The Queensland Government has announced the GoldLinQ Consortium as the successful proponent for the Gold Coast Rapid Transit Project (GCRT).
In an 18 year Public Private Partnership contract with the State Government of Aus$1 billion, GoldLinQ will design, build, finance, operate and maintain Gold Coast’s light rail public transportation system.
Consisting of 14 vehicles and 16 stations, it will service a 13 kilometre route between the Gold Coast University Hospital and Broadbeach; a part of one of the fastest growing regions in Australia.
Patronage numbers are expected to grow to 50,000 passengers per day and GoldLinQ has in-built capacity to cater for up to 75,000 passengers per day.
The GoldLinQ Consortium includes:
- KDR Gold Coast Pty Ltd – operations and maintenance;
- Bombardier Transportation Australia Pty Ltd – design and supply of the light rail vehicles and rail systems;
- McConnell Dowell Constructors (Australia) Pty Ltd – infrastructure and building works;
- Plenary Group Pty Ltd – financial arranger and commercial adviser.
KDR is the joint venture between Keolis and Downer EDI, which operates and maintains the Melbourne tram system, Yarra Trams.
Construction on GCRT will commence in early 2012 and the system will see its first passengers onboard in 2014.
GCRT is a new milestone for Keolis in its development strategy in Australia, following the successful takeover of the Yarra Trams system in December 2009, and reinforces the Group’s world leadership in tram operations.
