Re: Domain Rd tram stop 27-09-2024

[email protected]

Sep 28, 2024, 9:39:43 PM (13 hours ago) 

Sam Hibbins is the State Member for Prahran & Deputy Co-Leader of the Victorian Greens. He wrote to the Minister for Public Transport about returning tram services to Domain Road. He received the following response which he published in his Instagram page.

 "Tram infrastructure around Anzac Station has been designed to accommodate various tram service possibilities, such as services on Toorak Road, Domain Road, or both, as well as ensuring infrastructure is in place for special event services.

 In late 2024, bus services will extend along Domain Road to St Kilda Road, playing a key role in connecting people to the tram and train network. The new accessible stop on Domain Road will allow seamless interchange for both bus passengers and any future tram passengers if services are reinstated.

 Planning by the Department of Transport and Planning will consider new travel patterns once the Metro Tunnel opens as well as community feedback, infrastructure requirements and vehicle movements in the area before making a decision on the delivery and timing of any network changes that may introduce trams back on Domain Road."

 Given the Metro Tunnel is projected to open around mid-2025, it seems any decision to reopen the Domain Road tram would not be made until 2026 at the earliest.

 Brian Weedon

Well spotted.  I visited the corner of Park St and Toorak Rd West and there are no signs of any works to reconnect the former track to Toorak Rd - and this week would be the ideal time to do it (Route 58 is not running between Wells St and Toorak because of substation works).  It would appear that nothing will be done for some time.

Also, despite the intervention of Sam Hibbins, I don't think the locals will be driving this issue too hard.  The major objectors to the re-routing of the then Route 8 (it was through-routed as Route 58 a month or two before being diverted to Toorak Rd West) were the local restaurants near the corner of Domain Rd and Park St.  The loss of the tram does not appear to have done them much damage:  business was booming on the sunny yet cool day I visited.  The other objectors, the NPMFYs (not past my front yard) of Toorak Rd West, would presumably have got used to the trams by now - and may even be enjoying the proximity of public transport.

On the other hand, the existence of the new track will create a political dynamic for its use.  You can guarantee that, within 2 weeks of Domain Rd reopening to car traffic, the Herald Sun will print a breathless denunciation of state government 'waste' for not immediately reinstating tram services.  It will be called 'Tram line to nowhere' and will start something like 'Despite the Metro Tunnel spending $x million on reinstating the tram lines in Domain Rd, the state government has not indicated that they will ever be used'.