Sydney Light rail

[ozbob]

International Railway Journal --> Three shortlisted for Sydney light rail PPP

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Dulwich Hill light rail extension to open in March, says Gladys Berejiklian

[ozbob]

Twitter

Derek Peterson ‏@DerekP2ue

Sydney Inner West Light Rail extension to open next Thursday #nswpol @NewsTalk2UE

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

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Sydney light rail extension through to Dulwich Hill to open next week

[ozbob]

Inner West light rail extension opening soon

--> http://www.transportnsw.info/en/transport-status/news/2014/light-rail-extension.page

The Inner West light rail extension will open on Thursday 27 March, connecting the existing Central to Lilyfield light rail service to nine new light rail stops:

    Leichhardt North
    Hawthorne
    Marion
    Taverners Hill
    Lewisham West
    Waratah Mills
    Arlington
    Dulwich Grove
    Dulwich Hill

The Central to Dulwich Hill light rail will deliver a service every 10 minutes in the peaks between 7am to 10am and 3pm to 6pm, and every 15 minutes in the off peak period in line with the current frequency from Central to Lilyfield.

[ozbob]

ARA Media release

http://www.ara.net.au/

27 March 2014

Sydney's light rail transformation starts today

The 5.6km Inner West Extension to Sydney's light rail line opens today as a key step to modernising Sydney's transport system and reinvesting in light rail for the city.

Australasian Railway Association (ARA) CEO Bryan Nye OAM said this is just the beginning of a strong pipeline of light rail investment that will benefit all Sydneysiders.

"As Sydney continues to expand, traffic congestion will become an increasingly challenging problem," said Mr Nye.

"Investing in light rail provides a proven long term solution that will contribute to a more seamless public transport system for the city of Sydney.

"One light rail car in Sydney can move up to 9,000 people an hour in each direction and has the capacity to move up to 300 people per vehicle, compared to a bendy bus which can move up to only 100 people.

"This decrease in congestion will see all Sydneysiders benefit from this investment, whether they travel by the new light rail system or not.

"Australian cities are playing catch up with the rest of the world in the light rail space, with most major European countries placing light rail at the forefront of their cities major planning," Mr Nye continued.

"In France over the past twelve years, the total route mileage of the country's tramways has multiplied by five times.

"The ability of France to heavily invest in light rail is credited to its payroll tax whereby towns with 10,000 people contribute a portion of their wage which is then used to subsidise and invest in local transport systems.

"This adopted position of "everyone benefits" from transport improvements, therefore "everyone contributes" is something I hope to see take off here in Australia as we grow as a nation and invest in rail.

"A city like Sydney should have a modern public transport system and the light rail investment taking place will certainly achieve this," he said.
The modern, turn-up-and-go service will run every 10 minutes during the peaks and every 15 minutes during off peak. Each of the nine new stops will also be fully accessible for people with a disability.

"Delivery of this project demonstrates vision and forward planning to improve Sydney's transport system," said Mr Nye.

"On behalf of the rail industry I congratulate Minister Berejiklian and the New South Wales Government for the delivery of the Inner West Light Rail Extension," Mr Nye concluded.

For more information about the Inner West Light Rail Extension, visit www.transport.nsw.gov.au/lightrail-program/inner-west-light-rail-extension.
ENDS

[ozbob]

Twitter

Andrew Heslop ‏@AndrewHeslop 1h

#trams #Sydney RT @pdwnews: Inside new #lightrail .. Standing room only but even #transport minister is enjoying ride http://t.co/5gPMvAGHlK

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> How the light rail extension really got off the ground

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Daily life on Sydney's light rail

[ozbob]

702 ABC Sydney --> Does Inner West Light Rail deliver the best for users?

[SurfRail]

It's too slow, and the trams have less than ideal door placement and seating layout.  Problems we seem to have largely dodged down my way.

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Trip the light fantastic in the inner west

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Heral --> Dulwich Hill tram extension proving too popular

[minbrisbane]

I still think there was a missed opportunity to have an interchange with the Western, South and Inner West Line at Lewisham.

