FINAL TRANSIT PROPOSAL FOR MANNINGHAM

ROUTE 97 LIGHT RAIL TO MITCHAM STATION VIA THE EASTERN FREEWAY AND DONCASTER SHOPPINGTOWN

ROUTE 48, 72, 109 EXTENSIONS TO DONCASTER

SHOPPINGTOWN

A RESEARCHED SUBMISSION AND RESPONSE BY:

Nick Defteros

August 2012 (UPDATED JANUARY 2013)

FINAL REVIEW AND RESPONSE TO DONCASTER RAIL STUDY PHASE 1, AND Fixed Rail Transit to the

Manningham Area report (October 2010)

To Whom It May Concern: After reviewing the outcome of the three corridor options for rail to Doncaster released by the DRS Team (March 2012), and reviewing my own work from Fixed Rail Transit to the Manningham Area report (October 2010, August 2012), I have concluded that the best route option and mode of transport is light rail from Manningham to the city. I favour this option because of lower cost, less obstacles from local residents, the most accessible, and the most realistic option. I also favour light rail because it does not have a great impact on the existing environment and character unique to Manningham. Light rail can climb steeper gradients and has virtually no property acquisition, except for a depot for rolling stock and substations. Most importantly we need to get a light rail proposal right. There needs to be a greater public awareness and education campaign on what light rail is and its long list of benefits. We need to make light rail fast and competitive with the car. We need the right types of rolling stock and evenly spaced light rail stations. Smartbus routes will have to be re-routed in order to feed passengers to light rail stations. I feel the study and the community is placing far too much emphasis on car parking. Park and Ride facilities fill too quickly, and are mainly filled by people who live less than a kilometre from the Park and Ride. The best place for the car in a transport solution is to be left at home. After the feedback received from the March 29th 2012 DRS Meeting at Manningham Council the community’s preference is for a rapid transit option. The DRS Team’s preference is for the Local Access Theme. The Local Access Theme does achieve great patronage potential and modal shift objectives of the study, albeit at a high cost. After reviewing all the material from my own reports, I have decided to modify my proposals for 2013. I have decided to do this on the grounds of gradients, density, travel times, and travel demands. Buses and busways do not encourage the modal shifts from cars to public transport like fixed heavy or light rail. They are limited in their capacity and are extremely vulnerable to oil shocks. A recent example is the December 2012 accident and fire at Shell’s Corio Oil Refinery. This led to diesel being rationed for the first time since the end of World War Two in 1945. Diesel supplies are still being imported and experiencing shortages for a number of weeks to come. Energy supplies to public transport have greater security in electricity. We do not want to create another George St, Sydney here in Lonsdale St, Melbourne. George St is extremely unbearable with diesel fumes

from buses and bus bunching. Even Sydney is now going to build a light rail to get rid of most of the buses in George St to the eastern suburbs of Kingsford and Randwick via Surrey Hills and Anzac Pde. Another inner west light rail along Parramata Rd is proposed to the suburb of Five Dock, and the extension of the Lilyfield Light Rail Line to Dulwich Hill. Brisbane’s busways blew out to $1.5 billion when the first busway was first built in 1995, a well documented example that busways are not value for money. (Cited from Queensland Parliament Public Works Committee Report into the 1995 Brisbane Busway Construction, 1997) In previous versions and volumes of my report I proposed heavy rail and light rail lines. These lines would be from the CBD to Ringwood via Doncaster, with a branch line to Warrandyte and The Pines SC. I have since decided that The Pines extension should be a longer-term goal, and to allow the greater development and density of that part of Manningham. The Pines extension is also currently not on the agenda of the Manningham Council. I also feel to boost the credibility of my report that the Doncaster to Ringwood corridor should be a greater priority, and the main focus. I have proposed full time bus lanes on Blackburn Rd from Reynolds Rd to the Eastern Freeway to service the demand for the area. My final core proposal is a rapid light rail line from the CBD to Mitcham Station via the Eastern Freeway and Doncaster Shoppingtown. Complementing my core proposal are the extensions of the Route 48, 72, and 109 trams to Doncaster Shoppingtown to create a multi point interchange and trip generator. One obvious universal truth about infrastructure projects is that they cost money, and money that post-GFC (September 2008) is becoming harder to find. Funding proposal mechanisms I would consider for light rail to Manningham are:

• Congestion charging in the inner city. • Tolling all major freeways at $2 per vehicle using the roads. • Further big spending cuts on roads and transport bureaucracy. • Approaching the private sector. • Approaching the superannuation funds $400 billion infrastructure-

funding proposal. • Even borrowing some of the money.

