News & Discussion: Trams

[rev]

There shouldn't just be a loop built, but an expansion of trams throughout the city. Not this drop fed stages bullshit we've seen previously. Shift up a gear already Adelaide.

[RetroGamer87]

We need trams in North Adelaide

[rubberman]

I just saw this on Facebook. It's a picture of what the O-Bahn might look like with trolleybuses and trams. It's in Germany, presumably Essen.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1249078 ... 7S9Ucbxw6v

[gnrc_louis]

https://indaily.com.au/news/local/2023/ ... -on-track/

[PeFe]

Yes to North Adelaide (a "destination" in it's own right, cafes, pubs, beautiful old homes, future apartments etc)

No to Prospect Rd (just a really ordinary suburban area, a bus is more than sufficient for public transport needs along Prospect Rd)

[Eurostar]

Trams should go to Semaphore

[Nathan]

Yes to North Adelaide (a "destination" in it's own right, cafes, pubs, beautiful old homes, future apartments etc)

No to Prospect Rd (just a really ordinary suburban area, a bus is more than sufficient for public transport needs along Prospect Rd)

Prospect Rd is a high street approaching a similar level to The Parade or Unley Rd, and with an increasing number of apartment developments along it.

[ChillyPhilly]

Yes to North Adelaide (a "destination" in it's own right, cafes, pubs, beautiful old homes, future apartments etc)

No to Prospect Rd (just a really ordinary suburban area, a bus is more than sufficient for public transport needs along Prospect Rd)

Prospect Rd is a high street approaching a similar level to The Parade or Unley Rd, and with an increasing number of apartment developments along it.

This. Big yes to Prospect Road. It is increasingly becoming a destination. This must be enhanced and encouraged - but with cycling and light rail, not motor vehicles and carparks.

Ideally trams should run on:
- Prospect Road (to Kilburn)
- The Parade (to Magill)
- Unley Road (to Mitcham)
- Goodwood Road (to Pasadena)
- Henley Beach Road (to the Airport), and
- Port Road (to Semaphore and Port Adelaide).

Add in a City Loop as well.

[Nort]

Agreed with going to Prospect. You don't build infrastructure for what is there now, you build for what you want it to be in 25 years time.

[Howie]

Given the location of the new Adelaide Aquatic is a stone's throw from Prospect Road/Fitzroy Terrace, it should run all the way down. Also interesting that the footpaths of Prospect road still have the original tram tracks - it would be a fitting tribute to the history of the area for it to run back down those streets.

[ml69]

Yes to North Adelaide (a "destination" in it's own right, cafes, pubs, beautiful old homes, future apartments etc)

No to Prospect Rd (just a really ordinary suburban area, a bus is more than sufficient for public transport needs along Prospect Rd)

Prospect Rd is a high street approaching a similar level to The Parade or Unley Rd, and with an increasing number of apartment developments along it.

This. Big yes to Prospect Road. It is increasingly becoming a destination. This must be enhanced and encouraged - but with cycling and light rail, not motor vehicles and carparks.

Ideally trams should run on:
- Prospect Road (to Kilburn)
- The Parade (to Magill)
- Unley Road (to Mitcham)
- Goodwood Road (to Pasadena)
- Henley Beach Road (to the Airport), and
- Port Road (to Semaphore and Port Adelaide).

Add in a City Loop as well.

There is a big problem with having trams go part way up a road per your suggestions above. The problem is what about people who live beyond the tram route? They will still need to catch a bus. Then you will still have buses going down Prospect Rd, The Parade, Unley Rd etc to the CBD.

You need to run the tram to the end of given route to eliminate the need for buses altogether.

[RetroGamer87]

The trams got delayed a bit this morning because a substation got struck by lightning.

[shiftaling]

Prospect Rd is a high street approaching a similar level to The Parade or Unley Rd, and with an increasing number of apartment developments along it.

This. Big yes to Prospect Road. It is increasingly becoming a destination. This must be enhanced and encouraged - but with cycling and light rail, not motor vehicles and carparks.

Ideally trams should run on:
- Prospect Road (to Kilburn)
- The Parade (to Magill)
- Unley Road (to Mitcham)
- Goodwood Road (to Pasadena)
- Henley Beach Road (to the Airport), and
- Port Road (to Semaphore and Port Adelaide).

Add in a City Loop as well.

There is a big problem with having trams go part way up a road per your suggestions above. The problem is what about people who live beyond the tram route? They will still need to catch a bus. Then you will still have buses going down Prospect Rd, The Parade, Unley Rd etc to the CBD.

You need to run the tram to the end of given route to eliminate the need for buses altogether.

Wouldn't the idea be tram-serviced high streets would presumably become more "activated" pedestrian-friendly zones with fewer auto lanes and that buses that would have previously used them would then take a parallel route? So buses that would have gone beyond the Parade would use Magill or Kensington Roads. Prospect Road bus routes would be diverted to Main North or Churchill Roads etc. The buses wouldn't be eliminated but routes to the outlying areas would be consolidated.

[flat04]

How would peak hour traffic work down Unley Rd, Goody Rd or The Parade with fewer lanes for traffic when the majority of the journeys start from other areas?

[PeFe]

How would peak hour traffic work down Unley Rd, Goody Rd or The Parade with fewer lanes for traffic when the majority of the journeys start from other areas?

Yes you have hit the issue on the head. Trams in the 1930's worked perfectly along the major arterial roads because 90% of Australians couldn't afford cars so the roads were nearly empty.

Fast forward to today and 90% of Adelaidians drive a motor car and the roads are significantly clogged up for the rush hours making street running trams a very slow transport option not really doing anything that a bus couldn't do.

Trams should be brought back for short journeys (like North Adelaide) or along dedicated right of ways where some sort of decent speed can be achieved.

Money would be better spent on upgrading the rail system (which can move large amounts of people very quickly regardless of traffic) and improving frequencies on the bus network ie a 10 minute service pattern on Go Zones and 20 minute service at night with all last buses leaving around midnight.