I'd say that many of the users at the moment are sightseers.

[ozbob]

Your Investment Property --> Light rail creates hotspots in Aussie city

[techblitz]

^ busways and high frequency bus services also create hotspots....and i think in brisbanes case...much more than whats happening around rail stations
Just look at newstead,kessels corner(garden city),chermside,west end,newfarm,carindale,gabba....weve only seen the start..expect lutwyche,indro,coorparoo,stones corner,annerley(ipswich rd),newmarket to take off phenominally over the next decade...these areas thrive not only due to the HF (BUS)  PT factor but also quick easy access to major chain supermarkets and dining precints as a bonus...the above ones i have mentioned all get the green tick..

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Sydney tram plan will produce peak-hour chaos

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Light rail will run behind schedule

[ozbob]

Twitter

Aust Railway Assoc ‏@AustRail

3 new light rail vehicles will enter service, with 1.5M trips now taken on Sydney's Inner West Light Rail network

[ozbob]

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/first-new-light-rail-vehicle-tracks-customer-trips-pass-15-million

First new light rail vehicle on the tracks as customer trips pass 1.5 million

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today announced three brand new light rail vehicles would enter service for the first time this week, with more than 1.5 million trips now taken on Sydney's expanded Inner West Light Rail network.

The NSW Government has invested $38 million on 12 new state-of-the-art light rail vehicles for the Inner West Light Rail Line, which now extends from Dulwich Hill to Lilyfield and Central.

Ms Berejiklian said the first of the new Spanish Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles vehicles will roll out from tomorrow for customers, with another two to follow on Friday and Saturday.

"These brand new vehicles represent a new era for light rail in Sydney and as well as a sleek new design, they will provide improved journeys for customers," Ms Berejiklian said.

"The new vehicles have more standing room, accessible seating, low floors, more hand rails and wider aisles for prams and wheelchairs.

"We have listened to feedback from customers to make sure this brand new light rail fleet meets the needs of Sydney customers now and into the future.

"When we came to Government, Labor had no detailed designs for the Inner West Light Rail Extension and no plan to order new light rail vehicles.

"Not only have we delivered the light rail extension for customers, we have planned ahead and ordered new vehicles to keep up with demand on the new light rail line."

Ms Berejiklian said the Inner West Light Rail Extension is proving popular with customers and since it was completed in March, has attracted an increasing number of customers.

"Since opening, more than 200,000 extra trips have been made on the light rail network, totalling 1.5 million customer trips. This is an increase of more than 15 per cent compared to the same period last year," she said.

"Customers are clearly voting with their feet and embracing light rail as a modern and reliable mode of transport, whether they're heading to work during the week or travelling in and around the City and Inner West on weekends.

"Under the turn-up-and-go schedule, light rail customers don't need a timetable, with services every 10 minutes in the peak and real-time information at all the stations."

As more of the modern purchased vehicles roll out to Sydney over the coming year, four leased vehicles put in place in time for the opening of the Inner West Light Rail Extension will be returned to Spain.

The NSW Government will continue to monitor patronage and as more vehicles become available, look to increase service frequency.

[SurfRail]

Not enough doors on these new ones - only 4 per side in a 5 section tram, 2 of which are only single leaf.  Gold Coast units have 8 doors per side in a 7-section tram, 2 of which are only single leaf.  Passenger circulation will be a worry.

These CAF trams also seem to have a lot of longtitudinal facing seats with people in each other knees in the aisle.

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> George St hot spots from fancy footwork

[dwb]

Only 9,000 people per hour per direction. How is this a good investment?

Sydney needs better thinking.

[Simon Lovell]

Only 9,000 people per hour per direction. How is this a good investment?

Sydney needs better thinking.

Hear here.

Especially when you consider that the 288 buses per hour on George St in the AM peak which are being removed can easily carry more.

Wow, we agree 100%.