Public transport infrastructure projects are generally “good” debt to have, as the community that uses the infrastructure will pay it off. Asset sales can only produce a certain amount of money, but I would also not rule it out. Most importantly I would head hunt the best expertise in the world to manage the scale and costs of these projects, preferably from places like Europe and Japan. Well-documented project disasters like Myki prove that the transport bureaucracy in Victoria is simply not good enough to handle the costs of these types of projects.

Please take these proposals seriously, the East-West Road Tunnel does not stack up in any business case study, and it will not solve congestion. It will cost at least $13 billion, only has a cost benefit ratio of 0.45 to every dollar spent (EWLNA Study, 2008), and only 15% of traffic flow is going east to west (NCCCS 2003, ABS Census 2006, 2011). In 2010 the Coalition Opposition proposed a $6.5 million feasibility study into rail to Doncaster, now they are ferociously pushing for an expensive road tunnel. The only thing the East West Tunnel will do for public transport is take all the funds for an entire generation. The East West Tunnel could bankrupt the State of Victoria. It is time to hold Ted Baillieu’s promise to account and rail for Manningham. A Curtin University Report titled Doncaster Rail: What are its prospects? (September 2012) is a very insightful and credible report into the scenarios for Doncaster Rail based on Australian and overseas rail projects. I wish to express my extreme frustration and disappointment by the sudden and growing lack of interest, enthusiasm, commitment, and silence on the Doncaster Rail Line shown by the State Government, Department of Transport, Public Transport Victoria, and the consultants. I’m rapidly losing confidence in this whole process and in the people involved in the study. I certainly hope the outcome of the Doncaster Rail Study is not a self-serving report designed to ensure the Doncaster Rail Line never gets built, or tries to sugar coat the flawed business case for the East West Tunnel. I look forward to the day the last sleeper is laid on the Doncaster Rail Line. Yours Sincerely, Nick Defteros Public Transport Advocate, and Commerce (Management) Student, Swinburne University of Technology, Faculty of Business and Enterprise. Email: n.u.defteros@hotmail.com Mobile: 0438 737 131 !!!!!!!!!!!!

PART 2

ROUTE 97 LIGHT RAIL TO MITCHAM STATION

VIA THE EASTERN FREEWAY AND DONCASTER

SHOPPINGTOWN

FINAL CORE PROPOSAL !!!

MARLRAIL – MANNINGHAM AREA RAPID LIGHT RAIL

A rapid light rail route from Melbourne Central via Nicholson St to Alexandra Parade, or from Flagstaff Station via Peel St, Royal Parade, Cemetery Rd to Alexandra Parade. The line will follow the Eastern Freeway, Thompsons Rd, and Manningham Rd to Doncaster Shoppingtown. From Doncaster Shoppingtown the line will follow Doncaster Rd and Mitcham Rd to Mitcham Station. This will be called Route 97 to Mitcham Station via Doncaster Shoppingtown. Service Patterns This light rail route will have traffic light priority at all intersections that can be activated by the driver. There will also be grade separations at some intersections. This would require 25 services to carry 6000 people per hour with all rolling stock similar to the bumblebee tram. The speeds will be 60 – 100 Km/h stopping only at platform “superstops” about 80 metres long. This will be constructed on slightly elevated and fenced off tracks, known as concrete buttons, so there is no other traffic interfering with the light rail. It will be a dedicated light rail corridor 24/7. This means traffic on minor streets and roads turning into major roads will have to be diverted to another one way direction. This will be run like a heavy rail service, but at less cost. Rolling Stock 35 new light rail vehicles similar to the bumblebee tram will need to be purchased. In order to address capacity issues, provisions may be made to “couple” two trams in order to make them 60-70 metres long to fit more people. This happens in France on the Paris Tramway 2 with the Citadis 402 tram coupled together, and the London Docklands Light Rail Bombardier B07 vehicle. Depot sites that could be considered are Kampman St Reserve – Bulleen, or near Donvale Reserve. All depots will have a maintenance division. A unique design could be based on the iconic W-Class tram, albeit the modern version of one. Superstops Every superstop will be approximately 80 – 100 metres long and flat to comply with disability standards. There will be bright white lighting at night and visible signage. Ticket machines will be located on the platforms along with seating, sheltered areas, PA announcements, and electronic tram and timetable information. There can be a unique design of these superstops to blend in with the area of Manningham to create an eye-catching modern look.

