Pedestrians still crossing as a tram is approaching in the distance.
Billions of dollars over budget and possibly a decade behind schedule, Sydney finally opens part 2 of it's light rail or tram line.
Part 1 of Sydney's light rail system has been in operation for a few years now replacing the old above ground monorail system around Darling Harbour and the Sydney CBD which was pulled down completely and ran for a few years alonside the Sydney's initial light rail system L1 between Central Station and extending out to Dulwich Hill.
Part 2 of Sydney's light rail system L2 which opened to the public today took far longer to complete , way over budget and has caused countless pedestrian and traffic incidences to date during its testing phase, it travels at an average top speed of approximately 11 minutes per km according to my calculations - it could be slower may get faster who knows. It is so slow you could walk from Circular Quay to Randwick Hospital in less time or better still catch the bus.
Interior of "tram" carriage note the route and passenger capacity seated 48 and standing 185
Town Hall Station George Street
Moore Park Station
Pedestrian warning signs ignored
light rail means cuts to bus services along this main route - bus verses light rail which is faster?
Circular Quay Station Terminus
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner - Great views of Randwick Racecourse behind a fence
Most of the comments I have read about it have been negative and relate to the number of traffic and pedestrian incidences caused by the light rail, the total waste of tax payer's money which could have been spent elsewhere for more pressing problems such as drought relief around Australia , the huge amount of money it went over budget and the very lengthy delay to finally open it to the public as well as various other things such as passenger capacity of light rail verses buses, the speed of the light rail verses buses and what hapoens if?? etc etc.
Travel is free over this opening weekend but like the now not so new driverless Metroline part 1 between Chatswood and Tarrawong train stations, the real test of the new light rail system L2 starts on Monday a little over a week before Christmas with it first real run of full fare paying loads of passengers between Central and Randwick Hospital.
It advertised that the lightrail opened to the public at 11 am today but when I arrived a little after 10 am , loads of passengers had already been on the lightrail. Here's an account of my experience on lightrail .
1. Boarded Wynyard
Alighted Circular Quay
It is only 1 stop to Circular Quay however half way there the lightrail had to stop for 10 minutes due to pedestrian traffic. You could not get off and walk you were locked in the "tram" until you reached Circular Quay.
2. Boarded Circular Quay
Alighted Randwick Hospital
To get a ride on the lightrail you had to weave your way around several set of barricades then wait another minimum of 10 minutes before you could even board a "tram". It was meant to take 50 minutes for the journey - it took much longer then that due to traffic near Randwick. The lightrail only seemed to speed up a little near Randwick Race Course. Oh dear you would not want to get off at Surry Hills Station at night as it is located in a housing commission area - wait the light rail doesn't operate at night.
3. Boarded Randwick Hospital
Alighted Town Hall
I was wondering whether I would get to the Vegan Markets at EQ before it closed today but decided not to alight at Moore Park Station as it was already 12 noon by the time I arrived and had not had lunch yet therefore decided to either alight at Chinatown or Town Hall to get a bite to eat. I ended up getting off at Town Hall instead of stopping at Haymarket or Chinatown Stations to go shopping at Paddys Markets @ Market City and get something to eat. Alighting at Town Hall I walked to my favourite eateries The Little Fish Shoppe and Luneburger.
I have to point out a few issues with the trams.
1. I am confused as to which side you are suppose to alight the tram from. There are doors on both sides just like the Metrotrains however unlike the Metrotrains, there is no announcement of which side the doors will open on. There is a very brief display of an arrow on arrival/departure station screens which pops up on the screen but it is nowhere as clearly displayed as on the Metrotrains. This will be confusing since there are multiple lines and platforms leaving/arriving to/from Circular Quay.
2. This was annoying. A couple was standing in front of the doors in front of me and the tram was approaching Town Hall Station. I said excuse me I am getting out here and they responded with so are we and would not move. The tram stopped and because they made no attempt to press green flashing button to open the doors I reach my hand past them and pressed it - it was flashing green red by the time I pressed it. I overheard the couple in front of me mumble to each other that they did not know they had to press the button to open the doors. I would have missed my stop if I had not pressed the button. It was unclear how long the tram stopped at each station for as you could not see anything when the tram is packed with people and there is no clear announcements of when the doors are closing and the tram is about to depart unlike the Metrotrains and established L1.
Can't wait to take a ride on part 3 of the lightrail L3 when it is scheduled to open early next year!?!? between Circular Quay and Kingsford Juniors
( refer Youtube for videos uploaded)
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