PRO: Port Adelaide Tramline | $260m

[Will409]

Just found out an interesting statistic on Railsa from a member who has been in contact with the DTIE. It has been estimated that for a tram line to carry the same number of people as the current heavy rail line to Port Adelaide, there would have to be a tram arriving or departing the CBD every 48 seconds. That is only to carry the current patronage.

[Cruise]

I guess that is using the current flexitys?

surely larger capacity trams would be ordered?

[Will409]

I can only assume they used the current flexis as the tram used on the line. I wasn't told if the figure was reached using the current trams or a new design.

[Shuz]

If thats what its going to take to run a service along the rail corridor, I doubt that they would do so. Gives me more reason to believe that they'll run a route along Port Road, etc, alongside with a heavy rail service where they'll be able to share the load of commuters and draw in more commuters from the surrounding urban mesh.

[jk1237]

Just found out an interesting statistic on Railsa from a member who has been in contact with the DTIE. It has been estimated that for a tram line to carry the same number of people as the current heavy rail line to Port Adelaide, there would have to be a tram arriving or departing the CBD every 48 seconds. That is only to carry the current patronage.

Look I dont quite believe that so I guess I wanna see some stats. 99% of all Outer Harbor and Grange trains are 2 cars or less, and outside of peak its common to have only 1 person per 4 or 6 seat cubicle thing, and thats with trains only every half hour. I'm guessing but I reckon the current Glenelg tramline would carry more passengers than the Grange and Outer Harb lines combined which is why they dont think its worthy to keep it at heavy rail. Im still not sure what I want to see, either a electrication upgrade or a light rail conversion.

[Shuz]

Don't know if this has been answered, but is it possible that by 'light rail' - they could be talking about a model similar to Perths train system? Which may mean that this whole thing won't be a tramline, but a light rail train line to replace to heavy rail train as a first step towards electrifcation, new rollingstock etc?

[jk1237]

Don't know if this has been answered, but is it possible that by 'light rail' - they could be talking about a model similar to Perths train system? Which may mean that this whole thing won't be a tramline, but a light rail train line to replace to heavy rail train as a first step towards electrifcation, new rollingstock etc?

Im not sure if our own govt knows what light rail is, because Atd once pointed out that some MP's wanted to see Adelaide's train system converted to light rail like in Perth. Funny thing is, Perth is heavy rail, but because its narrow guage, and shiny new electric trains, they probably dont weigh much more than a tram caus of the lightweight materials used in new trains. Perths's do look very plastic compared to Melb and Syd trains. In contrast our jumbos would weigh tonnes and tonnes.
Light rail is simply trams that use 'right of way' railway lines, that have the benefit of running down city centre streets to get people closer to their destination. The Glenelg tramline is the perfect example of light rail. Theres no point converting the port lines to light rail unless it connects with the tramline in the city at city west so trams that run from Glenelg continue to the Port, as well as letting it run through Port Ad's streets also, and then connect back onto the current line to Outer Harbor.

[muzzamo]

Look I dont quite believe that so I guess I wanna see some stats. 99% of all Outer Harbor and Grange trains are 2 cars or less, and outside of peak its common to have only 1 person per 4 or 6 seat cubicle thing, and thats with trains only every half hour. I'm guessing but I reckon the current Glenelg tramline would carry more passengers than the Grange and Outer Harb lines combined which is why they dont think its worthy to keep it at heavy rail. Im still not sure what I want to see, either a electrication upgrade or a light rail conversion.

I thought this as well.. the line is a prime candidate for light rail imo Would be nice to see it grade separated though.

Maybe they were talking about maximum capacity of the line or something? Eg trains are larger but can run (eg) every 5 minutes wheras trams are smaller and can run every couple of minutes r something.

[Norman]

The Afternoon Peak Express that runs express from Adelaide to Ethelton is always packed.

[fishinajar]

Theres no point converting the port lines to light rail unless it connects with the tramline in the city at city west so trams that run from Glenelg continue to the Port, as well as letting it run through Port Ad's streets also, and then connect back onto the current line to Outer Harbor.

