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Re: SLR




On 17 Sep 1997 02:18:33 GMT, "Michael Alexander" <malex@bigfoot.com>
wrote:

>> ... however I did notice the Variotrams took the corners faster
>> then Met trams. Running along Hay St was a bit slower than I would have
>> expected.
>
>Try standing in the back of a St. Kilda light rail as it turns the corner
>from Bourke St. to Spencer St. They often feel like they will come off the
>track, the centrifugal force is so great. I get the feeling that once the
>driver is around the corner, he/she just goes for it, forgetting that the
>rest of the tram has yet to hit the corner.

  I have always thought the Melbourne trams to be quite fast even
around corners. The St Kilda line is a real good example. I also feel
that the Met Trams are bloody quick in straight line speed too. A few
times I have been on the #19 along Sydney road 'dragging' cars up the
road.

>I also sampled the SLR for the first time last week. On my one return trip
>from Central to Wentworth Park the tram ran **extremely** slowly, even on
>the reserved track, except for one burst of speed for 100m or so. By slow,
>I mean that we were only marginally faster than walking speed. It was

  Now let me guess, the burst of speed was near the Powerhouse
Musuem?? (just into the reserved track). I have been on it 4 or 5
times and I too have been disapointed with the distinct lack of speed.
Although the track is basicaly curved from Pyrmont Bay onwards. Also
why did the build Pyrmont Bay station?? IMO it is too close to the
Casino and Darling Harbour passengers would be better off using the
Convention station??

>annoying, especially as I only had one hour, before having to rush off and
>catch a plane back to Melbourne. The announcements were muttered by the
>driver (Surely with all the technology they put in, automatic announcements
>would have been feasible). At Wentworth Park, we sat for 5 minutes just
>short of the terminus (no other tram in the platform), with no announcement
>as to why. A man in a reflective vest wound the points around by hand after
>we had reached the platform. 

  Having the points manualy changed is not normal, so I guess the same
problem that needed manual movement caused the delay in. Although I
would have thought the driver of the LRV would have the technology
(and job statment) to get out an change them, like is done in
Melbourne.

>The ticket machines at Central and Wentworth Park were both off-line. 

  Again not an uncommon problem. Also very annoying that most of the
ticket machines are coin only and are very slow. Also Central needs
another machine. All the times I have caught the LRV has been from
Central and there is always a que at Central. Also I cannot understand
why the SLR has the same number of sections as the whole Melbourne
transport network (3 sections for those who have not seen the system).
The cost difference between the sections is hardly that significant,
so IMO a one fare system would have been easier. Also IMO fare evasion
may be a big problem as it relies far too much on the honesty of the
customers. 
  
 A good example of this came to light when I was at Wentworth Park
after visting the Fish Market (IMO Wentworth park is a much beter fish
market station than the current one) a lady went to buy a ticket for
her and her son. Suffice to say that when she couldn't get a ticket
because she had no change and the machine was coin only she asked the
driver what to do about getting ticket. The drivers response was to
get one at the other end. Now what would have happened if a ticket
inspector had of got on the tram and asked for her ticket. I have no
doubt if she had of been hit with fare evasion (which if my
understanding of the transport act is what she just did, regardless of
if she intended to pay at the other end or not) she would not have
come back, so at least one less prospective customer.

>I waited for a different tram for the return
>journey to Central, hoping for some faster running, but got the same crawl
>back. At the depot, some very attractive women in SLR uniforms spent a few
>minutes nattering about what shifts they would take, while one was standing
>in the tram, and one outside. Consequently, we waited there for ages. 

  I don't no how long a drivers shift is, but on almost all times I
have caught the beast there has been a driver change at Convention
station (even once at 10:30pm on a Friday night). Although you have to
admit the staff uniforms are quite attractive and and neat.

>The traffic lights on the street running sections did not seem to alter their
>cycle in the presence of a tram; we waited to cross George St. for ages.
>Then we *crawled* back up the ramp to Central.

  It would not be hard to preempt the lights at George street for the
trams. Twp every 5 minutes (one each way) would hardly cause all that
much of a drama. Pedestrians would like it also as they cross George
street at the same time as the trams. As for the speed at Central,
this is another annonying thing that I cannot quite understand. I
would imagine they could go much faster up the ramp. There should be
no pedestrian problems. Likewise the down should be much quicker also,
I have no doubt the Variotrams have good breaking. The only place I
agree with the slow speed limits is the section near Paddy's Market
where the tracks are just outside the market entry doors.

>Overall, I was not really impressed. Although the vehicles and
>infrastructure were first-class, the staff seemed to be letting the whole
>thing down.
>
>Interestingly, I noticed that one both trips all the passengers were either
>old (50+) or asians with cameras and baseball caps. So I assume mainly
>tourists and nostalgia seekers :-) 

  One would imagine that when the propper casino opens )later this
year??) there will be a differnt style of customers on the system. The
nostalgia and enthsiust travelers should have also died down also.

-------------------------------------------------------
|  Ashley Wright, Sydney Australia	              |
|  ajwright@ozemail.com.au    or                      |
|  a.wright@student.canberra.edu.au                   |
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|  www:  http://www.ozemail.com.au/~ajwright          |            
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