Melbourne Trams

[ozbob]

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Vicsig ‏@vicsig 50m50 minutes ago

The New Preston Depot was officially opened by the Minister of Transport today.

[ozbob]

^

Yarra Trams --> Historic depot redevelopment to drive a brighter tram future

[ozbob]

Daniel Bowen --> The new improved Preston tram depot

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Yarra Trams opens new E-Class depot

[ozbob]

Derailed tram crashes into Kew house

>> http://www.theage.com.au/video/video-news/video-national-news/derailed-tram-crashes-into-kew-house-20160517-4f507.html

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Trams push cars out of the slow lane on Smith Street > https://t.co/2ZyzUMk64i via @theage #springst Bravo!

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) July 17, 2016

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Warning not to let Transurban toll road crowd out tram plan for west

[ozbob]

Behind the scenes of the upgraded Malvern Depot

[ozbob]

#Melbourne is a revelation. It's what so many American cities could have been if they had not ditched their trams.

— Jeff Speck (@JeffSpeckAICP) August 12, 2016

[ozbob]

Made in Melbourne, for Melbourne. Say hello to our 40th E-Class tram. pic.twitter.com/uhcfnlnoBj

— Jacinta Allan (@JacintaAllanMP) August 20, 2016

[ozbob]

Leader --> Tram plan flagged to transport travellers to and from Melbourne Airport

Tram plan flagged to transport travellers to and from Melbourne Airport
Natalie Savino, Moonee Valley Leader
August 26, 2016 12:00pm

TRAMS could be the answer to ease commuter frustration if plans for a fast rail to Melbourne Airport remain grounded.

Moonee Valley mayor Andrea Surace has suggested tram route 59, which runs from Flinders St to Airport West, could be stretched past its final stop on Matthews Ave to the airport.

The council, a member of LeadWest, has long been lobbying for an airport rail link, preferably along the Flemington alignment.

Cr Surace said a public transport link was vital and would deliver economic, environmental and social benefits to Moonee Valley and the wider community.

But the council believes there is also scope to consider a light rail option.

"The 59 tram is ideally located to be extended to Melbourne Airport," Cr Surace said.

"This would connect both Moonee Valley residents and the broader community to Melbourne Airport, support industry and population growth in the city's north, and provide greater access to employment and services in Essendon Fields and Airport West."

She urged the State Government to undertake a feasibility study into the idea.

Airport West Action Group spokeswoman Sharon Edwards said while a rail link was preferred, a short-term option to accommodate population growth should be considered.

"We're definitely crying out for something more efficient to our airport, whichever way you go, (and) we're so central here," she said.

"We're trying to get away from using cars.

"If we've got better systems and transport in place, it can only improve."

But Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said while a tram had some benefits, it wouldn't serve the same purpose as a train.

He said it was a much slower option that would only benefit those working at or travelling to the airport from Melbourne's northwest, rather than inner city dwellers.

"The rail link, when built, would really provide a more reliable connection to the airport as well (as) providing higher capacity," Mr Bowen said.

"I think it's surprising to people that such a major city and busy airport aren't connected by a rail link."

The State Government did not respond toLeader's request for comment.

[verbatim9]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/tram-plan-flagged-to-transport-travellers-to-and-from-melbourne-airport/news-story/d6c55f7932431e5260c8626900c0cee8

I always wondered why this was never done in the first place. Be a long trip though, but at least a cheap one that can connect to the train enroute?

[ozbob]

FULL FILM:- This is a 1960s era Promotional Film produced by Crawford Productions for the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board.

The film details the benefits to Melbourne of the Boards Tram and Bus services, and puts forward the case for the retention of tramway operations in Melbourne.

This film is from the Public Records Office Victoria - Public Transport Collection.

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/free-trams-and-more-trains-for-massive-grand-final-week/

Free Trams And More Trains For Massive Grand Final Week

Minister for Public Transport 26 September 2016

The Free Tram Zone will be extended and extra Metro and V/Line trains will help footy fans from Victoria and around the country celebrate Grand Final Week in Melbourne.

Acting Premier Jacinta Allan joined General Manager – Clubs and AFL Operations Travis Auld today to announce the Free Tram Zone will once again be extended to the MCG from Wednesday 28 September to Grand Final Day on Saturday 1 October.

