Re: News & Discussion: Trams
Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2025 10:01 am
I've seen it in several places in Germany, Poland and the Czech republic.
Given that trams have evolved as vehicles running in completely mixed street traffic: buses, cars, trucks and trams, it's actually a safer version of what happens in every city where trams and normal traffic mix. Melbourne is an example of completely mixed traffic in places. So, a version of what happens in Melbourne, for example, but with buses only, excluding cars and commercial vehicles, is a pretty uncontroversial proposal. The only question, really, is how many buses you can run between trams before that slows the trams down.
Other than the possibility of crowding the schedule and slowing trams down, what would be the problem with having buses and trams in the same lane? It's far better than buses, trams, cars, trucks in the same lane, and nobody raises an eyebrow at that.
Edit: At the moment, Jetty Road has cars, trucks, buses and trams allowed on the tram track. Imagine if cars and trucks were banned (of course, they won't be) as a thought experiment. In that case, it would substantially improve tram and bus travel along Jetty Road. From a public transport and safety perspective, it would be a big improvement. Politically, and from the legitimate point of view of car drivers, it won't happen. But technically, it would be quite feasible, improving safety and travel time.