Re: Re: YATM for Melbourne

----- Original Message -----

From: Brent Efford

To: [email protected]

Sent: Friday, May 10, 2002 8:57 PM

Subject: RE: [TramsDownUnder] Re: YATM for Melbourne

Yeah, I tend to agree. Melbourne is trams: concentrate on what you are
famous for. Even here in Wellington, the only city in the world with a
complete trolleybus system running on the left-hand side of the road, we
haven't managed to turn them into a tourist attraction (except for the odd
wandering gunzel). Instead, our version of the city loop is run by 3 smokey
diesel double deckers.

Mind you, the future of the trolleys here continues to look better. Today I
checked with my engineer friend who is doing the development work, and the
prototype of the next generation of Wellington trolleybuses should be on the
road here in a month. My suggestion of using the circuit at Ferrymead for
testing, prior to shipping from Christchurch to Wellington, is still being
considered. I am going down to Christchurch early next month, anyway, so I
will keep the group posted. Please forward any orders for photos of the
Christchurch Tramway, Ferrymead, etc now.

Cheers,

Brent Efford
TechMedia Services
Co-ordinator, Transport 2000+ NZ
PO Box 2626, Wellington 6015
New Zealand
[email protected]
Ph (04) 801 9331, Fx (04) 801 9344
Mob 025 887 387
www.techmedia.co.nz


-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Walker [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, 10 May 2002 2:51 p.m.
To: [email protected]
Subject: [TramsDownUnder] Re: YATM for Melbourne




>>> pn1.rm<[email protected]> 05/10/02 12:36pm >>>
>Why not have a trolleybus route (using "cars" from Australian and overseas
systems)connecting the existing tram network with the proposed museum site?
>Paul in Melbourne

Interesting idea, but I probably would submit the following arguments
against it:
1. Trolley buses as far as I'm aware have never been a Melbourne form of
transport. ie There is no historical link between Melbourne and trolley
buses as a public mode of transport.
2. If you're going to string the wires up for a trolleybus, you might as
well do it properly and put in the track as well and run your exhibits.
3. Melbourne needs another incompatible mode in it's public transport system
like it needs another urban freeway. At least a full tram line would have
the benefit of being an extension to the existing public transport system as
well as a place to run historical trams. A 'historic trolleybus route' would
run the risk of being a white elephant used primarily as a tourist
attraction rather than a legitimate public transport route in it's own
right.
4. If access to the site is seen to be the issue (and I thought people here
were more concerned with running the exhibits properly rather than a short
demonstrator line and mostly static exhibits), Newport and North
Williamstown railway stations are not that far away anyway and far more
likely to provide access to the site than a short suburban trolleybus route
to Footscray.
5. If there were funds to be spent on trams, there are some far more
worthwhile projects that would benefit more people (ie take people out of
cars) such as extensions of tram routes to traffic generators (e.g. route 3
to Chadstone, route 48 to Doncaster, 75 to Knox, 64 to Southland, and so
on). Footscray and Newport aren't really short of public transport.

Given the number of trolleybus fans here, you can find me for the next 2
weeks in my bunker...8^)




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