Batman Avenue Trams Finished!

[Chris Brownbill <cbrnbill@enternet.com.au>]

The Batman avenue section of Melbourne's tram route 70 last night saw its last
tram.

Buses are running the service today - connecting with trams to/from Wattle Park
which turn back at the crossover on the West side of Punt Road (just near
Richmond Station).  The track has been cut only just more than 1 car length
beyond the crossover and construction of the new curve into the reserved track
for the new route up to Flinders Street is well underway.

The tram shelter at the terminus is manned for the buses, the buses need to do
U-turns and the Yarra Trams flagman signals cars to give way.  Curiously, the
quaint "Next Car" indicator lights are operating - ironically there never will
be a next car.  Interestingly, brochures and timetables for the new route 70 are
available from the booth at this shelter - although the information desk at
Flinders Street station denies existence of any such new timetables.  This
timetable will be very short lived, it comes into effect on 7th June, but will
be replaced by a new timetable implementing the increased Sunday frequencies on
4th July.  The tram-replacement bus service up Batman Avenue will cease on that
date.  Eventually, the entire road will be removed so that the Federation Square
development will run right down to the Yarra River.

Interestingly, does closure of the Batman Avenue line (about 1km length) violate
"The Passengers' Charter" currently being widely distributed in advance of the
inevitable State election.  Amongst other things it says "The full network of
tram and train lines throughout Victoria will remain in operation".

Ironically also, the publicity about the new tram line to be built in Footscray
Road at the Docklands claims that it will be the only tram line in Melbourne
which will run right alongside the waterfront.  At the time that was written
that was incorrect, however now that the Batman Avenue line is closed it is
correct!