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2013 - November Volume 68 Number 11

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tatransitaustralia

australia’s urban passenger transport journal

FeaturesMoving The First Two Trams To The Gold CoastSydney Light Rail PlanningACTION Timetable 2014Commonwealth ElectionFirst Auckland EMUSydney’s City Centre Access StrategyAdelaide ElectrificationPlus Regulars

322 TRANSIT AUSTRALIA 11/2013

323

contents2013 - November Volume 68 Number 11

Front CoverBombardier Transportation provided this photograph of one of the first two Gold Coast trams being landed at Port of Brisbane on 10 September. After being conveyed by road to the depot on the Gold Coast the cars were prepared for testing and one performed a test run late in the evening of 30 September and early the following morning, thus fulfilling an announced ‘run before the end of September’ promise.

Opposite pageStephen Miller photographed this Sydney bound V set as it climbed towards Zig Zag from Lithgow on Good Friday, 29 March. NSW TrainLink is currently applying new markings to the exterior of these sets so that the long familiar blue and yellow ends will soon disappear.


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Features Moving The First Two Trams To The Gold Coast ____ 324 Sydney Light Rail Planning ____________________ 328 ACTION Timetable 2014 ______________________ 330 Commonwealth Election _____________________ 331

First Auckland EMU _____________________ 332

Sydney’s City Centre Access Strategy _________ 334 Adelaide Electrification_______________________ 342

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MOVING THE FIRST TWO TRAMS TO THE GOLD COAST

Moving the first two trams to the Gold CoastAnd their launchText and Photographs by Garry FordTwo trams were unloaded complete at the Port of Brisbane on 10 September and were to be moved to the Gold Coast over two nights. The first tram had a movement permit from the Port of Brisbane, Fisherman’s Island, to the Gold Coast at Queen Street and Wardoo Streets from 2200 on 11 September to 0300 on 12 September.

It seems that no one had bothered to check on road work on the Pacific Motorway and the first tram, with its police escort, was severely delayed by heavy traffic created by the work at Springwood. It was not until 0037 that the tram arrived at Southport and the first wheels touched the rails at 0229.

Preparations for the arrival of the tram commenced in Queen Street at 2200 with the arrival of the ramps, but work at the landing area did not commence until 2330 when Queen Street southbound was closed to traffic and the fencing along the track moved to the footpath

The tram was backed up to the ramp in Queen Street from Wardoo Street. It was pulled off the trailer by a roadside truck attached by a wire cable, and by gravity, as soon as enough of the tram was off the truck, and at least two brakemen rode in the tram operating the hydraulic brakes with an extension control with a truck at the rear as anchor. Progress down the ramp was extremely slow and it had actually moved around one metre before anyone realised it had started. It was around 25 minutes before it was off the transporter. The ramp was in three sections.Once unloaded the tram was hauled by two Mack trucks, a Barnes-Autos truck towing vehicle in the lead, and Heavy Haulage Australia’s Mack Titan as second

‘motor’. The tram left Queen Street and was towed through the reverse curves up the hill to the depot, trucks detached, and at 0415 the tram was left on the flat for the night. It took over 90 minutes to travel the few hundred metres from Queen Street to the depot building on its own rails for the first time.

Owing to the traffic delays experienced by the first tram, there was some doubt the second move would go ahead as planned on 13 September. In the end it was decided to proceed, but not leaving the Port of Brisbane until midnight. This time there were two lots of single line working onthe Motorway!

The first tram had its pantograph attached and was tested, ready for the official launch on Friday 20 September in two separate ceremonies. The tram entered from the workshop/depot entry track, under its own power, into the tram washer from whence it exited in a golden misty smoke showing the marketing slogan in the destination box: Get on board the G:.

The official name of the system is G: Link but this is shortened to G for advertising purposes. The advertising started on the airwaves almost immediately the slogan was launched and everything at the launch was branded with G: including the tables, and even the coffee in the cup!

The launch on 20 September was the first of several functions to introduce the trams to the locals over the ensuing months.

Tram number two had just arrived at the Queen and Wardoo Streets intersection from the Port of Brisbane, under police escort, at 0200. Despite the 20-axle trailer the tram still had a considerable overhang at both the front and the rear ends of the trailer. The driver was preparing to reverse park the rig through 90o degrees onto the end of the unloading ramp, which is around 200 metres to the left of the picture.

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THE YANDINA BLACK HOLE

At 0235 the tram was almost all on its home rails with only the last two sections of the seven-car unit still to touch down. This tram is builder’s number 4.

At 0358 the big tow commenced and at 0402, as seen here, the first tram crossed Wardoo Street and left street running as it commenced the moderate grade on reverse curves from Queen Street up to the depot. It was this grade that necessitated the use of two prime movers.


MOVING THE FIRST TWO TRAMS TO THE GOLD COAST

Above: GoldLinQ note regarding the running of trams. Note the operational branding G:link.Below: The first tram had just been inaugurated and the G:link brand launched after passing through the car wash seen in the background. The guests are inspecting the unit. The overhead is not catenary as the picture suggests. This is a change over from one overhead section to another, where one wire is lifted up beside the other wire in use, thus giving an appearance of catenary.

327

GOLD COAST LIGHT RAIL

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RailwayHistoryPhotographer’s Spotlight

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Sydney’s tram system was once one of the world’s largest, extending from Narrabeen in the north to La Perouse in the south; from Bondi in the east to Ryde in the west. Isolated steam-operated lines served other outlying districts. Trams also ran in Newcastle. From the 1920s to the 1940s there were up to 1500 trams operating on 290 kilometres of line serving the city and more than 70 suburbs. Trams carried more than a million people every weekday.

It was a mighty undertaking, but a few decades later it had all gone. Apart from some localities that retain ‘junction’ in their name, the occasional kerbside shelter and some oddly placed areas of inner suburban parkland, there are today very few reminders of the time when Sydney was a city of trams.

With over 250 photos and informative text, Bondi to the Opera House captures the colour and life of Sydney over the 80 years when trams were part and parcel of living in the city. It will fascinate those who can recall travelling by tram as well as others interested in seeing how Sydney has changed between the tram era and today.

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Above: One of the several interior passenger information signs fitted throughout the length of the 43 m trams. This sign is not like those now found, for example, on Logan and some Brisbane buses, in that it appears to be two signs in one, side by side, enabling route information to be constantly displayed, while other messages are played beside it. TransLink has been experimenting with passenger information signs throughout its jurisdiction.Right: The driving compartment showing almost all the controls. To the far left of frame and only partly shown are manual controls for tram functions. In the centre is the main console showing tram status on the left side, main controls centre screen and programming controls on the right, with clipboard attached. Other driving controls can be seen in the foreground.Below: The tram is so long that this interior view seems to stretch to infinity. The carrying capacity is 309, many of them standing, as the multitude of grab rails show. The view is taken from the front operator’s door and the first of the six flexible sections and turntable is visible, as are the second and third.


SYDNEY LIGHT RAIL PLANNING

Sydney Light Rail PlanningAs part of the public consultation process for the southeast light rail in Sydney, public consultations were held in early September. As part of the consultation a number of documents were released which provided a number of discussion points, the most important noted by many being a plan to use no catenary in the planned George Street mall.

Capacitor system for the tramsIt seem that the Council of the City of Sydney, and TfNSW, have called for a wireless operation in part of the proposed George Street Mall. This will involve the provision of expensive capacitors in the vehicles along with heavy batteries. No consideration seems to have been given to showing the public photographs of modern systems in Europe which have very light and nearly invisible overhead wiring which is also used to support street lighting and signs, thereby reducing the amount of street furniture required. Adelaide has already established this as a practice as has the Gold Coast and evidence of both can be seen in photographs regularly published in Transit Australia.

CAF, the selected tram contractor, has what it calls an ACR system, for Rapid Charge Accumulator, and details can be seen at:

http://www.caf.es/en/ecocaf/nuevas-soluciones/tranvia-acr.php

The system is only currently in use in Seville and Zaragoza in Spain.

The recharge at each stop is by raising and lowering the pantograph to a short section of wire. CAF claim a 20 second recharge time, possibly twice as long as a good tram dwell should be, but it is possible this may not include the time to raise and lower the pantograph.

For a general overview and comparison of the various ‘catenary free’ systems, see:

http://www.luascrosscity.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/NA0004SystraReport.pdf

Action for Public Transport ResponseAPT has kindly supplied details of their input, as attached below.

In September 2013 the NSW government’s transport planning agency, TfNSW, released documents and staged public exhibitions of its plans for a new LRT system between Circular Quay and Randwick/Kingsford. Public submissions were invited, for consideration in the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the project. In this submission

from Action for Public Transport Inc. we attempt to provide comments from the potential users of the service, the passengers.

We are disappointed that this initial project information provided by TfNSW focuses almost solely on the physical location of the proposed rail tracks and platforms, and the effect that these structures might have on adjacent land-holders, businesses, other-vehicle traffic lanes and, extraordinarily, even car parking.

Little information has been provided about the effect of the LRT service on people, especially the facilities for passengers, how their diverse off-vehicle requirements and movements might be managed, and the means by which they might transfer between the LRT and other modes. This has made it difficult for us to comment on the construction project, and the completed LRT service, from the viewpoint of the prospective passengers.

Members of the exhibition team have explained that while detailed analysis of pedestrian and passenger movements is ongoing; there is no requirement for such detail to be incorporated into the EIS process. While this may be the legal position, it limits our ability to comment on the human aspects of both the construction project and the finished LRT service.

Given this lack of detail, we are obliged to make some assumptions. We offer the following broad observations.

1 - GEORGE STREET PEDESTRIAN PRECINCTWe do NOT support the provision of a ‘catenary-free’ power supply, on the grounds that it would represent unnecessary capital expenditure on the LRT vehicles and increased running and maintenance costs. There is also a risk of reduced reliability, given the complexity of the power supply to the vehicles. In our view, modern overhead power supplies are very unobtrusive.

2 - RAWSON PLACEAs there is no detail as to how the diverse pedestrian and inter-modal passenger movements are to be managed at this site, we must express our concern for pedestrian amenity and safety.

3 - MOORE PARK WESTWe fully support the cut-and-cover tunnel, both on visual amenity grounds and because it preserves the playing fields for the 1200 students at Sydney Boys High School. The need to minimise ‘land-take’ from the Centennial Parklands is also a growing community concern. We assume

John Beckhaus photographed a first generation Sydney LRV, Variotram 2101, as it approached Central Station on 25 June 2008. The new City and South Eastern Light Rail will return trams to Eddy Avenue underneath the bridge.

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SYDNEY LIGHT RAIL PLANNING

a tunnel might also facilitate grade-separated crossings for pedestrians at the Moore Park platforms.

4 - MOORE PARK PLATFORMSTfNSW staff informed us that tram and pedestrian movements will be grade separated for major events, but there is insufficient detail available for us to make informed comment. We feel that the ~300 m distance from the Football Stadium to the platforms will be seen by the public as excessive.

5 - LANG ROAD INTERSECTIONIn an earlier submission we suggested that grade-separation might be justified at this location, based on the accumulated timesaving for passengers. Exhibit staff have assured us that the present signal phases for buses are adequate for the light rail movements.

6 - ANZAC PARADE/ALISON ROAD INTERSECTIONWe understand this intersection is presently operating at capacity and wonder how the LRT movements are to be accommodated.

7 - RACECOURSE STABLING FACILITYConsideration should be given to incorporating provision for an air-rights development over this facility, as an alternative, or at least as an offset, for the large scale and widespread building proposals currently being canvassed by the Centennial Parklands in their euphemistically titled ‘Vision Statement’.

8 - HIGH STREET - ADDITIONAL STOP.There would be many timesaving benefits for visitors to the hospital and the Belmore Road shops from an additional stop in High Street, just

west of the Clara Street intersection. We understand the platform-grade compliance difficulties associated with this site but urge the designers to persevere with innovative ideas in order to harvest the long-term benefits.

9 - UNSW ANZAC PARADE STOPThe anticipated long-term expansion of UNSW to the west side of Anzac Parade should justify centre-of-road platforms at this site, with a pedestrian underpass. Small retail outlets in the subway would enhance the amenity. There could be significant accumulated travel time savings by not requiring trams to leave and re-enter centre-of-road running using traffic signals, as is presently planned.

