COM: Glenelg Tramline Upgrade

[Will409]

Just found this in the Advertiser which I don't think made it to AdelaideNow. This is a great read.

Hollow cries over tram.

Adelaide appears to have fallen in love with the new tram service down King William Street and on to the city's West End. Therefor, it is surprising that the Opposition continues to push the line at it is money wasted. This is coming from a party which once pushed for the extension of the tramline to North Adelaide and even in a loop around Adelaide Zoo. The continual attacks sound nothing more then sour grapes and talk of $30million being better spent elsewhere rings hollow.

That amount would have provided perhaps several metres of pipeline from a desalination plant. What the new tram has done, however, is establish a spring board for the extension of light rail to other parts of the city as is the case in Portland, Oregon, where light rail has invigorated sections of that city.

It appears that the oppostion against the extension which not so long ago, was so loud that everyone in SA could hear it, has crumbled away and what murmours are left, are being ignored. Another point for the extension.

[jimmy_2486]

Well come on, think about it. Its the best way to get around. I like the thought of having no buses trying to barge their way through a losing battle to get around the city and the inner suburb roads.
Even if some roads are too narrow to have trams run on, and there are no corridors nearby, they could do a cut and cover in some sections under the road. I believe it will not cause a big fuss because of our successfull grid system, as there are always other roads to travel on. Take a look at the bakewell underpass where a chunk of henley beach road is closed, and it doesnt seem to be THAT bad.

I think its a good thing we got rid of most of our tram tracks, as we have a chance to relocate them to better places. We can go one better than Melbourne with light rail and take the crown off them as the tram/light rail capital maybe!!!

[Omicron]

It is great to see the Glenelg line and the extension are enjoying what must surely be record patronage. However, the only way that the service can grow with increased frequencies is a larger fleet of trams and an expanded depot to take them all. In my opinion, a 7.5 minute frequency service down the whole line would be ideal. Several of the busier lines in Melbourne to the best of my knowledge are of a similar length to the Glenelg line and run at a frequency like that. I recommend the whole line to a 7.5 minute frequency during peak periods and a 10-15 minute frequency off peak because a large number of passengers do board at stop 15 (ex stop 19) Brighton Road.

While overcrowding is an issue, it does prove that the combined upgrade and extension of the Glenelg line over the past couple of years has proven to be a huge success. Just need to get some more Flexis or return the H class to everyday service and we should be happy.

It's lucky, then, that the Glengowrie depot has a decent amount of surrounding land that could be bought by the Government if needed. The SAJC might not like losing its overflow carparking, but it's only ever used infrequently, and I'd rather more tram storage than that dusty wasteland.

[PhilH]

This might have nothing to do with the trams, but temporary mesh fencing was put up along the inside edge of the north-western footpath in Victoria Square today. Anybody know why?

[skyliner]

I understand the bee line buses have become extinct since the tramline extension. Concerning such huge increases in tram patronage, I wonder if a more realistic estimate would be presented if the ex bee line patronage were subracted. (Kind of a forced tramline customer base).I believe a still more realistic estimate of the success of the line will be seen in a couple of weks once the 'novelty' factor dies down.

Overall, I still agree with statements about the indicated success level of the line - capitalising on this with quick rectification of 'teething' troubles will enhance it's success further. IMO more trams WILL be needed - they may multiply more of similar overcrowding, but this time of the line itself with trams.

Looking forward to the city loop extension guys

]ADELAIDE- A CITY ON THE MOVE

[JamesXander]

Can't wait. Trams are great, another step for Adelaide.

Just an idea, Ive always thought a Tram line down Rundle street would be sweet, turn Rundle street into a one way street for cars also? Good idea or bad idea?

[crawf]

Can't wait. Trams are great, another step for Adelaide.

Just an idea, Ive always thought a Tram line down Rundle street would be sweet, turn Rundle street into a one way street for cars also? Good idea or bad idea?

Bad idea sorry, the tramline would have to go straight through Rundle Mall. Which would cause havoc for pedestrians and ruin the mall.

[Tom]

Just an idea, Ive always thought a Tram line down Rundle street would be sweet, turn Rundle street into a one way street for cars also? Good idea or bad idea?

An interesting idea, although Rundle Street and what is now Rundle Mall was considered too small for a tramline and so Grenfell St was laid with tramlines back in the old system. Rundle Street did have trolley buses although.

This might have nothing to do with the trams, but temporary mesh fencing was put up along the inside edge of the north-western footpath in Victoria Square today. Anybody know why?

I believe this has something to do with the solar race which ends in Victoria Square in a couple of days. These solar cars are on their way from Darwin.

I understand the bee line buses have become extinct since the tramline extension. Concerning such huge increases in tram patronage, I wonder if a more realistic estimate would be presented if the ex bee line patronage were subracted.

Former Bline passengers would not be included in figures given. Patronage is based on how many people validate there tickets that is how they get the figures and because travel is free in the city no ticket is validated so those people go unaccounted for.

[kymbosa]

Can't wait. Trams are great, another step for Adelaide.

Just an idea, Ive always thought a Tram line down Rundle street would be sweet, turn Rundle street into a one way street for cars also? Good idea or bad idea?

Bad idea sorry, the tramline would have to go straight through Rundle Mall. Which would cause havoc for pedestrians and ruin the mall.

Been to Melbourne, same size as Rundle mall and they have trams running both way. oh it's so hard to figure out that there is a tram coming

[AtD]

I didn't think much of the idea of trams on Bourke Street Mall, it kind of ruined the whole padestrian mall idea. Secondly, the trams were reduced to an absolute crawl as people wouldn't get out of their way.

[JamesXander]

Who said they had to go down Rundle Mall, they could go down North Terrace, then turn at Pultney then down Rundle Street. Drop people off one end of the mall, pick them up at the other.

Just Ideas

[AG]

Who said they had to go down Rundle Mall, they could go down North Terrace, then turn at Pultney then down Rundle Street. Drop people off one end of the mall, pick them up at the other.

Just Ideas

So why detour it from North Terrace down Pulteney Street just to reach Rundle Street when North Terrace is less about 100m walk away from that end of Rundle Mall and the tram could continue down North Terrace?

These ideas should be posted in the Visions & Suggestions forum, not here.

[BillD]

H Type tram 367 commenced service on the extension today (Oct 24th) as a shuttle tram.
I didn't have much time but here are a few shots:

Tuning into King William St


Passing the GPO


In Victoria Square


In the layover waiting for Flexity 107 to pass


Back to work (note Tram Shuttle sign)


Flexity Shuttle tram sign (note desto turned off)

[omada]

Looking at the image of the tram in Victoria Sqaure, can you see that it looks like the external renovation to the SGIC building has started (thank god).. is there a separate thread on this?

[kymbosa]

Why aren't the h class trams running as the shuttle tram all the time It would be great for the tourist in town to catch one of the old in town and not the new ones. the photos of that tram in town look great.