Article: CBD loop trams

[colinw]

The Advertiser: CBD loop trams priority the way to a vibrant community -> click here.

CBD loop trams priority the way to a vibrant community

TOM ZED |  From: The Advertiser |  November 01, 2010 12:01AM

A CITY tram loop should be the number one light rail extension priority, instead of the State Government's planned "coast-to-coast" extension, the Thinker in Residence says.

Fred Hansen - former general manager of public transport operator TriMet in Portland, Oregon, a city renowned for its light rail and transit-oriented development - believes a city tram loop would boost residential development in the city and change attitudes towards public transport, revitalising the CBD and helping to achieve 30-Year Plan targets.

"The Adelaide area is on the cusp of really taking momentous steps forward and I think something like a tram extension downtown would really push it over the edge," he said.

"In Portland, our streetcar has invigorated the area and allowed it to develop into an exciting, vibrant community that really attracts people. A bus route may go away tomorrow but steel track and steel wheels show permanency, which attracts investment and the ability to get to the densities needed to really activate areas."

The State Government's planned coast-to-coast extension would take light rail from the Entertainment Centre to Semaphore, Port Adelaide and West Lakes by 2018/19, costing at least $482 million.

Transport Minister Patrick Conlon yesterday agreed a city loop was desirable and would "boost growth and development, in line with the 30-Year Plan objectives" but would not say whether it would leapfrog the coast-to-coast extension in the Budget queue.

"This is definitely an idea we support, in principle; it just comes down to a matter of priorities and we will continue to listen to Mr Hansen's suggestions," he said.

Planning experts and stakeholders, including Adelaide Lord Mayor Michael Harbison and Lord Mayoral candidate Stephen Yarwood, agreed a city loop should be top priority.

Mr Harbison thought Gray and Grote streets would be "great conduits for tram lines", while Mr Yarwood said any loop needed to connect Hutt St.

Transport experts Professor Derek Scrafton, from the University of South Australia, and Dr Jennifer Bonham, from the University of Adelaide, said a city loop should be built - but not before the coast-to-coast extension.

A city west loop around King William St, North Tce, Gray and Grote streets, and an alternative also using Currie and Morphett streets, were discussed in 2006, before the Government settled on stopping at the UniSA City West Campus.

[colinw]

Take particular note of the results of the poll attached to that article in the The Advertiser.

Poll: which transport type is best?

Rail: 24.3% (139 votes)

Light rail: 54.83% (312 votes)

O-bahn: 14.06% (80 votes)

Bus: 6.68% (38 votes)

Shows how clearly people like light rail, and the utter contempt many commuters have for street running buses.

[ozbob]