Inner City Alignment 1 (ICA1) – FLAGSTAFF STATION TO ALEXANDRA

PARADE VIA PARKVILLE Stop 1 – Flagstaff Station: An opposing two platform stop with tram turn back at Little Lonsdale St. Connection with City Loop and Route 55 tram to Domain Interchange, servicing Law and Courts Precinct.

Tram turn back facility built near Little Lonsdale St.

Stop 2 – Queen Victoria Market: An upgraded two-platform stop that services Queen Victoria Market and a connection with Route 57 tram to West Maribyrnong. Option 1.

Option 2.

Continues down Peel St.

At the Flemington Rd roundabout the following changes will be implemented:

• Traffic light priority for all trams. • Two extra tracks built around the median for Route 97. • Northbound traffic from Peel St diverted into the service lane at Royal

Parade. • Ban on right hand turns into Grattan St. • A three track passing loop will be built to minimise conflict between

Route 19 and Route 97. Flemington Rd roundabout with traffic light priority.

Tracks divert to Royal Parade here.

Tracks built around the roundabout.

Three track passing loop built here.

Traffic diverted into service lane and right hand turns banned at Grattan St.

Stop 3 – Parkville: An island platform stop built to connect with the proposed Melbourne Metro Parkville Station and Route 401 bus. Services hospital and medical research precinct, as well as Melbourne University.

Between Gatehouse St and the Flemington Rd roundabout traffic will be diverted into the service lanes on Royal Parade, and the centre lanes will be tram only. Route 97 will dive into a tunnel that can be built using the cut and cover method into College Crescent.

College Crescent.

Tunnel portal here.

Route 97 turns right into Cemetery Rd with traffic light priority.

Traffic light priority at the roundabout.

Traffic light priority at Lygon St.

Stop 4 – Lygon St: This two-platform stop is a connection with Route 1 and Route 8 tram to service Rathdowne and Lygon St restaurant precincts.

Route 97 continues down Princes St.

At Alexandra Parade Route 97 will cross Nicholson St with traffic light priority. Once Route 97 enters the median, a two-platform stop will be located to change with the Route 96 tram. After the stop the line will dive into a cutting between Nicholson St and the Eastern Freeway for ICA1.

Inner City Alignment 2 (ICA2) – MELBOURNE CENTRAL TO ALEXANDRA

PARADE VIA NICHOLSON ST !Stop 1 – Melbourne Central Station: This two platform stop is a connection to Melbourne Central station, RMIT, State Library, routes 1, 3, 3a, 5, 6, 8, 16, 64, 67, 72, and the proposed Melbourne Metro Station CBD North. Tram turn back facility will be built on Latrobe St, halfway between Swanston and Elizabeth St.

!Route 97 crosses Russell, Exhibition, and Victoria Streets with traffic light priority. Route 97 will not stop at these streets, and will get first priority at the intersection of Victoria Parade and Nicholson St.

!

A three track passing loop will be built at Victoria Parade and Nicholson St to avoid delays with the Route 86 and Route 96 tram. This intersection is going to be upgraded as part of the Route 96 Project. The extra passing track can be built where the cars are waiting to turn. Cars will be banned from right hand turns.

Stop 2 – Melbourne Museum: This two-platform stop is a connection with the Route 86, 95, and 96 trams, Melbourne Museum, Royal Exhibition Building, and Carlton Gardens.

Stop 3 – Johnson St: This opposing two-platform stop services Fitzroy entertainment, activities, and Latina precinct.

For ICA2 the Nicholson St/Alexandra Parade stop will not be located in the Alexandra Parade median for the purpose of easier interchange with the Route 96 tram. A grade separation tunnel will be built at this intersection in order to speed up journey times and Route 97 will enter the Alexandra Parade cutting. Stop 4 – Nicholson St: This two-platform stop will interchange with the Route 96 tram.