[SurfRail]

From what I have been reading you will be lucky to get 6,000 pphd on this line due to the inherent limitations in the design.

[dwb]

Only 9,000 people per hour per direction. How is this a good investment?

Sydney needs better thinking.

Wow, we agree 100%.

It does happen

[dwb]

From what I have been reading you will be lucky to get 6,000 pphd on this line due to the inherent limitations in the design.

wow ok even worse.

SurfRail how is the G: going? From its reference design I wondered what kind of peak demand it might expect/attract and whether light rail would cope? Opening day was probably the worst way to introduce it to people on the GC as it was packed out all day... strangely more than 10,000 people per hour must have been wanting to give it a go, who would have thought!? lol

Engineers Australia just held a session on Wednesday night in Sydney, I really wanted to go and ask a question but had a conflicting appointment:

http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/events/forum-sydney-light-rail-sponsored-nsw-trade-investment)
Wednesday 6 August 2014
FORUM: Sydney Light Rail Sponsored by NSW Trade & Investment
Short Description   Light Rail is an important part of Sydney's transport future. With design and planning for the CBD and South East Light Rail well underway, light rail as a central form of connecting our city, becomes a closer reality. What are the benefits for businesses, the community, and those thousands who commute through our city every day? Hear from key stakeholders in government, engineering, council and city shapers share their views on what's in it for us, and what Sydney can learn from cities around the globe that have adopted light rail as a key form of transportation. Speakers: Panel members will include representatives from Transport NSW, Arup, City of Sydney and The Committee for Sydney.
Venue   Powerhouse Museum 500 Harris Street, Ultimo, NSW
Date   Wed 06 Aug   '14 06:00 PM
Wed 06 Aug   '14 08:00 PM
Members Cost   FREE
Non Members Cost   FREE
Event Contact   Jenny Ha
Contact Email   aewsyd@engineersaustralia.org.au
Hosted By   Engineers Australia Sydney Division

[SurfRail]

^ It's doing very well.  Was out yesterday and plenty of standees during the say.

I will see if I can get some figures from GoldlinQ.  They have a performance section on their page, but it isn't entirely clear what data they will be reporting on once they start releasing.

[dwb]

^ It's doing very well.  Was out yesterday and plenty of standees during the say.

I will see if I can get some figures from GoldlinQ.  They have a performance section on their page, but it isn't entirely clear what data they will be reporting on once they start releasing.

Good to hear.

Someone should be able to use the timetable data and go card data to interpret which trams people would be getting on (assuming next train after tag time on that platform) to work out passenger density along the line. Not something I can imagine Translink will do tho.

[ozbob]

http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/george-street-intersection-works-prepare-cbd-and-south-east-light-rail-construction

George Street intersection works to prepare for CBD and South East light rail construction

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today said work will continue this weekend to prepare George Street for the CBD and South East Light Rail project.

This work will continue over a number of Sundays in coming months before major construction begins next year, Ms Berejiklian said.

The works will include moving or protecting underground utilities such as power, water, gas and telecommunications at a number of George Street intersections, to help prepare for the start of major construction on the light rail after Anzac Day 2015.

"The NSW Government is getting on with the job of delivering the CBD and South East Light Rail project, and the important work along George Street will help ensure we can efficiently relocate or protect the utilities," Ms Berejiklian said.

"Ultimately, this work will help us ensure that the community can begin enjoying the new light rail service as soon as possible and minimise disruption in the CBD during construction."

Following consultation with local business and community representatives the work will be done on eight intersections along George Street over a number of weekends. The intersections will not all be closed on the same weekend.

The work usually includes closures of one or two intersections, and the closures will be from 5am Sunday morning, to 5am Monday morning.

The works begin this weekend Sunday 26 October, and will also take place on Sunday 2, 9, 16 and 30th November. In December, the dates of intersection works are Sunday 7, 14, and 21, and December 27-30th.

There are no intersection closures during weekdays or on Saturdays in the lead up to Christmas, or on Boxing Day.

