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SURFSIDE PONCHO BUSES FOR GOLD COAST ON-DEMAND TRIAL

KINETIC-OWNED operator Surfside Buslines will start a two-year on-demand Translink bus trial for north Gold Coast in 2022 – using Hino Ponchos –following a Queensland State Government announcement, recently.

The on-demand transport services will be integrated with the Translink network, meaning customers will be able to transfer to buses, trains and trams using their go card, the operator confirms.

Poncho bus customers will also be able to book services through a range of options, including the Translink On Demand app, which will allow them to pre-book and manage bookings easily, track where their service is and receive real-time notifications, Kinetic-Surfside explains.

Local member for Gold Coast rural residential locality Gaven – also Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs – Meaghan Scanlon says Surfside Buslines was successfully contracted to provide locals with convenient, accessible and reliable pre-booked on-demand services, citing its wealth of experience in this area.

“I committed to delivering more accessible transport options to the northern Gold Coast suburbs, and today we are one step closer to making that a reality,” Ms Scanlon said.

“Surfside Buslines is a local operator that is known by many and I’m pleased to announce the company has been locked in for the two-year trial period.

“Surfside bring a wealth of experience as a public transport operator and as part of a network that also provides similar on-demand transport trials in New Zealand.

“Accessibility is also at the forefront of this trial, with fully accessible Hino Poncho minibuses to be used.

“The trial will commence next year, and be offered to locals within Nerang (West), Highland Park and the Pacific Pines suburbs to better connect with other public transport options, essential services and shopping precincts.”

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Below: Local member for Gold Coast rural residential locality Gaven, Meaghan Scanlon.

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TAILORED JOURNEYS

Ms Scanlon says on-demand transport aims to bring together small groups of people looking to travel at the same time, picking them up near their homes and taking them to selected locations within the trial areas.

“In the Pacific Pines trial area customers will be able to travel to and from Helensvale station, Westfield Helensvale and Pacific Pines Town Centre,” she said.

“The Nerang (West)/Highland Park trial area includes Nerang station, Nerang town centre, Nerang Fair, My Centre Nerang and Nerang Mall.

“On-demand transport will help to fill the gap between regular bus services and more personalised services, such as those offered by taxis or booked hire services.

“This trial is a great opportunity for the Gold Coast and one I am proud to be delivering as part of the Palaszczuk Government,” she explained.

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Above: On-demand Hino Ponchos will be used in Surfside’s 2022 north Gold Coast two-year trail.

DEMAND RESPONSIVE

Kinetic’s general manager Matthew Campbell says Surfside was excited to expand its offering in the region.

“The geography of the Gold Coast is diverse and so are the travel needs, and it’s important that through our partnership with Translink we continue to offer public transport options that are responsive to customer feedback and travel behaviours,” Campbell said.

“As cities become increasingly intelligent and public transport users seek flexibility, demand-responsive travel has an important role to play in the region’s broader public transport system and this is something we have experienced in other cities where we have operated similar trials,” he explained.

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Above: North Gold Coast residents can expect to see Hino Poncho buses in traditional Surfside/Translink green livery starting next year.

ABOUT SURFSIDE

Every day Surfside brings passion and commitment to its important role in the community; that’s why people choose to travel with it, the company explains of its 30 years of “trusted travel”.

Surfside is the, “…trusted transport partner for Translink and Transport for NSW – contracted to deliver 150 urban, regional and school bus services,” it says.

Its 600 drivers and 400 buses move more than 6 million people across the Gold Coast and Tweed Coast every year, it confirms.

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ABOUT KINETIC

Surfside is part of Kinetic, Australia and New Zealand’s biggest bus network, it says.

Kinetic’s credentials in bus mass transit have been developed over 40 years delivering urban and regional services and specialist capabilities such as airport, school and charter services, it states.

With a network of 3000 buses and 4000 people, Kinetic moves in excess of 55 million people every year, it confirms.

Photography: courtesy Kinetic

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