10 - OTHER OPERATIONAL MATTERSLRV Priority

We are disappointed that LRV priority at signalised intersections has not been raised in the exhibition. While it may not be an essential input into the EIS process, it is nevertheless, in our view, an essential component of the LRT system, especially given the importance of minimal travel times to the success of the LRT service. The apparent slothfulness of the existing LRT service as it crosses George Street does not present a positive image for LRT. We are informed that Melbourne trams currently spend 17% of their service time halted at traffic lights.

Wynyard Easement

We suggest the preservation of an easement between the former Wynyard Station Platforms 1 and 2 and George Street via Wynyard Street, for a possible future LRT connection from George Street to North Sydney/Crows Nest via the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

11 - SUMMARYWe support the CSELR project, and the improved travel experience which the completed service should bring to Sydney, but we remain deeply concerned about the current lack of detail available regarding pedestrian and passenger amenity and movement.

On 29 August 2007 Scott Mitchell photographed a future member of the second generation of Sydney LRV, Velez Malaga tram 001 at a time when Scott could not imagine that he might see the tram again in Sydney. This CAF Urbos2 vehicle arrived in Sydney early on the morning of 4 September and is now in an attractive red and white livery and will reportedly be numbered 2108.


ACTION TIMETABLE 2014

ACTION Timetable 2014On 13 September Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Mr Shane Rattenbury, invited the community to provide feedback on proposed changes to ACTION’s bus service. Mr Rattenbury said that ‘The new network has been developed based on patronage data from the MyWay system and feedback from bus passengers and drivers. The entire network has been reviewed with a focus on providing more direct routes, better connections and increased frequency. To allow for increased frequency and more direct routes there does need to be some trade-offs. For example, to make services more direct, the walking distance for some people to get to a bus stop might be increased. The new network still meets the minimum requirement in the Transport for Canberra policy with 95% of residences being within 500 metres of a bus stop as the crow flies’.

‘In addition, it is proposed that, while the Red and Blue Rapid evening services will continue, late evening suburban services with low passenger numbers will finish earlier allowing for more services during the day when there is higher demand’ stated Mr Rattenbury.

Highlights of the proposed new network for 2014 include:

• A new service linking Molonglo to Woden and Cooleman Court with a peak hour Xpresso to the City, which will support increased residential development in the Molonglo Valley;

• A new Rapid service between Gungahlin and Belconnen;• A new service for Hume;• Improved services between Erindale and Woden;• Improved services to the airport and surrounding business park

precinct;• Increased Xpresso services between Weston Creek and the City,

including an Xpresso direct to the City from Cooleman Court; and • Improved services into the Parliamentary Triangle, including two

new dedicated morning peak services from Woden and services from Gungahlin, which now extend into the Triangle rather than terminate in Civic.

Mr Rattenbury stated that proposed changes to the service build on other investments such as bus priority measures, bus station and stop upgrades, new buses, NXTBUS, and light rail.

Increasing the frequency of services should encourage more Canberrans to get out of their private vehicles and on to public transport. This in turn will contribute to the ACT Government’s goals of reducing carbon

emissions and assist the ACT Government to reach its mode share target of 16% for public transport by 2026.

A comprehensive brochure with maps and specific proposed changes for each region of Canberra was available from all Canberra Connect Shopfronts, ACT public libraries and online at timetotalk.act.gov.au. Residents could provide feedback by completing an online survey or picking up a hardcopy survey from the same locations.

The consultation closed on 14 October.

In August 2012, Les Pascoe photographed 336, a Custom Coaches bodied Scania, at the Tuggeranong Hyperdome while it was operating a Route 66 service from Woden via Erindale Centre, Chisholm and Bonython. Route 66 is one of a number of services throughout Canberra that will be discontinued if the proposals are implemented in their current form.

PEOPLELawyer Mr Michael Klug and former Transport Minister Mr John Mickel have been appointed to the Queensland Rail board. Mr Klug will be chairman. Mr Klug and Mr Mickel will replace Ms Merren McArthur and Mr Dawson Petie. Mr Klug is a leader in the area of Alternative Dispute Resolution. He has practised law for over 35 years and recently concluded his third term as Partner in Charge of the Brisbane office of Clayton Utz. Mr Klug is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.Mr Mickel served as a Member of the Queensland Parliament for almost 14 years, during which time he spent three years as Speaker and held numerous ministerial portfolios, including Transport. He retired from politics at the March 2012 election and recently reviewed Trade and Investment Queensland. Public Transport Victoria has appointed Ms Carolyn De Gois as Chief Information Officer ahead of a ‘complete review’ of its IT operations. Ms De Gois was formerly the head of the Victorian IT Strategy and Performance practice within KPMG. Prior to that she was an associate partner within IBM Global Business Services. PTV is undertaking a complete review of IT platforms and organisational structure to met PTV’s business objectives.

331

COMMONWEALTH ELECTION

Commonwealth Election 7 September 2013Tony Bailey Urban transport policies

For the first time in a number of Commonwealth elections there were virtually no urban transport policy announcements. Labor mainly stuck with already announced items, while the Coalition stuck to its already announced ‘no Commonwealth funds for urban transport’. Both parties did make a number of promises regarding road funding.

Australasian Railway AssociationThe Australasian Railway Association, ARA, intensified its campaigning on issues of critical importance to the rail sector in the lead-up to the 2013 Federal election, by launching a ‘5 Platforms for Change’ campaign on 15 August. ARA Chairman Mr Lindsay Tanner highlighted the industry plan of action at a function. ‘The nation’s rail industry is one that contributes billions of dollars to the Australian economy, employs more than 100,000 people in metropolitan and regional Australia, moves millions of people in our cities and transports one billion tonnes of freight each year. It is for that reason that we deserve a say in the direction we are headed.’

When speaking on the priority of urban rail funding, Mr Tanner expressed concern over the risk of cutting federal funding for state projects and called for greater investment in integrated transport systems that link our roads, rail and ports. ‘Lack of federal funding for passenger and light rail networks will effectively put the brakes on our nation’s economic development. The average passenger train can take 525 cars off the road, that’s 3.2m vehicle kilometres annually. With statistics like these, why on earth only invest in roads that create more congestion, more accidents and more carbon emissions. States across Australia are ready to make the move on to rail, but they cannot do it without support at each level of government.

The ‘5 Platforms for Change’ document is available on the home page of the ARA website www.ara.net.au

Liberal/National CostingsThe Liberal/National coalition released its election costings on 5 September and these reaffirmed that the only transport infrastructure that the Coalition would support would be roads. These would be funded at 80% by the Commonwealth and 20% by the appropriate state. The Coalition also announced the withdrawal of Commonwealth funding for:

• Melbourne Metro Rail• Brisbane Cross River Rail• Perth urban rail projects• Tonsley project in Adelaide• Perth Airport rail planning

Election resultThe Liberal/National Party coalition had a substantial win in the House of Representatives, with the now usual failure by either major party to win a majority in the Senate.

Deputy Prime Minister and National Party Leader Mr Warren Truss was announced as Minister for Infrastructure.

CommentUrban public transport is now in a parlous situation as far as Commonwealth funding goes. As usual no one seems to accept that spending money on roads does affect urban public transport, and in a negative way.

The worst affected states will be those that have been collecting most from the Commonwealth, with NSW amongst those least affected as the only Commonwealth payments have been for ‘rail freight’ projects that will improve urban rail operations. The Northern Sydney Freight Corridor works will continue.

The likely long term effect may be that in a future campaign public transport spending could become a major issue.

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LETTERS

First Auckland EMU

Photographs supplied by Auckland Transport


Interior and exterior photographs of the first of first Auckland EMU set inside Wiri Depot just after delivery. Details of the train are available at:http://transportblog.co.nz/2011/10/10/electric-trains-technical-details/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_AM_class_electric_multiple_unit


SYDNEY’S CITY CENTRE ACCESS STRATEGY

Left: Details of the proposed bus corridors and stop precinct areas in Sydney City Access Strategy.

Below: One place that will be affected by the Sydney Access Plan and South Eastern Light Rail will be Eddy Avenue at Central where on 5 July 2009 Derek Rogers photographed State Transit 1328, an O405NH CNG bus with Custom Coach Citaro body as it worked a Route 378 service to Railway Square and was waiting to turn out of Elizabeth Street into Eddy Avenue.

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Sydney’s City Centre Access StrategyOn 11 September the NSW Government released Sydney’s City Centre Access Strategy, the first detailed plan showing how people will enter, exit and move in and around the CBD over the next 20 years. More than 630,000 trips are made into the city centre every weekday and this will increase by about 150,000 trips a day by 2031. Some 92% of trips are made on foot within the CBD, and the strategy will make walking easier by providing better signage, de-cluttering footpaths, reducing waiting times at traffic lights and improving safety, along with a 40 km/h speed limit in some parts of the city centre to improve road safety.

Major items in the strategy include:• Light rail from Circular Quay to Central, continuing to Randwick

and Kensington; • Better bus priority to reduce impacts on other road users, including

two north-south priority bus corridors on Elizabeth/Castlereagh Streets, York/Clarence Streets and an east-west priority bus corridor on Druitt/Park Streets;

• More pedestrian zone such as George Street between Hunter and Bathurst Streets and reducing pedestrian congestion and delays in critical areas;

• 40km/h speed limits in parts of the city centre;• Preserved access for motorists by optimising traffic bypass routes,

including getting more through traffic into the Cross City Tunnel, and establishing priority routes for motorists around the city centre on streets such as Hunter and Margaret Streets, Wentworth Avenue and College Street and Sussex and Kent Streets;

• Changes to parking in the city centre, with reallocation of some on-street parking spaces to create more room for taxi ranks and

loading zones. Underutilised off-street car parking will make up the difference for motorists;

• A connected network of separated cycleways, including extending the current Kent Street cycleway south to Liverpool Street, two east-west cycleways on Liverpool Street and King Street and building a new cycleway down Castlereagh Street and Pitt Street, to improve safety without compromising access for other modes in the city centre. The College Street cycleway will be removed;

• Transfers at a new midtown interchange precinct on Park Street for smoother journeys as well as enhanced interchange precincts at Wynyard, Central, Circular Quay and Martin Place;

• Improved east-west movement of traffic and buses through the city centre;

• The metro rail system along the underground Second Harbour Crossing, providing a more than 60% increase in services to the CBD;

• Short term improvements for rail passengers through improved capacity at existing CBD stations and new timetables;

• Taxi ranks in better locations;

• Access to more late night travel options on public transport, including new bus services and longer hours of service;

• A City Centre Transport Taskforce – a permanent specialist team based at the Transport Management responsible for the smooth operation of city centre transport 24/7;

• Improved access to the development at Barangaroo with the completion of Wynyard Walk, expanded ferry services including a new ferry hub at Barangaroo and new bus and cycle routes; and


• Maintaining access for service and delivery vehicles and promoting more deliveries outside peak hours and using off-street loading docks;

Major Changes to Bus Routes

The city centre bus network will be redesigned to establish an easy to understand, all-day network of high frequency bus routes. The redesign is designed to address congestion and capacity constraints in the short term but also responds to the future role of light rail and the integration of bus and light rail services. The long discussed midtown interchange precinct will be established in Park Street and much of the change will be designed around this.Some of the changes include: • Turning movements will be substantially reduced at the Elizabeth

and Park Streets intersection. This will help simplify bus movements through the city centre;

• Existing Metrobus routes will be configured to operate more efficiently through the city centre;

• Sydney Harbour Bridge services to Railway Square will operate via the Cahill Expressway, Bridge Street, Castlereagh Street southbound and Elizabeth Street northbound;

• The remaining bus routes that enter the city centre via the Sydney Harbour Bridge will use York and Clarence Streets and either terminate at Wynyard or the QVB adjacent to the Park Street interchange;

• New bus routes will run to Barangaroo and Walsh Bay via the city centre and midtown interchange precinct;

• Approximately every second bus service on main Inner West bus routes entering the city centre via Broadway will only operate to Central. This will reduce the number of buses unnecessarily entering the city centre. The remaining services will continue to the northern end of the city centre via Elizabeth Street northbound and Castlereagh Street southbound;

• All bus routes that service the Southeastern suburbs will only use Elizabeth Street en-route to and from Circular Quay;

• Several routes will be connected to operate as through-routed services to reduce the overlap of bus services on city centre streets and the need for bus layover in the city centre; and

• Victoria Road bus routes that currently use George Street and terminate at Circular Quay will either continue through the city centre via Druitt Street and Park Street to layover outside the city centre or terminate at Wynyard.

