Melbourne Trams

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

It's a new west side story in scenario to switch tram services

It's a new west side story in scenario to switch tram services
Clay Lucas Transport Reporter
June 1, 2011

Tram stops along Swanston street. Photo by Joe Armao

Tram stops along Swanston street. Photo by Joe Armao

YARRA Trams is working on a plan to slash the number of services on the St Kilda Road-Swanston Street corridor.

The tram operator wants to drastically alter the destinations of some lines, in a bid to spread out services across the CBD - to reflect the soaring numbers of commuters wanting to go to the city's west and Docklands.

The move has been met with scepticism by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, which questions whether it is instead a bid by the operator to cut services and pocket the savings.

Swanston Street-St Kilda Road is Melbourne's most congested tram line, with 10 of the city's 30 routes now feeding into the corridor. In the past five years, tram passenger numbers have boomed, rising 20 per cent. Simultaneously, as more businesses have moved to the west of the CBD and at Docklands, more people want to catch trams to the west side.

Yarra Trams, controlled by French company Keolis, outlined the changes in a draft to councils this month. It has also presented a proposal to the Department of Transport.

Under the changes, which Yarra Trams spokesman Colin Tyrus stressed were only at the concept stage, some routes would be diverted from St Kilda Road to Kings Way or a new route through South Melbourne. Trams from Malvern would run to Docklands instead of Melbourne University. The 112 route from Preston to St Kilda would be split and Preston trams redirected to Docklands.

Toorak trams that now run to Moreland would divert at the Domain interchange and run to the west of the CBD via 300 metres of new track in Park Street, South Melbourne.

Port Phillip Council has been lobbying the state government to build this section of track for a decade. Mayor Rachel Powning said it would drastically improve travel options from South Melbourne.

Public Transport Users Association secretary Tony Morton said the proposal seemed ''not unreasonable''.

But it was more important that the Baillieu government put in place a public transport authority that made the process transparent, he said. ''Planning public transport is a state secret under the current system, and the people who run the system want it to stay that way.''

Speaking from Paris yesterday about the changes, Keolis' international head of marketing, Aurelien Braud, cited the French city of Bordeaux.

There, Keolis controls the bus system, and recently changed 69 of its 70 lines to meet the changing needs of the city. ''The transport network has to accompany all of these changes,'' Mr Braud said.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union's Phil Altieri said the concepts Yarra Trams was putting forward had ''been around for a long, long time''.

Yarra Trams' French managers thought they were coming up with fresh proposals, he said. ''But it's nothing new. We used to have a lot of it around. Some of the loading issues we are seeing could more easily be dealt with by running longer trams.''

Enforcing road rules and keeping cars off tram tracks could do far more to ease overcrowding than redesigning routes, said Mr Altieri, secretary of the union's tram and bus division.

''Part of this [proposal] will mean running fewer trams. They will argue that they will put those savings back somewhere else - well, how do we know they will? I'm sceptical.''

Yarra Trams' controlling company, KDR, a joint venture between Keolis and engineers Downer EDI, made a profit of $9 million last financial year.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/its-a-new-west-side-story-in-scenario-to-switch-tram-services-20110531-1fepz.html#ixzz1NxlBTvyO

[ozbob]

Twitter

danielbowen

Yay, rhino tram! #YarraTrams http://yfrog.com/h4ypilaj
3 minutes ago

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Learning our lines

[ozbob]

--> http://tdu.to/89837.msg

MMTB map from 1934-35

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/1786-first-look-at-melbournes-new-trams-.html

Premier of Victoria Media Release

First look at Melbourne's new trams

Wednesday, 24 August 2011
From the Minister for Public Transport

Melbourne's tram commuters have helped to put their mark on a new fleet of low-floor trams to be delivered from next year, Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder said today.

Touring the Bombardier factory in Dandenong today, Mr Mulder said a mock-up of the first new tram was the result of recent consultation with a range of passenger groups about the tram design.

"We have involved tram drivers, elderly passengers, and passengers with a disability, including passengers who use scooters, wheelchairs, or those who have low vision," Mr Mulder said.

