Sydney Light Rail opening day marred by glitches, delays
Sydney’s light rail system has officially opened but the tram service from Circular Quay to Randwick suffered some issues today including delays due to a medical emergency and a tram driver running a red light, sending passengers flying.
NSW
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Sydney’s Light Rail has faced several setbacks on its grand opening day.
A service from Randwick to Circular Quay was stopped at Chalmers St on Central after 2pm due to a medical episode on-board, with police and paramedics responding.
Passengers were told to disembark to allow an elderly gentleman to be treated by paramedics.
“We were told on-board that there was an incident, but also that there were technical issues up ahead,” said Laura Labu, a passenger on-board the cancelled service.
“It’s almost to be expected on the first day.”
“We found it quicker to walk to our destination, with the delays,” said another Chalmers St passenger.
“They always do a big opening for new transport, but within hours, it fails or breaks down. It’s so frustrating.”
At the same time, a tram with mechanical issues at Circular Quay was causing citybound services on the new line to be temporarily shut down, with some services directed south to Randwick.
Earlier, passengers were left waiting on banked-up trams for more than 20 minutes after a medical emergency on a tram at Haymarket about 12.40pm.
“Police and emergency services met the tram at the Haymarket stop, where the passenger was treated and taken away by ambulance,” an ALTRAC spokesman said.
“Services resumed at approximately 12.58pm.
“Customer communication channels were updated throughout the incident.”
Light Rail Fail on day one. Tram break down in Circular Quay. Passengers stuck then forced off. George Street blocked. @7NewsSydney pic.twitter.com/3CNqLD8ZzA
— Alex Hart (@alexhart7) December 14, 2019
At 10.20am, just after services began, a tram driver ran a red light near Royal Randwick station.
The tram – packed with transport chiefs and the general public – came to a sudden stop and sent passengers flying.
The driver was forced to reverse back to the station, swap with another driver, and undergo mandatory drug and alcohol testing. An elderly woman fell over at the time but was uninjured.
It seems my return journey to Circular Quay has terminated at Central due to “technical issues.†#sydneylightrail pic.twitter.com/RIiKmEsWJ0
— Teevo (@teevou) December 14, 2019
An ALTRAC spokesman said: “We are operating in a very busy environment and hiccups will occur on occasion.
“We remind all customers to hold on when on board and motorists, pedestrians and cyclists to be aware of the tram,” he said.
#sydneylightrail marshals say there’s an incident (ie breakdown) at circular quay. Trams are stopped in both directions pic.twitter.com/rGvuxPeHTo
— Jim Buchanan (@jimjbuchanan) December 14, 2019
HISTORY COMES ALIVE AGAIN
It took almost 60 years but public trams have finally started running again through Sydney.
The first Sydney CBD and East Light Rail patronised by the general public left Circular Quay at 8.51am.
Two seventy-something best mates who rode the last tram from La Perouse in 1961 were among the first passengers on board the new light rail service today.
They were among 40 Daily Telegraph readers who won the opportunity to be on the first tram as the Sydney Light Rail began full operations.
It had special significance for Charles Scullion and John Yates, who have been best mates since they were five and were both there to farewell Sydney trams more than 58 years ago.
“We spent a lot of time as kids on the trams,” Mr Scullion said.
“We saw the old ones go and now they’re back.
“I think it’s great that people like myself and my mate had the opportunity to win something like this — we’re both very excited about being on the first one, especially being on the last old one and the first new one.”
Travel times have been set at 50 minutes between Circular Quay and Randwick with an Opal cars holder paying $3.73 one way.
The 67m trams can carry up to 450 passengers including 96 seated.
Services will run every four to eight minutes during peak periods in the CBD and every eight to 12 minutes between Randwick and Central.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance said “the trams should have never been taken out so we are putting them back in”.
“We’ve delivered more transport services into the city than ever before,” he said.
The revised construction costs for the CBD and South East Light Rail equate to $2.9 billion (excluding GST).
The project was more than nine months overdue.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian thanked the public for their patience.
“Young people will grow up with a city that is integrated, modern and looking to the future,” Ms Berejiklian said.
It was an extra special treat for Henry Currie, the almost 8-year-old, whose mother Megan is battling breast cancer.
“I don’t have words to describe how excited Henry will be about the tram ride,” Ms Currie said.
“We try to do things that are going to be real amazing highlights that take his mind off (the cancer).
“You won’t be able to see his face because he will just be all smiles.”
No fares will be charged during the opening weekend of the $2.9 billion project, which has been plagued by cost blowouts and significant delays.
The branch line to Kingsford isn’t expected to open until early next year.
Additional staff will be on hand throughout the weekend, while traffic controllers and police officers will be on the ground to deal with higher than normal numbers of commuters.
Since the project commenced in October 2015 there has been $23.1 billion in private development.
This is from a total of 345 development applications which are either in the planning phase, under construction or have been completed.
Over the past two years, around 14 new major businesses have opened on George Street, including a new flagship store for Nespresso which has joined other flagships, including Georg Jensen, Louis Vuitton, Optus, Vodafone, Michael Hill, Nike, General Pants and Superdry.