Some benefits of these changes are:

• Turns at critical intersections are minimised within the city centre, improving intersection performance for all users. This change will bring specific improvements for articulated buses that currently cause delays at certain intersections due to their length;

• Trials of double deck buses are currently underway to assess potential benefits across the transport network;

• Concentrating more buses on fewer streets, reducing impacts on other road users and making the bus system easier to understand;

• Major bus stops located within interchange precincts at Town Hall, Wynyard, Central and Circular Quay, and also at Martin Place and Museum. These interchange precincts will connect different transport modes such as rail, light rail, ferry and bus;

• Key interchange precincts providing increased comfort, for all passengers through improvements such as de-cluttering walkways, providing new shelters, better signage and the provision of real time information;

• Other bus stops outside the interchange precincts rationalised to improve bus travel speeds and improve passenger understanding of the network; and

• Priority bus corridors developed with enhanced bus lanes and dedicated stopping bays. They will improve travel time and reliability along Elizabeth Street/Castlereagh Street, Park Street/Druitt Street and Clarence Street /York Street.

Details of the proposed Park Street interchange in the CBD and its relationship to the CSELR and other bus routes.

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Redefined Bus NetworkThe bus network set out in Sydney’s Bus Future will have a simplified network to the city centre, rationalised stops and will be easier to understand. A clear, three-tiered network will replace the 15 different types of bus services that exist today. Service frequency across the three tiers will be optimised to improve the base level of service and to serve customers’ travel needs at different times throughout the week. Passengers will experience fast, frequent connections on high demand routes, easy connections to other public transport services and direct journeys between all major centres, including the Sydney city centre. Investigations will be made into the potential to use double deck buses instead of articulated buses where they can reduce congestion and provide a better service. Benefits for passengers will include: • An increased number of Metrobus-style services running through

the city centre, better linking major travel destinations; and • Access to more destinations within and outside the city centre

through improved connections at interchange precincts.

BRTInvestigations to determine the best way to provide fast, reliable and flexible transport on key corridors throughout Sydney will address continued growth in demand and changing needs. A staged approach will be taken to introducing BRT on targeted high demand routes. In the long term, it may be possible to convert these routes to light rail in areas with high growth and density. Key high-growth corridors servicing the city centre that will be investigated for BRT and light rail include: • Parramatta Road; • Victoria Road;• Anzac Parade between Kingsford and Maroubra or Malabar; and • The Northern Beaches. Extensions to bus services will be supplemented with improvements in service frequency and connections to the existing and future light rail network.

City Centre Pedestrian AccessTransport for NSW and the City of Sydney will develop and implement a pedestrian improvement program including: • Improvements to the quality and condition of footpaths including

paving, shelter and urban design; • De-cluttering footpaths by rationalising street furniture, signage

and commercial activity such as street vending; • Reducing pedestrian delays and congestion at intersections through

prioritisation of pedestrian phases at traffic lights; and• Improving signage to support walking in the city centre.

These improvements will make walking faster and easier and will encourage more people to walk for a broader range of purposes. Streets that are prioritised for improvements are:

• Pitt Street, beyond the existing pedestrian mall, north to Bridge Street and south to Park Street;

• Margaret Street between York Street and George Street; • Hunter Street between George Street and Castlereagh Street;• King Street between Sussex Street and Phillip Street; • Market Street between Kent Street and Elizabeth Street; • Park Street between Kent Street and Elizabeth Street as part of the

mid-town interchange precinct;• Bathurst Street between Kent Street and Elizabeth Street; • Liverpool Street between Kent Street and Pitt Street; and • George Street between Goulburn Street and Bridge Street.

The CBD and South East Light Rail project will change the face of the city centre. George Street will be pedestrianised between Bathurst and Hunter Streets. The changes will create a more pleasant and accessible environment for pedestrians moving around the city centre. The light rail stops will be designed to minimise their impact in this area.

Cars will still be able to access 60% of George Street. In addition, residents, emergency vehicles, and certain delivery vehicles will retain access to the pedestrian area at certain times of the day. There will be consultation with the taxi industry to investigate the best way for taxis and hire cars to access late night activity precincts including the George Street pedestrian zone.

Beyond the pedestrian zone of George Street, there will be general traffic lanes on either side of the light rail. Motorists will still be able to travel east-west along all cross streets in the pedestrianised zone, as well as other north-south streets within the city centre.

When complete, the changes will: • Benefit pedestrians through providing a more amenable and safe

environment;• Establish George Street as the geographical and cultural spine of

the Sydney city centre through the reinvigoration of street activity;• Benefit all modes travelling east and west across the city, including

pedestrians, buses, and general traffic; and• Benefit light rail customers through seamless access to new stops.

Rail ImprovementsSydney’s Rail Future sets out a strategy for improving the rail network serving the Sydney metropolitan area. The focus of the first stage is implementing operational efficiencies that make the most of the existing system.

Immediate operational priorities include:

• Timetable changes to introduce more services and standardised stopping patterns, commencing with the introduction of the 2013 timetable;

• Improved management of boarding and alighting train dwell times at stations, particularly at Town Hall;

• Improved information available to passengers; • Platform redesign, including de-cluttering to make passenger

movement entering and exiting platforms easier; and• Better incident recovery management through improved operations

and digital train radio systems.

On a typical weekday, almost half of all people travelling into the city centre arrive by rail, and demand will increase. Over time, capacity at city centre rail stations will be increased through:

Central: • Reconfiguration of the concourse and improved interchange

arrangements between all platforms; and • Dwell time management.

Town Hall: • Enlargement of platform space; • De-cluttering of concourse space; • Optimised connections between the concourse and light rail on

George Street; and

• Dwell time management.

Wynyard: • Better interchange facilities for rail and bus passengers at the

station and at Barangaroo; • Station refurbishment; and • Station upgrade in the longer term.

Circular Quay:

• Better wayfinding and layout to enable easier interchange between ferry, bus, light rail, rail and taxi.

Museum:

• Improved station entries and new lifts to provide access between station entries and the concourse and between the station concourse and platforms.


TRANSIT NEWSFILE

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORYCANBERRA

Canberra BusesFrom9September,20busescommencedatrialof theNXTBUSreal-time informationsystem,primarilyontheRed,Route200andBlueRapid,Route 300, services.The systemusesGPS to track buses andprovidespassengerswithinformationonhowfarawaytheirnextbusis,andwhetherithasabikerackoriswheelchair-accessible,viabusstopdisplays,text,onlineoroverthephone.Itwillalsogivepassengersonthebusnext-stopannouncements.Real-timedisplayscreenswereerectedatCivicbusstation,withotherstofollow.ACTIONisworkingonreplacing3100yellowbus-stopsignsaroundCanberra,withthenewsignstodisplaythebusstop’sIDandanumbertotexttoreceivereal-timeinformationtoatelephone.PreviouslyannouncedplanstohaveNXTBUSfullyrolledoutbyDecemberhavebeendelayedbecauseofequipmentinstallationdelays.Theaimisnowtohavethefleetfullyoperationalandthesystemfullyinstalledbythestartofschoolin2014.

NEW SOUTH WALESPunctuality measuringOn11SeptemberitwasannouncedthatthereisanewwayofmeasuringthereliabilityofSydneyTrainsandNSWTrainLinkservicesintheformof a ‘punctuality’ measure, which replaces ‘on-time running’ as themainreliabilityindicatorfortheoperators,althoughbothmeasureswillcontinuetobepublished.Thechangesinclude:

• Trainswillnolongerbecountedason-timeiftheyskipstops;• Punctualityfigureswillnotbeadjustedforforcemajeure,suchas

significantweatherevents;• Trainswhichchangerunsinmid-journeywillnotbeconsideredas

ontime;and

• Thedefinitionofpeakwillbeexpandedunder‘punctuality’totakeintoaccountchangingtravelpatterns,reflectingarecommendationoftheAuditorGeneralandensuringthat‘punctuality’willbemeasuring70%ofjourneysasopposedtolessthan50%‘on-timerunning’.Thismeanstheoperatorswillhavetomeetreliabilitytargetsforlongerperiodseachday.

The new ‘punctuality’ results will be published alongside on timerunningontheSydneyTrainsandNSWTrainLinkwebsites,backdatedfrom1July.SydneyTrainsCEOMrHowardCollinsandTfNSWarealsoconsideringreducingthe5minutebufferduringwhicha train isconsideredon-time.

SydneySydney’s 21-30 year olds are switching from cars to public transportan analysis of new travel figures from theNSWBureau ofTransportStatistics shows. The generational shift to public transport is notconfined towell-serviced inner areas but also in outer Sydney,wherepublic transport is patchier. The transformation in travel patterns,expertsandsurveyssay,islikelycausedbythecostandinconvenienceofmaintainingacarbutalsothewidespreaduseofmobiledevices,whicharemoreattractiveonpublictransport.Tenyearsago,peopleaged21to30inSydneydrovethemselvesonabout53%ofalltripsonanaverageweekday.Thatsharefellto45.5%in2011-12.Amongpeopleaged31to40,themodeshareofdrivingtripsfellfrom64.2%to60.2%inthedecade.Sydneyresidentsintheir40sand50sarealsodrivinglessbutthetrendisnotaspronouncedandresidentsintheir60sand70sare,onaverage,drivingslightlymore.‘Thewholevaluepropositionofacarisnotwhatitusedtobeforyoungpeople,’ saidDr Garry Glazebrook, of the University ofTechnology,Sydney.‘It’snotthetickettofreedomitoncewas…and,intheinnersuburbs,itisalmostamenacebecauseyoucan’tfindsomewheretopark.’The breakdown of theBTSfigures shows that in the innerwest, theshareofweekdaydrivingtripsfell from41.8%to33.3%inadecade.Bycontrast,theshareoftraintripsrosefrom13.1%to24.8%.InStGeorge and Sutherland, the share of driving trips for people in their20s dropped from 60.2% to 52.3% in the decade.Train trips morethandoubled from8.5%to18.3%,whilebus tripsalso increased. InFairfieldandLiverpool,theshareofdrivingtripsforthoseaged21to30droppedfrom71.6%to56.6%.Theshareoftraintripsrosefrom4.3%to13.6%,whilebustripsrosefrom0.4%to7.6%.TheBlacktownarea is an exception to the trend. In the past decade, car use amongpeople intheir20shas increased,whilepublic transportusehasrisenonlymarginally.TheBTSurgessomecautionwiththestatistics,particularlyinareaswithlowoverallnumbers.Butthetrendisthere.Officialsurveysshowavoidingtheproblemofparkingisthemainreasonpeople choose to travel by public transport during the week. Othercommonreasonsincludethatpublictransportischeaperthandrivingacar,itcanbefasterthancommutingbycar,itcanbelessstressfulanditofferstimetoreadorwork.Forpeoplewhodriveduringtheweek, thebiggestreasonintheBTSsurveys is that it is more convenient than public transport. OtherreasonsfocusontheinadequacyofpublictransportinSydney:itcanbeindirect;tooslow;doesnotgowherepeoplewanttogo;orthetimetableis unsuitable. Driving remains the most common form of transportinSydney,responsible for68%of total trips.Butthemodesharehasdeclinedsteadilyinthepastdecade,whilemanyyoungpeoplehavealsostoppedgettinglicences.EarlieranalysisbytheBTSshowsthattheshareof25-year-oldswithoutalicencehasdroppedby10%inadecade.DrGlazebrooksaidthetrendsshowedgovernmentsshouldconcentratefunding on public transport services. He criticised incoming PrimeMinisterMrTonyAbbott’spositionofnotspendingmoneyonpublictransport,onlymotorways.‘Mostofthegrowthinfuturetraveldemandwillnotbefordriving’,hesaid.

International Fleet Review 3-11 October

NSWMinister forTransportMs Gladys Berejiklian announced thatmore than 5,000 extra public transport services were to run duringtheInternationalFleetReviewinOctober,withmorethan1.7million

ACTION is introducing new bus stop blades as shown in this example photographed by Les Pascoe. Note the use of SMS facilities to get next bus arrival details.

