> I become very annoyed when ill-informed people start making political
> comments and asserting by insinuation that conservatives hate trams
> and close systems, when in fact it is the so called socialist ALP that
>
That was all very intemperate, Garry. I am fully aware of how Australia's
tramway systems were closed by Labour governments. I have written
articles on how Clem Jones closed the Brisbane tramways and even included
quotes from him about how he did it so people would use cars instead of
public transport. To this day, I am deeply suspicious as to who set fire
to Paddington depot. I suspect my suspicions are similar to yours.
In Melbourne, of course it was Hamer would ordered the new trams in the
mid-1970s, and even presided over the opening of the East Burwood
extension in 1977. Good on him for it. Under his predecessor Henry Bolte
there were no extensions and no new trams after 1956... at least Bolte
kept the system intact and well maintained.
My point is that since 1993, there have been no developments with the
tramway system at all, other than finishing projects already approved,
such as the City Circle (planned well before Kennett came along), the
East Burwood and Bundoora extensions and the B2 order.
Nor are there plans for major new extensions, a number of which are
sorely needed. Nor are there plans for new cars, whereas modern low-floor
trams are sorely needed.
My posts on this subject were not intended to be a political
diatribe. I couldn't give a shit who is in power in Victoria. I live in
New Zealand.
But in my recent visit to Melbourne, which was specifically to update
myself on the tramway system (I was born and raised there) it was quite
noticable how the Kennett government is pouring so much effort into huge
freeway and other road projects, while the transport system is in a form
of limbo.
David McLoughlin
Auckland New Zealand