News & Discussion: Public Transport Contracts, Service & Policy

[Tonsley213]

A friend sent me the following message today: 'Saw a prototype permanently coupled 3000 with 3100 trailer.'

Anyone else seen the same?

Yeah there have been some floating around since late August-Early September.

[muzzamo]

A friend sent me the following message today: 'Saw a prototype permanently coupled 3000 with 3100 trailer.'

Anyone else seen the same?

What does this mean?

[claybro]

Crawf, in my defense:
1. I did state that by WORLD standard Adelaide metro is expensive. In comparison to other Australian cities, it is on par, but PT in Oz is expensive by world standard, part of the reason for its relatively poor patronage.(the point of the article)
2.All of the upgrade you highlight relate to the Seaford (Noarlunga) line, and adelaide station. There is now no timeframe for the remainder of the system, and in the current economic and political climate, I would say the rest is a long time coming.
3. The Goodwood underpass is to assist freight and is federaly funded, and is not designed to improve commuter rail.
4. You have not acknowledged there is no cross suburban rail connections. (vital as a viable alternative to private cars)
There is no short or long term plans for this.
5. The tram extension which was touted as "coast to coast light rail" has stalled at Hindmarsh. We are now being fed the line that it may not be possible to integrate the trams into the electrified outer harbour and so it would appear there is now no plan for it to meet the other coast. (see also point 2 re funding)
6. Our rail system is barely better than third world standard, and to defend the current upgrades as adequate really lets all those involved off the hook. We really kid ourselves when we allow these infastucture projects to lapse or be deferred as it comes back to bite us later.
My point was to agree on the article that states that when it comes to our public transport, it does not really suit our needs as alternative to private cars.

[85trainfan]

A friend sent me the following message today: 'Saw a prototype permanently coupled 3000 with 3100 trailer.'

Anyone else seen the same?

Yeah there have been some floating around since late August-Early September.

There not Permanently coupled, 3100's operate as a set (2 cars, with one driving cabin each car) where as 3000's can operate individually or as a set (Driving cabin at each end, of each car).
Some 3000's have a Concertina over there ends to allow them to be made into sets, and still allow access between cars safely.
When a 3100 is in for maintenance, DPTI/DETI/TA split the second car off to make anther set if it doesn't require servicing, Thus reducing the number of Cars sitting Idle. Its why you will sometimes see a 3100, with a 3000.

[metro]

I got a couple of trains today that were changed from the usual 3+2 to 2+2 seating style. I guess they're probably doing this to avoid buying new trains in the short term, much cheaper to rip out the seats and sacrifice commuter comfort to increase the carrying capacity of the existing trains

[rhino]

it would appear there is now no plan for it to meet the other coast.

Actually, the same coast, just further along. Not your mistake, I know, that's what they chose to call it, but the name "coast to coast" in this situation makes me cringe.

[PeFe]