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TRANSIT NEWSFILE

visitorsexpectedduringtheevent.TheReviewmarkedthecentenaryoftheentryoftheRANintoSydneyHarbourin1913.AseriesofeventstookplaceacrossSydneywith16tallshipsfromaroundtheworldsailingintoSydneyHarbouron3October,followedbymorethan40Australianandinternationalwarshipsthenextday.TheMinisterclaimedthatthiswasthebiggesttransporteventsincetheSydneyOlympics.On5October hundreds of thousands of people visited the shores ofSydneyHarbourfora30minuteFireworksandLightshowSpectacularset off from multiple points on the water and around the SydneyHarbourBridge,alongwithmovingbeamsofcolouredlightandimageprojectionsonthesailsoftheSydneyOperaHouse.Morethan1,100extrarailservicesandmorethan4,000busserviceswereoperatedduringthewholeevent,especiallyon5October.Someofthespecialservicesincluded dedicated buses between Kings Cross station and GardenIslandforNavyShipOpenDays.TherewasalsoadedicatedtrainshuttlebetweenCentral and Bondi Junction from 0600 to 1400 from 6-10October.OthereventsduringthesameperiodweretheManlyJazzfestivalon5-7October,EpsomHandicaphorseracingatRandwickRacecourseon5October,theNRLGrandFinalatOlympicParkon6OctoberandtheParramasalaFestivalatParramattaon4-7October,allofwhichaddedadditionalpatronagetothenetwork.Aspecialwebsitewasopenedtoprovidetransportinformationfortheevent,whichalsodisplayedadailymapshowingspecialroadclosures,clearways,publictransportservicesandvantagepoints.

Sydney BusesWarringah Bus studyOn7SeptemberFairfaxMediareleaseddetailsofsomeofthesubmissionsmade to the Government’s ‘BRT pre-feasibility Study’ ofWarringahPeninsulabusservicesandhowtoimprovethem.MostoftheoptionsfloatedbytheStateGovernmenthavebeencriticisedas‘inadequate’byNorthSydneyCouncilandsomeresidents.ThestudyexaminedfiveoptionsbetweenMonaValeand theCity. Itincludedatwo-lanetunnelfromSpitJunctiontotheWarringahfreeway,establishing24-hourbuslanesandwideningtheSpitBridgetosixlaneswhilepotentiallyclosingittomarinetraffic.Italsocanvassedaneast-west option between Chatswood and DeeWhy, including wideningWarringahRoadandimprovingaccesstotheChatswoodinterchange.Thestudyconcludedthatapackageofbusrapidtransitmeasureswasfeasible.Ofthenorth-southoptions,NorthSydneyCouncilsupportedonlythetunnelsolution,becauseitwouldnotrequireabolishingstreetparkingonMilitaryRoad.ButitcautionedthatbusservicesontheSpit-MilitaryRoadcorridormustnotbecut. Itdescribed the studyas ‘inadequate’becauseitdidnotconsiderothertransportmodes,includingheavyandlightrail,ortakealong-termstrategicapproachto‘adequatelycatertothegrowingpopulation’ofthenorthernbeaches,whichissettoincreaseby45,000by2036.About9600passengersand210busesenterthecityfromthenorthernbeachesbetween0700and0900onweekdays.TheNeutralBayChamberofCommercesaidtheHarbourBridgeandWynyardalready fail tocopewith thevolumeofbusesandthe studydidnotaddresstheproblem.Itwouldalsocampaignagainsta lossofparking.WarringahCouncilstronglysupportedaBRTsysteminbothdirections.Ifonlyoneoptionispursued,itpreferredtheeast-westsolution,whichwouldcomplementaproposednorthernbeacheshospitalandgiveaccesstoalternativepublictransportoptionsatChatswood.TransportMinisterBerejiklianhassaidtheGovernmentisconsidering‘alloptions’foraBRTnetwork.HoweverTfNSWsaidtheGovernmenthadnoplanstowidentheSpitBridgeandthattheNSWLongTermTransportMasterPlanconsideredarangeofmeasuresforthecorridor,andthatworkwasunderwaytorelievecongestionforbusesenteringthecityfromtheHarbourBridge.

Second round of Sydney bus contractsAnannouncementwasmaderegardingtheseon29August.Thecontractsareforfiveyears,withathreeyearrightofrenewalsubjecttomeeting

performancestandards.Aswellascustomerserviceimprovementsandstrongeron-timerunningrequirements,63newbuseswillbeaddedtofleetsasoperatorstakeovertheirregionsfrommid-2014.Thesebusesareadditionaltothemorethan200newbusesannouncedinthe2013-14 State Budget.Therewere almost 30 tenders received for the fourcontracts.Thenewbuscontractholdersandthecontractedserviceimprovementsinclude:

a) Liverpool, Glenfield, Ingleburn, Bringelly and Hoxton Park regionContractawardedto:IngleburnBusServices,operatingasInterline.Approximatenumberofbuses:100Approximatenumberofjourneysperyear:2.5millionServiceimprovementsunderthenewcontractinclude:• 19newbusesonthefirstdayofoperation;• Improvedcustomerservicemeasuredthroughdetailedreporting

systemsmonitoredbyTransportforNSW;and• Acommitmenttohighontimerunningperformance–95%of

busesmustleaveontime.b) Blacktown, Rouse Hill, Castle Hill, Dural and Parramatta regionContractawardedto:ComfortDelGroCabcharge,operatingasHillsbusApproximatenumberofbuses:500Approximatenumberofjourneysperyear:11.5millionServiceimprovementsunderthenewcontractinclude:• 26newbusesonfirstdayofoperation;• Improvedcustomerservicemeasuredthroughdetailedreporting

systemsmonitoredbyTransportforNSW;• Acommitmenttohighontimerunningperformance–95%of

busesmustleaveontime;• Extrabusserviceson17routes;• Improvedrunningtimeson42routes;and• ImprovementstoNorthWestT-wayservicestomoreevenly

distributeservices

c) Lakemba, Mortdale, Punchbowl and Roselands regionContractawardedto:PunchbowlBusCompanyApproximatenumberofbuses:70Approximatenumberofjourneysperyear:800,000Serviceimprovementsunderthenewcontractinclude:• 4newbusesonfirstdayofoperation;• Improvedcustomerservicemeasuredthroughdetailedreporting

systemsmonitoredbyTransportforNSW;and• Acommitmenttohighontimerunningperformance–95%of

busesmustleaveontimed) Campbelltown, Narellan and Camden regionContractawardedto:Neville’sBusServices,operatingasBusaboutApproximatenumberofbuses:100Approximatenumberofjourneysperyear:2.5millionServiceimprovementsunderthenewcontractinclude:• 14newbusesonfirstdayofoperation;• Improvedcustomerservicemeasuredthroughdetailedreporting

systemsmonitoredbyTransportforNSWand• Acommitmenttohighontimerunningperformance-95per

centofbusesmustleaveontime

Sydney Light RailThefirstofthesecondhandtramsfromSpainwasplacedonthetracksin theHaymarket on themorning of 4 September after a two-houroperation,whichcommencedat0200.Despiteearliermediareportsitnowseemsthattherearefour,notthree,secondhandtrams,thefirstonebeingaCAFUrbos2vehicle.

A proposed State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure)Amendment(LightRail)2013(thedraftSEPP)willamendtheStateEnvironmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 (InfrastructureSEPP)toclarifyplanningpathwaysrelatedtolightrailbyincludinglightrailpurposeswithin thedefinitionof rail infrastructure facilities.This


TRANSIT NEWSFILE

willallowfortheundertakingofpreliminaryinvestigativeworks,suchassurvey,geotechnicalandcontaminationinvestigations,forfuturelightrailprojectsinNSWandtheCBDandSouthEastLightRailProject.

Sydney TrainsSome further details have surfaced of the Airport Rail Line capacityimprovementproject.Thepossiblefuturehighlevelservicerequirementsof the Airport Line is in the order of 18 to 20 trains per hour.Theoriginaldesignwas for12anhourandcurrentoperation is eightperhour.TheAirportLineCapacity ImprovementProject consistsof thefollowing:

• TractionpowersupplyupgradetosupporttheincreasedpeaktrainnumbersontheAirportLine;

• Firesafetyengineeringandthermalmanagementupgrades,tosupporttheincreasednumberofserviceswhilstmeetingrequiredcriteria;and

• Signallingupgradetoaccommodatetheadditionalservicesandcontrollingthenumberoftrainsinasectionoftrackatanyonetimeanddelivertheagreedfinalservicelevelsignallingsystemcapacity.

FlemingtonStationhasbeenaddedtothelistofthosewhereplanningisunderwayforamajorupgrade.Amongtheoptionsbeingconsideredfor Flemington Station are a new family accessible toilet, lifts, newstairstotheplatformsandupgradestolightingandCCTV,alongwithimprovementstotheinterchangeandthepedestrianbridge.On 17 September public copies of the 20 October timetable werereleased.Theassociatedpublicityannouncedthattherearemorethan1000additional services aweek, some220of thebeing the full timeweekday service on the Cumberland Line. Services are now moreconsistent and evenly spaced, withmany suburban stations receivingclock-faceservices10or15minutes.SomestationsclosertotheCBDreceive‘turn-up-and-go’services,withtrainsleavingeverythreetofourminutesinthepeaks.Printedcopieswereavailablefrom23September.TheOlympicParktoLidcombeshuttleservicenowrunsat10minutesheadwaysforalargepartoftheday,sevendaysperweek.

The community had Sutherland has been given the opportunity tocommentonplansforamulti-storeycommutercarparkwitharound340spacesnearSutherlandStation.TheproposedcarparkwillprovideagroundfloorcarparkfortheexclusiveuseofSutherlandUnitedServicesClub,withcommuter spacesontheupper levels.Subject toplanningapproval,constructionisexpectedtobeginin2014.

North West Rail LinkBymid-September construction of theTunnel BoringMachines hadcommencedatNFMTechnologiesinLyon,France.MostoftheTBMswilleventuallybeshippedtoPortBotanywhilethehugecutterheadsaretobeshippedtoeitherthePortofNewcastleorPortKembla,wheretheywillbetransportedtoSydneyonthebackofaheavyliftsemi-trailerasawideload.Eachofthefourmachineswill:• Weighmorethan900t;• Bemadeupof38largepiecesandfilltenshippingcontainers;• BebuiltusingcomponentsfromacrossEurope,withthecomplex

andprecisioncomponentsdesignedandpre-assembledinFrancethensenttoChinawheresteelstructureslikethecutterheadsandbackuptrailerswillbemade;

• BeassembledandtestedoverseasbeforebeingpulledapartandshippedtoAustralia;

• Takeabouteightweekstore-assemblewhenallthepartsarriveinSydney;

• BepurposebuilttocutthroughSydneysandstoneatarateofabout120maweekonaverage;and,

• Bestaffedbyateamof15peopleoneveryshift,operating24hoursadaysevendaysaweek.

Stephen Miller photographed this Port Macquarie bound Busways Route 334K service as it departed Kendall on 19 September. In the background in this NSW Lower North Coast Town is a piece of public art that is almost universal in cities, suburbs and towns that existed at the start of the Twentieth Century in the form of a World War I memorial. Busways 6881 MO is an MAN with Custom Coaches body.

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QUEENSLANDBrisbane

Undergroundbus stations couldbebuilt underGeorge andAdelaideStreetsintheCBD,aspartofacouncilplantoreducecitycongestion.BCChas releaseddetailsof aproposed$260mundergroundcitybusloop,containedinCouncil’spre-feasibilitystudyintotheSuburbs2CityBuslink.Undertheplan, thenewstationswouldconnect theexistingQueenStreet andKingGeorgeSquareunderground stops.The studyalso investigated a dedicated bus link from Adelaide Street to SouthBrisbaneandatunnelunderAdelaideStreet toFortitudeValleyatanestimatedcostof$2.2b.InthewakeofanearlierannouncementbythePremierofplansfora‘BrisbaneUnderground’systemincorporatingrailandbusservices,BCCsaidthatthetwostrategieswouldcomplementeachother.ThePremier’sproposal also removes theneed for a new city bus bridge connectingAdelaideStreetandSouthBrisbane,firstproposedin2005.

Brisbane TrainsThe contract for the delivery of the next order of EMUs should beawardedbeforeChristmas.TheNewGenerationRollingstock,NGR,projectentailsthedeliveryof75six-cartrains.Itwasputouttotenderin2011,andwasrecentlynarroweddowntotwobidders,Bombardierandaconsortium includingMitsubishi. Itwasannouncedearlier thisyearthattheprojectwouldbefundedthroughan‘availabilitypayment’PPP,ratherthanalump-sumpayment.If thishappensconstructionofaplannedmaintenancefacilityforthenewtrains,inWulkuraka,wouldbeginearlyinnextyear.