Tunnel portal located here.

ALEXANDRA PARADE, FITZROY – EASTERN FREEWAY, BULLEEN SECTION

The median strip on Alexandra Parade will be dug into a cutting that will separate the crossings of the following roads: Nicholson St, Brunswick St, George St, Smith St, and Wellington St. MARLRAIL will enter the “high speed” section along the entire Eastern Freeway to Bulleen Rd. Two bridges will need to be built over Merri Creek and the Yarra River. Stop 5 – Nicholson St: This two-platform stop is a connection with the Route 96 tram.

Stop 6 – Fitzroy, Brunswick St: This two-platform stop is a connection with Route 112 tram, Brunswick St shops, restaurants and bars.

Stop 7 – Fitzroy, Smith St: This two-platform stop is a connection with the Route 86 tram, Smith St shops, restaurants and bars. Passengers can change here for connection to the South Morang and Hurstbridge lines on the Route 86. Grade separations at Smith St and Wellington St.

From Smith St I have decided that the Route 97 light rail will run express along the freeway to Bulleen Rd due to the fact there are little walk up passengers, and virtually no activity centres near the freeway. By removing stops along the freeway it would result in faster travel times so that the light rail can reach top speeds of 100km/h. Bridge over Merri Creek.

Bridge over the Yarra River.

BULLEEN – DONCASTER SHOPPINGTOWN SECTION This section of the light rail will go along Thompsons Rd, Manningham Rd, and Williamsons Rd to Doncaster Shoppingtown. Approaching the Bulleen Rd exit, the light rail will need to be elevated onto a bridge, or dive into a tunnel in order to cross the Bulleen Rd overpass to get to Thompsons Rd without interference. This section will primarily service Marcellin College, Bulleen residents, Thompson Heights Shopping Centre, Bulleen Plaza, Manningham Park Primary School, Macedon Square SC, and Doncaster Shoppingtown. Grade separation will be built at Manningham/Thompsons Rd, and Williamsons/Manningham Rd.

Grade separation at Bulleen Rd will be an elevated bridge.

Stop 7 - Bulleen: This elevated island platform stop services Marcellin College and Manningham Hotel. A footbridge will be built over the freeway to provide more direct and quicker access for people living near Koonung Creek Reserve in North Balwyn. This stop will have a bus interchange with the Route 905 SmartBus.

Stop 8 – Bulleen Heights: This island platform stop connects with the Route 903 and 905 SmartBus, and Route 282 Manningham Mover.

Grade separation at Manningham/Thompsons Rd in a cut and cover tunnel with Route 97 turning right.

Stop 9 – Macedon Square SC: This two-platform or island platform stop services Macedon Square SC and The Mall. This is a connection with the Route 903 and 908 SmartBus.

Traffic light priority at High St.

Grade separation at Manningham/Williamsons Rd intersection in a cut and cover tunnel.

Stop 10 – Doncaster Shoppingtown: Major superstop with 100-metre long island platform with access to Doncaster Shoppingtown. This stop will be an interchange with Routes 24, 48, 72, and 109. The bus interchange will remain in its current location. Routes 282, 902, 903, 906 will connect with Route 24, 48, 72, 97, and 109 trams. A staffed customer information centre and ticket office will be located there. This stop will be similar to the shunting yard at Melbourne University, with two tram turn back facilities built after the first turn off adjacent to Westfield Dr. Westfield Doncaster Shoppingtown

Superstop location

Approaching the intersection of Williamsons and Doncaster Rd, the light rail will be separated by a flyover bridge to bypass the traffic as Doncaster Rd gradient becomes steeper at the intersection of Williamsons Rd. Approaching Doncaster Rd, the tracks expand to a four-track carriageway with Route 97 using the flyover bridge, and Routes 24, 48, 72, and 109 diving into a short cut and cover tunnel underneath the intersection to improve travel times. (Point where Flyover Bridge begins.)

Flyover Bridge travels over the intersection and cut and cover tunnel is underneath.

Point where the Flyover Bridge meets the surface of Doncaster Rd.

DONCASTER SHOPPINGTOWN – DONCASTER EAST SECTION The light rail will travel along Doncaster Rd to the interchange point at Blackburn Rd. Stop 11 – Doncaster Hill: This island platform stop services Manningham Council Chambers, library, shops, Doncaster Primary School, Doncaster Secondary College, surrounding houses and apartments. There will be an information centre on MARLRAIL located on the site.