"The construction of the mock-up has helped a range of passengers to experience the look and feel of the new trams, and I'd like to thank everyone who participated in this process.

"This is the first time a consultation process like this has been run, and it has really helped to ensure the 50 new trams will meet tram passengers' needs.

"Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we've been able to incorporate several changes, such as the position of handrails, contrasting colour schemes that highlight doors, seats and handrails for people with low vision, and finding the best place for priority seating and wheelchair spaces."

Mr Mulder said the new trams would boost the capacity of the tram network as well as providing an improved ride for passengers.

"The new trams will each be able to carry around 210 passengers, significantly more than other trams on the network, and means that in total the 50 new trams will be able to carry around 10,500 passengers at any one time," Mr Mulder said.

"The new trams will have a low floor to provide easier access to level access tram stops and will also have slip-resistant floors and air-conditioning to improve passenger comfort and safety.

"The trams will have state-of-the-art audio and visual announcements to update passengers on the current location and the next stop."

Mr Mulder said that the delivery of the mock-up tram was a milestone in the design process and the first of the new trams due to arrive on the network in late 2012.

"The Coalition Government is focused on getting the basics of our public transport network right, which is why we're investing $800 million in tram network improvements, including

$300 million for 50 new trams," Mr Mulder said.

Other tram network improvements will include additional platform stops, power upgrades and tram stabling and maintenance facilities.

"Melbourne has the world's largest tram network, and around 569,200 passenger trips are made on the network each weekday," Mr Mulder said.

"This investment in 50 new trams will help ensure the tram network remains an iconic part of Melbourne for many years to come."

Snapshot of the new trams

    The first of 50 new trams will arrive on the network in late 2012
    The trams are being built by Bombardier in Dandenong
    The new trams will be approximately 33 metres long and 2.65 metres wide
    The mock-up tram is approximately two thirds the length of the new trams
    The new trams will each fit 210 passengers

[ozbob]

News.com.au --> Police slam St Kilda Rd tram joyrider as idiotic

[Fares_Fair]

The link above doesn't connect.

Regards,
Fares-Fair.

[ozbob]

The link above doesn't connect.

Regards,
Fares-Fair.

Does now, something corrupts their links sometimes ..

[Fares_Fair]

Sorted, thanks Bob.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Crowding on trams gets worse

Crowding on trams gets worse
Reid Sexton
September 5, 2011

OVERCROWDING on Melbourne's trams has become dramatically worse in the past year, confidential documents have revealed.

But the Department of Transport reports - obtained by The Age under freedom of information laws - also reveal that overcrowding on Melbourne's rail network has fallen to a six-year low as new trains and timetable take effect.

The tram survey, conducted in May, focused on 13 major stops in and around the CBD in morning and afternoon peaks.

It reveals the likelihood of trams at those locations carrying more passengers than the government's own load limit, which varies depending on the tram size, had almost doubled compared to the previous year.

The peak hour crush means that trams at seven of the 13 locations, including along Victoria Street and Wellington Parade, regularly breach the limit in the morning peak, while four locations have a similar squeeze in the afternoon.

The most overcrowded are city-bound morning services such as the number 55, with services regularly carrying more than 20 per cent (17 passengers) too many, followed by number 48 with 17 per cent too many.

Tram overcrowding surveys in May began only in 2009 and it is understood methodology changes make it difficult to compare that with the most recent figures.

But Public Transport Users president Daniel Bowen said the statistics underlined concerns that overcrowding was worse than ever, with his group receiving more anecdotal reports than ever of trams too full to board.

Despite patronage growing by about one-third in the past seven years to 181 million trips annually, just five new trams, that can carry a total of fewer than 800 passengers, have been added to the network in that time.

Mr Bowen said that while 50 trams ordered by the Brumby government were due to enter service gradually from late next year, the latest figures place pressure on the Baillieu government to increase that order.

''The new trams are going to take about five years to all arrive ... it's a slow process and tram users won't see some relief for many years,'' he said.

