We won't mention today's date and day will we.
Sydney had the second largest tram system in the world, behind London. Train lines were slower to develop in Sydney than in Melbourne and hence trams were much more depended upon in Sydney. Like so many places, but unlike Melbourne, by 1961 the system had been completed closed down, trams being replaced by double deck buses. Patronage fell significantly with the replacement buses.
In 1997 a new line was opened with most of its path utilising the old Darling Harbour goods train line. Its terminus was Wentworth Park, later extended to Lilyfield and extended in 2014 to Dulwich Hill.
If ever there was a case of build it and they will come, this is one, much aided by apartment developments along its route. Hmm, public money builds the the line and developers profit from it. Something wrong there. Where is the developers' contribution? The line is now badly overcrowded at times. The service interval is not great and in the opinion of many public transport experienced people, badly run and managed, but by a private company of course.
Now another new line has been built and while it is a terrific concept and the route good, its construction had been an absolute debacle. Businesses have been sent broke. The budget more than blew out, it exploded. Contractors and the government have been in court against each other. The completion date extended and extended until no one was game to put a date on its completion, although it is believed most of it will open in December this year,with the final branch a few months into next year.
Rather exciting really and I hope it is better run and managed than the earlier mentioned Inner West Light Rail. You can be sure the next time we visit Sydney, a ride will be on our list. If you are a little familiar with Sydney, the tram/light rail (Sydney people are tying themselves in knots about what it is) will run from the ferry terminal Circular Quay along George Street using power from a source built into ground, like a third rail but not quite as that would be too dangerous, to Central Station and then south east through the densely populated inner suburbs to Randwick and later Kingsford. It will be more comfortable for public transport users than buses, but it needs to be faster than the buses are now.
Are you wondering what the old Sydney tram system was like? Oh, you are not. Never mind. These videos are very short and you can't help but be impressed by how they moved massive numbers of people. I have published these videos before, but it was a good while ago.
This is the intersection of Broadway, George Street, Harris Street and Regent Street. Note the lad preoccupied by the new fangled camera device.
I think this is the intersection of Anzac Parade and Oxford Street on a race day at Randwick, or could be South Dowling Street and Oxford Street. Police give trams clearance as trams are what are carrying the most people.
This is after the horse racing at Randwick, in what would now be a public insurance company's nightmare. But wow, how efficient is the moving of so many people.
