G link

What G link does

G:link, branded as the Gold Coast Light Rail, is an electric-powered light rail tram network serving the Gold Coast corridor in Queensland, Australia, from Helensvale in the north to Burleigh Heads in the south. The system operates 19+ stations across Stages 1 and 2, with Stage 3 currently in testing and commissioning (as of June 2026) to add further stations to Burleigh Heads. The legal operating entity is KDR Gold Coast Pty Ltd (KDGC), which delivers the service under the GoldlinQ consortium — a public-private partnership with the Queensland Government — with Keolis Downer serving as the contracted operator and maintainer. The infrastructure consists of dedicated tram tracks running along the Gold Coast Highway corridor, with electric trams and accessibility-compliant vehicles and stations including priority seating and mobility access.

The commercial offering is a single core light rail service supported by the My G: mobile application (available on iOS and Android), which provides real-time tram tracking, journey planning, station locator, ticket outlet finder, and service alerts. Ticketing is integrated with the state-wide Translink network, allowing passengers to use go cards and standard Translink ticket products across Queensland's public transport systems. Revenue is generated from passenger fares on a pay-as-you-go basis, with fares set and regulated by Translink on behalf of the Queensland Government; the operating entity is also bound by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld).

G:link's go-to-market is direct-to-consumer: passengers access the service at any of the corridor's stations, with no enterprise sales motion. The customer base is split between Gold Coast commuters (residents and workers) and tourists/visitors accessing beaches, entertainment precincts, healthcare (Gold Coast University Hospital), and education (Griffith University). Marketing is conducted through the ridetheg.com.au website, the My G: app, social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter), and a schools and education community program. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

G link

Legal name

KDR Gold Coast Pty Ltd

Website

https://ridetheg.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

G:link operates the Gold Coast Light Rail in Queensland, Australia, running electric trams across 19+ stations from Helensvale to Burleigh Heads under a public-private partnership with the Queensland Government, operated by Keolis Downer and ticketed via Translink for commuters and tourists.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Light Rail Public Transportation

NAICS

Commuter Rail Systems (485112)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Commuter Rail Feeder & Branch Line Services (THAIACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Tourist/Attraction Circulator Shuttles (Downtown/Theme Parks) (TLAFAJAL)

Keywords

• Light rail transit
• Public transportation
• Tram services
• Passenger rail network
• Urban transit system

Headquarters

HQ city

Surfers Paradise

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Public Transport Fares: Revenue generated from passenger fares collected through ticket sales at stations and integrated Translink ticketing system. Fares are regulated by the Queensland Government through Translink.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

G:link operates the Gold Coast Light Rail, a tram network running from Helensvale to Burleigh Heads along the Gold Coast Highway corridor. The service is offered to general public commuters and tourists via 27+ stations, with ticketing handled through Translink's integrated system and complemented by the My G: mobile app providing real-time tracking, journey planning, and station information.

Product overview

G:link operates the Gold Coast Light Rail, a single unified tram network service. The core offering is the light rail tram system connecting multiple stations from Helensvale in the north to Burleigh Heads in the south. Supporting the tram service is the My G: mobile app, which provides real-time tracking, journey planning, and station information features. The network currently serves 19 operational stations with additional stations being added as part of Stage 3 expansion to Burleigh Heads.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Gold Coast Light Rail Service A light rail tram network operating along the Gold Coast Highway corridor, providing public transportation services across 27+ stations from Helensvale in the north to Burleigh Heads in the south. The service includes real-time tram tracking, punctuality monitoring, mobility access for passengers with disabilities, and connections to bus services at major stations. Targeted at Gold Coast residents, commuters, university students, hospital visitors, and tourists.
• My G: Mobile App A mobile application enabling passengers to locate all stations, tram ticket sellers, and local attractions on a map; save favorite stations for quick departure times; access journey planner and ticket information; and receive real-time tram tracking and service alerts. Available on iOS via the Apple App Store and Android via Google Play.

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Keolis DownercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKeolis Downer is the operator and maintainer of the Gold Coast Light Rail system. As the contracted operator, they manage daily tram operations, maintenance, and customer service for the G:link network.
• GoldlinQcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoldlinQ is the consortium that designed, built, and operates and maintains the Gold Coast Light Rail system. The consortium is responsible for the overall delivery and ongoing operation of the G:link service.
• TranslinkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTranslink provides integrated ticketing services for the G:link network. Ticket prices and go cards are managed through the Translink system, allowing seamless travel across Queensland public transport.
• KDR Gold Coast Pty Ltd (KDGC)coreOthersKDR Gold Coast Pty Ltd is the legal entity operating the Gold Coast Light Rail (GCLR). They are bound by Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld) and manage personal information in connection with the operation of the light rail system.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Sydney Light Rail: Sydney's light-rail network operated under concession (by Transdev/ALTRAC); a direct Australian light-rail peer serving commuters and tourists in a major city.
• Yarra Trams: Operator of Melbourne's tram network, also run by a Keolis Downer joint venture; the most directly comparable urban light-rail/tram operation in Australia.
• Canberra Metro (Canberra Light Rail): PPP-delivered and operated light-rail line in Canberra; directly comparable model of a single-corridor light-rail concession serving an Australian city.
• Transdev Australasia: Runs bus, ferry and light-rail concessions across Australia and New Zealand, directly competing with Keolis Downer for public-transport operating contracts.

Broad incumbents

• Go-Ahead Group: Major operator of contracted bus and rail passenger services active in Australia; competes for public-transport franchise/concession contracts.
• Metro Trains Melbourne: Large franchised urban rail operator in Melbourne running under a government concession; similar PPP passenger-rail operating model at greater scale.
• MTR Corporation: Global rail/metro operator that bids for and runs urban rail concessions worldwide, including in Australia; overlapping concession-operator model at far larger scale.
• RATP Dev: International operator of light-rail, tram and metro networks under public concessions; a global peer in the urban transit operating space.

Others

• Keolis Downer: Parent operator/maintainer of G:link and Australia's largest private multi-modal transport operator; enabling player rather than a competing service.
• John Holland Rail: Australian rail construction and operations/maintenance provider involved in PPP rail delivery; adjacent player in building and maintaining passenger rail systems.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/gclightrail?lang=en
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCc9F_9joIOaSYwki7jI4pQg
• Facebookfacebook.com/ridetheg
• Instagraminstagram.com/gclightrail

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about G link