Photos from Metropolitan Transport Trust (Perth)
There are 1 tram and light rail photos from Metropolitan Transport Trust (Perth) on Tram Travels.
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Trams for Perth? (2010)Professor Peter Newman speaks to Stateline about Perth's mass transport requirements.
Living with a groundbreaking new transport vision for Perth, this plan would see thousands of commuters spread across the metropolitan area on modern trams known as Light Rail. This technology is being hailed as the next step for the city's public transit system. The new network is proposed by railway advocate Peter Newman not only as a solution to road congestion but also as a way to encourage inner-city development. He's already gained support from some local councils, which believe the state government's level of investment in public transport won't be enough to handle a growing population and rising oil prices. CLA Moody has the story. Perth's rail system is considered a model; it's one of the fastest-growing public transit systems worldwide. If you're planning a trip to Perth, it would be unwise to drive now. Paris’s railway network has progressed significantly over the past three decades. In 1979, it was actually regressing. I was just appalled. How could a city do that? Peter Newman led protests against the closure of the Fremantle line, which the Labor government eventually reopened. He has been passionate about rail ever since, successfully opposing the road lobby and advocating for rail. Today, he says Perth has much to be proud of: 'We have gone from 7 million passengers a year to nearly 60 million in 15 years.' That's a story I can share globally and garner a wow response. But now, he says, it's time for the next phase — modern, quiet, faster, and greener trams.
One key feature is that they don't have overhead wires; instead, the new light rail can be powered by batteries that recharge at stations. That's the breakthrough being developed, and we could have it in Perth today. He released the findings of a two-year study proposing a new light rail network connecting the city's academic centers, which could later expand to cover wider areas, including suburbs and major hubs. Perth lacks a decent public transport option. We have buses, but they're slow and stuck in traffic. We need a solution with higher capacity, faster movement, and the ability to develop growing centers. That's critical, says Brian McMahon, a researcher who works for a company that designed the New York Metro 125 years ago. 'The biggest misconception is that it's just about easing congestion or providing an alternative to cars. It’s primarily an economic development tool—a catalyst for building vibrant residential and business hubs near public transit.' Subi is a good example, having developed around rail. We need about 30 such centers across the city, interconnected by light rail. But in a tough financial climate, some question if this grand plan is just too expensive right now. Professor Newman estimates the initial route cost at $315 million—about twice the cost of a large parking garage. 'We can fit this in the median strip, with no extra costs, and it fits into the landscape right next to the new Princess Margaret Hospital site, where we're likely to have Perth's biggest parking lot. Let's save money on that.' Other states are already embracing this idea.
Adelaide recently opened the latest extension of its metro system, and the Gold Coast is adopting a similar approach. Many skeptics doubted ridership could justify such investments, but now, overcrowding is an issue. It’s about expanding capacity and bringing light rail to more neighborhoods. Both projects received vital funding from Infrastructure Australia, the national agency managing a significant pool of Commonwealth funds. Peter Newman believes Western Australia should attract more federal funds, as he sits on Infrastructure Australia’s board. 'In many ways, we did it over the last 20 years. We proved that rail can be built successfully without federal money. But now, there’s a next phase—light rail—and this is a chance to secure some federal funds.
Get in there quickly. He urges incorporating light rail into the state's upcoming 20-year transport strategy, which hasn’t been released yet. Transport Minister Simon O'Brien said he's willing to listen. 'I hope Professor Newman will give me a copy of his report, and we'll review it with our experts from the Public Transport Authority.' However, after a $100 million cost overrun in the Northbridge link project this week, the minister offered no guarantees. 'It’s far too early for us to commit to light rail,' he said. 'That’s not from a lack of enthusiasm; I just need to introduce some realism. Light rail can be costly.By Graham Lees - .