold Coast City Council.

The new light rail corridor connects the new Gold Coast University Hospital and Griffith University with the key activity centers of Southport, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. It promises to improve the livability of the Gold Coast significantly by improving accessibility while reducing the effects of congestion that come with a rapidly growing city.

Each of the new trams has capacity for 308 passengers with seating for 84, and the overall system has been designed to accommodate up to 75,000 passengers per day.

Bombardier has delivered the electrical and mechanical scope including the new electrically powered, low-floor Flexity 2 trams. The trams' outstanding visual design has already been recognized with a Good Design Award in the automotive and transport category. The Australian Good Design Awards are Australia's longest standing national design award and promotion program.