Services from the city to stops 9, 10 and 11 on Wellington Parade near the MCG will be free, as will services to stops 7a and 7b at Rod Laver Arena and stop 7c at MCG/Hisense Arena.

Last year's Grand Final Friday holiday was an overwhelming success — with record crowds attending the Grand Final Parade and visitors flocking to our regions to make the most of the long weekend.

With more than 100,000 people expected to fill the MCG, extra Metro and V/Line trains will run on Friday and Saturday.

This includes 27 extra metropolitan train services, more than 180 extra tram services, and more V/Line services to and from Victoria's major regional centres.

Fares on Grand Final Friday and Saturday will be capped at $6 a day for travel in Zones 1 and 2.

This is also the first year locals and visitors will have access to all night trains, trams and buses to get them home on Friday and Saturday night.

Extra staff will be on hand near the MCG and at Flinders Street Station to help passengers and further information is available at ptv.vic.gov.au/finals or by calling 1800 800 007.

Quotes attributable to Acting Premier Jacinta Allan

"Grand Final Week is one of Australia's great celebrations with thousands of fans converging on Melbourne from Victoria and interstate for the long weekend."

"There'll be more trains, free trams from the city and public transport all night long to get locals and visitors home safer and sooner, whether they're kicking on after the footy or working late."

Quotes attributable to General Manager – Clubs and AFL Operations Travis Auld

"Grand Final week is a fantastic time in Melbourne and having the free tram access extended to Yarra Park and the MCG gives everyone the chance to be part of the activities.

"I thank the Victorian Government for again extending the free tram zone from Wednesday to Saturday this week. Fans will be able to visit the Foxtel Footy Festival to enjoy free kids entertainment, the Taste of Football and the Toyota Live Site."

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/catching-the-right-tram-at-the-right-time/

Catching The Right Tram, At The Right Time

Minister for Public Transport 28 September 2016

New video technology is being trialled on Melbourne's tram network that could be rolled out in the future to tell passengers how many people are on approaching trams.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said the trial is investigating technology that could help passengers choose whether to take the first tram that comes along, or wait for one arriving shortly after that may have more space.

For the first time, the cameras can determine the capacity of trams and tram stops in real time by converting video images into head counts. The technology provides non-identifiable data that in the future might be integrated into existing mobile applications.

Information from the trial could also be used to build a better understanding of how people use the tram network, and determine which routes and time of day, services are busiest.

Cameras have been installed on-board a route 96 tram, as well as on the St Kilda bound platform at three high patronage stops:

    On Bourke Street at William Street
    On Bourke Street at Spencer Street
    On Spencer Street at Collins Street.

The trial is part of a showcase of new technologies at the Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress, in Melbourne between 10-14 October.

Information technology is increasingly important for passengers planning their trips. Public Transport Victoria's stand will show how this type of data can provide passengers with more real-time information, to make better informed decisions about their journey.

No personally identifiable information will be collected through this trial.

Quotes attributable to Acting Premier Jacinta Allan

"We want to give passengers the information they need to better plan their journey and get where they need to sooner."

"We know particular services are more crowded than others, and this trial could give passengers the ability to decide what works best for them."   

"This cutting edge technology will help us determine which routes require more frequent services, or greater capacity in the future."

[#Metro]

For the first time, the cameras can determine the capacity of trams and tram stops in real time by converting video images into head counts. The technology provides non-identifiable data that in the future might be integrated into existing mobile applications.

Automatic Derwan scaling!

[ozbob]

Acland St upgrade slowly getting there. pic.twitter.com/MGorp9dLOK

— Drew james (@trainspotter67) September 30, 2016

[ozbob]

Nice track arrangement for the terminus.  Functional!

[SurfRail]

Looks much nicer than before.

[verbatim9]

Huge improvement another car and Air pollution free cafe precinct for Melbourne ( St Kilda )

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Two-hour tram commute possible under route 86 extension push


http://www.smh.com.au/cqstatic/12z7v7/SouthMorangTramExtension729px.gif

Less than five years ago the first Metro train ran all the way out to South Morang.

Such is the frenetic pace of urban growth in Whittlesea – a population almost the size of Shepparton has moved in since then – the Andrews government is already contemplating putting in a tram line as well.

Tram route 86, between Bundoora and Docklands, is one of just three routes that extends into outer-suburban zone two.

At 22.2 kilometres, it is not quite Melbourne's longest ... yet.