But Mr Bowen said the recent fall in rail overcrowding showed the impact of significant investment, with the likelihood of a train being overcrowded falling to its lowest level since 2005.

Most of the 38 new trains ordered by the former government, at a cost of about $1.3 billion, have arrived in the past 18 months, while major timetable changes were introduced just before the survey was conducted, Mr Bowen said.

Transport Minister Terry Mulder said adding services was the best way to reduce overcrowding, but blamed the opposition for tram overcrowding.

Go to theage.com.au for a list of the worst tram and train lines for overcrowding.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/crowding-on-trams-gets-worse-20110904-1jsdi.html

[ozbob]

Ministerial Statement
http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/2087-yarra-trams-exceeds-most-set-service-standards-.html

Yarra Trams exceeds most set service standards

Tuesday, 27 September 2011
From the Minister for Public Transport

Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder today congratulated Yarra Trams for exceeding a majority of its independently assessed passenger standards in 2010-11.

Mr Mulder said Yarra Trams' owner Keolis Downer EDI Rail (KDR) exceeded the set Customer Experience Performance Regime benchmarks for information being provided to passengers at tram stops and on trams, the asset condition of trams and tram stops, graffiti removal on trams and at stops and the cleanliness of tram rollingstock.

"Yarra Trams also met benchmarks for the cleanliness of tram stops, tram reserves such as along Dandenong Road and Kings Way and graffiti hotspots and overall passenger satisfaction. The Department of Transport has paid Yarra Trams an incentive of $360,703 for exceeding seven of the 10 targets," Mr Mulder said.

Mr Mulder said that since assuming the tram franchise in late 2009, KDR had met its punctuality and reliability targets in every one of the 21 months.

Mr Mulder said the Coalition Government was continuing to invest in Melbourne's extensive tram route network.

"The $300 million order for 50 new E class trams to be built by Bombardier in Dandenong South and $500 million to house the trams and provide other infrastructure such as a tram driving simulator is not the only investment underway," Mr Mulder said.

"In the first six months of 2011, the Coalition Government has spent $1.88 million on refurbishing some A class trams that operate on tram routes along St Kilda Road, Collins Street and Flinders Streets. These works included new seating with more comfortable cloth covers, general interior refurbishment and an external repaint."

Mr Mulder said that in telephone surveys conducted for the Department of Transport, the tram user satisfaction index rose from 71.0 points to 71.6 points between 2009-10 and 2010-11.

"Passenger satisfaction on Melbourne's northern and western tram routes along Elizabeth and William Streets (Routes 19, 55, 57, 59 and 82) rose from 70.2 to 72.4 points," Mr Mulder said.

Mr Mulder said continual, sustained improvement was necessary across Yarra Trams' 28 routes.

"With Melbourne's trams expected to carry an extra 8 million trips in 2011-12, Yarra Trams has a challenging task. Exceeding the targets for most monitored aspects of its service in the previous financial year is a good start," Mr Mulder said.

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Queen Elizabeth to open Royal Children's Hospital during Melbourne visit

... The Queen will open the new hospital, of which she is patron, and also visit the National Gallery of Victoria's Ian Potter Centre in Federation Square.

During their day trip to Melbourne, the Queen and Prince Philip will walk through the square and catch a tram ...

[ozbob]

From the National Times click here!

Beyond fare: woes of a tram traveller's life

Beyond fare: woes of a tram traveller's life
October 9, 2011

Opinion

Cheats are annoying, but Bruce Guthrie's real problem is with motorists who stop at nothing.

ON A city-bound tram this week, after I'd dutifully swiped my myki, I watched as a mother boarded with two young teens, about a dozen stops out from the CBD. Was she or wasn't she? Picking fare evaders has become a favourite guessing game of mine.

Two stops further along, neither the mother nor her children had made any attempt to buy a ticket or validate a myki or Metcard. But then the public address system crackled into life. ''Authorised officers in plain clothes are currently checking tickets on [these] routes,'' said the recorded announcement. ''Please ensure you have a valid ticket for every journey or risk a fine of up to $180.''

