Re: Trams in Brisbane

[colingw@foxboro.com.au]

In article <76ujm6$6ad$1@metro.ucc.usyd.edu.au>,
  matthew@mail.usyd.edu.au (Matthew Geier) wrote:

> >I heard something about trams being re-introduced in Brisbane.
> >Is this true? What's happening?
> >
> Election looming.
> New tramway (briztram) proposed.
> Election held.
> Other side gets in.
> Briztram scrapped as '19th centry technology' and several busway
> project initiated.

I don't believe the situation is quite as negative as you portray.
The new (Labor) government has announced a "new" light rail project,
Brisbane Light Rail, which closely resembles the scrapped BrizTram
project.  The major omission from the new project is a line to the
University of Queensland, making it a "Labor electorates only"
system.  I actually believe there is a chance that a half-way
useful light rail system will get up, because the timing of this
project results in completion within the term of the current
government, and conveniently BEFORE the next state election.  If
Brisbane Light Rail actually happens, it will be a reasonable but
(by world standards) small inner city system, with useful links to
the CityTrain system at South Brisbane, Roma Street and Brunswick
Street, and quite good coverage of the inner city, South Brisbane
and the Valley.

One dodgy aspect of this proposal is that they continue to quote
passenger numbers of around 45,000 per day (the same as BrizTram),
but have scrapped the Uni of QLD / St Lucia line which would have
been one of the major sources of passengers.

Details can be found on the website at http://www.blr.qld.gov.au

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