The government is investigating a possible five-kilometre route extension into Melbourne's northern growth belt, as part of a $1 million spend on readying the line for E-Class trams.

"We're investigating a range of improvements to Route 86, including infrastructure upgrades for the rollout of bigger, safer, more accessible trams, and planning for a potential extension of the line in the future," Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said.

This was welcome news to many Whittlesea residents who, aided by their council, have lobbied for route 86 to be extended to South Morang railway station since it opened in 2012.

For once, their campaign has infrastructure on its side.

A tram reserve already exists in the median of Plenty Road, which would cover most of the proposed extension, before the trams would veer left along Bush Boulevard and past Westfield shopping centre to the station. 

Alahna Desiato​, a spokeswoman for the community campaign, said the tram extension would benefit locals in many ways, but a new public transport route into the city would not be one of them.

Passengers who caught the tram from the new terminus all the way into the city would likely face a near two-hour commute, given the ride from Bundoora already takes about an hour and a half.

"I believe the tram's purpose is more for local trips, whether to access nearby facilities or to reach another form of public transport," Ms Desiato said. "It would give residents a choice, which they don't currently have."

Students could reach RMIT and La Trobe universities in Bundoora without driving, and commuters could catch it to South Morang station, easing pressure on its car park, which routinely fills before 7am, she said.

The potential extension of route 86 is just one of several tram route extensions the Public Transport Users Association is calling for, usually where current routes end just short of a railway station or shopping centre. 

"I think we shouldn't be afraid to talk about missing links in the public transport network, the way the road lobby always talks about missing links in the road network," PTUA president Tony Morton said.

The short extension could reduce the heavy reliance on car transport in Melbourne's outer suburbs without a major investment, he said.

"It's a relatively modest rail project, we're not talking about something on the scale of Doncaster rail."

E-Class trams are due to begin running on route 86 next month, making it the third route to get the state's newest fleet of trams.

But their introduction has not been without complication.

Yarra Trams this week permanently removed a tram stop on Plenty Road in Preston because it is too short for the 33-metre trams to safely stop there.

[#Metro]

Two hours sounds like a torture activity rather than a pleasant journey!



Two hours for 22 km, really?

[ozbob]

Very few would actually travel the full 22km.  Trams are used very heavily but for mainly short duration journeys.  Passengers on and off constantly along the route.  Marvellous connectors in effect.

[#Metro]

Hmm... 22 km divided by 71 stops is a stop every 309 meters.

That is really close stop spacing. Personally, I think that longer lines should have wider stop spacing for higher speed - but that is only my 2c opinion.

800m, 400m in CBD areas. I think patronage would be higher with that - e.g. Gold Coast is ~ 800m spacing.

Interestingly the SE Busway is the same length in effect, does the same distance in 28 minutes. More reasonable
time for the concept on the 86 would be 45 min travel time end to end.

If they want to extend it, they should look at thinning out some stops to improve the overall speed. 300m too close.

[ozbob]

Melbourne street trams would not really benefit much from wider stop spacing. They work very well as is.  Patronage is huge in fact.

It is the convenience of getting on and off that works very well with the circumstances in Melbourne.

Some of the Melbourne tram routes do have wider stop pacing in parts but they are in effect class A or B ROW in those sections eg St Kilda and Port Melbourne.

[#Metro]

Melbourne street trams would not really benefit much from wider stop spacing. They work very well as is.  Patronage is huge in fact.

I suspect this is more to do with service frequency, which cuts time waiting at the stop, rather than the close stop spacing. This strategy is employed on metro services where train station spacings are also very close (i.e. Paris).

They can't change the 'in vehicle' component as that is locked in by stop spacing, but they can change the 'time waiting' component by increasing frequency.

Overall travel time = time walking+ time waiting at stop + time in vehicle

Will people walk further for higher frequency bus services?
http://transportblog.co.nz/2014/01/15/will-people-walk-further-for-higher-frequency-bus-services/

The results show travellers in Australian capital cities are willing to walk around 206m to 327m further for a ten-minute reduction in bus headways. These research outcomes provide valuable Australian evidence confirming travellers are prepared to walk further to a more frequent bus service.

I was actually looking more closely at Brisbane today and thinking about  a exploratory/hypothetical tram system and how that would fit. Roads are narrow, but some seem much wider than others. Ann St in the city and valley is perfect for LRT as is Roma Street. These seem to be much wider than the other streets, and Ann street isn't as popular with cyclists as Adelaide St is.