With that, the mother of two sprang into action, validating for herself and her two kids. It's amazing the effect potential prosecution can have on a person. (Actually, maybe she thought I looked like a plain-clothes ticket inspector. Time for a makeover.)

As a regular tram user, the news this week that about 20 per cent of travellers are evading fares did not surprise me. In fact, I was somewhat taken aback that 80 per cent are paying. And if you allow for those who don't deliberately evade - hapless tourists, coinless commuters or those stymied by overcrowding - the figure is probably closer to 85 per cent or 90 per cent.

So, does that make us an honest or dishonest society? I have no doubt that a great many evaders play ''spot the inspector'' on tram trips. You see them scurrying for ticket machines if they see inspectors boarding. It's why the onboard announcements of plain-clothes officers, introduced in the past month, have been so effective.

Frankly, the stress of travelling without a ticket and forever watching out for inspectors isn't worth the money you save by not paying. I did it once after realising my Metcard had run out of trips and I had no coins - I spent most of the journey in a mild panic. Eventually I got off and walked the last three stops.

That 80 per cent to perhaps 90 per cent of commuters pay under what is basically an honour system is strangely comforting to me. I like to think it means that if I dropped a $10 note in the street, eight, even nine out of 10 people would probably return it. That wouldn't happen in many other big cities around the world.

And, of course, there is no telling what effect myki has had on our fare-paying. First there was the amnesty period where people were forgiven for not validating - I've got no doubt some have ''extended'' the period of grace - and then there is just the physical demand of swiping in a stairwell as you get on, risking permanent injury as the tram takes off with a shudder, or being buffeted by other passengers trying to board. Take out the myki factor and I'm sure evasion would be running at 10 per cent, tops.

Which leads me to suggest there is a much bigger issue than people evading fares, and that's the motorists who want to run you down as you get on or off a tram. Increasingly, drivers are ignoring one of the city's most basic road rules: stop when a tram stops, and don't move until passengers have cleared the roadway, and then only slowly. I see many more examples of such idiot motorists than I do of fare evaders, and all to save a few minutes. I have more sympathy for those trying to save a few dollars - but not much more.

Already this year Yarra Trams has received more than 100 reports from its drivers and passengers of motorists ignoring road rules at tram stops. I probably see a couple a week on my route. Four years ago, the company experimented with ''tram cams'', devices fixed to the side of trams to capture motorists ignoring road rules. From all reports they worked well, capturing life-threatening moments when cars either ignored stop rules or took off early to get ahead of trams. The cameras even recorded registration numbers on vehicles. There was considerable excitement that it could be used permanently, but nothing has happened since. I know we already have far too many cameras in our daily lives, but I could accept them on trams if they saved pedestrians. I understand the 50 new low-floor trams being built in Dandenong will be equipped with camera technology when they are eventually rolled out. It won't take much to convince me they should be used to identify lead-footed drivers who put lives at risk. I would not support them being used to raise revenue though.

Ultimately, fare evaders and the few motorists who ignore road rules around trams are coming from pretty much the same place: it's opportunism, driven by the belief that if you can get away with something - break a rule here, avoid a responsibility there - why not give it a go. Who knows, maybe some of the culprits do both. Either way, we should tell them where to get off.

[ozbob]

http://www.mps.vic.greens.org.au/conductors

The Greens - Greens MPs in Victoria

Bring back tram conductors

Bringing back tram conductors would cost 5c per trip, according to figures in a report commissioned by Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber MLC.

The Russell Report says that:

   The savings achieved by the introduction of automated ticketing introduced at the time of privatisation and the withdrawal of conductors realised savings far less than those originally anticipated by either the Kirner or the Kennett government.

   The system of fare collection from tram passengers is flawed. Since 2008, quarterly tram journeys have risen from 170.4 million (4th quarter 2008) to 176.5 million (4th quarter 2010), but the validation rate for tickets on trams has been in continuous decline, from 25% in 2008 to 18% in the first quarter of 2011.

   The system of addressing fare evasion through the use of authorised officers is unpopular among passengers, and is of limited effectiveness.

