News & Discussion: Trams

[Nort]

A quick stroll down memory lane. Seven years ago.

And what a wasted opportunity that all the plans for further expansion were thrown away.

[[Shuz]]

I understand slope was an issue for any turning radius from North Terrace West to KWS North, but we could have benefited from a right turn from KWS South to North Terrace East and also a right turn from North Terrace East to KWS North - given both already have left turns. It would only have cost an extra couple million (at the time).

[ChillyPhilly]

I understand slope was an issue for any turning radius from North Terrace West to KWS North, but we could have benefited from a right turn from KWS South to North Terrace East and also a right turn from North Terrace East to KWS North - given both already have left turns. It would only have cost an extra couple million (at the time).

The infamous right turn was borderline impossible.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-18/ ... s/10508610

[claybro]

I understand slope was an issue for any turning radius from North Terrace West to KWS North, but we could have benefited from a right turn from KWS South to North Terrace East and also a right turn from North Terrace East to KWS North - given both already have left turns. It would only have cost an extra couple million (at the time).

The infamous right turn was borderline impossible.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-18/ ... s/10508610

Trams do amazing things all over the world.....except apparently in Adelaide.- Even though just 70 years ago, in Adelaide with inferior technology these things apparently were possible. We had grand junctions with all turns, hilly eastern suburb inclines, tight turns, trams crossing heavy rail, trams crossing other trams. All apparently deemed impossible by our modern transport engineers.

[abc]

its still quicker to walk anywhere in the city than it is to catch a tram

[A-Town]

its still quicker to walk anywhere in the city than it is to catch a tram

Not quite true, but trams do run way too slowly in the CBD that's for sure.

[ChillyPhilly]

its still quicker to walk anywhere in the city than it is to catch a tram

Not quite true, but trams do run way too slowly in the CBD that's for sure.

Trams need priority signalling at intersections.

[Spotto]

I understand slope was an issue for any turning radius from North Terrace West to KWS North, but we could have benefited from a right turn from KWS South to North Terrace East and also a right turn from North Terrace East to KWS North - given both already have left turns. It would only have cost an extra couple million (at the time).

The infamous right turn was borderline impossible.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-18/ ... s/10508610

Yet Marshall still made digging up a 2-month old junction a key issue in his campaign… only to quietly drop it when yet another study proved what the other studies already concluded…

Dropped it almost as quickly as both parties dropped their promises to expand trams inside the CBD (and Labor to Norwood as well).

[Nort]

I understand slope was an issue for any turning radius from North Terrace West to KWS North, but we could have benefited from a right turn from KWS South to North Terrace East and also a right turn from North Terrace East to KWS North - given both already have left turns. It would only have cost an extra couple million (at the time).

The infamous right turn was borderline impossible.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-18/ ... s/10508610

Yet Marshall still made digging up a 2-month old junction a key issue in his campaign… only to quietly drop it when yet another study proved what the other studies already concluded…

Dropped it almost as quickly as both parties dropped their promises to expand trams inside the CBD (and Labor to Norwood as well).

I wish Labor would bring back Tram plans for the next election, but it made sense for them to drop them at that time. They were a key part of their reelection bid, and the people of South Australia said no.

[ChillyPhilly]

I don't believe voters said 'no' to trams - the election loss by Weatherill was very slim, and the election was arguably only won after some boundary redistributions. The big tipping point was in Newland, where electoral issues did work against Labor. This mainly included the potential closure of the Modbury Hospital.

Labor won Newland right back in 2022.

[Patrick_27]

I've always thought and stood by this, if we want to expand on our tram and train network, bid for and host a Commonwealth Games. A very effective way to advocate for and secure a larger than 50/50 split payout (which is always the standard for infrastructure spends in SA) from the Federal Government on improving these networks. The argument for trams being: we need direct tram access to Adelaide Oval and the Adelaide Aquatic Centre, we could benefit from tram access to the Airport and Mile End (for athletics and netball facilities), a city loop would make these extensions run smoother, the Entertainment Centre line already providing access to Hindmarsh Stadium. Also allows for the discussion of redirecting the Grange Line to West Lakes (for rowing and sailing events). I know we all have our hostility towards the Commonwealth Games in terms of what short and long term economic benefit they provide the host city, but when I look at how much money the Feds poured into Melbourne and Gold Coast in '06 and '18 respectively; I think it's a guaranteed way of propelling some such projects that this State has a habit of dithering on. I don't think we would have benefited from stepping in to save the 2026 Games after the Victoria disaster as this wouldn't allow enough time to prepare properly but I can't see why our state shouldn't/wouldn't try and secure something around Brisbane 2032. The way I see the existing network, we either plan for expansion or start winding back operations for when the existing network reaches the end of its useful life, because within the next decade we're going to have to start looking at buying fresh rolling stock, replacing ageing stations and re-sleeper-ing. With the current investment in grade separation along the Glenelg Line, it would seem there is still a lingering desire (both state and federally) for growing on what we already have.

[rev]

I don't believe voters said 'no' to trams - the election loss by Weatherill was very slim, and the election was arguably only won after some boundary redistributions. The big tipping point was in Newland, where electoral issues did work against Labor. This mainly included the potential closure of the Modbury Hospital.

Labor won Newland right back in 2022.

The same election that the Advertiser ran an election interference campaign telling people that they should vote for the Liberals because Labor's been in for too long, and why not lets try something different.

The momentum for infrastructure after that election shifted mostly to the north-south corridor imo.
Personally I think Labor has only put their tram plans on the back burner, and wont announce new tram lines until the remainder of the NSM is well under construction and partly paid for, knowing the Liberals/Advertiser will latch on to their spending/state debt. If there's any major milestones that come in ahead of schedule and under budget on the NSM, that might progress things.


And I agree Patrick, it's why I think that the decision to not bid for the Com. Games.
An expansion of trams/trains (and more) would form part of the bid. It would benefit our city long after the games are held.
If we had AdeLINK mostly built now with the cost of living crisis it would be a good opportunity to entice more people to use PT on a more regular basis.

[Westside]

With the current development of the new Women's and Children's Hospital on Port road, has there been any discussion of developing a new stop in the vicinity of the rail overpass?

The current closest tram stop is Thebarton which is only a 500m walk, but certainly not ideal. The RAH stop is over 600m away, menaing over 1km between stops (there's just 500m between Bonython Park and Thebarton stops). You can see how many passengers use the tram line to the new RAH - this should be carried over to the new WCH to encourage integrated public transport and solve the woeful parking around the current WCH.

Locating the stop at the rail overpass could encourage any proposed Heney Beach Rd tram to join the existing tram line via the old deviation Rd alignment then join HB Rd past the underpass providing much better integration for western suburbs passengers.

[Spotto]

Bare minimum tram routes that need to be completed are North Adelaide and a City Loop, preferably a line to Norwood as well. Anything beyond that we can dawdle and debate over.

[A-Town]

its still quicker to walk anywhere in the city than it is to catch a tram

Not quite true, but trams do run way too slowly in the CBD that's for sure.

Trams need priority signalling at intersections.

Yep. Even if they're unwilling to increase the speeds that trams can travel in certain parts of the CBD, you could easily shave off 5 minutes by prioritising trams over cars at intersections.