GreenPower immediately

Light rail runs on electricity and could operate on 100% GreenPower from the moment of the first service. The Gold Coast could be the among the first cities in the world, and certainly the first in Australia, to construct a transport system that solely uses renewable energy. Just as you can opt to purchase GreenPower at home so could the Light Rail operator, no other transport mode can be so environmentally friendly. The UK Government has estimated that light rail emits far less CO2 per passenger kilometre than other modes of public transport. On GreenPower, emissions will be negligible. According to a study in Calgary Canada, each passenger on its system eliminates up to 1,500kg of CO2 emissions per year.

LightRailNOW! reports that "Before the switch to wind power, according to Re-Energy (a Calgary energy education organization), the CTrain's energy supply accounted for about 20,000 metric tons (tonnes) of greenhouse gases and other air pollution every year - but that was less than 1/10 of the pollution that would have resulted if all CTrain passengers had driven in their own motor vehicles. Under the Ride the Wind! program, says the group, 'these emissions are reduced to practically zero. The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from this change is like taking another 4,000 cars off the road for a year.'"

The Gold Coast is the most vulnerable city in Australia in terms of rising sea levels induced by climate change. By opting for a GreenPower transport system the City Council and State Government can be seen to be taking positive action.