News & Discussion: O-Bahn

[Zills]

Once OBahn reaches its end of life it should be converted to heavy rail.

No it shouldn't. Obahn carries more people per day than heavy rail can at full capacity. Ditto for trams. It has the added advantage of being able to drive off to feeder routes negating the need for transfer at the interchange. It's literally the most efficient pt service in Adelaide. Like it or not, the o bahn is awesome and should be rebuilt.

[[Shuz]]

Vehemently disagree.

[Nort]

Vehemently disagree.

With which statement?

[[Shuz]]

The one made on page 84 of this thread...

The most recent one, duh.

[claybro]

No it shouldn't. Obahn carries more people per day than heavy rail can at full capacity.

Not even remotely true.

[rev]

Once OBahn reaches its end of life it should be converted to heavy rail.

No it shouldn't. Obahn carries more people per day than heavy rail can at full capacity. Ditto for trams. It has the added advantage of being able to drive off to feeder routes negating the need for transfer at the interchange. It's literally the most efficient pt service in Adelaide. Like it or not, the o bahn is awesome and should be rebuilt.

The Obahn should be demolished and replaced with a freeway and heavy rail, with bus depot/interchange/park&ride at key points.

[rubberman]

The one made on page 84 of this thread...

The most recent one, duh.

So, is there a reason for spending a huge amount of money? Especially in view of the fact that the O-Bahn allows people to travel without transfers.

Now, if it's because you are a rail fan and it's your preference, fair enough. I'm a tram fan, so I completely understand preferences. However, 90% of people aren't even PT enthusiasts of any sort, let alone train or tram specific. So, possibly, you are representing 5% or less of the population.

So, are you expressing a personal opinion, and that's that? If so, fair enough. I prefer a tramway. Thus far we are equal...and with 5% of the population agreeing with each of us, and 90% likely to tell us "yeah, nah".

[cocoiadrop]

Once OBahn reaches its end of life it should be converted to heavy rail.

No it shouldn't. Obahn carries more people per day than heavy rail can at full capacity. Ditto for trams. It has the added advantage of being able to drive off to feeder routes negating the need for transfer at the interchange. It's literally the most efficient pt service in Adelaide. Like it or not, the o bahn is awesome and should be rebuilt.

The Obahn should be demolished and replaced with a freeway and heavy rail, with bus depot/interchange/park&ride at key points.

How do you do the freeway without destroying linear park and the areas that would require interchanges?

[rev]

No it shouldn't. Obahn carries more people per day than heavy rail can at full capacity. Ditto for trams. It has the added advantage of being able to drive off to feeder routes negating the need for transfer at the interchange. It's literally the most efficient pt service in Adelaide. Like it or not, the o bahn is awesome and should be rebuilt.

The Obahn should be demolished and replaced with a freeway and heavy rail, with bus depot/interchange/park&ride at key points.

How do you do the freeway without destroying linear park and the areas that would require interchanges?

Utilizing the existing parking infrastructure footprint? build the freeway elevated particularly in those spots, run the train at ground level mostly.

[SBD]

The Obahn should be demolished and replaced with a freeway and heavy rail, with bus depot/interchange/park&ride at key points.

How do you do the freeway without destroying linear park and the areas that would require interchanges?

Utilizing the existing parking infrastructure footprint? build the freeway elevated particularly in those spots, run the train at ground level mostly.

Do you seriously propose an elevated freeway over the Torrens Linear Park !?? Given the neighbours' concerns about the height of a car park, that can never happen!

I see no need for a freeway there anyway - much more important to complete the N-S motorway and connect it at least once to the South Eastern Freeway - maybe two or three (Monarto-Annadale, Mount Barker-Darlington, Glen Osmond-Wingfield)

O'Bahn seems to be doing a fine job for its place, with much less obtrusive invasion than a freeway.

[rev]

How do you do the freeway without destroying linear park and the areas that would require interchanges?

Utilizing the existing parking infrastructure footprint? build the freeway elevated particularly in those spots, run the train at ground level mostly.

Do you seriously propose an elevated freeway over the Torrens Linear Park !?? Given the neighbours' concerns about the height of a car park, that can never happen!

I see no need for a freeway there anyway - much more important to complete the N-S motorway and connect it at least once to the South Eastern Freeway - maybe two or three (Monarto-Annadale, Mount Barker-Darlington, Glen Osmond-Wingfield)

O'Bahn seems to be doing a fine job for its place, with much less obtrusive invasion than a freeway.

It can never happen because governments in SA pander to whingers because the advertiser picks up their story and runs with it.

Much of the park could be left alone, with property acquisitions for a straighter run for a freeway/motorway and rail link.
Rail link would connect to the often talked about future CBD rail loop/tunnel.

The freeway could connect to SEF and NSM with links, finally fixing Portrush road, and either the so called short south link that was floated or Cross road being done.

Our transport infrastructure is lacking today. Our population is going to grow to over 2 million in the next 3 decades. Infrastructure needs to be built for that, preferably before things get worse.

[ChillyPhilly]

A freeway above the Torrens would be a sonic, visual, economic, social and environmental disaster.

Objectively speaking if converted, at best it could be a light rail corridor. The urban form along the corridor doesn't justify heavy rail.

The Modbury Freeway, on which the O-Bahn partly runs, would have connected the CBD/North Adelaide with Hillbank at what is now the intersection of Main North Road and Black Top Road.

[RetroGamer87]

Is there any way to improve the O-Bahn that doesn't involve turning it into a heavy rail?

[rev]

Is there any way to improve the O-Bahn that doesn't involve turning it into a heavy rail?

Quieter buses? Would electric or the hydrogen buses do the trick?
Improving the interchanges with updated cover/amenities? More parking spaces?
What about extending it a little further north?

[rubberman]

Is there any way to improve the O-Bahn that doesn't involve turning it into a heavy rail?

Quieter buses? Would electric or the hydrogen buses do the trick?
Improving the interchanges with updated cover/amenities? More parking spaces?
What about extending it a little further north?

Hybrid trolleybus/battery have been run for a while in Europe. They would be perfect for the O-Bahn. Use the O-Bahn track for overhead wire operations and run without wires into the CBD and where the buses head off the O-Bahn into suburbia.