[Vic] Yarra Trams - "super" stops, park and ride

["Daniel Bowen" <dbowen@#DELETE#custard.net.au>]

>From today's Hun:
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/common/story_page/0,2294,306021%255E2862,00.html

Super tram-stops plan for city
11feb00

YARRA Trams has plans for "super stops" with sheltered platforms, kiosks,
ticketing machines and better access for disabled passengers.

The plan includes a new color scheme and refurbishment for trams in a move
to attract more passengers.
Chief executive officer Steven MacDonald would not reveal the new color
scheme yesterday but said the traditional timber finish on the old W-class
trams would go.

"It's going to be a much more modern look," he said.

Mr MacDonald said the company hoped to begin introducing super stops within
six months.

About 30 sites, mostly in the central business district, have been earmarked
for the special stops.

Yarra Trams will also begin a trial called "park and ride", which will
entice passengers to drive to a major stop and then take the tram.

Mr MacDonald said the company had found two areas either side of the city to
allow the trial to happen within six months.

Mr MacDonald has also raised the possibility of daily tickets being sold at
tram stops.

Swanston Trams will also launch several initiatives this year to make its
service more user friendly.

Its first refurbished tram is scheduled for service early next year.

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Interesting idea about the stops - I wonder where they'll try and wedge them
in? It could work for places like the Elizabeth Street terminus, or Domain
interchange, but neither of these are on the Yarra network!

Does Yarra run any W-class trams apart from the City Circle?

Apart from on the St Kilda/Port Melbourne lines, do they really expect park
and ride to attract many people? Most of the eastern suburbs routes travel
along busy streets with lots of stops, and aren't exactly speedy at peak
hour, especially compared to trains, which would seem to have the advantage
when it comes to concepts like park and ride, given most stations already
have free car parking.


Daniel
--
Daniel Bowen, Melbourne, Australia
dbowen at custard dot net dot au