Re: [Melbourne] W-class trams

["William Pearce" <ben_issacs@optusnet.com.au>]

    Re: Melb. 'W' class tram brakes.
    Batchelor's announcement stated in part; 'Next month two CC trams will
be fitted with overhauled std. air brakes and a German made electro-magnetic
back-up system. IF SUCCESSFUL the remaining 51 trams will be progressively
fitted...'
    'IF SUCCESSFUL sounds like that they still don't bloody well know
whether these modifications will work or not! More 'PoliSpeak'!

Regards,

Bill.

"DL" <D_Lindstrom@Bigpond.com> wrote in message
6Wxp6.10299$v5.42071@newsfeeds.bigpond.com">news:6Wxp6.10299$v5.42071@newsfeeds.bigpond.com...
>     http://www.theage.com.au/news/2001/03/08/FFXPH16WZJC.html
>
>             Government haggles over tram bill
>
>       By STATHI PAXINOS
>       TRANSPORT REPORTER
>       Thursday 8 March 2001
>
>
>       The State Government was locked in negotiations with two private
tram
>       operators over the size of its contribution to a $2.5 million repair
> bill
>       to improve the braking systems on Melbourne's 53 W-class trams,
> Transport
>       Minister Peter Batchelor said yesterday.
>       Mr Batchelor, at the launch of Moomba's Trams on Parade, also said
it
>       could be another 12 months before the last of the fleet was phased
> back
>       into service.
>       In January, Mr Batchelor confirmed that part of the cost of
upgrading
> the
>       trams' brakes would be paid from the public purse. He said yesterday
> the
>       government was obliged to contribute to repairs because it had
> insisted on
>       a higher standard braking system than was specified in the initial
>       contract the Kennett government signed with National Express, which
> runs
>       Swanston Trams, and Metrolink, which runs Yarra Trams.
>       The W-class trams vanished from service after two accidents within a
> week
>       in June last year that were caused by poor brakes. Next month, two
> City
>       Circle trams will be fitted with overhauled standard air brakes and
a
>       German-manufactured electro-magnetic back-up system.
>       If successful, the remaining 51 operational trams would be
> progressively
>       fitted with the brakes and returned to service on selected routes in
> the
>       following months.
>       Opposition transport spokesman Geoff Leigh said the State Government
> was
>       not serious about returning the trams to service and Mr Batchelor
> would be
>       blamed for losing a Melbourne icon.
>       Mr Batchelor said the length of time the repairs were taking was not
a
>       sign of reluctance to bring back the trams. The private operators
also
>       affirmed their commitment to the trams.
>       "People want the W-class trams. They are on routes now that are
> important
>       for tourist operations and they are a much beloved part of the
> Melbourne
>       tram network," he said.
>       "If you went to San Francisco and asked whether the people there
> wanted to
>       get rid of their trams they'd think you were crazy and for those
> people
>       who want to get rid of the W-class trams here in Melbourne I have
the
> same
>       response."
>       Fourteen W-class trams not requiring repairs have been decorated for
> the
>       Moomba parade to represent devotions exhibited in Melbourne society.
>       Parade director Liss Gabb, who developed the Tram as Temple concept,
> said
>       topics such as AFL, rave culture, and religion had been chosen.
>
> --
> Regards,
> David Lindstrom
>
>