Article: Trams may return to Brisbane's streets says John Mickel

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

Trams may return to Brisbane's streets says John Mickel

Trams may return to Brisbane's streets says John Mickel
Article from: mX

Ursula Heger of mX

August 25, 2008 12:15pm

TRAMS are set to return to Brisbane's streets under a plan hatched by Transport Minister John Mickel _ but only if you want them.

A week after revealing he was looking at a Metro-style underground rail system, Mr Mickel now says he is prepared to reintroduce a tram-style light-rail system ``if there was a huge call for it''.

"At the moment we haven't had a big call for it, and we have had the Brisbane City Council say they were opposed to it," the minister's spokesman said.

But council transport chairwoman Jane Prentice said today that while "our own study found that mass transit was quicker and less expensive than light rail, we are open to all suggestions".

Both the city's dedicated busways and the Eleanor Schonell Bridge to the University of Queensland have been built large enough to accommodate light-rail lines alongside buses.

The State Government and the council are already undertaking a study to determine whether light rail or buses would be the best option to link Newstead, Fortitude Valley, the CBD, South Bank and West End.

That network could be extended to the Inner Northern Busway at one end and on to the Southeast Busway and the Eleanor Schonell Bridge at the other.

According to the Government think tank, the Smart State Council, there is a risk that delaying development could make light rail impossible in the future.

A council report last year estimated a light-rail network would cost up to $600million to construct, compared to $100million for new train-like extra-long buses. /quote]

[ozbob]

There is a blog and a poll attached to the article at the Courier Mail web site.

Interesting results so far!   Blog Click here!

Poll --> http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/poll/1,,953-5035580-0,00.html

[Otto]

The result after I voted at 1:20pm

Thanks for voting, here are the results so far:

Would you want trams back on Brisbane's streets?

Yes
    87% (221 votes)
No
    12% (31 votes)
Sum votes:
    Total votes: 252 votes so far

[ozbob]

% for seems to be much the same around 400 votes so far ...

My blog comment:

Modern light rail is essential for a sustainable transport future, not only for the Gold Coast Rapid Transit but for Brisbane as well. More at RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Media Release 19 July 2008

SEQ:  Public transport melt-down around the corner?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has called for some clear directions from TransLink Transit Authority and the Government as to what is being done to address the looming public transport meltdown in south-east Queensland?

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

?RAIL Back On Track has been highlighting constantly the major issues that confront the public transport system in south-east Queensland (1).?

?Public transport users are simply not getting any clear positive indications as to what is being done to address the problems of overloading on peak hour trains, buses and ferries.?

?Commuters squeeze on trains as able, they wait as full buses pass them by, and they are fined for illegal parking around stations as there is no other option.  They await with concerned bemusement the loss of the ten trip tickets and the transition to the go card.?

?Suggestions put forward by the public are rarely acknowledged and appear to be summarily dismissed by transport authorities.?

?Even the experts are now coming out publicly with their concerns (2).?

?The TransLink Transit Authority, QR, Brisbane Transport and other private transport operators need to come together with the key stakeholder, the public transport commuter and listen.  Only then can the present asset be utilised to best advantage.?

?Already there are reports of school bus operations in USA being curtailed due to the fuel price impacts (3). South-east Queensland because of its bus-centric transport systems is particularly vulnerable to oil and emission costs.?

?There must be a change in emphasis to sustainable transport ? electric rail, light and heavy.  This is where the capacity for the huge demands that will be made on public transport will be achieved.?

References:

1.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?board=19.0

2.  Courier Mail 19 July 2008  page 51 ?Breaking point?

3.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1154.0

Contact:


Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[stephenk]

The results in support of trams seem pretty conclusive!

I'm not sure if the results will be as conclusive when drivers have to work out how to do hook turns again!
Having spent last week in Melbourne, the 100% low floor trams on the St Kilda light rail routes are considerably more comfortable and spacious than Brisbane buses!

[jason]

What about the financial costs?

So in 12 months times were are going to hear all people bitching about the rise in taxes and rates to pay for this

[glossyblack]

Well guys,
Firstly we have to get people over the word "tram" in Brisbane as in Melbourne,that's the slow moving box on wheels that everyone thinks of. This comment includes the C.M. and the Minister light rail bears very little resemblance (if any) to the concept of a tram.
LRV's in Melbourne are fast, comfortable,and effective.They are also the only street vehicle that can operate in one way streets having doors both sides.
They have acceleration rates that match most cars and top speeds well in excess of road speed limits.
People should investigate some overseas light rail systems where a single vehicle can carry over 500 pax, show me the bus that can do this!
It seems that "peak oil" means very little to the car using public,however a look at the average price of diesel makes it fairly clear.

[Dean Quick]

The people who will whinge and bitch most about the possible return of trams are the same people who do nothing to reduce their reliance on fuel and tolls but are quite prepared to whinge and complain about them on an almost daily basis. It is a good sign that the Gov't is seriously looking at a light rail proposal, one that is combined with major expansion of the heavy rail network would be even better!