   In Amsterdam, where conductors were reintroduced after a period without them, new Combino trams (similar to Melbourne's D class) have been delivered with provision for seated conductors, and fare evasion there is as low as 1%.

   The gross cost of reintroducing conductors could be from $38 to $50 million per year, and the net cost from $12 to $15 million per year, depending on the number employed.

   There are further costs that can be offset against these figures. They include:

       Reduced wages costs for authorised officers, whose numbers can be reduced if conductors are reintroduced comprehensively. If 100 authorised officers were transitioned back to the role of conductors, this could amount to an offset of (100*$48,000=$4.8 million);

       Reduced costs of vandalism and graffiti removal on trams

       Reduced costs of injuries to passengers.

More --> http://www.mps.vic.greens.org.au/conductors

================

Footnote:  In my youth, we always had conductors on trams.  Seemed to work out well for all.  The trams were W class, which are not as large as many of the multi-unit trams these days, might need a couple of conductors on them ..  --> http://www.flickr.com/photos/jb17kx/2513667048/

[ozbob]

Financial Review --> Quiet achiever keeps a city ticking

[ozbob]

The Royal tram --> http://tdu.to/29173.att

[ozbob]

From ABC News click here!

Special tram unveiled for royal visit

Special tram unveiled for royal visit
By Stephanie Corsetti

Updated October 25, 2011 14:25:26
The special tram will remain in service after the visit.


The Victorian Government has unveiled the custom-designed royal tram which will transport the Queen to Government House in Melbourne tomorrow.

The freshly-painted and refurbished red and white tram will take the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh down Swanston Street to a state reception at Government House.

Victorian Transport Minister Terry Mulder says the Z-class tram was specifically chosen by the palace.

"The tram's 31-years-old, there's a 114 of these in fleet," he said.

"It's got new seating, new lower windows, it's had a deep clean, a paint job and of course the wrapping that's been put around it to celebrate her arrival in Melbourne."

Passengers will be able to ride the royal tram for 12 months after the Queen's visit on a number of tram routes including Airport West, Carnegie, Camberwell and East Brighton.

Joyleen Smith has been selected to drive the tram.

Ms Smith says she is privileged to have been given the royal tram duties.

"I'm very very nervous." she said.

"Friday when they told me, my heart was just about jumping out of my chest and I was almost totally overwhelmed. It's a wonderful experience, very humbling as well."

Mr Mulder says he will be disappointed if Occupy Melbourne activists disrupt the royal visit.

Protesters are yet to decide whether they will hold demonstrations in Melbourne tomorrow.

[colinw]

So, what does HRH like best? Her Myki Card, her Go Card or her Oyster Card?

[Jonno]

One cannot advise as one has never paid for public transport in ones life!!

[colinw]

Actually ...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1236632/Your-commuter-carriage-awaits-The-Queen-catches-train-journey-Sandringham-Christmas.html

I dare say HRH is probably one up on Campbell Newman there.

[ozbob]

Twitter

danielbowen Daniel Bowen
My tram rides never get this kind of attention, but sometimes seem as slow #Queen3000 http://t.co/bV6qk1je
18 minutes ago

[ozbob]

Great picture


http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2011/10/26/1226177/416894-queen-on-a-tram.jpg

Caption: We are most bemused

THE Queen was big in Brisbane, but even she - riding on surely the world's cleanest tram - must be surprised by the affection on display today in Melbourne.

Gallery: --> http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/gallery-e6frer9f-1226177419643

[Stillwater]

CAPTION: I wonder what the other ladies who participated in the great escape from the dementia unit are doing on their day out?  So far, no-one has asked me to show my ticket, so I might just get away with it.

[colinw]

We need to have a RailBOT captioning contest.

[ozbob]

CAPTION: I wonder what the other ladies who participated in the great escape from the dementia unit are doing on their day out?  So far, no-one has asked me to show my ticket, so I might just get away with it.

Informed sources suggest HRH has a myki card, would you believe.  Not sure if the readers were working though ...