Traffic light priority at Church Rd.

Traffic light priority at Victoria St.

Stop 12 – Jackson Court SC: This island platform stop services Jackson Court Shopping Centre and surrounding residents.

Stop 13 – Doncaster East: This two-platform or island platform stop services the activity centres of Devon Plaza, and within walking distance, Donburn Plaza and East Doncaster Secondary College. A bus interchange will be built and will connect with the Route 901, 902, 905, and 906 Smartbus. Traffic light priority at Blackburn Rd.

DONCASTER EAST – MITCHAM SECTION

Route 97 will continue along Doncaster Rd, Mitcham Rd, and will terminate at Mitcham Station. Stop 14 – Tunstall Square SC: This two-platform stop services Tunstall Square Shopping Centre, Donvale Rehabilitation Hospital, surrounding houses, and is a connection with the Route 902 and Route 282 Manningham Mover bus. There will be a grade separation tunnel at Old Warrandyte Rd where a potential site for a depot can be built on currently unoccupied land.

Stop 15 – Donvale, Springvale Rd: This island or two-platform stop will service surrounding shops, houses, and is a connection with the Route 902 SmartBus. Route 97 will cross Springvale Rd with traffic light priority.

Stop 16 – Donvale, Park Rd: This island platform stop services shops on the corner of Park Rd, surrounding houses, schools, and is a connection with the Route 306 bus to Park Orchards.

Mitcham Rd.

Route 97 will cross Whitehorse Rd with traffic light priority. The Mitcham and Rooks Rd level crossings will be removed by mid 2014 as a separate project.

Stop 17 – Mitcham Station: This single platform stop is the Route 97 terminus. This stop is a connection with the Lilydale, Ringwood, Belgrave and City Loop trains.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PART 3

TRAM EXTENSIONS AND SMARTBUS ROUTE

ALTERATIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TRAM EXTENSIONS ROUTE 48 Route 48 will be extended along Doncaster Rd to Doncaster Shoppingtown. Key stops will be located at Greythorn Village SC, Doncaster Park and Ride, Eastern Golf Club development, and Doncaster Shoppingtown terminus. ROUTE 72 Route 72 will be split in two from Gardiner Train Station. This will be extended up Burke Rd to High St, Kew East. This tram will continue to Doncaster Shoppingtown with the Route 48. ROUTE 109 Route 109 will be extended along Station St and Tram Rd to Doncaster Shoppingtown. Key new stops will be located at Thames St, Wimmera St, Woodhouse Gv shops, Frank St, and Doncaster Shoppingtown terminus. All the following extensions would also receive route upgrades based on the Route 86 Tram Demonstration Project.

SMARTBUS ROUTE ALTERATIONS Dedicated bus lanes will be built on Blackburn Rd between the freeway exits to Reynolds Rd, Templestowe. Morning and afternoon peak hour bus lanes will be built on Fitzsimmons Lane. ROUTE 901 Route 901 will remain unchanged. ROUTE 902 Route 902 will remain unchanged. ROUTE 903 Route 903 will remain unchanged. ROUTE 905 Route 905 Smartbus will be extended along Blackburn Rd to Doncaster Rd to connect with the Route 97 at Doncaster East Light Rail Stop. At Manningham Rd it will also divert to Bulleen Plaza, then continue along Thompsons Rd. In

the event of service disruptions and track maintenance the Route 905 can run all the way to the CBD. ROUTE 906 Route 906 Smartbus will be altered to divert into George St. It will also connect with the Route 97 at Doncaster East Light Rail Stop, and will U-turn up Blackburn Rd to George St. The Route 906 Smartbus will then terminate at Doncaster Shoppingtown. ROUTE 907 Route 907 will be axed. ROUTE 908 Route 908 Smartbus will be altered to terminate at Doncaster Park and Ride. It will connect with Route 97 at Macedon Square SC, and Route 48 and 72 at Doncaster Park and Ride. Manningham Mover ROUTE 282 The Manningham Mover will increase to a 15-minute frequency and will connect with Route 97 at Bulleen Heights, Doncaster Shoppingtown, and Tunstall Square SC Light Rail Stops. !!