From Adelaide Now

Council need to make plans to get city moving


FACED with a growing residential population and increasing density, Adelaide City Council needed a blueprint to guide traffic movement before motorists choked the streets.
A sweeping 10-year plan released today will deliver eight outcomes, including improved public transport, safer pedestrian routes, slowing traffic and reducing commuter reliance on cars.
Over the next decade, Adelaide City Council will spend hundreds of millions of ratepayer dollars turning car-dominated streets into pedestrian and cycling-friendly environments.
Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood says the State Government's 30-Year Plan had prompted the City Council to produce the blueprint before commuter chaos ruled the roads.
"This is wholly and solely focused on bringing more people into the city," Mr Yarwood says.
"We have got to go from 200,000 people in the CBD every day to 300,000 people every day.
"We are seeing significant growth in the number of people coming into the city and we need to tap into that by providing the best possible accessibility and transport."
In 2000, the city council endorsed its Integrated Movement Strategy which outlined goals to improve access into the city.
But nine years later, the city council called for a review of the strategy. A draft of the document was released earlier this year before the plan was publicly released for consultation.
Ratepayers, community groups, State Government departments and industry heavyweights had their say before city council staff put the finishing touches on the 10-year blueprint.
Mr Yarwood says the plan aims to provide city commuters with a range of transport options.
"The more choices there are, the easier it will be for everyone to get in and out of the city every single day," Mr Yarwood says.
"If 10 per cent more people use buses and 10 per cent more people use bicycles, that is 20 per cent less cars in your way when you want to access the city."
The Lord Mayor adds the plan will be used to shape future budgets.
CAR PARKING
Car parking is set to become more costly for motorists as the Adelaide City Council prioritises cyclists, pedestrians and public transport.
It plans to charge for on-street car parking in high demand areas including North Tce and Victoria Square.
It will also look to introduce an off-street car parking levy with the revenue being invested in pedestrian, cycling and public transport infrastructure.
Parking inspectors will be better equipped to track down motorists who exceed time limits with the introduction of in-ground sensors.
The sensors will send an alert to parking inspectors when a motorist has exceeded the allocated time limit.
By 2022, new technology will allow motorists to pay for car parking by credit card and mobile phone.
DRIVERS / TRAFFIC CALMING
Motorists can expect a slower drive to work with plans to slash the city speed limit by 2022.
The speed limit on streets in the square mile will drop to 40km/h while roads which dissect the parklands, including West Tce, will become 50km/h.
The width of car lanes will be modified to encourage reduced speeds while creating more space for footpaths and bike lanes.
People who commute into the CBD on motorcycles and scooters will be better catered for with increased parking, especially around universities and schools.
The city council will install charging points for electric cars to encourage motorists to invest in low-emission vehicles.
PEDESTRIANS
Walking through the city will be safer, easier and quicker for pedestrians.
North-south pedestrian connections linking the riverbank precinct with South Tce will be strengthened and a raft of laneways will be upgraded.
Footpaths in side streets and laneways will be widened to a minimum of two metres.
Infrastructure which clutters footpaths will be removed where possible.
The amount of time pedestrians have to wait to cross intersections will be reduced to less than 90 seconds and countdown signals will be introduced.
Median refuges will be built in streets with four or more car lanes and more public seating will be provided on footpaths.
Drinking fountains, public toilets and wi-fi will be provided in major public spaces.
BUSES
A proposal to build a public transport interchange will cater for more than 90 per cent of bus services into the city.
The city council will work with the Government to establish an interchange by prioritising buses on North Tce and King William St while better developing Currie St and Grenfell St into a major bus transit route.
An extra 15km of priority bus lanes will be introduced over the next decade to slash commuter travelling times.
Touch screen kiosks and mobile phone technology will allow commuters access to real-time information at bus stops.
Stops will also be upgraded with better lighting, footpaths, seating, shelter and information stands.
The city council will call for the Government to introduce a low-fare scheme for bus trips in the city, low-emission buses and more frequent bus services.
TRAINS AND TRAMS
A city tram loop, an underground train link and mass transit routes will make Adelaide's public transport system more efficient than ever.
An underground train link is proposed to run underneath Grote St and Victoria Square through to Pulteney St and North Tce.
It will connect the northern and southern train lines and bring trains into the heart of the city.
Mass transit routes will link the city with Norwood, Prospect and Henley Beach and extra Park `n' Ride facilities will be built on the city fringe.
Commuters will be able to access real-time information at tram stops and the Adelaide Railway Station through touch screen kiosks and mobile phone technology.
They will also feature extra bike parking and storage facilities.
CYCLISTS
Cycling to the city will be made safer and easier as the city council works to double the number of commuters cycling into the CBD over the next decade.
It will complete 10km of separated bike lanes by 2022.
An elaborate network of bike paths will link the city with suburbs including Magill, Norwood, Unley, Adelaide Airport, Henley Beach and Prospect.
Two "greenway" bike paths - along tram or train lines - will link the city with Outer Harbor and Gawler.
Better facilities for cyclists such as bike parking, storage, change rooms and showers will be built at bus and tram stops, and the railway station to encourage more cycling.
Separated bike paths will be developed on several roads through the parklands.
Education campaigns will be developed to raise awareness of cycling.


http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 6520688555

[Nathan]

The website for the plan:
http://smartmoveadelaide.com.au

[Maximus]

Underground train link???!

[crawf]

Better start growing those money trees then!

[metro]

The Gawler line is being shut down early on saturdays for the next few weeks between Mawson Lakes and the City. The Closure is supposedly for "track upgrades", but after 4 months to upgrade the track between the City and Mawson Lakes in 2010 and 7 months to upgrade the track between Mawson Lakes and Gawler Central in 2011-12, what could possibly be left to upgrade??

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 6521876187

[medo]

what could possibly be left to upgrade??

These works will upgrade a track junction that will be used by Gawler and Outer Harbor trains during the closure of the Adelaide Railway Station (2 January – 3 February 2013).

Source - Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure

Medo

[Vee]

As previously announced in this thread, the new priority bus lanes - along Anzac Highway from Greenhill Rd and West Terrace into the city (to Gouger St) and from the city (Gilbert St) along West Terrace and Anzac Highway to Greenhill Rd - come into force at 7am on Monday Nov. 26.
See map:
http://dpti.sa.gov.au/infrastructure/ma ... ne_project

The Currie and Grenfell St. (7am-7pm) priority bus lanes have reportedly been a success, with improvements to bus running times/ meeting schedules.

Looking to the next round, North Terrace is my focus, especially the need to facilitate movement of emergency vehicles.
Buses move very slowly along this stretch. Looking to the future as well as current location of the hospital, we need a rapid route for emergency vehicles along North Terrace. An extended 7am-7pm clearway would eliminate the curse of the parked car but would need to be designated for bus/emergency/taxi use only.
Difficulties: delivery vehicles, disability access/taxi pickup/setdown would need to be catered for.

Could a priority bus lane be added as well as extended clearway? Difficult. Too many parking stations on North Terrace? Alternatives? Through-city vehicles would need to make better use of the inner ring route around the park lands.

Is it time to start thinking of reducing vehicular traffic and increasing the focus on public transport on North Terrace? I would love to see the tram eventually service the remainder of North Terrace - cultural boulevarde and education precinct plus Botanic Gardens. Great for visitors and locals. Dreaming?

[PeFe]

Don't emergency vehicles in Melbourne (ie ambulances and fire trucks) use the tram lines if they are blocked by traffic? This could work in Adelaide as well.

[monotonehell]

Don't emergency vehicles in Melbourne (ie ambulances and fire trucks) use the tram lines if they are blocked by traffic? This could work in Adelaide as well.

They do that here where they can.