News & Discussion: Adelaide Metro Trains

[MT269]

In regards to the debate about removing stations, when cars became commonplace, many small SA settlements diminished into ghost towns/vacant sites. If these places still had houses, would it be financially viable to deploy service officers to all of these outlets, located roughly every 10x10 square kilometres?

The answer is possibly not. If these lines were built today, would they have stations every kilometre? Change can be a nightmare. But what about those who live further out on the OH line? I still favour the concept of a service which is about 8-9 minutes quicker. Otherwise convert it to a tram line.

Hypothetically, 4 additional stations could be built. One adjacent to Port Wakefield Rd overpass to serve the residential area, two stations instead of one serving Munno Para, one just north of Islington to serve the shopping precinct on Churchill Rd, and another to serve the housing estate which is developing south of Clark Rd at Tambelin. But are they necessary?

And I've also evaluated the concept of merging Marion and Ascot Park as one, which would be built on the overpass which crosses both of Marion and Daws Rd. With the removal of properties in the corner by the intersection, a tiny interchange could be created, in the style of Glanville which is really just a solitary bus stop now.

Of course, Adelaide could be merged with North Adelaide and Mile End, and rebuilt on the Gaol loop site. Through working would be the obvious choice.

In regards to GC line, Greenfields is the only station which is surplus in my opinion. But getting rid of Salisbury, Elizabeth, Broadmeadows and Smithfield would be wise options as well to redue the numbers of unruly passengers.

[cocoiadrop]

Marion/Ascot Park merger could be a fantastic move. Alternatively, if they don't want to spend the money, the M44 could be extended to Oaklands to provide an interchange there

[NTRabbit]

Marion/Ascot Park merger could be a fantastic move. Alternatively, if they don't want to spend the money, the M44 could be extended to Oaklands to provide an interchange there

Marion is as protected by Westminster as Mile End is by Temple, the rest of the stations may change around them, but they're going nowhere.

The least publicly objectionable station removal is a rock paper scissors between next door neighbours Marino and Marino Rocks, so they should start there.

[claybro]

Marion/Ascot Park merger could be a fantastic move. Alternatively, if they don't want to spend the money, the M44 could be extended to Oaklands to provide an interchange there

Marion is as protected by Westminster as Mile End is by Temple, the rest of the stations may change around them, but they're going nowhere.

The least publicly objectionable station removal is a rock paper scissors between next door neighbours Marino and Marino Rocks, so they should start there.

Woodlands Park and Edwardstown should have been amalgamated and moved adjacent to Raglan Ave nearer Castle Plaza. It would put 1 station almost midway between Emerson and Ascot Park.

[ChillyPhilly]

Marion/Ascot Park merger could be a fantastic move. Alternatively, if they don't want to spend the money, the M44 could be extended to Oaklands to provide an interchange there

Marion is as protected by Westminster as Mile End is by Temple, the rest of the stations may change around them, but they're going nowhere.

The least publicly objectionable station removal is a rock paper scissors between next door neighbours Marino and Marino Rocks, so they should start there.

Very true, however, a decent and safe pedestrian link could make a relocated station (Marion, then renamed Park Holme) viable.

[1NEEDS2POST]

A new line connecting:

• West Lakes Shopping Centre
• Grange Railway Station
• Henley Square
• Harbour Town
• Adelaide Airport
• Mile End Homemaker Centre
• Central Market/Chinatown
• Rundle Mall/Pulteney Street
• The Parade Norwood
• Burnside Village

Until 1957, the Grange line extended to Henley Beach, but this was at street level. It was closed because it was unsafe. If you want to put the railway back, it can't easily go underground because it would be below the water table and people will complain if it's elevated. I don't see a way to reintroduce the railway along the beach, like in this old street directory:

[[Shuz]]

No.

[RetroGamer87]

Another "incident" on the Seaford line.

[ChillyPhilly]

Another "incident" on the Seaford line.

Seems a pedestrian was hit while crossing the track at the end of Crozier Terrace, right next to the Sturt River.

[MT269]

I can't find any sign of a crossing. The one closest to Crozier Tce looks to be removed. These will continue to happen, unless frequent overway bridges are installed. I can't predict those in office spending billions to save about 50 lives per year though.

[SBD]

I can't find any sign of a crossing. The one closest to Crozier Tce looks to be removed. These will continue to happen, unless frequent overway bridges are installed. I can't predict those in office spending billions to save about 50 lives per year though.

It looked open on Streetview in 2021. https://goo.gl/maps/RdCU6J9AWuMwhjaHA

[PD2/20]

I can't find any sign of a crossing. The one closest to Crozier Tce looks to be removed. These will continue to happen, unless frequent overway bridges are installed. I can't predict those in office spending billions to save about 50 lives per year though.

