News & Discussion: Trams

[Norman]

I suspect the AdeLINK planning process might also have extended the planning phase of the extension. They obviously wanted to finalise the routes before deciding on the final layout of the North Terrace/KWS intersection, to make sure no money is wasted. Even during the open day last year the planning staff were not decided on the design of the intersection, and that was not long before July.

The thing that really angers me is that the government has completed the business case for the trams, including the routes and other details, but it refuses to release it until they can have another media event during the election campaign.

[adelaide transport]

So far no party has released a transport plan to take to the election. I very much doubt that Xenophon(who has no policies released yet) will be very interested in Public Transport. I suspect Labour will announce another tram extension. As for the Liberals they will have to come up with something if they want any chance of being a taken as a serious contender for the next Government.
The whole Bus network needs a complete overhaul. The current Government has put out plans some time ago for this to come up, with a simplified route numbering system, new High Frequency bus services on Key routes with Bus Lanes and traffic light priority to speed up services and reduce duplication. It also plans to create more feeder services to/from Railway Stations and to major shopping centres to feed into the High Frequency network.
So far this is a plan, nothing more or nothing less with no indication of when of if it might happen.

[Waewick]

I'm pretty sure you won't see the Liberals doing anything Tram related.

so that leaves Labor to announce something different than they have or get funding for what they have already announced.

Or SA Best too I suppose.

[rubberman]

I suspect the AdeLINK planning process might also have extended the planning phase of the extension. They obviously wanted to finalise the routes before deciding on the final layout of the North Terrace/KWS intersection, to make sure no money is wasted. Even during the open day last year the planning staff were not decided on the design of the intersection, and that was not long before July.

The thing that really angers me is that the government has completed the business case for the trams, including the routes and other details, but it refuses to release it until they can have another media event during the election campaign.

The other possibility might be that the business case analysis shows that it is uneconomic.

At the best, that would mean going back to the drawing board and seeing if it could be done more economically, or abandoning it altogether. If so, we won't hear anything till after the election, and the Nth Tce extension will be the last for a good while.

So, let's hope for an announcement.

[adelaide transport]

DPTI have announced that nightworks at the intersection of King William Street and North Terrace will be undertaken as follows;-
8pm on Thursday 8th February and 5am on Thursday 15th February
and again
1100pm on Monday 19th February and 5am Wednesday 21st February.
During these times substitute buses will operate between Victoria Square and The Entertainment Centre.
The works include installations of overhead electrical insulators, laying of overhead tram wires and underground cabling.
Both roads will remain open ,but with peed restrictions in place.

[SBD]

I'm pretty sure you won't see the Liberals doing anything Tram related.

so that leaves Labor to announce something different than they have or get funding for what they have already announced.

Or SA Best too I suppose.

Two months ago, Downer announced a proposal to build and operate a tram to the airport, but the Labor government seemed quite cool on the idea. Perhaps Liberal have kept talking to Downer and can promise something new just by "getting out of the way".

Opposition transport spokesman David Pisoni said the SA Liberals supported expanding the public transport system but wanted projects to be well-managed, declaring people were sick of foolish decisions such as the failure to have trams turning right on to North Tce as part of the East End extension.

[Waewick]

Good point re the Airport route.

Although with the public angst about the privatisation of things i reckon it will be a tough sell to allow it for that tram

[rubberman]

Good point re the Airport route.

Although with the public angst about the privatisation of things i reckon it will be a tough sell to allow it for that tram

I would have thought the obvious strategy for the Liberal Party would be to announce something along the lines of: "A Marshall Government stands for sound financial management of the State's finances. Therefore, if the upcoming business case shows that there is a clear benefit that exceeds the cost, we will proceed with the tram works. If, however, it is not shown to be economic, we will not proceed."

How hard is that? If there's a good business case, why not do it? If it sucks, don't do it. It doesn't take an MBA from Harvard to work that out.

[PeFe]

The Downer proposal involved tram technology that would not be compatible with the current tram system....ie you would have 2 "distinct" tram systems.

[rubberman]

Good point re the Airport route.

Although with the public angst about the privatisation of things i reckon it will be a tough sell to allow it for that tram

As proposed, it didn't make a lot of sense to me. Most of the cost and risk went to the SA taxpayer, and Downer ended up with a guaranteed income.

That having been said, if a government could negotiate a better deal, it might be worth a look at.

[Haso]

SPTI have announced that nightworks at the intersection of King William Street and North Terrace will be undertaken as follows;-
8pm on Thursday 8th February and 5am on Thursday 15th February
and again
1100pm on Monday 19th February and 5am Wednesday 21st February.
During these times substitute buses will operate between Victoria Square and The Entertainment Centre.
The works include installations of overhead electrical insulators, laying of overhead tram wires and underground cabling.
Both roads will remain open ,but with peed restrictions in place.

