NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley dismisses trams as only useful for ‘hipsters’

A LEADING pollie has dismissed trams as “stupid”, “about as clever as a monorail” and only useful if you want to win “retro style points” from hipsters.

ONE of NSW’s leading politicians has dismissed Sydney’s proposed light rail network as only useful for “hipsters”.

Writing today in The Daily Telegraph, NSW Labor Opposition Leader Luke Foley argues that building a tramway along Sydney’s busy George St as planned is “about as clever as a monorail”.

“Opting for trams down George St is like opting for a vintage typewriter to do you accounts,” he writes.

“You might win a couple of ‘retro’ style points from the hipsters, but it’s hardly the most practical option.”

Mr Foley argues that Melbourne is much more conducive to trams because its streets are wider, while the Sydney streets where light rail is set to run are much narrower. While St Kilda Rd is 60m wide, George St varies between only 20 and 30m.

He writes that the imminent construction of the $2 billion project, which will run trams through the CBD and south-eastern suburbs, will mean three years of traffic disruption and worsening congestion thereafter.

“In short, the government will lump the people of Sydney with the ongoing consequences of choosing sexy and stupid over smart and sensible,” Mr Foley writes.

An artists impression of the light rail at the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney’s central business district. Picture: Transport for NSW

The NSW Liberal Government argues, however, that the project is a key way to tackle the crippling traffic congestion holding back Sydney’s economy.

Transport for NSW says the light rail will carry up to 450 people per vehicle, the same number as nine buses or 90 cars.

The government says the project will generate more than $4 billion for the state’s economy and will create about 10,000 jobs.

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