It looked open on Streetview in 2021. https://goo.gl/maps/RdCU6J9AWuMwhjaHA

There was a crossing at Carlton St/Johnstone Rd which was closed when the Oaklands underpass was constructed. The crossing at the E end of Crozier next to the Sturt Bridge was fitted with automatic gates at the time of the Seaford electrification, is still open and is the one in Street view. I note that the Google Maps aerial photography has not been updated since the underpass work in 2018.

[PeFe]

Yes to Aldinga and the Sellicks Beach corridor.

No to Concordia extension
Yes to a proper Gawler bus interchange to service Gawler and the Barossa Valley.

Yes to better co-ordinated buses to train stations in the outer suburbs.

Any new train stations to have density and services (like shops etc) surrounding them.

From The Advertiser

All aboard? Transport experts say Adelaide’s north and south trains must be extended to service growing suburbs

More than 50,000 new residents will be moving into homes on the fringe of the metropolitan area – but they’ll be left isolated if substantial transport work doesn’t happen.

Adelaide’s train network should be extended further north and south to support future residents of thousands of blocks earmarked for development in coming years, public transport advocates say.

Calls for improved public transport have been backed by RAA, which says changes like more digital ticketing and increased frequency would drive up patronage.

The Transport Action Network (TAN) argues transport accessibility must be front of mind in the planning of at least 23,700 extra homes announced this month as part of the largest single release of residential land in the state’s history.

The homes, for more than 50,000 people, are set to be delivered in parcels of 10,000 homes each at Dry Creek and Concordia (on Gawler‘s northeastern fringe), at least 2000 homes at Hackham and 1700 at Sellicks Beach.

TAN spokeswoman Donna Ferretti, also a planning academic, said it was crucial the new areas were serviced with bus and rail links to ensure residents are not left dependent on cars.


Transport Action Network spokeswoman Donna Ferretti at the Adelaide Showground train station in Wayville. Picture: Matt Loxton

Dr Ferretti said the train network should be expanded to service more people in the north by extending the Gawler line, and in the south by extending the Seaford line.

“We’ve spent lots of money electrifying those rail lines but we actually haven’t spent any money on improving access links to those railway stations, so making it easier for people to jump on a train rather than get into a car,” she said.

Dr Jennifer Bonham, a University of South Australia adjunct senior research fellow specialising in the social and cultural dimension of transport, argued the northern and southern rail lines should be connected, potentially with a loop under the CBD.

She went on to say ensuring integration with other modes of transport – for example safe, direct routes for pedestrians and cyclists – were essential to maximising use of public transport.


Train driver Mark Gregory on the newly electrified Gawler line. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Dr Bonham said it was important that these services reach people living on the urban fringe.

“Fuel prices will remain high into the future and it will be at least a generation before the national car fleet is electrified,” she said.

“Affordable housing on the urban fringe will not translate to affordable living if families are forced to use a car for every journey they make.”

Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the state government last year stepped in to preserve a corridor of land for a potential future extension of the Seaford rail line to Aldinga.

“(This ensured) there are long-term options for expanding the state’s public transport system, reversing the former Liberal government’s decision to sell it off,” he said.

RAA chief executive Nick Reade said improvements to public transport services would drive up patronage, reducing congestion on the roads.

“If more people catch a bus, train or tram – that means everyone spends less time in traffic – and that’s a win for motorists and public transport users,” he said.

Mr Reade said a survey of RAA members found that commuters wanted more frequent public transport services, faster or express services and a cleaner and safer network.

He said the RAA Go App, which helps commuters plan their journey to minimise time waiting at train or bus stops – was part the organisation's effort to improve commuters’ public transport experience.

Further improvements to the network, he said, could include incorporating digital ticketing into apps like RAA Go, making it easier and more convenient.

The RAA would also like to see the electrification and decarbonisation of the entire public transport network, which Mr Reade said would reduce carbon emissions to help reach the net zero carbon targets and deliver a cleaner, greener service.

“Hydrogen and other renewable resources could also be part of that solution longer term as that technology continues to develop,” he said.

Mr Koutsantonis said the government recently ceased the purchase of diesel buses as the fleet transitions to hybrid or fully electric.

“(We) are in the process of rolling out tap and pay options across the public transport network,” he added.

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sou ... 928f7fb774

[Spotto]

Yes to Aldinga and the Sellicks Beach corridor.

No to Concordia extension
Yes to a proper Gawler bus interchange to service Gawler and the Barossa Valley.

Interested to find out why you're saying no to a Concordia extension.

[dsriggs]

When even the RAA are agreeing with increased spending on the rail network, you know it NEEDS to be done.