Gold Coast UpdateAkeytoGoldCoastCityCouncil’splanstoeasetrafficcongestiononthecity’sroadsremainsBRT.TheCouncil’sdrafttransportplanincorporates13BRTroutestocoincidewiththeLRTstartingnextyear.TheCouncilstrategyalsorecommendsareviewoffarezoneboundariesandcreatingfamily and tourist ticket packages.However transport authorities feelthese fare structures are complex and will require more talks. TheDepartment ofTransport andMainRoads felt that the delivery of ahigh-frequency bus network would be difficult to achieve by 2014.TransLink also prefers the initial planning focus only on four routes:BroadbeachtoTweedHeads,HelensvaletoGriffithUniversity,RobinatoBroadbeachandNerangtoSurfersParadise.TheCouncilisseekingsevenextensionstothelightrailnetworkby2031.TheseincludeGoldCoastAirport,BiggeraWaters,RobinaalongwithMainBeach toTheSpit,Parklands toParkwoodandSurfersParadisetoBundall.TransportandMainRoadshadsupportedextendinglightrail southfromBroadbeachtoBurleighHeadsasapriority.However,MinisterScottEmersonsignalledthenorthernheavyraillinkwasmoreimportant.TransportandMainRoadsalsorecommendedthatanyLRTextensionbedependentuponsignificantprivatesectorinvestment.In the preparations for the Commonwealth Games, Council officersare completing a range of transport studies includingnewpark’n’ridestations, transit malls and ‘potential enhancements’ to light rail.Meanwhile,TransportandMainRoadsareworkingonaCommonwealthGamesnetwork,whichinvolvesallocatingexistingroadspaceor‘Gameslanes’forathletesandspectators.Buseswouldbethemajortransporttovenues,withlightrailusedina‘supportingrole’.

Gold Coast Light RailFrom7SeptemberGoldlinQbeganpoweringtheoverhead.Apublicitycampaigntoinformthepublicofthedangerswasconducted.TheshipwiththefirsttwotramsarrivedatPortofBrisbane’sFishermanIslandon8September,andthetramswereunloadedon10September.Thesecondtramwasinthedepotonthemorningof14September.On20SeptemberBombardierTransportationpublicallypresentedthefirstFLEXITY2tramforthesystemataceremonytomarkthelaunchofthenewbrandingforoperatorfranchisee,GoldLinQ.Afurthersixtrams are on their way to Australia, with the remaining trams to bedeliveredbyearly2014.

ByaboutthistimethelastgirderhadbeenplacedontheNerangRiverBridge,whichwasreadyfortracklaying.The printmedia on theGold Coast in early September contained areport on project progress. By late September trial running was tocommence.Thetrialtripsarealsotestingsafetyprecautionsandtrainingdrivers,manyofwhomwillnothaveheavyvehicleorpublictransportexperience.NewdriversareonlyrequiredtoholdafullQueenslandcarlicenceandon-the-jobtrainingwillbeprovided.BeforetheopeninginJune2014builderKDRsays that there is stillmuchtobedonesuchastracklaying,landscaping,driverrecruitment,safetytestingandtrialruns.ThedepotatSouthportofficiallyopenedjustbeforethefirstcararrived.The24-houradaycontrolroom,themaintenancefacilitiesandwashbayswillallbeatthedepot.Staffinthecontrolroomwillhandlecallsfromtheemergencyphonesateachstationandwillbeabletoseeeachtramandstationplatforminrealtime.A network of 400 CCTV cameras will monitor the 13 km line, alltramsandspecificpointsalongtheroute.TherewillbenoformalsafetyeducationprogramsurroundingthelaunchofthelightrailsystembutGoldlinQ says that people will be encouraged to be cautious whenwalking,drivingorridingneartheline.Ifpeopleareawareandfollowtheroadrules,theywillbesafe.A team from Bombardier Transportation is working at the GCLR’sheadquartersinSouthporttodevelopthesoftwareandsystemsrequiredtooperatethetramsfromthecontrolcentre.Thesoftwarewillruntheoperatingsystem,controlitsequipmentandmonitortrammovements.Thesystemwillalsocontrolequipmentacrossthecorridor,suchasfans,escalators and lifts. Itwill also control the power supply, allowing anoperatortoisolatesectionsoftheoverheadlineandturnthepowerofforonifrequired.Theoperatorswillbeabletousethesystemtotracktram positions along the corridor and gather information about ontimeoperation.Thisinformationwillbeusedasinputtothedynamictimetable, which is used to update live public displays at stations,allowingpassengerstoseeestimatedarrivaltimesofthenexttram.Thesoftwarewillalsohelpcontrol theCCTVcamerasalongthecorridor.Theteamhascommencedthefirstphaseoftestingthesystemsandwillcontinue throughout theyear, enteringamore intensiveperiodwhentramsbegintesting.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAAdelaide

Adelaide BusesBusperformancefiguresfortheJanuarytoMarch2013quarterhavebeenreleasedbytheDepartmentofPlanning,TransportandInfrastructure.Allcontractareasmettheirbenchmarkperformancetargetsduringthequarter,withtheexceptionoftheNorthSouthcontractarea.

LightCityBuses,whichhasthecontractfortheNorthSoutharea,hasbeenfined$19,200fornotmeetingallofitsbenchmarkperformancetargets for the period. Changes introduced inMay, transferred eightroutesintheNorthSouthcontractareatoananother.Theoveralldatafor thequarter shows therewereconsiderable improvements indriverquality,vehiclecleanlinessandconditionaswellascustomerserviceanddriverbehaviour.Thequarterlydataiscompiledfrommorethan2000on-bus audits. DPTI monitors performance and works with serviceproviderstoimprovethequalityofbusservices.

Adelaide TrainsThefirstEMUset,4001,madewhatwas apparently itsfirst test runbetweenSeafordandNoarlungaCentralon5September.ItapparentlyranbothwaysontheDowntrack.

TheRoyalAdelaideShowwasheldon6-14September thisyearand,aswellastheusualbusservicesthenewWayvilleStationwasusedfora rail service,despite therestof theNoarlungaLinebeingclosed.Aninspectionon9Septemberrevealedthattwotrainswererunningat15minutesheadwaysfromtheCityviatherebuiltNoarlungaDownline,unloaded and loaded at theWayvilleDown platform, then departedsouth to the crossover and reversed onto the Up Noarlunga line to


TRANSIT NEWSFILE

Above: Looking north from Lynton Terrace Bridge, just north of Seaford Station, towards Adelaide, showing the crossovers and overhead.Left: Seaford Meadows Depot, looking south east from Saubieres Road, with the main line to Seaford on the right.Below: Seaford Meadows Station, the one intermediate station on the extension, looking north towards Adelaide. The main lines are on the left, and the depot access track is on the right. The shed at Seaford Meadows Depot can be seen over the top of the station footbridge. New housing development is on the left.

Adelaide Electrification Photographs by Tom Wilson on 15 September

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Above: Looking south over the Onkaparinga River at the rail bridge, now fitted with its overhead electrification equipment.Left: Brighton Station with its new overhead, looking south and away from Adelaide, towards the three-track station from the Beach Road pedestrian crossing, the location of the 1913 - 1976 Brighton Station. The existing station was built in 1976 as part of the extension to Christie Downs and several years later, Noarlunga Centre. Brighton Station is a short-working train terminus about half way between Adelaide and Noarlunga Centre.Below: Seacliff Station, looking south and away from Adelaide from the Wheatland Street crossing past the down platform. When the line was duplicated and extended in 1976, Seacliff Station was split so that the platforms were on the departure side of the crossing.


TRANSIT NEWSFILE

proceedto thecity.Asubstantial teamatbothAdelaideandWayvillewasoverseeingallofthis.Loadingwaslightatmid-morning;bothtrainswerethree3000-classcars.JumboshavebeenusedinpreviousyearsbutwiththeNoarlungalineclosed,ample3000swereavailable.By15SeptemberelectrificationseemedtobevirtuallycompletesouthofNoarlungaCentral,whiletheoverheadseemedtobealmostcompleteasfarnorthasBrighton.AtthesametimedoubletrackwasvisibleontheTonsleyBranchbetweenthejunctionandDawsRoad.TheBelairLineclosedforovernightworkstoallowforNoarlungaLineelectrificationworks,fortwoweeksfrom16September.Therewillbemore evening off-peak restrictions and weekend line closures in thecomingmonthsforfurtherwork.Itwasannouncedon18SeptemberthattheNoarlungaLinewouldnotreopen for diesel train operation be the promised end of themonth.Diesel rail services on the Noarlunga line will regrettably be unabletoresumeinSeptember.Itwasstatedthatthecontractorsinvolvedininstallingthenewsignallingsystemswerenotascompleteasitshouldhave been.The substitute bus service is continuing to run until thelinereopens.TherailsubstitutebusesarenowfreeofchargeuntiltheNoarlungalineservicesresume.

TASMANIAOn3SeptembertheMinisterforSustainableTransport,MrNickMcKim,unveiledoneoffournewMetroarticulatedbuses.Thenewbusesreplacefour 27-year-old articulated buses and continue the modernisationof the fleet underMetro’s bus replacement program.Metro currentlymeetsDDArequirements foraccessiblepublic transportwith65%ofservicesaccessible.Thenewbusescost$2.72m,whichwasfundedfromanadditional$3.25mprovidedtoMetrobytheStateGovernmentforinfrastructureimprovements.Athree-monthstatewidefaresrevenueprotectionprogramtrialbeganon 9 September with police officers acting as authorised officers tocheck and enforce payment of fares. Hand-held Greencard devicesare being used to check boarding and trip information of passengersusing aGreencard.Visual checksofpaper tickets andpasseswill alsobe conducted including passenger eligibility for concessional travel.Thetrialisintendedtodeterminetheextentoffareevasionandunderpaymentacrossthenetwork.Itwasnotedthatsomepassengersmaynotbe aware they are breaking the law, for example if they are travellingfurtherthanthedefaulttripontheirGreencardoriftheirentitlementtoafareconcessionhaschanged.Tasmania’sSeniorswereoffereda freeGreencarduntil7Octoberandwere able to travel free for aweek from1October.All SeniorsCardholderswereabletotravelfreeonallMetrobuseson5and6October.

VICTORIAGeelong

VicTrack called tenders,which closedon16October, for thedesign,procurement, supply, construction, installation and commissioningofsignallingforthenewGrovedaleStation.

MelbourneGrowing pains in Melbourne’s fringe suburbs have led to calls forcouncil population targets and for an independent body to manageinfrastructure planning in the city’s growth areas. New Bureau ofStatisticsdataconfirmthatMelbourneishometothefourpostcodeswiththefastestpopulationgrowthinthenation,withSouthMorang,PointCookandTarneitmorethandoublingtheirpopulationsinthefiveyearsto2012.SouthMoranghasgrownbymorethan38,000peoplesince2001,aboutthesizeofaregionaltown.Butraillines,roadsandschools,havenotalwaysaccompaniedthesprawlinghousingdevelopments.DrCarolynWhitzman,associateprofessorofurbanplanningatMelbourneUniversity, has studied the south western municipality ofWyndhamandsaidtheresidentsofthenation’sfastest-growingcouncilareafacedtremendouswork-lifebalanceissues.One-thirdofthepopulationtravelmorethantwohourstoandfromworkeachdayandtheareawillneedoneortwonewschoolseveryyearforthenext20yearstokeepupwithcurrentgrowth.ItisasimilarsituationinSouthMorangandMerndain themunicipal areaofWhittlesea,whichneeds$764million spentonroadsalone.TheStateGovernmentsays ithas reformsunderway,includingthebetteruseofmandatorycontributionsfromdevelopers.

DrWhitzmansaidcouncils, includingthose in innerandmiddle-citysuburbs, should be given population targets to ensure more growthoccurred in areaswith established infrastructure. ‘Onemechanism toeasesomeofthestrainfromtaxpayersistobuildmorehousingwherethereisalreadytransport,jobsandinfrastructure’,shesaid.

