Wollongong Light Rail

[ozbob]

Mercury --> Time for Wollongong to look at light rail

Wollongong needs to look at building a light rail network in the city, says a university transport expert.

University of Wollongong academic Dr Philip Laird, a transport consultant to state and federal government, said the city needed to get on board the idea of light rail.

"It should be looked at," Mr Laird said.

"Everyone else is either doing it or looking at it. It's been very successful on the Gold Coast, which is now proceeding to its second stage and the mayor up there wants the third stage rolled out.

"It's been successful beyond belief on the Gold Coast. In the first year it had more than six million riders."

The Gold Coast's G:link opened in July 2014 and features a 13-kilometre line featuring 16 stations.

A further 7.3-kilometre extension is planned for 2018.

Light rail also operates in Sydney – from Dulwich Hill to the city.

Construction has also begun on a light rail route from Circular Quay to Randwick.

A line to Parramatta is also in the planning stages.

Of more relevance to Wollongong, the government is developing a 2.7-kilometre light rail route in Newcastle which "will help cut city centre congestion".

The planned light rail route is part of the government's promised $500 million to revitalise Newcastle's city centre.

Mr Laird said the costs and the benefits needed to be considered but added that it could give the CBD a much-needed boost.

Mr Laird also pointed out that former deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer said in a visit in January that Wollongong train station should be a hub for a light rail network.

"Tim Fischer felt it should go from the station down to the entertainment centre," Mr Laird said.

"I'd be looking at the costs and benefits of taking it out on one side of the hospital and out to the university at a later stage.

"It's only an idea but what I'm saying is it shouldn't just be ignored, it should be looked at."

[verbatim9]

Everyone is going light rail, Thanks to the G success and LRT success in Sydney. Woollongong would be a good contender. Been there several times, well laid out for LRT.

[Gazza]

The GC already had frequent buses prior to LRT.
Ditto Canberra.

What does the Gong have?

[SurfRail]

^ A decent railway that is seriously underused.  That needs fixing first.

[#Metro]

What is the latest plan?