[SurfRail]

Once you leave the inner city area, the tram stops are most definitely too close together - especially on the longer routes likes the 75 and 86. 

The problem of course is people object even to sensible changes like installing platform stops in the CBD - including our local colleagues in the PTUA.

[verbatim9]

The extension makes sense. Most from Bundoora RMIT would travel North and catch the train.

[ozbob]

Tram patronage up 12% in just one year. Better order a few more trams. pic.twitter.com/GhtzH3mwbM

— Adam Carey (@adamlcarey) October 13, 2016

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/trial-to-give-trams-better-priority-on-our-roads/

Trial To Give Trams Better Priority On Our Roads

Minister for Roads and Road Safety 17 October 2016

Work has begun on a world-leading trial to give trams better priority at intersections with traffic lights, making tram rides more reliable for passengers.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan today announced that two signalling systems will be trialled to improve network efficiency, traffic management, and reduce congestion on our roads.

The first technology, a Cooperative Intelligent Transport System (C-ITS), uses devices that are installed in trams and traffic lights which alerts traffic lights to approaching trams.

The second system uses real-time GPS to determine traffic light activity based on live road conditions, with a link back to Yarra Trams and VicRoads' control rooms. Both systems will integrate with VicRoads' existing road management system.

The Andrews Labor Government recently awarded a grant of $669,000 to the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB), which will work with Public Transport Victoria, VicRoads and Yarra Trams to undertake the trial.

The trial is funded through the Labor Government's Smarter Journeys program, which supports initiatives that reduce congestion across Victoria's road network.

Just last week, Melbourne hosted the 2016 ITS World Congress, which showcased developing technologies that aim to make cities more liveable by improving all modes of transport.

Early research for the trial has commenced, and is expected to get underway on the network in 2017.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan

"Improving the flow of trams at intersections will make services more reliable and reduce congestion on our roads – helping to get passengers where they need to go, on time."

"We're working closely with transport technology and industry partners to find new ways to make our roads and public transport services safer and more efficient for all Victorians." 

Quote attributable to Yarra Trams CEO Nicolas Gindt

"Traffic light priority helps us move more people more efficiently. We are very pleased to collaborate with partners across the transport system to reduce the journey times of our 200 million trips a year and help get the most out of Melbourne's tram network."

[ozbob]

Route 8 tram could be scrapped as part of Melbourne Metro Tunnel > https://t.co/Ns7wx3j9iJ #springst

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) October 16, 2016

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/e-class-trams-set-to-roll-out-on-route-86/

E Class Trams Set To Roll Out On Route 86

23 October 2016

E-Class trams are set to make their debut on Melbourne's Route 86 next month, which operates from Waterfront City Docklands to Bundoora RMIT.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan was joined by Member for Bundoora Colin Brooks and former Victorian Premier John Cain to announce the introduction of low-floor trams to the route.   

Route 86 was initially extended to La Trobe University under the former Cain Government during the 1980s and later to its current terminus at Bundoora RMIT.

The new E-Class trams will be the first low floor trams to operate along the corridor, making it safer and easier for passengers to get where they need to go, including La Trobe University's Melbourne Campus. 

Public Transport Victoria is working with Yarra Trams to prepare Route 86 for the introduction of the longer, high capacity trams, which will carry more passengers along the busy route.

A number of upgrades and alterations will ensure the longer E-Class trams can operate safely along the route, which travels through Docklands and Bourke Street Mall, and to the Princess Theatre, Melbourne Museum and High Street, Northcote.

E-Class trams are the biggest, safest and most accessible trams on the network. Each tram can carry 210 passengers when full, and include audio and visual passenger information, air conditioning, improved safety features and dedicated spaces for passengers with mobility aids or prams.

E-Class trams are being built in Melbourne at the Bombardier manufacturing facility in Dandenong, with 41 of the current order of 70 trams already running along Routes 96 and 11. 

The new trams will be progressively introduced to Route 86 as they continue to come off the Melbourne manufacturing line.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"E-Class trams are the biggest, safest and most accessible trams we've ever had on our network — and they're made right here in Melbourne."   

"The introduction of E-Class trams on the busy Route 86 corridor will help us get more people where they need to go safer and sooner." 