WhittleseaCityCouncilhascalled forapolitically independentbodyto oversee infrastructure development inMelbourne, pointing to thefailureofpreviousstrategicplanstooutlastchangesinstategovernments.Whittlesea’s director of advocacy and communications, Mr GriffDavis, said the outer suburbshad suffered from the short-term focusof governments.He said the $6 billion to $8 billion pledged for theeast-west linkshouldbeusedtofundurgentlyneededrailextensions,includingthelinkfromSouthMorangtoMernda.

The change of bus contractors in Melbourne has resulted in sights such as this Ventura liveried vehicle operating a Transdev Route 305 service at Doncaster photographed by Bob Wilson on 15 August. The bus is a Scania L113 CRB with a Volgren body.

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Fishermans BendTheinitialvisionforthismajorexpansionoftheMelbourneCBDhasbeenreleasedforpublicviewing,withanumberof itemsoftransportplanningmentioned.

Melbourne’s existingCBDwill be connected to theBay through thedevelopmentofanewcivicspine,extendingfromCollinsStreet,overtheYarraRiverandthroughtoGardenCity.

As theprimarypublic transport route toandthroughtheFishermansBendprecinct,thenewcivicspinewillbecomea‘mainstreet’andfocusfor intensive development and activity.The design of the new civicspinewillgiveprioritytowalking,cyclingandpublictransport,andbepunctuatedbyaseriesofdistincturbansquaresandspacesthatbecomeafocusforpubliclife.

AnextensionoftheCollinsStreettramlinecouldbebuiltintwostages,as Fishermans Bend develops.TheCollins Street tram extensionwillinclude:

• Anewpedestrian,cycleandtramrivercrossing;• Anewpedestrian,cycleandtrambridgeovertheM1Freeway;• Aseriesofpublicspacesandsquaresattramstops;• Givingprioritytotramoperationstoensurefastandreliable

services;• Identify,protectandsecurefuturelandrequirementsforstreet

wideningandpublictransportservices;and• Streetscapeenhancementsandgreening.Inthelongerterm,Melbourne’sundergroundrailnetworkisproposedtoextendintoFishermansBend,providinganimportanthighcapacityconnection to theCity Loop and broader rail network. Eventually, anewFishermansBendStationwillbelocatedalongthecivicspinenearIngles Street, providing a catalyst for higher density commercial and

retaildevelopment,aswellasimportantcivicandcommunityfacilities.AsecondMetrostationmaybelocatedfurtherwestwithinWirraway.

An integrated approach to transportwill encourage interchange fromrailstationstoothersustainablemodesoftransport,includingwalking,cycling,busandtramnetworks.

Potentialpriorityprojectsinclude:• MajorpublicsquaresaroundpotentialMetrostations;• Higherordercommercialandretailconcentrationsaroundtram

stopsandpotentialMetrostations;• Finegrainstreetnetworkandpedestrianrouteswithina

10-minutewalkoffuturestations;• Identifyandprotectfuturelandrequirementsforpotential

stations;• Linkcyclingcorridorswithincloseproximityoffuturestationsto

promoteintermodalconnectivity;• Developapackageofbusnetworkandserviceimprovementsfor

theearlystagesofdevelopment;• Identify,protectandsecurefuturelandrequirementsforstreet

wideningalongpublictransportcorridors;and• StreetscapeenhancementsinInglesStreet.

Melbourne FerriesTheWestgatePunt,whichferriescyclistsacrossthelowendoftheYarraRiver each day, has been spared from scrapping after a Governmentreviewfoundthatpatronageisgrowing.Patronagehasrisenthisyeartoanaverage103passengersaday,upfrom72,withatotalofmorethan40,000boardingssincetheservicereturnedinOctober2011.CyclinggroupBicycleNetworkVictoriasaidthepuntisnotbeingusedasheavilyasitcouldbebecauseofalackofconnectingbikepaths.Arecentsurveyof cyclists found the puntwas highly valued andmore than 96%ofpassengerssaidtheywereeithersatisfiedorverysatisfiedwiththeservice.

Melbourne TrainsBy 9 September Platform 2 at Springvale was closed as part of thelevel crossing replacement program. Since the project began in Junetheresponsiblealliancehasbeenundertakingworkssuchasrelocatingservices, installing concrete pilings for retaining walls and changingturninglanesinpreparationfortheexcavationofthenewrailcuttingandthe installationof thebridgeoverSpringvaleRoad.Platform2 isclosedwhilepreparatoryworkisundertakenforthenewcutting.Roadclosuresandsomeinterruptionstorailservicesoccurredbetween20and29Septembertoallowconstructionofthebridgedeckthatwillspanthenewrailcutting.Busesreplacedtrainswherenecessaryanddetourswereinplacewhenroadswereclosed.

Melbourne TramsInAugustYarraTramsmetitspunctualitytarget,achieving82.83%,andservicedeliverytarget,achieving99.13%.

YarraTrams has introduced a new tone to indicate that an on-boardannouncementisabouttobemade.

ParkingspacesandlanesoftrafficalongmajorMelbournetramroutesshould be removed to ease growing congestion in theCBD, and thePremiumLineProject,whichwouldseedozensofparkingspacesandseveral car lanes vanish alongRoute 96 from StKilda toBrunswick,shouldbeexpandedtootherroutestospeeduptrams,accordingtotheAccessingOurCitiesreport.Thereport,bytheTourismandTransportForum and consultantsBooz&Company, also recommended givingpensioners freeoff-peak travel,extendingopeninghoursof shopsandlibraries and holding more special events after hours to encouragecommuters todelaytheir journeyhomeandspreadtheeveningpeak.ItalsourgedgovernmentstoconsidertheprosandconsofroadpricinglikeaLondon-stylecongestion tax.TTFDeputyCEOandTransportPolicy Director Mr Trent Zimmerman said congestion would costMelbournealmost$7bperannumby2020.Melbournehasoneoftheslowesttramnetworksintheworld,withtramstravellingatanaverage

At Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station on 14 March Bob Wilson photographed the locomotive as it waited out its last journeys, for the class was withdrawn by the end of April.


TRANSIT NEWSFILE

speedofjust10km/hthroughtheCBDandsharingtheroadwithothervehicles 80%of the time saidMrZimmerman.He added that therewere twoways to speed up trams. ‘You give them greater priority attrafficlightsbutsecondly,segregatethetracks,whichiswhereyouneedtheroadspace.Thatmixwithgeneraltraffic,alongwiththedeadtimewhenyou are stuck at traffic lights or just stuck in traffic, causes thesystemtocreaktoaslowpace.’MrZimmermansaidthatcommunityconsultation,particularlywithretailers,wouldbeneeded.‘Attheendoftheday,itisinMelbourne’sinteresttohaveatramsystemthatworksmoreeffectively.Insomeways,thetramsystemtodayisslowerthanitwas50or60yearsago,’hesaid.‘Gettingthetramsystemmovinghastobeapriorityandthatbringsbenefitstotheentirecommunity.’

Infrastructure worksYarraTrams renewed overhead wires in Royal Parade, Parkville on 1September,whenRoute19tramsoperatedasRoute19abetweenNorthCoburgterminusandStop19atBrunswickandSydneyRoads.Busesreplaced trams between Stop 19, Brunswick and Sydney Roads, andStop2,Collins andElizabethStreets, travelling viaRoyalParade andElizabethStreet.Yarra Trams undertook track extension works in Victoria HarbourDocklands on the evening of 13 September.During theworkRoute48tramsoperatedasRoute48abetweenNorthBalwynandStopD15at Batman’s Hill/Collins Street, which is approximately 400m fromVictoriaHarbourterminus.Therewasnobussubstitutionforthislastdistance.AspartoftheprogramofmodificationsinpreparationforthearrivaloftheEClasscars,inAugustandSeptemberthesafetyfenceatsevenstopsonNicholsonStreetwasextended.DuringtrackmaintenanceonBourkeStreetservicechangeswereinplacefromfirst tramon5October to last tramon6October.CityboundRoute86and96tramsoperatedviaLaTrobeStreetinbothdirectionsinsteadofBourkeStreet.BecauseoftrackrenewalandaccessiblestopconstructiononElizabethStreet service changeswere in place fromfirst tram on 5October tolasttramon9October.DuringtheworkcityboundRoute19,57and59 trams terminated at Stop 6, Franklin Street. Passengers travellingbetween Flinders Street Station and LaTrobe Street were advised tocatchaSwanstonStreettram,aLaTrobeStreet/QueenStreetbusoraCityLooptrain.

FleetItisnowbeingreportedthattheentryintoserviceofEClasstramswillseeamendmentstoservicesthatwill seenoWClass inpublicserviceexceptontheCityCircle.CarE6002wastestrunningby29August.

Regional Rail LinkThe first section of the RRL project to be completed, MelbourneSouthern Cross station platforms 15 and 16, was tested with theoperationoftrainsofVlocityandSprinterDieselMultipleUnits,on11,13and14September.Theseplatformswillcomeintousewithanewtimetableon1December.

ThesectionoftheRRLfromSouthKensingtontoSunshineisexpectedto come into use form July 2014, involving new timetables for theBallarat and Bendigo lines. The new line from Deer ParkWest viaTarneit toWestWerribeewill open in 2015, involving a radical newtimetablefortheGeelongline.Inotherwords,timetablesforallpartsoftheV/Linenetwork,excepttheNorthEastandGippslandlineswillbedifferent.Therewasan11dayfulloccupationfortheprojectfrom3-13October.Bus replacement services ran during the closure on the Sunbury linebetweenAlbionandFootscray,andcoachesreplacedtrainsontheBallaratlinebetweenBallaratandSouthernCrossStationandtheBendigolinebetweenSunburyandSouthernCrossStation.Majorworksundertakenduringthisperiodincluded:

• ContinuedworkstoremovetwolevelcrossingsatAndersonRoad,Sunshine;

• SignificantbridgeworksatNicholsonStreetandHopkinsStreet,Footscray;

• OngoingconstructionworkstoupgradeSunshineandFootscrayrailwaystations;

• ExtensivetrackandsignallingworkstoconnecttheexistingBallaratlinetothenewRegionalRailLinktracksinDeerPark;

• InstallationofbeamsandadeckpouratChristiesRoadbridge,Ravenhall;

• SignallingworksattheRobinsonsRoad(DeerPark)andFitzgeraldRoad(Ardeer);

• LevelcrossingsandupgradeworksatpedestriancrossingsbetweenSunshineandDeerPark;

• StructuralworkonthefreightflyoverinFootscray;• Extensiveretainingwallworksandutilityinstallationworks;and• Remoteupgradestotraincontrolsystems.

Regional VictoriaTherestorationofMaryboroughRailwayStationhasbeen recognisedwithaUNESCOAsia-PacificAwardforCulturalHeritage.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAPerth

Perth TrainsBelmontParkstationontheArmadalelineclosedon13OctoberattheendofthewinterracingseasonatBelmontParkRacecourse.BelmontParkisoneofonlytwospecialeventstationsonthePerthsystemandislittleused.ClosureisforthedevelopmentofthenewstationtoservethenewsportsPerthStadiumtobebuiltonformerBurswoodGolfCourseland.ShuttlevehicleswillserveRacegoersfromBurswoodstationuntilthenewstationisopenedin2018.AllThornlielineservicespreviouslystoppedatBelmontParkonracedaysbuttherewerefewpassengersfortheracecourse.

TheWAbudget includes a$2parking fee at allmetropolitan railwaystations from 1 July 2014.Transport Minister MrTroy Buswell haslikeneditto ‘agoldcoindonation’fortheuseofthecarparks.Therehasbeenabacklashfromcommutersandcommunitieswiththelatterconcernedaboutparkinginstreetsclosetostations.

Public Transport Authority Tenders

Closed on 17 August: Engagement of a RailSys modelling specialistto assist in the operational evaluation of the current network and totest future service scenarios.Thiswill entail an assessment of currentand future proposed infrastructure capacity, operational reliability,rollingstockperformanceandrollingstockrequirements.TheRailSysmodellingspecialistwillreporttothePTA’sRouteUtilisationStrategies.InMarch 2013 thePTAundertook an operational assessment of theproposedThornlielineextensiontodeterminethelongtermcapacityoftherailnetworktomeetfuturedemand.ThecommissionedconsultantdevelopedaRailSysmodeltoevaluatethiscapacityusingastaticmodelassessmentfocusingontheprojectarea,theexistingnetworkimpactedbytheproposalandPerthStation.ThePTAnowseekstoextendthisworktocovertherestofthenetworkincludingtheMidlandandFremantlelinesaswellastheproposedAirport linkandYanchepextension.TheRailSysmodellingspecialistwill:• CompletethedevelopmentofthePTA’sRailSysmodeltoenable

staticanddynamicsimulationofservicesacrossthenetwork,includingtheproposedraillinksidentifiedinthedraft20yearpublictransportplan;and

• UndertakemodellingofvariousnetworkandoperationalproposalsofthePerthpassengerrailwaynetwork.

