News & Discussion: Trams

[rubberman]

If Labor were serious about Trams, which I am not sure they are

They would take a concrete plan to this election, they aren't losing at least the next two, so just get it in and get it started and take what would be at worst a smaller win%

Just make it Norwood after the ring route

From a political perspective, the ALP offered a good deal for trams in 2018. The public didn't vote for them. Additionally, the ALP had spent ovef $2.5bn on various rail projects. Despite a huge established infrastructure spend, they lost. Why would the ALP spend a lot of money now on something that the people of SA didn't really appreciate? Especially as that same public did want money to be thrown at ramping and South Road.

Heck, how many people here actually changed their vote to Labor in 2018?

The only political reason for the ALP to revive the tram proposal is for one of two things: either a huge public demand, or a cliff hanger election so close that trams might edge them over the line.

Other than that, nope. The ALP could spend a couple of billion, and then watch Sky'news', the AFR, Australian, and the Advertiser scream Debt and Deficit!!!...and there'd be people here agreeing with them too.

So now, my prediction. The ALP will likely bring this up again if and when an upcoming election looks close. Given the state of the Opposition, that's unlikely in 2026. However, 2030 or 2034 are possibilities. Spread out over several elections: Adelink, then four more extensions, one per election, might see a full system by 2045...at the earliest.

Absolutely understand in 2018 it didn't go well, but I think we can all acknowledge that it wasn't exactly concrete plans.

I'm talking about taking actual concrete plans - for example, the city loop. I think that would be better accepted by voters.

I understand they have spent money on the Port Adelaide extension, but personally I see that as purely vote buying or pork barreling and wasn't the best use the funds. (Just my opinion of course, others can disagree)

But we have had all the other upgrades too so there is that.

But yes, the North South corridor is going to be the focus, one can have some hope though!

There were very detailed studies done for Adelink.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... cg5njNjETI

[Waewick]

From a political perspective, the ALP offered a good deal for trams in 2018. The public didn't vote for them. Additionally, the ALP had spent ovef $2.5bn on various rail projects. Despite a huge established infrastructure spend, they lost. Why would the ALP spend a lot of money now on something that the people of SA didn't really appreciate? Especially as that same public did want money to be thrown at ramping and South Road.

Heck, how many people here actually changed their vote to Labor in 2018?

The only political reason for the ALP to revive the tram proposal is for one of two things: either a huge public demand, or a cliff hanger election so close that trams might edge them over the line.

Other than that, nope. The ALP could spend a couple of billion, and then watch Sky'news', the AFR, Australian, and the Advertiser scream Debt and Deficit!!!...and there'd be people here agreeing with them too.

So now, my prediction. The ALP will likely bring this up again if and when an upcoming election looks close. Given the state of the Opposition, that's unlikely in 2026. However, 2030 or 2034 are possibilities. Spread out over several elections: Adelink, then four more extensions, one per election, might see a full system by 2045...at the earliest.

Absolutely understand in 2018 it didn't go well, but I think we can all acknowledge that it wasn't exactly concrete plans.

I'm talking about taking actual concrete plans - for example, the city loop. I think that would be better accepted by voters.

I understand they have spent money on the Port Adelaide extension, but personally I see that as purely vote buying or pork barreling and wasn't the best use the funds. (Just my opinion of course, others can disagree)

But we have had all the other upgrades too so there is that.

But yes, the North South corridor is going to be the focus, one can have some hope though!

There were very detailed studies done for Adelink.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... cg5njNjETI

Memory could be failing me here, I never recall them putting any one line in as a distinct option.

I remember seeing all the different plans, there was a line to Magill Uni

Given that land is likely to be housing once the merged Uni sells it, that one seems like something we should be looking at.

[Spotto]

For the umpteenth time,

There will be a new tram stop at Gaol Road for the WCH.

Where has that been confirmed?

[Waewick]

I've copied this directly from the masterplan

Code: Select all

Public transport links are readily accessible with tram and 
bus routes along Port Road, and train station a short walk 
or ride along Port Road to North Terrace, or Mile End.

So it is ambiguous, but appears to be potentially planned ?