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Not the Rolls or Bentley, but a commoner's conveyance gives Her Majesty a royal ride

I did but see her on a tram.

I hope the driver called her ma'am.

[ozbob]

Daniel Bowen Blog --> Why a Z-class tram was used for the Queen's visit

[ozbob]

Thinking Transport --> Case for the Partial Reintroduction of Tram Conductors

[#Metro]

The countercase http://melbourneurbanist.wordpress.com/2011/10/27/do-melbournes-trams-need-conductors/

[ozbob]

Twitter

ptua PTUA
From Ch9 news on Friday: At last, real tram priority at intersections (for a trial period, at least) http://t.co/0AjzV97n

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Re-making of Swanston Street underway

Re-making of Swanston Street underway
Jason Dowling
November 25, 2011 - 1:14PM

The first stage of the long-awaited $25 million engineering solution to the traffic woes in Swanston Street is expected to be completed within days.

The re-make of Swanston Street, which will include sinking the tram tracks to provide easier access to trams and new bike lanes, was delayed for five months by Transport Safety Victoria over concerns about the new tram stops.

Council officers have now advised the $7.8 million first stage of the project between La Trobe and Little Lonsdale Streets, in front of the State Library, should be completed by Thursday.

The city thoroughfare has long frustrated city planners with its hybrid mix of operating as a sometimes car-free mall, but allowing buses, taxis and delivery vans.

The new plan will remove much of this traffic from the street and give much greater priority to public transport, cyclists and pedestrians.

The changes are backed by Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, who previously advocated returning cars to the street.

"I ran [for election] on opening Swanston Street up to traffic, but realistically the people on the council who know about what makes a great street, convinced me to go the other way," Cr Dolye said earlier this year.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/remaking-of-swanston-street-underway-20111125-1ny7u.html

[SurfRail]

Never thought I would see Doyle recanting his previous statements about giving more and more priority to cars. 

Better outcome than what we have seen from a certain former Lord Mayor in our sphere of influence.

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Cyclists rail against new Northcote tram super stops

Cyclists rail against new Northcote tram super stops
Adam Carey
December 19, 2011

MAJOR changes being made to road conditions at the southern end of High Street in Northcote are ''the way of the future'' for Melbourne's tram routes, urban planners say.

But it is a future in which cars, bicycles and even ambulances and fire trucks will be drastically squeezed for space, and cyclists fear a disaster on the redesigned road is only a matter of time.

''What we're looking at is a state of chaos,'' said Bicycle Network Victoria's Jason den Hollander.
Advertisement: Story continues below

As part of a state government project aimed at speeding up tram travel on route 86, one of Melbourne's busiest tram routes, High Street is being radically transformed: tram super stops are being built, greatly reducing the number of car spaces; footpaths have been widened, cutting the road from four lanes to two; and clearways for peak-hour travel have been done away with.

The changes will smooth traffic flow for trams, speeding up travel times by an estimated 25 per cent and creating scope for increased services.

VicRoads freely admits the changes are designed to force cars to slow down and discourage commuters from driving there.

''The project is introducing measures ... to encourage through traffic that would otherwise have used High Street to use parallel arterial roads instead,'' VicRoads' director of tram and bus projects, Brendan Pauwels, said.

But cyclist groups say the new streetscape will increase the risk of accidents.

Once complete, the super stops will be a ''shared pathway'' between cyclists and pedestrians.

''They have designed into the project inherent conflict between pedestrians and bikes and potentially bikes and trams and cars,'' Mr den Hollander said.

''If riders no longer feel comfortable going up and over the platform because of the decisions council have made, they'll end up riding in the tram tracks, and we've seen previously what happens when riders are forced into tram tracks.''

Currently, cyclists on High Street have little choice but to ride in the tram tracks, because the super stops are under construction.

''That used to be the direct route for me to ride to work every day, and I've changed my route because it just became so hectic and dangerous,'' said Andrew Wilson.

''But sometimes going there is unavoidable, and you end up riding down the middle of the tram tracks,'' he said.

But Michael Ballock, the City of Darebin's director of city works and development, said that cyclists will have to give way to pedestrians at the super stops.