The works will continue in the quiet holiday period in early January, and consultation will continue with local businesses and community representatives to confirm dates.

Ms Berejiklian said the works will build upon the largest-ever survey of sub-surface utilities in Sydney that was completed as part of the project. More than 3,500 pit surveys and over 200 trench investigations have already been undertaken along the 12 kilometre alignment of the project.

"A 3D model of the utilities below ground has been created and the upcoming intersection works will be used to get the project underway, ahead of the major construction work after Anzac Day 2015," Ms Berejiklian said.

Ms Berejiklian said CBD businesses and residents taking part in their local CBD Business or Community forums and Reference Groups were consulted on the timing of these works, and informed about the road closures.

"The forums have been positive and productive and have become a vital part of helping us limit the impacts of this project during construction," Ms Berejiklian said.

Importantly, vehicle access to driveways and loading docks will be maintained by traffic controllers during the interchange works, and pedestrian access to footpaths and property entrances adjacent to the worksite will be maintained at all times, she said.

This weekend the first works will be undertaken from 5am Sunday 26 October until 5am the following morning, and on the following Sunday 2 November, at the intersections of George and Bathurst Streets and George and Liverpool Streets.

For information about changes to public transport go to www.transportnsw.info

Traffic information including detours is available at www.livetraffic.com

More information on current works is also available on the project website at: 
www.sydneylightrail.transport.nsw.gov.au/latest/notifications/current-works

23 October 2014

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Work on eastern suburbs light rail begins along George Street

[ozbob]

Sydney Light Rail --> Huge win for customers as preferred bidder announced for CBD and South East Light Rail project

Sydney Light Rail --> http://www.sydneylightrail.transport.nsw.gov.au/

[ozbob]

7 News --> Western Sydney light rail routes revealed

Western Sydney is a step closer to a light rail system after the state government unveiled four potential routes for a connection from Parramatta.

The shortlist consists of lines that will either run to Macquarie Park, Castle Hill, Bankstown or Sydney Olympic Park/Strathfield.

Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian heralded the announcement on Monday but didn't specify when the corridor would be chosen or when building the line would begin.

"I know from experience of having been heavily involved in two other light rail projects that things can happen very quickly but the important thing is to be thorough," she told reporters.

Funding for the project was accelerated in the last state budget, with $400 million set aside, said Ms Berejiklian.

"We have always said that when the rigorous scoping study and business case for Parramatta light rail are developed, the funds set aside will be available to get things started quickly," she said.

"Parramatta is the centre of Western Sydney's rapidly growing economy and creating even better transport links is key to achieving the region's potential."

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Convert Carlingford rail line to light rail, Parramatta MP Geoff Lee says

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Sydney light rail line costs blow out to $2.2 billion – $600 million more than budgeted

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Sydney light rail: cheaper without wire-free lines, expert says

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Sydney's trams to be the world's longest


http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/2/0/b/9/z/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.11ztba.png/1417674805894.jpg

[#Metro]

Budapest, Hungary runs 72 meter trams, Siemens

From 18 to 72 meters
Only the Avenio concept allows a flexible
configuration with standard car modules
of nine meters each, from two to eight
units, from 18 to 72 meters in length.
Your capacity requirement alone dictates
the right choice for you. In the Avenio
maxi version, one driver transports more
than 540 passengers from A to B comfortably
and with plenty of leg and elbow
room. At full loading, it can easily accommodate
700 passengers to cover peak
loads in the case of special events.

http://www.mobility.siemens.com/mobility/global/SiteCollectionDocuments/en/rail-solutions/trams-and-light-rail/brochure-avenio-en.pdf

http://www.mobility.siemens.com/mobility/global/SiteCollectionDocuments/en/rail-solutions/trams-and-light-rail/combino-plus-budapest-en.pdf

[#Metro]

[ozbob]

Sydney Light Rail

Statement: Transforming Sydney: CBD and South East Light Rail contract awarded with earlier delivery date