Quotes attributable to Member for Bundoora Colin Brooks

"I know the community will enjoy seeing and getting on board these brand new trams, which many students will take advantage of to get to La Trobe University and Bundoora RMIT campuses."

"Successive Labor Governments have all invested in the popular 86 tram route to deliver better public transport to Melbourne's northern suburbs."

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Trams are too slow, too old and too late, report warns

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Are we being well served? The $30b question mark that hangs over Melbourne's trains and trams

Melbourne's passenger rail system is a near $30 billion asset, owned by the public and run by two companies, Metro Trains and Yarra Trams, which transport hundreds of millions of people a year.

And yet nobody who oversees the train and tram system can say for sure what physical condition it is in, nor whether it is fit to cope with expected increases in demand in coming years.

Such is the troubling finding of Victoria's auditor-general, in an alarm call of a report about how well the state is managing the performance of the train and tram franchise agreements, two multibillion-dollar deals that set the standards Metro and Yarra Trams must meet.

The report found that there are significant gaps in how Public Transport Victoria monitors whether Metro and Yarra Trams are meeting the conditions of their franchise agreements, and whether they are truly running services in the best interests of passengers.

On station skipping, for example, a lack of external data means PTV relies on a system of "honest and accurate self-reporting" by Metro Trains, which must be trusted to report the true number of times it skipped stations each month, and why.   

Similarly, the ability to track Yarra Trams' punctuality is also hamstrung by obsolete tram tracking technology introduced in the 1980s. Yet this technology is critical to determining whether or not Yarra Trams is paid performance bonuses potentially worth millions of dollars each quarter.

The report, tabled in state parliament on Wednesday, concluded that Melbourne's train and tram services have become more reliable and punctual during the life of the current franchise agreements, which began in 2009 and will end in November 2017.

But it found the standard of service is being put at risk by a lack of knowledge about the condition of the network's nuts and bolts – trains, trams, tracks, stations, overhead wiring and so on – and an inadequate strategy for keeping those assets in good health.

What is known is that in general, conditions have gotten worse since Metro and Yarra Trams were awarded the franchises seven years ago.

"The limited information available about Melbourne's train and tram networks indicates that the condition of these assets has deteriorated since 2009," the report states.

But the lack of understanding of the problem means Public Transport Victoria does not know if it is spending enough to fix things.

The sketchily understood list of rail assets in need of more maintenance and renewal is long and it is growing, even though PTV increased maintenance funding by $42 million a year.

For example, tests have found Melbourne's tram tracks have deteriorated over the past four years. PTV has blamed this problem on the growing number of heavier low-floor trams on the network. The number of these heavier trams in service continues to grow at the rate of one a month, yet PTV tests the health of the tracks just twice a year.

On the train network, an analysis by the national rail safety watchdog ONRSR in 2015 found it was fit for purpose but in poor condition, that Melbourne also fares poorly compared to other cities, and PTV had no clear strategy for improving things.

The auditor-general made five recommendations, all of which PTV accepted, on how it should improve its oversight of the franchisees' performance, and of the health of the network, as it moves towards signing new franchise agreements late next year.

Metro and Yarra Trams have both entered into exclusive negotiations with the state about continuing beyond the contract's expiration in 2017.

Since 2009, the state has paid more than $7.6 billion to the franchisees to run Victoria's train and tram networks — $5.4 billion to Metro and $2.2 billion to Yarra Trams, up to June 30.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Wrong way, go back: The 96 tram that went astray

[SurfRail]

^ I'm amazed this is news.  They even have "off route hot spot" signs in various places.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Melbourne's trams to be solar powered

Melbourne's trams network will soon be powered by the first large-scale solar plant to be built in Victoria.

The solar plant, which will be completed by the end of 2018, is expected to be located in Victoria's north-west.

Energy, Environment and Climate Change minister Lily D'Ambrosio says Melbourne's more than 400 trams will be powered by Victoria's first large-scale solar plant, which is set to be built by the end of 2018.

The state government announced on Thursday that the solar plant would produce 75 megawatts of power, with about half of that production to be linked to the tram network.  ...

[verbatim9]

^^That's great more incentive for carbon neutral light rail around Australia especially in Qld.

[ozbob]

Good for the environment, and new jobs for regional Victoria. @LilyDAmbrosioMP #springst https://t.co/kfer9AI1e3

— Jacinta Allan (@JacintaAllanMP) January 19, 2017