Crowds pack new Sydney trams but say they’re too slow

Sydney’s much-maligned CBD light rail system has broken down just hours after the new service began taking passengers.

Crowds packed the new Sydney trams today to be the first to ride the light rail.

But not everyone was impressed - and the day didn’t go without hiccups.

The light rail system broke down just hours after the new service began taking passengers.

A mechanical issue was blamed for a tram stopping near Circular Quay this afternoon, forcing all other northbound services to terminate at Town Hall.

The power loss left the broken-down tram blocking both lines for about an hour.

Earlier, technical issues caused two trams to halt for more than five minutes near Royal Randwick racecourse.

A male passenger also had a stroke near Haymarket, causing trams to be stopped for about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, with a 50-minute journey between Randwick and Circular Quay, many passengers noted it would be quicker to drive or get the train.

According to Google Maps, the 7.3km trip takes only 15 minutes by car and 32 minutes by bus.

“It’s too damn slow,” David of Hawksbury told news.com.au.

“The bus is only 30 minutes so it would have been quicker to do that.”

Another couple travelling from Surry Hills to Circular Quay said it took them 32 minutes when a train would have got them there much faster.

First day on the new light rail. It’s good if you want to sit down for an hour and relax, not the best idea for commuting unless you plan an hour or so ahead. Currently waiting for a medical emergency #sydney #sydneylightrail #tram pic.twitter.com/EjZx5yIQ8S

— Brianna ♡ (@lollypaint) December 14, 2019

#sydneylightrail the screens move as slowly as the vehicles themselves pic.twitter.com/F2CwqbGVJc

— Teevo (@teevou) December 14, 2019

not impressed with the first day of #sydneylightrail operation saturday 14 dec2018. too much of a delay....

— Edward Panjaitan (@edwardp888) December 14, 2019

But all commented how an above ground journey was nicer.

Others forgot how often the train would have to stop at traffic lights, making the journey through the CBD a slow one.

Hundreds of people packed trams across the day to take advantage of free rides for the opening weekend.

It’s been 60 years since public trams have run through Sydney and many were just excited to have them back again.

The trip between Circular Quay and Randwick costs $3.73 for an Opal card holder.

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.

Something tells me we will soon be reminded why we got rid of Sydney trams all those years ago. #sydneylightrail

— Lettuce Lady (@LettuceDaze) December 14, 2019

So on #sydneylightrail it takes about 50 minutes to go from Randwick to Circular Quay yet the metro line from Kellyville on the Metro it takes the same amout of time despite the 40km journey... ok.. just so we are clear LOL

— Harry Ramage (@harryramage) December 14, 2019

#sydneylightrail #zzz 1 hr to circular quay from Randwick Far to many stops for traffic lights, they should have built up this underground #😴

— Adam North (@adamnorthphoto) December 14, 2019

Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the trams had changed the city forever.

“It’s going to be a phenomenal project for so many, over many generations to come,” he said.

“The trams should have never been taken out … so we put them back in.”

Frank Ayrton, an 83-year-old who worked as a conductor on the old network, was among the select few able to ride the first service with Mr Constance and Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

“I started on the Waverley depot in 1957, they were not like these (trams),” he told AAP.

“We had the footboards. My job was to walk along the outside and get the fares.

“One hand was for the money, the other hand for the tickets and all you had to hang on with was your elbow.”

Passengers are seen on-board the new light rail after it was officially opened to the public at Circular Quay in Sydney, Saturday, December 14, 2019. (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi) NO ARCHIVING

The $2.9 billion project has been plagued by cost blowouts and significant delays.

The project is more than a year late.

The branch line to Kingsford isn’t expected to open until March.

Some 200,000 kilometres of tram testing has already taken place while the 100 drivers have each undertaken 190 hours of training.

The new network will move up to 13,500 commuters an hour during peak time in both directions.

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.

- with AAP