Article: Hobart trams on track

[colinw]

The Mercury -> click here

THE Hobart City Council will approach the Federal Government, local businesses and potential volunteers to get a North Hobart tram service up and running.

The council has received advice that it could source small trams from the Czech Republic for less than $2 million each, which could keep the cost of a two-tram service between the waterfront and North Hobart under $8 million.

Although numerous reports have found a tram line would not be cost effective, the council last night voted in favour of sniffing out potential funding for the project.

It will consult local businesses along Elizabeth St to sound out private investment ideas and potential volunteer operators.

At last night's meeting, councillors also resolved to seek an agreement with the State Government to use the soon-to-be-disused rail line to Cornelian Bay for trams.

Under the plan, the council's three heritage trams, which are being restored, would be put to use possibly in conjunction with new trams.

"This has got to be a no-brainer in terms of the tourism potential," Ald Rob Valentine said, although he argued the trams should travel all the way to MONA.

Meanwhile, some deal-making efforts by several aldermen, including Lord Mayor Damon Thomas, helped the council reach a decision on the proposed Sandy Bay cycleway.

The wording they finally voted to support, after threatening to split on the issue, should go a long way to pacifying bicycle groups and Sandy Bay residents concerned about the impact of parts of the proposed cycleway.

The council voted to support the cycleway in principle subject to detailed design work occurring and the seeking of funding from other levels of government.

Ald Helen Burnet said the decision was good news for cyclists, pedestrians and road safety.

[ButFli]

What's the point of building all that track if they're only going to run two trams on it? Better off buying a few buses.

[#Metro]

As a purely tourist thing, yeah it could work. Auckland already has something like this.
As serious PT - no.