Minor clarifications

DPTI Web site

Temporary CBD tram closure for City Tram Extension Project night works

Night works at the intersection of King William Road and North Terrace will be undertaken as part of the City Tram Extension Project, occurring from Thursday 8 February to Thursday 15 February between 8pm and 5am, and Monday 19 February to Wednesday 21 February between 11pm and 5am.
These finishing works are being brought forward and during these times tram services will be replaced with substitute buses between Victoria Square and the Entertainment Centre.
The works include installation of overhead electrical insulators, laying of overhead tram wires and underground cabling.
The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure advises the roads will remain open at all times during the works. However, speed and lane restrictions will be in place. Right-turn movements will not be permitted through the intersection during the work period.
Access to businesses, carparks and properties will be maintained at all times and every effort will be made to minimise noise impacts to nearby residents and businesses.
For more information regarding the planned works, or to register your interest to receive project updates via text or email, visit www.citytramextension.sa.gov.au or contact the project team on 1300 030 919.
For real time roadwork information, download the Addinsight app for Apple or Android or visit the Traffic SA website at www.traffic.sa.gov.au.
DPTI appreciates your patience and cooperation while these important works are undertaken.
For information about substitute services please call the Adelaide Metro Infoline on 1300 311 108 or visit www.adelaidemetro.com.au.

[Kasey771]

I'm pretty sure you won't see the Liberals doing anything Tram related.

so that leaves Labor to announce something different than they have or get funding for what they have already announced.

Or SA Best too I suppose.

Two months ago, Downer announced a proposal to build and operate a tram to the airport, but the Labor government seemed quite cool on the idea. Perhaps Liberal have kept talking to Downer and can promise something new just by "getting out of the way".

Opposition transport spokesman David Pisoni said the SA Liberals supported expanding the public transport system but wanted projects to be well-managed, declaring people were sick of foolish decisions such as the failure to have trams turning right on to North Tce as part of the East End extension.

So after 16 years all the Libs can say on the record is” we want PT to be ‘better’ and here are our non-existent plans to make it that way?” Doesn’t inspire confidence from me given the liberal historic bias towards personal transport over Public Transport.


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[SBD]

I'm pretty sure you won't see the Liberals doing anything Tram related.

so that leaves Labor to announce something different than they have or get funding for what they have already announced.

Or SA Best too I suppose.

Two months ago, Downer announced a proposal to build and operate a tram to the airport, but the Labor government seemed quite cool on the idea. Perhaps Liberal have kept talking to Downer and can promise something new just by "getting out of the way".

Opposition transport spokesman David Pisoni said the SA Liberals supported expanding the public transport system but wanted projects to be well-managed, declaring people were sick of foolish decisions such as the failure to have trams turning right on to North Tce as part of the East End extension.

So after 16 years all the Libs can say on the record is” we want PT to be ‘better’ and here are our non-existent plans to make it that way?” Doesn’t inspire confidence from me given the liberal historic bias towards personal transport over Public Transport.

Even the most self-centred Liberal voters would be able to recognise that their personal drive to work would be improved if "everyone else" was on a few buses and (grade-separated) trains instead of in cars in front of them.

[Patrick_27]

A case of damned if you do, damned it you don't. The right-hand turn 'fiasco' is the result of a long-term city loop plan, but if the State Government were to release this blueprint, the Libs would argue that it's merely another pipe dream that needs to be funded. But if the Stete Government were to fund it then the Libs would argue at the extra $20m being spent to make it happen. People just need to take a look at how much the footpaths have been buried by the current works, imagine if the right-hand turn was implemented?

Face it, the Libs are f*cking hypocrites. They have literally no PT agenda or foresight for that matter and yet they want to sit there and take shots at the government for actually getting certain projects underway, even if it's conveniently close to election.

[adelaide transport]

A case of damned if you do, damned it you don't. The right-hand turn 'fiasco' is the result of a long-term city loop plan, but if the State Government were to release this blueprint, the Libs would argue that it's merely another pipe dream that needs to be funded. But if the Stete Government were to fund it then the Libs would argue at the extra $20m being spent to make it happen. People just need to take a look at how much the footpaths have been buried by the current works, imagine if the right-hand turn was implemented?

Face it, the Libs are f*cking hypocrites. They have literally no PT agenda or foresight for that matter and yet they want to sit there and take shots at the government for actually getting certain projects underway, even if it's conveniently close to election.

Considering no Public Transport plans have yet been announced by any parties your comments are a bit far-fetched to say the least-uninformed!