Re: Melbourne route 70 tram

[David Langley <del@ancc.com.au>]

John Duncan McCallum wrote:

> Anthony Sell wrote:
>
> > I think it may have had more to do with running time/lay ups/timekeeping
> > on weekdays against weekends
>
> > David Langley wrote:
>
> > > Michael Walker wrote:
>
> > > > >Though why the 79 runs on Sundays but not other days is a mystery to me.
> > > > >Anybody know?
>
> > > > I always wondered this, doesn't the 79 also run Saturday afternoons after
> > > > about 12.30pm? Never did work out the logic of running one route during the
> > > > week and another during the period when the shops used to be closed (after
> > > > 1pm Sat. and all day Sun.)
>
> This is more likely. I could never see the sense in running down to
> Brighton Road
> when Brighton road is crossed in Carlisle St. My opinion is that the 79
> should run
> full time. Crew changeover trams would run vis Balaclava Junction as
> they do on
> Sundays.

Which part of the above do you consider to be the "more likely" as it is seems that
you prefer my suggestion.

I still stand by my suggestion that it is a hangover from social activities from the
past. Times when a trip to St. Kilda was most likely to be do on Sats pm or Sundays.
The chances of passengers travelling to the Prahran terminus on Sunday must be almost
nil whereas the 79s to St. Kilda Beach probably are well patronised certainly during
the better weather. If you could guarantee that a 69 would arrive at the Carlisle St
corner at the same time as a 78 then OK but you can't. I think your suggestion of a
79 full time warrants merit because of the potential increase in traffic. Changeovers
could take place either way, trams running out of Glenhuntly could still come up
Brighton Road. Observation shows that shunting trams at Brighton Road (terminus 78)
cause a fair amount of traffic holdups because frequently there are also parked cars
nearby. Most other locations like this have been altered including Cotham Road Kew.

David Langley.