The Urban Developer
AdvertiseEventsWebinarsUrbanity
Industry Excellence
Urban Leader
Sign In
Membership
Latest
Menu
Location
Sector
Category
Content
Type
Newsletters
Urban Leader Awards Logos RGB White
NOMINATIONS CLOSE SEPTEMBER 12 RECOGNISING THE INDIVIDUALS BEHIND THE PROJECTS
NOMINATIONS CLOSING SEPTEMBER 12 URBAN LEADER AWARDS
LEARN MOREDETAILS
TheUrbanDeveloper
Follow
About
About Us
Membership
Awards
Events
Webinars
Listings
Resources
Terms & Conditions
Commenting Policy
Privacy Policy
Republishing Guidelines
Editorial Charter
Complaints Handling Policy
Contact
General Enquiries
Advertise
Contribution Enquiry
Project Submission
Membership Enquiry
Newsletter
Stay up to date and with the latest news, projects, deals and features.
Subscribe
ADVERTISEMENT
SHARE
print
Print
OtherStaff WriterTue 28 Mar 17

Electric Buses Proposed To Re-Energise Parramatta's Public Transport

Screen-Shot-2017-03-29-at-1

A fleet of sleek electric-powered buses — up to 24 metres long and carrying 150 passengers — would use lanes down the centre of Parramatta Road as part of a proposed $200 million public transport push to cope with the city's population explosion.

The silent “track-free trams”would create new public transport between Strathfield and the city up to every two minutes with 'platforms' every 600m to 800m.

The project could be delivered within five years without the need for digging up roads, acquiring properties or affecting current roads.

While trackless trams are being used internationally, it would be the first system of its type in Australia.

The Parramatta Road Public Transport Opportunities Study commissioned by Inner West and Canada Bay Councils and supported by all Inner West Councils endorses a Guided Electric Transit System (GETS) or trackless trams as the best option for public transport on Parramatta Road.

The study considered Light Rail, dedicated Diesel Bus lanes and Track-less Trams.

Track-free trams emerge as the preferred option on basis of:

  • low disruptions to commuters

  • speed of implementation

  • cost-effectiveness

  • environmental considerations

  • ability to be accommodated within the existing carriageway.


“Making Parramatta Road work is one of the toughest challenges in planning Sydney’s growth, and trackless trams should be looked at closely,” he said.

“What we don’t need is another good idea gathering dust – there is a narrow window to transform Parramatta Road or it will be a basket case forever,” he said.

"Track-free trams can provide all the benefit of light rail on Parramatta Road without having to dig up the road or acquire properties. After the destruction of WestConnex the people of the Inner West will welcome this creative solution.

"With narrower carriages, using guided technology to run down the middle of the road instead of the edge, track-free trams can create the space for the curb side parking and footpath dining that the rejuvenation of Parramatta Road depends on.

“The State Government should step up and work with councils in the corridor to take this proposal to the next level by jointing funding a feasibility study,” Mr Byrne said.

City of Canada Bay Mayor Helen McCaffrey highlights that it is critical to have the best possible public transport infrastructure built in tandem with the WestConnex project.

“We must make the most of the opportunities that WestConnex provides. The opportunity to really transform this area is here now - we must make the most of it,” she said.

Mayor of Strathfield Council Andrew Soulos said a dedicated mass-transit line along Parramatta Road would provide welcome relief for many.

“There are many possibilities for connecting to the train network and Olympic Park, preserving greenspace and easing congestion,” he said.

OtherInfrastructureAustraliaParramattaArchitecturePlanningTechnologyPolicyPlanningPolicy
AUTHOR
Staff Writer
"TheUrbanDeveloper.com is committed to delivering the latest news, reviews, opinions and insights into the best of urban development from Australia and around the world. "
More articles by this author
ADVERTISEMENT
TOP STORIES
Stockland bumps up its apartment pipeline in melbourne and sydney
Exclusive

Stockland Re-Enters Density in $5bn Apartment Play

Renee McKeown
4 Min
Woolloongabba Precinct Vulture St
Exclusive

Brisbane Developer in Cross River Rail Compensation Tussle

Clare Burnett
4 Min
The Mondrian Gold Coast hotel's food and beverage is driving profits
Exclusive

Touch, Taste, Theatre: What’s Driving Mondrian’s Success

Renee McKeown
6 Min
Fortis’ display suites are designed as brand environments first, with tactile details and curated design to build buyer confidence before project specifics.
Exclusive

Relevant or Redundant: Will Tech Kill Display Suites?

Vanessa Croll
7 Min
Exclusive

Missing Heart: Why The Gold Coast Needs a CBD

Phil Bartsch
7 Min
View All >
Aerial view of Caboolture and Bruce highway to Brisbane with Bribie Island Road crossing, Queensland, Australia
Policy

Queensland’s $2bn Push Opens New Housing Front

Vanessa Croll
The Adelaide purpose built student accommodation market is about to increase by 1058 beds with the State Commission Assessment Panel supporting two towers in the making.
Student Housing

Highrise Approvals Add 1000-Plus PBSA Beds in Adelaide

Renee McKeown
South Melbourne social housing precinct
Affordable & Social Housing

South Melbourne Housing Precinct Revamp Takes Next Step

Leon Della Bosca
The Dorcas Street project replaces demolished walk-ups with 131 modern apartments, the first step in a multi-stage redev…
LATEST
Aerial view of Caboolture and Bruce highway to Brisbane with Bribie Island Road crossing, Queensland, Australia
Policy

Queensland’s $2bn Push Opens New Housing Front

Vanessa Croll
2 Min
The Adelaide purpose built student accommodation market is about to increase by 1058 beds with the State Commission Assessment Panel supporting two towers in the making.
Student Housing

Highrise Approvals Add 1000-Plus PBSA Beds in Adelaide

Renee McKeown
3 Min
South Melbourne social housing precinct
Affordable & Social Housing

South Melbourne Housing Precinct Revamp Takes Next Step

Leon Della Bosca
2 Min
Stockland bumps up its apartment pipeline in melbourne and sydney
Exclusive

Stockland Re-Enters Density in $5bn Apartment Play

Renee McKeown
4 Min
View All >
ADVERTISEMENT
Article originally posted at: https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/electric-buses-proposed-for-parramatta