Ideas for a greater public transport system

[Will409]

RAIL

-Upgrade the entire rail system to gauge convertable concrete sleepers
-Re rail the system with 60kg/m rails to allow for even higher speeds. Most of the rails at Elizabeth for instance were rolled in 1949.
-Improve all former STA 'slab' shelters with the 'pagoda' style shelters that jhave been appearing around the network ASAP. They are larger and certainly more inviting to passengers.
-Railcar overhauls and upgrades included new windows, seat covers and more seat padding.
-Serious consideration given to new rollingstock. While the 2000 series are aging, they do still have some life left in them (if kept in good mechanical order) so the new rollingstock order at first should be to suplement rather then replace. An option for an extended contract for fleet replacement would have to be kept as well.
-Improved lighting and platform facilities at all stations (especially Adelaide itself).
-Extend the Noarlunga Centre line southwards (almost as a matter of urgency!)
-Extend the Gawler Central service on a limited basis at first along the pre exsting line through the Barossa Valley to Angaston.

BUS
-Replace all MAN busses and the Mercs used on the Obahn.
-Replace all 'slab' bus shelters with Adshel shelters. Most of the current slabs are in a poor state (especially up my way).
-Run more bus routes as feeders to the rail system rather then as a parallel route. Buses are not good for long hauls like the 224 and especially the full length J1 route from Elizabeth via Golden Grove, TTP, Adelaide, the Airport and finally Glenelg!
-Improve all services with smaller waiting headways where applicable.

I don't really have any new suggestions from what I have posted before on trams.

[rhino]

What is it with you people wanting a rail service to Mount Barker? Would you use it? No-one else will! Why would they settle for a 1.5 hour commute to the city when a bus down the freeway can get them there in under 40 minutes? And the number of people who want to access Mt Barker from the other hills towns (Crafers-Bridgewater) are already catered for with busses too. As for re-aligning the rail line along the freeway, it's way too steep, not gonna happen. It works in Perth because the freeways are flat. It irks me that this issue keeps coming up. I'm a rail enthusiast, but efficient PT between Mt Barker and Adelaide in this day and age = busses, accept it!

[jimmy_2486]

I personally think that a lot of our main arterial roads should be widened to allow bus only lanes.

Buses in peak hour really piss me off because they get jammed in the traffic. Buses are usually quicker for most because they reach a lot more areas in the inner metro with their regular services, where as trains usually require extra travel. However in peak hour as buses get caught up in traffic, and even the extra traveling (eg walking etc) required from trains, makes it a quicker option. If buses had their own lane we would see a lot more people using them.

However light rail is a good alternative for express buses as they can remove the problem of crowded buses. How about widening lanes to add in light rail lines which buses are only permitted to travel along?

Seeing we HAVE an o-bahn we should make better use out of it. How about enabling light rail to travel through it along with buses. Also a extra 4 lanes could provide a direct freeway system to the north east. North East Road is a horrible road and will cut travel time by at least half id say into the city.

[jk1237]

What is it with you people wanting a rail service to Mount Barker? Would you use it? No-one else will! Why would they settle for a 1.5 hour commute to the city when a bus down the freeway can get them there in under 40 minutes? And the number of people who want to access Mt Barker from the other hills towns (Crafers-Bridgewater) are already catered for with busses too. As for re-aligning the rail line along the freeway, it's way too steep, not gonna happen. It works in Perth because the freeways are flat. It irks me that this issue keeps coming up. I'm a rail enthusiast, but efficient PT between Mt Barker and Adelaide in this day and age = busses, accept it!

Now now, be happy Yes what you are saying is true, but what about the time travelling from the toll gate to the city via G Os Rd, in peak hour when its clogged up. And why isnt hardly anyone from Mt Barker using this bus service. Trains are more popular, and the railway is already physically there. Maybe a few tilt trains to speed around the curves would be good. They dont cost much, do they

[Norman]

Or what about a Park and Ride at Glen Osmond with a connection to a 10 or 5 minute frequency subway under Glen Osmond Road to the city.

I will post a few more ideas on a Subway network in Adelaide later this week.

[jk1237]

I guess we're allowed to dream, but an eastern suburbs underground, how interesting. I guess if our state government won a $trillion in a world govt competition, it could happen. A loop subway connecting Norwood, Payneham, Firle, Burnside Village and Glen Osmond Rd area, with other stops in between. Look forward to seeing your plan normangerman

[Will409]

One thing that should be noted about the O-bahn was that it was apprently designed with the intention of not allowing light rail to use it. If you go along the O-bahn, you may want to take note as to the clearance of the overpasses that go over it. They are smaller then Morphett Street bridge and that is already tight enough!

[jimmy_2486]

One thing that should be noted about the O-bahn was that it was apprently designed with the intention of not allowing light rail to use it. If you go along the O-bahn, you may want to take note as to the clearance of the overpasses that go over it. They are smaller then Morphett Street bridge and that is already tight enough!

Well that just sucks now doesn't it

[bdm]

The O-Bahn was built with allowance for electric cables to be added--for trolleybuses (electric powered).

[Ho Really]

The O-Bahn was built with allowance for electric cables to be added--for trolleybuses (electric powered).

Any idea of what the clearances are?

Cheers

[Xaragmata]

Any idea of what the clearances are?

4.2 metres, to allow for possible future, catenary-style electrification
(According to "From Omnibus to O-Bahn", by Christopher Steele)

[jimmy_2486]

So we can have trams or electric heavy rail?

[jk1237]

We also have to take into account that the obahn tracks sit on top of a bitumen roadpath. I reckon the concrete tracks sit atleast half a metre above the bitumen. Therefore there is even more height space under the bridges - for when we take the concrete tracks out and replace with a railway line.

[AtD]

So we can have trams or electric heavy rail?

They can do anything if they throw enough money at it.

There's a few places around where they've dug down to increase the clearance of bridges over freight lines to allow trains with double-stacked containers (one container atop another).

[jimmy_2486]

Honestly I believe not only should the o-bahn be used for light/heavy rail. I also believe we could possibly widen it to put a few lanes for cars. NE Road is shit house going to modbury. Maybe toll it if need be?

Not saying to do it now, but id say it would greatly benefit people from the north east.

If we did that and it worked there, then we could build others.