Sensational-Adelaide.com

AtD wrote:Sounds fantastic! Care to scan the article?

Norman wrote:Can't wait for this to start. Although I still would have preferred an underpass.

On track for future extension
MATT WILLIAMS, CITY EDITOR
February 17, 2008 06:45pm
ADELAIDE'S trams have increased their patronage by nearly 1200 boardings a day since the line was extended along King William St and North Tce.

Transport Minister Pat Conlon has seized on the increases, saying they make a ``compelling argument'' for future extensions of the line.

Figures obtained by The Advertiser show there were 711,000 boardings on the tram during November, December and January compared with 601,782 for the corresponding three months a year earlier.

Since the $31 million extension opened in mid-October, patronage jumped 18.8 per cent in November, 11.3 per cent in December and 15.8 per cent in January.

Mr Conlon said the figures justified the Government's investment in the extension - but the Opposition claimed it would have worked better if the new trams had been equipped to cater for the extra demand.

``There is no better measure of success than an increase in patronage. The extension has made the service far more attractive and it was a good investment,'' Mr Conlon said.

Opposition Transport spokesman Duncan McFetridge said the Government was advised patronage would increase by 30 per cent once the new extension was completed.

``People are being put off travelling on the new trams because they are just so crowded during the peak-hour rush in the morning and afternoons,'' he said.

``The trams just aren't coping because the Government rushed in and purchased the trams which can't be coupled up... they did it completely for a political timeline.

``The project could have been such a fantastic example of how a tram network could operate, but they have stuffed it.''

Mr Conlon said the Government purchased the right trams, saying the Opposition would ``criticise whatever trams we purchased''.

He acknowledged the trams were crowded during morning and afternoon peak hour, but urged commuters to consider what peak-hour rushes were like in other cities.

``If anyone has ever been on the London Underground during peak hour, they would know what crowding is really like,'' Mr Conlon said.

Mr Conlon said the Government purchased the right trams, saying the Opposition would ``criticise whatever trams we purchased''.

AtD wrote:

Mr Conlon said the Government purchased the right trams, saying the Opposition would ``criticise whatever trams we purchased''.

So true.

AG wrote:

``People are being put off travelling on the new trams because they are just so crowded during the peak-hour rush in the morning and afternoons,'' he said.

``The project could have been such a fantastic example of how a tram network could operate, but they have stuffed it.''

Edgar wrote:How can people be put off about the crowded trains? Every public transport I know, is crowded during peak hours. People live with it, unless they want to drive on their own.

Tyler_Durden wrote:

Edgar wrote:How can people be put off about the crowded trains? Every public transport I know, is crowded during peak hours. People live with it, unless they want to drive on their own.

It is a contradictory statement. If the trams are so overcrowded then obviously people are not being put off using them. On the contrary people are using the trams more than ever. And we all know why.

crawf wrote:That guy more is more of a idiot then MHS.