''We're trying to accommodate cyclists in High Street and make it safer for them, but the priority is with the trams and the people getting on and off, and then the cyclists come after that,'' he said.

He admitted there was a possibility ambulances and fire trucks could get stuck in traffic in some sections of the redesigned road, but said both departments had endorsed the design.

Ambulance Victoria agreed. ''Our crews are aware of the change and use their local knowledge to determine the quickest and most appropriate route to emergencies in that area,'' said Northcote team manager Rob Seale.

The $30 million project is a joint endeavour between VicRoads, Yarra Trams and the City of Darebin, and is viewed as a potential pilot for the remainder of Melbourne's tram network.

The Baillieu government has applied to federal agency Infrastructure Australia for an extra $70 million to extend the redevelopment several kilometres north to Albert Street, Reservoir, next year.

''We think this is the way of the future for roads in Melbourne that have got trams running through them,'' Mr Ballock said

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/cyclists-rail-against-new-northcote-tram-super-stops-20111218-1p0tf.html

[ozbob]

Blog Geek Out --> The Future Look Of Melbourne's Trams?

[#Metro]

Hahaha

It will take more than a proverbial 'botox job' on the tram system to make it run properly.
Delete every second stop, more priority and get rid of the high floor vehicles.

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Tram driver who lived for the job was 'last of his kind'

Tram driver who lived for the job was 'last of his kind'

IF THE tram is Melbourne's most iconic object, Lenny Bates is the man who would be best qualified to drive it.

Mr Bates, who died this week of pancreatic cancer, aged 81, ferried tram travellers around Melbourne for more than 55 years, reluctantly calling it a day just a few weeks ago.

Colleagues who gathered at the Kew depot to farewell him say he was ''the last of his kind'', a tram driver who lived for the job, and whose devotion to his passengers was almost fanatical.

''Lenny epitomised the ideal of service to the community,'' says Kew depot starter John Andrews, who worked with Mr Bates for more than 40 years.

''He loved the job and for him the job was his life. He wasn't a gunzel [tram obsessive], he was far more interested [in] his passengers.''

Mr Bates lived all his life in Richmond, and never married or had children.

He started working at the Kew depot in 1955, forsaking a promising career as a registered plumber. In the ensuing 5½ decades he was a conductor, a driver, a trainer of hundreds of other drivers, and finally a driver again.

He spent his later years on routes 109 from Box Hill to Port Melbourne and 48 from North Balwyn to Docklands, gaining recognition and affection for his colourful and detailed announcements about local landmarks along the route.

Mr Andrews says Mr Bates occasionally went to unusual lengths for the tram-riding public. On a cold and wet winter's night in 1967, Mr Bates parked the tram outside the Balwyn Theatre just before midnight, just in case somebody inside needed a ride.

The building was shrouded in darkness and plainly deserted, but Mr Bates waited, standing at the rear of the tram in the rain and shining a torch to alert passing cars, until he was sure no one was coming.

When the union fought a campaign to have heaters installed in W-class trams, Mr Bates initially declined to join in. When it was explained to him that they would make passengers more comfortable, he became one of their fiercest advocates.

As trams evolved, Mr Bates embraced whatever training was required to master the new models. ''Lenny came to the depot when we had 1920s technology, and progressed through that into today's high-tech trams ... He came from pencil and paper up to the touch screen,'' Mr Andrews says.

But he never learnt to drive a car, even after a rule was brought in that tram drivers must have a valid driver's licence. An exception was made for him.

Yarra Trams chief executive Michel Masson also paid tribute to Mr Bates ''for his long and dedicated service to public transport''.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/tram-driver-who-lived-for-the-job-was-last-of-his-kind-20111230-1pflg.html

Rest in peace Lenny! 

[ozbob]

Nationals http://vic.nationals.org.au/news/Article.aspx?ID=13867

$3.1 million Bendigo Tram Depot and Museum opens

Thursday, 12 January 2012

Acting Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan was in Bendigo today to officially open the $3.1 million Bendigo Tram Depot and Museum redevelopment.