Closed on 5 August: Provision of high pressure cleaning services forvariousstationsonthenetwork.Atotalof34stationsareintheproposed2013/14workscheduleand further stationswillbe incorporated intothe annual work schedule at the discretion of the PTA.The servicesconsistofindustrialcleaningbyuseofhighwaterpressuremethodstoremovealldirt,dust,cobwebs,chewinggumanddebrisfrombuildingsandstructures.

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Closed10August:PerthStadium transportproject,main cable routerelocation.Relocationofapproximately2kmoftheArmadalelinemainrailwaysignallingandcommunicationscablerouteandsomeassociatedcabling to facilitate thenewtrack layout.Theworks shall include thesupply,installationandtestingofallrequiredmaterials.

Future OperationsTender documents for the tenders listed above, for the modellingspecialist and cable relocation have revealed some interesting theoriesregardingtheshapeofthefuturesystem.

Driverlesstrainsaresuggestedasoneoptionforthesystem,whilstothersincludetrainsattwo-minuteheadways,morestationsandtheabilitytolineuptrainsendtoendtohelpdispersecrowdsfromthenewfootballstadium.ThedocumentsspecificallyseekprivatesectorinformationonnewtechnologiesthatwouldallowthePTAtofuture-proofitssignalling,indicating a need to accommodate network expansions and changes,includingmoreautomation.Otherinformationinthedocumentsshownewsignallingwouldneedtohandleanairportlink,stationsatAubinGrove,KarnupandSouthPerth,andextendingtheJoondalup,ArmadaleandThornlielines.Aswellasshorterheadwaysthesignallingwouldhavetoprovidefortheefficientdispersalofcrowdsfromthefootballstadium,whichcouldincludenine-cartrains.

WESTERN PACIFICNEW ZEALAND

AucklandAuckland Buses

SomeshoulderbuslanesontheNorthwesternMotorwayclosedon16SeptemberaspartoftheNZTransportAgency’slong-termdevelopmentoftheWesternRingRouteroadproject.Newbuslanesareexpectedtoopeninstagesfrom2015astheprojectprogresses.

Auckland TrainsThere was a major update on the electrification, presented on 4September:

Signalling

Thesignallingandtraincontrolsystemswerecompletelyinstalledandareoperational.Some18months earlier therewas anaverageofover100 faults amonth to the signalling system, points or other controlequipment.This isdown toabout50amonthand is expected togolower. This number includes many small issues that may not affectpassengerservices.Stilltobecompletedistheautomatictrainprotectionsystem.

Traction

KiwiRail said that their contractors have now completed all of thestanchion foundationsandhaveover70%of the stanchions inplace,some2785outof3825.Therewilleventuallybe550kmofoverheadwireonthenetworkandsofar355kmhavebeeninstalled,about65%.Still tobedoneare theWesternLine fromMtAlbert toNewmarket,NewmarkettoBritomart,theEasternLinefromWestfieldtoBritomartandsomearoundPapakura.KiwiRailalsosaysthat90%oftheearthingandbondingof elements in and around the railnetwork is completewhiletheyare60%ofthewaythroughinstallingthescreenonbridgestohelppreventaccesstotheoverhead.

Overtheweekendof7-8Septemberwiringwascompletedonthe15kmWestfield toWiri section and thiswas followedby the successfulenergisationandshortcircuit testingof theWiriEMUDepot,whichconcludedontheevening10September.

Operational PreparednessKiwiRailhavedecidedthattheywillnotbemaintainingtheoverheadandwillbecontractingtheworktoanothercompany,withnegotiationscurrentlyunderway.

Electric TrainsThefirst trainwent through initial testingatWiri.Thenext twowillarrivetogetherinNovemberthentwoamonthuntilNovember2014.FromDecember2014therewillbefourpermontharrivinguntilall57aredeliveredaroundJuly2015,whichisearlierthanoriginallyplannedbecauseCAFopenedanadditionalproductionline.Thefirstthreetrainswillundergotestingfor3-4months,afterwhichtrains4-9areexpectedtotakeabouttwomonthstotest,followedbyabout4-5weeksbeforebeingreadyforserviceorfortraining.Testingwilltakeplaceatnightorduringsomeweekendshutdownswhentherearenootherservices.ThefirstpassengerservicesaretimedforApril2014ontheOnehungaLine,assomeseventrainsarerequiredforthis.Serviceswillfollowonaline-by-linebasisandonlywhenthereareenoughtrainstoreplacealloftheservicesonalineatoncetoavoidmixedrunningwherepossible.FollowingOnehungatheManukauservicesshouldstartinmid2014.TheSouthernLinewillfollowattheendof2014andtheWesternLinein2015.AsafetycampaignwaslaunchedinthefirstweekofSeptembertowarnthepublicthattheywillnotgetasecondchanceif theygettoocloseto the overhead that powers the city’s new electric trains. KiwiRail,Auckland Transport and Transdev have developed the advertisingcampaign. Itsmessage is particularly aimed at the youthmarket.Thecampaignwillmakeuseofsocialmediaandsupportedbypostersandbillboards,newspaper,radioandmagazineadvertising.

Thefirst trainwasofficiallyunveiledatWiriDepoton12SeptemberwhenitwasannouncedthatdrivertrainingwastostartinOctober.

ChristchurchChristchurch Trams

The Christchurch tramway reopened in mid-October after a winterincrease in the speed of restoration of tracks, installing overhead andrepaintingtrams.TheinitialroutestartsatthetopofNewRegentStreet;weaves through Cathedral Junction, across Cathedral Square to theCanterburyMuseumandreturn.ProblemsinaccessingpartsofArmaghStreetmean that itwill beMarch2014 at the earliest before the full‘loop’ is available.Extending the routedownOxfordTerrace throughtotheRe:StartMallcouldbecompletebyMaynextyear.Alltramswillhavevideodisplaystoshowvisitorswhatinner-cityspaceslookedlikebeforetheearthquakesandwhattheycouldlooklikeinthefuture.ThereisapossibilityofextendingtheroutetotheManchester/High/LichfieldStreetscornerwherebusinessactivityisincreasing.

A restoredBirneyCar from Invercargill will feature on the reopenedtramway.

HamiltonAlmosttwo-thirdsofHamilton’sbusroutesarefailingkeybenchmarksaccording to a report that argues that regional council-controlledbus services are unsustainable. The region’s mayors have balked atsuggestionsthatratepayersputmoremoneyintothebusnetwork,sayingunderperformingservicesneedtoberestricted.Thereportsaidthattheregionneeded tomove toward amore ‘demand-led’ service,with thecurrentlevelofbusservices‘notfinanciallysustainable’.Hamilton’sbusnetworkhas26routesandmakesup90%ofWaikato’spublictransportservices.Thereportfoundthat16Hamiltonrouteswereeithermarginalorpoorwhenitcametopeakpassengernumbersandtheproportionoftheservicecostmetbyitsusers.Buspatronagehasrisenfrom1.7milliontripsin2002-03tomorethan5milliontripsin2012-13.

WellingtonAthree-weekSpringtotheStreettransportchallengeforpeopletousealternative transport in theWellingtonregionstartedon9Septemberwith people encouraged to leave their car behind and use publictransport, walking, cycling, and carpooling. The challenge involvedindividualsor teamskeeping trackof everynon-recreational trip theymake,withprizes for thosewhoearn themostpoints.Aspartof thechallenge,thefirstOpenStreetSundaywasheldon22Septemberandincludedmusicandfoodstalls.


TRANSIT NEWSFILE

Wellington TrainsFrom mid-September real time passenger information displays wereintroducedacrosstheWellingtonregion,beginningwiththeJohnsonvillelinebeforeexpandingregion-widebytheendofthemonth.TheGPSinformationwillalsobeavailableonline,viatextmessage,andthroughtheMetlinkcallcentre.ThesametechnologywasintroducedonMetlinkbusesin2011and2012.

SOUTH EAST ASIAINDONESIA

JakartaAs part of a plan to convert buses to operate on CNG, the Jakartaadministrationhas signedacontractwith the state-ownedoilandgascompanyPTPertamina,whichwill ensure the fuel supply.Pertaminahas prepared refuelling stations and four mobile refuelling units toserveJakartabuses.Thecityisinatenderprocesstoprocure450CNGTransjakarta buses and 800 minibuses by the end of this year, andanother1,000and3,000,bytheendof2014.Theadministrationisalsopreparingtoconvert3,000three-wheeledtaxiseveryyeartousegas,andgraduallyconvertallofficialcarsaswell.

MedanTwohigh-speedtrains,runningthe42kmbetweenMedanandKualaNamuInternationalAirport(KNIA)inNorthSumatra,wereputintoservicelastmonth.ThetrainsweremanufacturedbyWoojinIndustrialSystemCoLtdinSouthKoreaandarrivedon30August.Eachtrainhasfourcarsforatotalloadof172passengers.Anothertwotrainsarrivedat the end of September. Each train can run at speeds of up to 100km/h.Sincetheopeningoftheairporton25JulyRailinkhasoperatedtwotrains,eachwithfivecarsthatcanholdupto308passengers.Thecurrenttrainsmake10roundtripsaday,withthefirsttraindepartingMedanat0400Atthemomentthereareabout3,200dailypassengers.

MALAYSIAPenang

Penangmain bus service, Rapid Penang, has received 80 new Scaniabusestoexpanditscurrentfleetof320vehicles.Another120newbuseswillbedeliveredtoRapidPenangbyAugustnextyear.The120,whichwill include 40 double-decker 12m buses, will replace 120Chinesebusescurrentlyinuse.

SINGAPORESingapore

The Singapore Land Transport Authority has appointed McConnellDowellSouthEastAsia(SEA)PrivateLimitedandSKE&C(Singapore)to complete constructionworks for threeDowntownLine 2,DTL2,stations following the insolvency of the earlier contractorAlpineBauGmbH,whichwas awarded the contract fordesign and constructionof the stations in September 2009.McConnellDowell (SEA)PrivateLimited will complete the construction of Sixth Avenue and KingAlbertParkstationsandassociatedtunnels,whileSKE&C(Singapore)willcompletetheconstructionofTanKahKeeStationandassociatedtunnels.

Withanexpeditedworkschedule,DTL2shouldbecompletedbymid-2016.

Constructionworks at the other nineDTL2 stations are progressingonschedule,LTAstated.Excavationworksatallthestationshavebeencompletedwhilebase slab concreteworks are substantially completedfor most of the stations. Overall stations and tunnels are roughly50%complete.All12stationsareexpectedtoachievebasicstructuralcompletionby2014,followingwhichelectrical,mechanicalworksandtestrunningoftrainswillbecarriedout.

By early September the LTA had added 248 new buses under a BusServiceEnhancementProgram,BSEP.Thisisnearlyhalfofthe550busesthat theGovernment pledged to add to the public transport system.

UnderBSEP, aimed at expanding public bus capacity and improvingbusservicelevels,theSingaporeGovernmentwillpayforthe550buseswhilepublictransportoperatorswillpayforanother250buses.Givingaone-yearreportontheprogramme,LTAandpublictransportoperatorsSBSTransitandSMRTsaidintotal,111existingbusservices,ortwoineveryfivebasicbusservices,havebeenenhancedand14newbusservicesintroduced. These improvements have enhanced the connectivity ofSingapore’sbusnetwork and shortenedwaiting timesby three tofiveminutesforsomeexistingbusservices.BasedonanalysisofticketingandGPSdata,theprogramhasalsoreducedthenumberofbusserviceswithregularovercrowdingduringpeakperiodbyabout40%.

