$2b to overhaul public transport in Adelaide
bit old, but i think its worth posting on here
$2bn to overhaul public transport
MICHAEL OWEN, KIM WHEATLEY
March 03, 2007 01:15am
A SECRET Government report reveals a complete overhaul of the city's public transport system would cost up to $2 billion.
The report recommends six options to "transform" Adelaide's public transport system during the next decade, including expanding the use of trams, converting to a light rail network or completely replacing existing rail services with buses.
The Transport Department's strategic review - prepared as a confidential document in December, 2004, but never released publicly - offers a range of strategies "to meet the State Strategic Plan target of doubling the use of public transport to 10 per cent of weekday travel by 2018".
The 41-page report, a copy of which was obtained by The Advertiser, outlines the Government's options as:
EXPANDING the existing diesel train service at a cost of $1.76 billion.
CONVERTING to a "light metro" system for $1.73 billion.
EXPANSION using a tram system at a cost of $1.97 billion.
NOT expanding rail services but increasing bus services at an estimated cost of $1.89 billion.
REPLACING rail services completely with buses at a cost of $2.23 billion.
USING a "European-style" hybrid tram-train system that allows mixed use, which could cost between $1.73 billion and $1.97 billion, depending on the mix.
The report rejects expanding Adelaide's existing diesel rail service because it "is not seen as being able to provide the market edge to attract the required number of passengers away from cars, and achieve the targets in the most cost-effective, safe and robust way".
In an interview with The Advertiser last month, Transport Minister Patrick Conlon spoke of his vision for new urban projects that incorporated light rail, as has happened in Western Australia.
He also told The Advertiser of his personal vision to completely overhaul the metropolitan public transport system.
Mr Conlon said yesterday the report was one of a variety of options papers developed by the department.
"It's absolutely natural that a transport department works up options for the future on a range of things," he said. "It's not a question of sitting on them. It's what you do that builds your store of knowledge about what you're going to do in the future."
Opposition transport spokesman Martin Hamilton-Smith said he was disappointed the paper had been kept secret.
"I'm disappointed there hasn't been more of a public process. These are fairly significant propositions. There should be some public consultations," he said.
"Instead, it seems like they're planning behind closed doors and I think that's regrettable."
He also said one of the most expensive options was to develop trams and "in light of that it's curious that they've gone ahead with the tram extension".
The report also refers to the WA model, noting "an initial assessment (for potential growth) is based on the expansion of the rail system following a similar decision by the WA Government to pursue a mass transit public transport policy to compete with car travel".
In discussing the light rail option, the report also refers to German-made Bombardier vehicles used in Perth, serving places including Fremantle and the northern suburbs. SA has already bought 11 Bombardier trams.
The report recommends pursuing the light rail option and urges it be "considered in more detail".
"Initial financial estimates indicate that the costs of conversion to an electrified system and conversion of the vehicles would be recovered by savings in energy, maintenance, future vehicle purchase cost and additional fare revenue," the report states.
The report also suggests that adopting such proposals "opens up other strategic opportunities", such as further tram extensions.
"If the light metro option is selected for the North West Corridor, then a short on-street tram system linking Semaphore, Glanville, the Port redevelopment, Port historic precinct and eventually to Commercial Rd bridge," it says.
bit old, but i think its worth posting on here
$2bn to overhaul public transport
MICHAEL OWEN, KIM WHEATLEY
March 03, 2007 01:15am
A SECRET Government report reveals a complete overhaul of the city's public transport system would cost up to $2 billion.
The report recommends six options to "transform" Adelaide's public transport system during the next decade, including expanding the use of trams, converting to a light rail network or completely replacing existing rail services with buses.
The Transport Department's strategic review - prepared as a confidential document in December, 2004, but never released publicly - offers a range of strategies "to meet the State Strategic Plan target of doubling the use of public transport to 10 per cent of weekday travel by 2018".
The 41-page report, a copy of which was obtained by The Advertiser, outlines the Government's options as:
EXPANDING the existing diesel train service at a cost of $1.76 billion.
CONVERTING to a "light metro" system for $1.73 billion.
EXPANSION using a tram system at a cost of $1.97 billion.
NOT expanding rail services but increasing bus services at an estimated cost of $1.89 billion.
REPLACING rail services completely with buses at a cost of $2.23 billion.
USING a "European-style" hybrid tram-train system that allows mixed use, which could cost between $1.73 billion and $1.97 billion, depending on the mix.
The report rejects expanding Adelaide's existing diesel rail service because it "is not seen as being able to provide the market edge to attract the required number of passengers away from cars, and achieve the targets in the most cost-effective, safe and robust way".
In an interview with The Advertiser last month, Transport Minister Patrick Conlon spoke of his vision for new urban projects that incorporated light rail, as has happened in Western Australia.
He also told The Advertiser of his personal vision to completely overhaul the metropolitan public transport system.
Mr Conlon said yesterday the report was one of a variety of options papers developed by the department.
"It's absolutely natural that a transport department works up options for the future on a range of things," he said. "It's not a question of sitting on them. It's what you do that builds your store of knowledge about what you're going to do in the future."
Opposition transport spokesman Martin Hamilton-Smith said he was disappointed the paper had been kept secret.
"I'm disappointed there hasn't been more of a public process. These are fairly significant propositions. There should be some public consultations," he said.
"Instead, it seems like they're planning behind closed doors and I think that's regrettable."
He also said one of the most expensive options was to develop trams and "in light of that it's curious that they've gone ahead with the tram extension".
The report also refers to the WA model, noting "an initial assessment (for potential growth) is based on the expansion of the rail system following a similar decision by the WA Government to pursue a mass transit public transport policy to compete with car travel".
In discussing the light rail option, the report also refers to German-made Bombardier vehicles used in Perth, serving places including Fremantle and the northern suburbs. SA has already bought 11 Bombardier trams.
The report recommends pursuing the light rail option and urges it be "considered in more detail".
"Initial financial estimates indicate that the costs of conversion to an electrified system and conversion of the vehicles would be recovered by savings in energy, maintenance, future vehicle purchase cost and additional fare revenue," the report states.
The report also suggests that adopting such proposals "opens up other strategic opportunities", such as further tram extensions.
"If the light metro option is selected for the North West Corridor, then a short on-street tram system linking Semaphore, Glanville, the Port redevelopment, Port historic precinct and eventually to Commercial Rd bridge," it says.
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