Light rail brought on board multi-trip tickets
Published in The Sydney Morning Herald on 14 June, 2011
COMMUTERS with MyMulti transport tickets will finally be able to use them on Sydney’s light rail line.
The Transport Minister, Gladys Berejiklian, will announce measures today to incorporate the light rail line into the MyZone ticket structure, an election promise made by the Coalition.
From June 27, commuters who use daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or yearly MyMulti tickets to travel on the bus, train and ferry networks will also be able to use the tickets on the light rail system.
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Pensioners will be able to use their pensioner excursion tickets on the line, and Family Funday Sunday tickets will also be eligible for use on the line.
”This is great news for commuters, tourists, pensioners and families,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Boulevard of dreams comes with a hidden cost
Parramatta Road, now and then ... the proposal for the transformation of Parramatta Road is based on building the M4 East under nearby suburbs. Photo: NRMA, Wolter Peeters
Parramatta Road, now and then ... the proposal for the transformation of Parramatta Road is based on building the M4 East under nearby suburbs. Photo: NRMA, Wolter Peeters
In a sign the powerful road lobby has accepted the need to reduce car use, the state’s main motoring group has unveiled a plan to turn one of Sydney’s most congested and blighted roads into a public transport corridor.
In return, the NRMA wants the NSW government to build the 8.5-kilometre M4 East under the suburbs between Concord and the city.
The NRMA argues removing much of the traffic – especially trucks – from Parramatta Road and putting it underground, would transform the road into a boulevard of ”transit-oriented development”, lined with medium-density housing, shops and cafes.
Under the plan drawn up by one of Australia’s leading urban planners, Ed Blakely, there would be two lanes for light rail along the middle of Parramatta Road, as well as a cycleway and two lanes for slower-moving local traffic.
Asked if the transformation of Parramatta Road was a trade-off for getting the controversial M4 East, the NRMA president, Wendy Machin, said: ”Yes, I think so.”
”If you’re talking about perception, this could make it more palatable [to motorway sceptics], especially if opponents can see it is part of a holistic land-use plan.”
The plan would allow for the building of at least 23,000 flats along the corridor between the city and Strathfield and the upgrade of what planners call a classic ”traffic sewer” – a noisy, congested and polluted artery that divides neighbourhoods. Read more »
New plan to transform Sydney’s West
A new report commissioned by the NRMA has found that the cost of two of Sydney’s most critical transport projects could be recovered by the revitalisation of Parramatta Road over a 25-year period.
The M4 report released today forms part of the NRMA’s Seeing Red on Roads campaign.
The report – conducted by internationally-renowned Urban Planner Ed Blakely (Blakely Global) and engineering firm SKM – found that construction of the 8.5 kilometre M4 East Tunnel from Concord to the Sydney CBD could reduce travel times across the inner-west by up to 30 minutes and significantly ease traffic along Parramatta Road.
The project would enable the next NSW Government to reduce traffic lanes on Parramatta Road and re-zone the district within the parameters of existing zoning laws. Stamp duties and other state revenues collected from the revitalisation of Parramatta Road would cover the cost of the M4 East over 25 years and fund light rail along Parramatta Road to the city. Read more »
Pyrmont Light Rail Company begins network extension to Dulwich Hill
Sydney, 22 Dec 2010 – Today, Pyrmont Light Rail Company, the owners of Sydney’s light rail network, signed enabling agreements with Transport New South Wales to begin detailed work on the extension from Lilyfield to Dulwich Hill.
Kevin Warrell, CEO, Pyrmont Light Rail Company said, “The project starts today. We have engaged designers to detail the exact route, station layouts and all other requirements for the Light Rail extension in order for the project to be tendered.”
As well as design consultants, legal and financial consultants will begin work on the project, a study of future patronage will be made, and orders will be placed for new trams to service the extension.
The detailed design of the GreenWay project will also be part of the work. Construction of the greenway will be managed by Transport New South Wales.
“Using the existing transport corridor to provide additional public transport in the Inner West is low cost, simple and quick. The freight line was refurbished quite recently and is in very good condition,” said Mr Warrell. Read more »
Major milestone reached for Inner West Light Rail extension
Another major milestone has been reached in delivery of the Inner West Light Rail Extension – a part of the $50.2 billion Metropolitan Transport Plan.
The NSW Government has signed an in-principle agreement with Metro Transport Sydney – the operators of Sydney’s Light Rail network – for the design and construction of the 5.6 km extension from Lilyfield to Dulwich Hill.
“This is great news for residents in Sydney’s Inner West who will soon benefit from five light rail services in each direction an hour along the new line,” Minister for Transport John Robertson said.
“Hundreds of rail workers have been on site over the past few months undertaking pre-construction works including replacing ballast, sleepers and rail along the former freight rail corridor.
“Following the signing of this agreement with Metro Transport Sydney, the project will now move to the detailed design for construction phase.
“In 2012 we will have light rail connecting communities through Lilyfield, Leichhardt, Haberfield, Summer Hill, Lewisham and Dulwich Hill. Read more »