The Gold Coast's public transport network is set for a major overhaul, with hundreds of additional bus services planned to improve connections across the southern part of the city.

The changes are being introduced following the opening of the Light Rail Stage 3 extension between Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads. The redesigned bus network is intended to work more closely with the expanded light rail system and provide passengers with better connections to key destinations.

The new arrangements are scheduled to begin on September 7. They will include the introduction of a new Route 701, which will provide frequent services between The Pines, Elanora, Burleigh Heads, Varsity Lakes and Robina Station.

Route 701 is planned to operate every 15 minutes, creating a stronger public transport connection between several major southern Gold Coast communities.

The network changes will also increase the overall number of bus services operating across the Gold Coast. The updated timetable is expected to add 167 weekday services and 112 weekend services.

The additional services are designed to improve frequency and make public transport more convenient for people travelling across the region.

Several existing routes will also be changed as part of the network redesign. These include routes 700, 70, 754, 764, 765, 777 and 760.

The changes are intended to reduce duplication between buses and the new light rail corridor while creating better connections between different modes of public transport.

The integration of buses with the Light Rail Stage 3 extension is an important part of the broader Gold Coast public transport strategy. The extension has opened a new section of the city's light rail network, making coordinated bus connections increasingly important for residents in southern suburbs.

For communities such as Burleigh Heads, Elanora, Varsity Lakes and Robina, the new network is expected to provide additional options for travelling between residential areas, shopping centres, employment locations and transport hubs.

The increased service frequency could also make public transport a more practical option for people who currently depend heavily on private vehicles.

The changes form part of a broader effort to improve the Gold Coast's public transport system as the city continues to grow. Population growth and increasing travel demand have created pressure for more frequent and better-connected services.

The new bus network is also linked to the wider GC Surfer transport vision, which proposes stronger east-west connections across the Gold Coast. The long-term plan aims to create more metro-style connections between major centres and improve access to public transport.

The network changes are therefore more than simply timetable adjustments. They represent an attempt to reorganise bus services around the city's expanding light rail infrastructure.

By connecting buses with light rail stations, passengers can potentially transfer between services more easily and reach destinations that are not directly served by the tram line.

The southern Gold Coast is expected to benefit particularly from the changes because the Light Rail Stage 3 extension has expanded public transport coverage further south from Broadbeach.

The introduction of Route 701 will provide another important connection through the region, linking residential and commercial areas with Robina Station.

The increase in weekend services is also significant for residents and visitors. More frequent weekend buses can improve access to beaches, shopping areas, entertainment destinations and other attractions.

Transport officials have described the changes as an opportunity to provide a more integrated network for the city's growing population.

For passengers, the most noticeable changes will come when the new timetable begins in September. Some existing routes will operate differently, while the new services will provide additional travel options.

The overhaul represents a significant investment in public transport capacity across the Gold Coast and is intended to make the network easier to use as the city continues developing.

The changes will also help establish a stronger connection between the Gold Coast's bus and light rail systems, providing passengers with more ways to travel across the southern part of the city.

With hundreds of additional services planned each week, the new network is expected to increase public transport availability and support the Gold Coast's continuing growth.