Agreed. Trams/ Light rail (glorified trams) are useful in that they can travel along streets/ traffic verges and median strips/ and pedestrian malls, as well as along right of way corridors. If they are only to travel along right of way corridors, then the higher speeds and cappacities of trains make more sense.

[PhilH]

Look I dont quite believe that so I guess I wanna see some stats. 99% of all Outer Harbor and Grange trains are 2 cars or less, and outside of peak its common to have only 1 person per 4 or 6 seat cubicle thing, and thats with trains only every half hour. I'm guessing but I reckon the current Glenelg tramline would carry more passengers than the Grange and Outer Harb lines combined which is why they dont think its worthy to keep it at heavy rail. Im still not sure what I want to see, either a electrication upgrade or a light rail conversion.

I can't comment on the Grange line, but I used the Outer Harbor line for over 20 years up to last November, and only ever saw loadings that light towards the end of outward runs from town. Weekday off-peak runs I found to be between half and two-thirds full between Adelaide and Woodville in both directions (even as far as Port Adelaide or Ethelton on occasions), and weekend daytime loadings were decent too, sometimes even crush capacity if there was an event on and TransAdelaide had only provided one railcar!

[fishinajar]

Adelaide Advertiser 22 May 08

Calls for new tram serive
Jordanna Schriever

A group of five councils will present a report to the state Government next month on the viability of extended, new tram services in Adelaide.
Consultants from Linqage international were in Adelaide this week disgusing plans with representatives from Port Adelaide/ Enfield, Holdfast Bay, West Torrens, Charles Sturt and Adelaide City councils.
Their study will investigate running trams to such destinations as Adeliade Airport and AAMI Stadium and shops at West Lakes.
Managing director Chris Le Marshall said the visit would help map possible routes and take into concideration growth plans for each council area.
"Light rail would reduce travel times and would be more convenient for people. It gives people a realistic public transport option which would allow them to leave their cars at home. Unlike heavy rail, trams can offer a fast door-to-door service," he said.
Mr Le Marshall said Adelaide was ideal for a suburban tram network because it had obvious traffic choke points and a population through which a tram could move easily. "Light rail is most appropriate for areas where you have congested roads and where you've got a lot of people wanting to get from A to B but not enough demand for heavy rail," he said.
Mr Le Marshall said benefits of a tram network would include reduced travel times and the opportunity of frequent stop services. "Trams have about one seventh of the emmisions of heavy rail which would also improve the ammenity for people in the area," he said.
The report, top be presented next month, also would concider overlaying existing roads with tram tracks, routes and costs.

[Düsseldorfer]

Adelaide Advertiser 22 May 08

Calls for new tram serive
Jordanna Schriever

A group of five councils will present a report to the state Government next month on the viability of extended, new tram services in Adelaide.
Consultants from Linqage international were in Adelaide this week disgusing plans with representatives from Port Adelaide/ Enfield, Holdfast Bay, West Torrens, Charles Sturt and Adelaide City councils.
Their study will investigate running trams to such destinations as Adeliade Airport and AAMI Stadium and shops at West Lakes.
Managing director Chris Le Marshall said the visit would help map possible routes and take into concideration growth plans for each council area.
"Light rail would reduce travel times and would be more convenient for people. It gives people a realistic public transport option which would allow them to leave their cars at home. Unlike heavy rail, trams can offer a fast door-to-door service," he said.
Mr Le Marshall said Adelaide was ideal for a suburban tram network because it had obvious traffic choke points and a population through which a tram could move easily. "Light rail is most appropriate for areas where you have congested roads and where you've got a lot of people wanting to get from A to B but not enough demand for heavy rail," he said.
Mr Le Marshall said benefits of a tram network would include reduced travel times and the opportunity of frequent stop services. "Trams have about one seventh of the emmisions of heavy rail which would also improve the ammenity for people in the area," he said.
The report, top be presented next month, also would concider overlaying existing roads with tram tracks, routes and costs.

have the advertiser heard of spell check??

[Norman]

They drank too much apple cider

[fishinajar]

Adelaide Advertiser 22 May 08

have the advertiser heard of spell check??

Apologies, couldn't find the article on the Advertisers website, had to do it the old fashioned way. I never did win any spelling competitions in school.