[Spotto]

I've copied this directly from the masterplan

Code: Select all

Public transport links are readily accessible with tram and 
bus routes along Port Road, and train station a short walk 
or ride along Port Road to North Terrace, or Mile End.

So it is ambiguous, but appears to be potentially planned ?Polish_20250110_181503247.jpg

Which circles back to my point that it’s not something that’s been baked into the project, but is only seen as a “future opportunity”

[Waewick]

I've copied this directly from the masterplan

Code: Select all

Public transport links are readily accessible with tram and 
bus routes along Port Road, and train station a short walk 
or ride along Port Road to North Terrace, or Mile End.

So it is ambiguous, but appears to be potentially planned ?Polish_20250110_181503247.jpg

Which circles back to my point that it’s not something that’s been baked into the project, but is only seen as a “future opportunity”

Yep, I think we put it firmly in the believe it when we see it category

[abc]

I've copied this directly from the masterplan

Code: Select all

Public transport links are readily accessible with tram and 
bus routes along Port Road, and train station a short walk 
or ride along Port Road to North Terrace, or Mile End.

So it is ambiguous, but appears to be potentially planned ?Polish_20250110_181503247.jpg

its not ambiguous, it makes no mention of a new stop whatsoever

[rev]

Eh, it says future tram stop opportunity. Therefore, it is something that has been identified as a possibility, that may be considered at some stage.
How many years until the NWCH is complete and open? Why would the government be in a rush to do anything now?
The most likely outcome is they end up building a tram stop there when there's an Advertiser/Liberal party lead public outrcy.

[Nort]

I think it's likely they'll go put a stop there, but future opportunity is the language you see for things like a team to the airport.

[[Shuz]]

I have seen and heard first hand from DPTI insiders - there will be a tram stop. Port Road bridge will be widened - one of the last stage of construction works to allow for the new tram stop. New footbridges on both sides of the bridge, road widened, extra lanes and centre Island platform. Start date isn't until at least 2028/2029, but it is definetly happening.

[abc]

I have seen and heard first hand from DPTI insiders - there will be a tram stop. Port Road bridge will be widened - one of the last stage of construction works to allow for the new tram stop. New footbridges on both sides of the bridge, road widened, extra lanes and centre Island platform. Start date isn't until at least 2028/2029, but it is definetly happening.

that would be a massive project and as yet unbudgeted for

[ChillyPhilly]

I have seen and heard first hand from DPTI insiders - there will be a tram stop. Port Road bridge will be widened - one of the last stage of construction works to allow for the new tram stop. New footbridges on both sides of the bridge, road widened, extra lanes and centre Island platform. Start date isn't until at least 2028/2029, but it is definetly happening.

Hopefully they construct two platforms and not the one, because the island stops are nutty at best. The island stops in the CBD need to be rebuilt to two platforms.

[Patrick_27]

I have seen and heard first hand from DPTI insiders - there will be a tram stop. Port Road bridge will be widened - one of the last stage of construction works to allow for the new tram stop. New footbridges on both sides of the bridge, road widened, extra lanes and centre Island platform. Start date isn't until at least 2028/2029, but it is definetly happening.

Hopefully they construct two platforms and not the one, because the island stops are nutty at best. The island stops in the CBD need to be rebuilt to two platforms.

The island platforms are horrible. Confusing for tourists, too small to handle peak hour pedestrian volumes and also invite people to cross the tramline against the lights into oncoming traffic. I agree, they need to be replaced along KWS.

[rubberman]

The other problem with centre platforms is that you cannot run buses as well as trams in the same corridor, as is done elsewhere.

Port Road between West Terrace and the Entertainment Centre is chock a block in peak hours. Trams run every seven minutes or so, so the ability to run buses on that corridor would have hugely benefited bus passengers, plus with fewer buses on Port Road, car drivers would also have benefited.

I don't even want to think about the extra traffic generated by the new hospital...and I wonder whether it has even crossed the government's mind.

[Spotto]

The other problem with centre platforms is that you cannot run buses as well as trams in the same corridor, as is done elsewhere.

I’ll be honest I’ve never heard of a bus-only lane shared with trams, what places have done this?