Mr Ryan said the exciting redevelopment project significantly improved the work environment and tourism potential of Australia's oldest operating tram depot.

"Bendigo's iconic trams are central to the city's identity and the depot, museum and workshop form a major Victorian and international tourism attraction," Mr Ryan said.

"Tram restoration work at the depot includes helping those as far away as Christchurch and San Francisco, as well as the wedding present tram for Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark.

"Bendigo Tramways are also now maintaining Melbourne's iconic W-class trams as part of an $8 million restoration program though the Victorian Government."

Mr Ryan said redevelopment works had also enabled the growth of local employment and training.

"An essential part of this project is the partnership with Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE and the associated training and learning opportunities available to local students," Mr Ryan said.

"With the improved depot, workshop and spraybooth facilities, additional training opportunities have been developed that will ensure local people are taught valuable skills associated with restoring trams, that are also transferable throughout the region."

Mr Ryan said the Victorian Government contributed $1.5 million towards the $3.1 million redevelopment project, with additional support from the Commonwealth and the City of Greater Bendigo.

"The Victorian Coalition Government constantly aims to create new opportunities for economic growth in regional towns," Mr Ryan said.

"That is the aim of our $1 billion Regional Growth Fund, which supports the continued economic development of regional Victoria by investing in infrastructure and services that improve growth and prosperity in regional and rural communities."

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Travellers suffer more tram delays

Travellers suffer more tram delays
Reid Sexton
January 19, 2012

HUNDREDS of thousands of Melburnians faced more delays and longer waits for trams last year, with the network performing worse in its second year of new management than it did in its first.

Yarra Trams' 2011 performance figures show it posted worse punctuality and cancellation figures than in 2010 as nearly one in five trams ran more than five minutes late and about one in 100 was cancelled.

Metro rail figures show while its punctuality improved significantly, trains were 15 per cent more likely to be cancelled than in the previous year.
Advertisement: Story continues below

The figures cast doubt on Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder's comments to Parliament in October that ''it took [Labor] 11 years to put the public transport network on its knees, and it has taken 11 months to pick it up and put it back where it should be''.

Public transport policy was a key factor in deciding the outcome of the 2010 election, with Labor research showing it may have been responsible for 25 per cent or more of voters switching their vote to the Coalition.

New operators KDR and Metro took over operation of the tram and rail networks in December 2009 after the Brumby government decided they would deliver an improved service for Melburnians.

Department of Transport figures show that in 2010 Yarra Trams ran 1.62 million services and 81.7 per cent those were on time, which is defined as being within five minutes of the scheduled time. Last year services had grown to 1.64 million with 81.5 per cent of trams on time.

Over two years the percentage of trams cancelled also grew slightly, resulting in about 14,000 trams cancelled last year.

A KDR spokesman said Yarra Trams had exceeded the government-imposed punctuality target every month since taking over the tram network. The latest increases were minor and the network was performing better now than when it took over, he said.

In 2010 Metro ran 85.6 per cent of services on time. Last year that rose to 87 per cent despite a record 705,000 services. But cancellation figures grew from 1.2 per cent of timetabled services to 1.4 per cent.

A Metro spokeswoman said it was investing more than $2 million a day in the network and said it had exceeded the government's punctuality targets for seven consecutive months.

She said the lifting of speed restrictions on the troubled Siemens trains and a revamped timetable in May had helped to improve punctuality.

Public Transport Users Association president Daniel Bowen said single-line sections of the rail network and tram delays caused by a lack of traffic priority were key constraints undermining other improvements. ''Delays and cancellations continue to plague passengers,'' he said.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/travellers-suffer-more-tram-delays-20120118-1q6kt.html

[ozbob]

New trial to speed up Melbourne trams

Melbourne's trams are among the slowest in the world, but a trial aimed at speeding them up has shown promising results

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[#Metro]

I used Melbourne trams late last year.

* High floors
* On board ticketing
* Extremely overcrowded
* Extremely slow
* Did I mention extremely slow?

They need to grow balls and cut every second stop from the network.