LTA said thatmostof the restof thebuses that theGovernmenthasagreedtoaddwillbe introducedby theendof2014 insteadof2016and it will be encouraging the bus operators to further augment thebussupply.LTAwillalsoworkwithprivatebusoperatorstointroduceshort workings during the peaks. This includes localised routes inestates that take residents to nearby transport nodes. These serviceswillcomplementtheexistingfeederbusservicesoperatedbythepublictransportoperators.NinefurtherCityDirectserviceswillbeintroducedfromJanuary2014.TheGovernmentwillreviewtheBSEPafter2014toseewhatotherimprovementsareneeded.

THAILANDBangkok

AlstomhasbeenawardedacontracttoextendtheMassRapidTransitAuthorityofThailand’sexistingGreenLine.Alstomwillparticipateintheworks todesignandbuildthetrackworkandthethirdrailpowercollectorfromBearingtoSamutpakranStationaswellasthedepotthatwillhouse40x3cartrainsfortheextendedline.Theextensionwilladdnine stations fromBearing to Samutpakran at a total length of 12.6kmandaimstocarryupto57,000passengersperday.Constructionistobeginattheendof2014andbecompletedin2017.ThisprojectispartofThailand’sprogramtoimproveitspublictransportinfrastructureandbetteraddressgrowingtrafficcongestion issues. Withmore than3millioncarsandnearly3millionmotorcycles inBangkok, theThaigovernment has decided to invest in infrastructure developmentprograms with some 55 projects, of which 31 will be dedicated toRailtransport.TheGreenLine,betterknownastheSukhumvitLine,currentlyextendsfromMoChit,locatedclosetothepopularChatuchakWeekendMarkettoBearingintheBangNaDistrict.

BangkokisaddingfivemorebusroutestosuburbanareasofthecapitaltoprovidegreateraccesstotheAirportRailLink.Theplanistheresultofpublicrequestsandongoingcomplaintsofbusshortages.Thenewrouteswillsuitthosetravellingto3AirportLinkstationsatMakkasan,LatKrabangandOn-nutch.

THE PHILLIPINESManilla

Rebiddingof theLightRailTransitLine1,LRT-1,expansionprojecthasbeendeferredtonextyear,withaCabinetofficialadmittingthattheGovernment‘stumbled’withregardtothelargestPPPeverofferedinthecountry.TheNationalEconomicandDevelopmentAuthority,NEDA,Board,chairedbyPresidentBenignoS.C.AquinoIII,hasyettoapprovea new auction schedule said aGovernment briefing.Only three PPPdealshavebeensuccessfullyauctionedsincethecentrepieceprogramwaslaunchedinlate2010.

AteamfromtheDepartmentofTransportationandCommunications,DOTC,hasbeentoChinaaspartofpost-qualificationprocedure fortheacquisitionofnewtrainsfortheMetroRailTransit,MRT-3.TheyvisitedCNRDalianLocomotive&RollingStock’smanufacturingplanttoguaranteethatthefirmcanproducethe48LRVsfortheproject.AlsotheDOTChashiredaconsultant to reviewthe termsof thebiddingfortheMRT-3projecttofindoutifithadfavouredparticularbidders.Apparently theCzechAmbassador claimed that a group had tried toextortmoneyfromtheInekonGroupinexchangeforthesupplycontracttoprovide trains for theMRT-3expansionprogramthat involves theacquisitionof48newtrains.

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TRANSIT NEWSFILE

INDUSTRYOn 5 September Reliance Rail made its final debt drawdown on the Waratah train project, which is now fully funded. This means that the NSW Government may not need to make a payment in 2018 that it promised last year to enable finance to continue. The Government is now debating selling its share of the project. Primary school students can now gain an insight into science and engineering after the launch of the Gold Coast Light Rail science resources, which have been jointly developed by GoldLinQ and Benowa State School; the resources consist of nine online lessons.Minister for Education, Training and Employment John Paul Langbroek said the resources were developed with the help of Benowa State School teachers for students to experience science. Gold Coast Light Rail science resources episode list:• Wheels in motion;• Wash without waste;• Trams powering up;• Growing with science;• Saving our planet;• Speedy, steady and safe;• Making materials work: concrete;• Making material work: rail; and• Understanding the environment.Yarra Trams has selected IBM to improve day-today tram operations and passenger experience. The IBM software enables Yarra Trams to draw insights from the large volumes of data from its trams and infrastructure to better understand how the tram network is operating. With IBM Smarter Infrastructure technology, Yarra Trams has been able to consistently exceed its key performance measurements around tram service and punctuality. An ARA Disability Policy Working Group has been formed with the aim of providing the ARA with advice and technical support relevant to the provision of accessible services to people with disabilities. Priorities of the Group include:• Securing legal recognition of the Code of Practice through

an amendment of the DDA.• Applying for an extension of the exemptions from the AHRC• Developing a ‘national’ disability app for iPhone and

AndroidsPlease contact Rhianne Jory, Associate Director Environment and Regulation on [email protected] for more information on the Group and its work program.To assist the Australian Rail Industry in meeting the increasing demand for rail services as well as Commonwealth and Jurisdictional government goals, the Industry needs timely, relevant and effective applied research. The recently established Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation, ACRI, will take rail research forward for the industry when the current CRC for Rail Innovation concludes next year.ACRI will undertake or facilitate targeted, applied research and strategic analysis to solve issues raised by Rail Industry participants or other entities, whether with a commercial or public policy interest in the rail sector or transport sector more broadly. ACRI will link to the best research capability both domestically and internationally. This will be achieved by a combination of strategic research partnerships and where appropriate other specific research capabilities.An independent Board, Chaired by Former Deputy Prime Minister Mr John Anderson will have oversight of the work undertaken by ACRI. ACRI will begin full operation during 2013/14 and was officially launched at the 10th World Congress on Railway Research in Sydney last month. Further enquiries can be directed to Lauren Sullivan at [email protected]

DOTCisstudyingvariouswaysofaddressingthepublictransportationprobleminMetroManila,includingthecreationofaMetrosystem.ThefeasibilitystudyisbeingfundedbytheJapanInternationalCooperationAgency, JICA, the Japanese agency in charge of official developmentassistanceprograms.TheproposalisstillverynewandaskeletalsystemrunningunderneathEDSA,thekeythoroughfareofMetroManila,maybepursued.

DOTCisalsostudyingthepossibilityofimplementingaBRTsystem,butisfacedwiththeproblemoflimitedroadspace.BRTislikelytobeimplementedbeforetheMetro.Feasibilitystudies forBRTsystems inthreeMetroManilaareas:C5,OrtigasandQuezonAvenues,arebeingfinalised.

VIETNAMDa Nang

Marubeni is to conduct a pre-feasibility study for a proposed metro in Da Nang.

LETTERSAETA 70th AnniversaryThe Australian Electric Traction Associated (South Australian Division) wishes a Happy 70th birthday to the Victorian Division and may you continue to advocate our cause to ‘Move people not vehicles’ and advocating the development of electric transit within a balanced transit system for the next 70 years.

Roger Wheaton (President)David Beres (Secretary) AETA SA division.

TA August 2013 back cover

TA should investigate the provenance of the artwork it was given by PR types for the August rear cover. Only two parked cars are shown on Scott Street Newcastle and none on Wharf Road, is parking really to be banned? How will TfNSW prevent parking on all the lawns shown? Where and what are the tree shrouded buildings across the harbour? Has there been an attempt to disguise, or sanitise, the industrial nature of the background? Will sanitising extend to demolishing ugly buildings in Scott Street and Wharf Road? No form of ground pick-up is shown. What has happened to the overhead? There is no fencing of the track. What speed will trams do? How will elapsed times from Hamilton compare with present trains?

The people of Newcastle and all NSW rail users may have been sold a fake. It might even turn out to have pneumatic tyres and have to dodge reverse parking motorists.

Eric TierneyBy email

A close examination of the illustration on the rear cover of August TA shows that the artist has recognised the need for a power supply for the trams. The overhead is suspended in cantilever fashion from the white poles located between Scott Street and the tramway. A contact wire is visible above the nearest tram. Ed.

Transit Australia WebsiteTransit Australia Publishing books are now able to be ordered

online from the Publications page.The list of abbreviations and acronyms that appear in TA from

time to time is now permanently on the website.Back Issues Indexes have been updated and all Indexes from 1997

to 2012 may be downloaded from the website. Visit...

www.transitaustralia.com.au


SERVICES DIRECTORY AETA NOTICES

Rear CoverAdelaide Citadis tram 202 was heading for the city at Goodwood as an up Belair train approached led by 3028, with track work under way in the dive taking the Noarlunga lines under the Belair and Interstate lines when photographed by Ian Hammond on 25 July.

Opposite PageOn 3 February Scott Martin photographed a three car Comeng set which had terminated in the Platform 1 at Newport Station with an up shuttle from Williamstown and was preparing to head into the stabling sidings. Meanwhile another three car Comeng set was waiting for a six car Siemens set running a down Werribee train to arrive in Platform 2 before whistling out with the next Down Williamstown shuttle train.

CONTRIBUTORSabcnews.com.au, ACT Government, Action for Public Transport, Australasian Bus and Coach, Hugh Ballment, John Beckhaus, David Beres, Bob Carey, CityRail, John Clifton, Ian G Cooper, Department of Transport Vic, Jim Donovan, Fairfax Digital, Norbert Genci, Ian Hammond, John Hoyle, Albert Isaacs, Victor Isaacs, P Jacono, Dean Jones, KiwiRail, Ted McDonald, Allan Miles, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Minister for Transport NSW, Minister for Transport Qld, John Morphett, Alan Mortimer, news.com.au, Paul Nicholson, Parramatta City Council, Les Pascoe, S Pasfield, John Prideaux, PTV, RailCorp, Railway Gazette International, David Revis, Rod Smith, South Australian Government, Greg Sutherland, The Jakarta Post, The New Zealand Herald, TransLink, Peter Trevor, Phil Tumber, UITP Australia/New Zealand, V/Line, Hugh Waldron, Brian Webber, Roger Wheaton, David Whiteford, Alan Wickens, Bob Wilson, Harold Winthrop, Trevor Woolley, Yarra Trams

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NEW!

MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIESMembership enquiries are welcomed to the contact person in each Division, as listed below. People in other areas should contact their nearest Divisional Secretary.NEW SOUTH WALES DIVISIONMeets on the third Friday of each month except December, at Stone Hall, 181 Blues Point Road North Sydney at 8.00 pm, the venue is a short walk from North Sydney Station. Members and visitors are assured of a warm welcome, Contact: Robert Henderson, GPO Box 1017 SYDNEY NSW 2001: Ph: (02) 9486 3828VICTORIAN DIVISIONMeetings are on the second Saturday in the month between April and October at Hawthorn Tram Depot Museum commencing at 1330. Information re outdoor meetings between December and March will be advised later. Enquires Hugh Waldron 03 9889 5140. PO Box 114 Canterbury Vic 3126. On November 8 we will be off to Williams Landing Station then by bus to Point Cook. Meet at Southern Cross Station in the waiting room at the end of platforms 5 and 6 at 4 pm.QUEENSLAND DIVISIONMeets on the last Friday of even numbered months (for December contact the Secretary), contact: Neil Douglas, 12/36 Hillardt St., ROBERTSON, Qld 4109; Ph. (07) 3875 1090.SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DIVISIONNormal meetings are held bi-monthly on 4th Friday February to October at 7.30 pm at Fennescey House, 33 Wakefield St Adelaide. Contact either David Beres (secretary) (08) 8266 6115 e-mail: [email protected] or Roger Wheaton (08) 8331 9043 for details. Postal address PO Box 8162 Station Arcade SA 5000www.electrictraction.org.auACT TRANSIT GROUPMeets on the second Thursday of each month at the Ainslie Football Club, Wakefield Avenue, Ainslie at 1830. Contact David Cranney on 0421 174 951 or [email protected]

CONFERENCESThe 10th International Conference on Transport Survey Methods - Leura, NSW - 16-21 November 2014.https://www.regodirect.com.au/isctsc10AusRAIL PLUS 2013World Congress on Railways Research (WCRR) - Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre, Darling Drive, Darling Harbour NSW, 25-28 November 2013www.ausrail.com or www.wcrr2013.orgUITP- 4th MENA International Congress and Showcase - In partnership with RTA 21-30 April 2014 – Dubai, United Arab Emirateshttp://www.uitp.org/events/events-calendar.cfmIt-Trans – Karlsruhe, Germany, 18-20 February 2014 – The international conference and exhibition on IT Solutions for Public Transport.www.it-trans.org

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