Metro Light Rail

Metro Light Rail
Overview
Mode	Light rail
Area	Sydney Leichhardt
Owner	Metro Transport Sydney
Design
Length	7.2 km (4.5 mi)
Stations	14
Connects	Central (interchange) Convention (interchange) Lilyfield
1997	Opened to Wentworth Park
2000	Extended to Lilyfield
Operations
Operator(s)	Veolia
Patronage	3.5 million (annual)
Public transport |  v • d • e

The Metro Light Rail (formerly the Sydney Light Rail) is the only currently operating light rail line in the Australian city of Sydney. The line opened on 31 August 1997,^[1] mostly along the route of an unused goods railway line, to serve the redeveloped inner-city areas of Darling Harbour, Ultimo and Pyrmont, and was extended in 2000 to serve Sydney's inner western suburbs.

Running from Central Railway Station to the inner western suburb of Lilyfield, the route extends for 7.2 kilometres (4.5 mi), including 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) of on-street operation. There are 14 stops, including two interchanges to the Metro Monorail line and a station at Sydney's Star City Casino. The line is owned by Metro Transport Sydney and operated under contract by Veolia. In 2005, the Haymarket stops on both the Metro Light Rail and Monorail renamed after the adjacent Paddy's Markets in a naming rights deal.^[2]

History

The Darling Harbour Goods Line

Darling Harbour goods sidings in the 1880s, looking towards the city.

Most of the alignment of the Metro Light Rail had its origins as the Darling Harbour Goods Line. From the time when the Sydney Railway Company was formed in 1848, it had been the intention of the company to build a freight terminal at Darling Harbour. To this end, a railway line was constructed between the Sydney Railway Station (the predecessor to Central Railway Station and Darling Harbour, which opened on 26 September 1855.^[3]

With widespread use as a freight line throughout the early 20th century, the use of containers and the decentralisation of freight terminals in Sydney to places such as Port Botany and Chullora, Darling Harbour traffic was reduced considerably, ceasing altogether on 26 October 1984.^[4] The line continued to run intermittent goods traffic, including a weekly wheat train to the Edwin Davey Flour Mill (located opposite the present Wentworth Park Station),^[5] but this ceased on 22 January 1996, and the line closed.^[6]

Light Rail operation

Map of the Metro Light Rail.

In 1994, the Sydney Light Rail Company was formed. Construction and conversion of the first section of line from Central station to Pyrmont started on 25 January 1996 and took 16 months to complete.^[7] Most of the original 3.6km line used the former Darling goods railway line and previous tramway routes.

The original route opened for public operation with a trial service on the 11 August 1997 with three weeks of testing.^[8] The official public opening was conducted by the then Premier of New South Wales Bob Carr on 31 August.^[9] A full revenue service started the next day at 6am on Monday 1 September.^[8]

Buoyed by the success of the original line the route was extended along the good lines to Lilyfield and the extension was officially opened on Sunday 13 August 2000.^[8]

Current issues

Tram at Central station

Metro Light Rail stations

Legend Central Capitol Square Paddy's Markets (formerly Haymarket) Exhibition Centre Light Rail Depot Convention Pyrmont Bay Star City John St Square Fish Market Wentworth Park Glebe Jubilee Park Rozelle Bay Lilyfield Norton Street (proposed) Allen Street (proposed) Marion Street (proposed) Kegworth (proposed) Lewisham-Summer Hill Interchange (proposed) Old Canterbury Road (proposed) Waratah (proposed) Constitution Road (proposed) Dulwich Hill Shops (proposed) Dulwich Hill Interchange (proposed)

The City of Sydney has lobbied almost continually since the opening of the single light rail line for the State Government to extend it to Circular Quay through the Sydney central business district.^[10] The operator claims that an overwhelming majority of workers and residents are in support of the proposed extension.^[11] The New South Wales Government, however, has not been supportive of light rail development and therefore plans are dormant.^[12] The Line will stop at all stations from Central include:

Tram on Hay Street

Light rail has an under-fulfilled potential in the eyes of many residents, workers and visitors. Several transport corridors have significant potential to allow for the growth of the network beyond its current route structure. Many routes have been identified, with the majority extending the current route further into the inner Western Suburbs of Sydney. The route from Central Station to Randwick Racecourse via Aussie Stadium, the Sydney Cricket Ground, Fox Studios and University of New South Wales has been suggested by many Sydney residents, as it could serve commercial, sporting, education and residential patrons. This has met continued resistance from the State Government.

Despite significant support for extra light rail routes through the city and to nearby suburbs, the State Government's transport focus remains on the Western Suburbs.^[13] In August 2006, the State Opposition leader, Peter Debnam, promised to build the CBD route and even the possibility of a more expansive network to suburbs such as Bondi, Mascot, Maroubra, Parramatta, and Burwood if they won the New South Wales State election in March 2007.^[14] This did not eventuate as the Morris Iemma government was returned for another term.

There has also been a proposal to extend the line to Summer Hill utilising the now closed Dulwich Hill to Balmain goods railway.^[15] The line would stop at all stations (locations still to be decided) from Lilyfield:

Tram Fleet

On board the tram

The Metro Light Rail uses German-design Variotram vehicles manufactured in Dandenong, Victoria by Adtranz (now Bombardier).^[7] The trams are bi-directional and the Variotram design is modular and has been extended for the Sydney system. The capacity of the vehicles is 217 passengers, of which 74 are seated.^[16] On tests up to three trams have been coupled together allowing a maximum capacity of 600 passengers if required.^[7]

The vehicles have a low floor (floor to rail level 300 millimetres/12 inches) style and the bogies have no axles between the wheels and are powered with gearless hub motors.^[7] There are 7 trams currently in use.The articulated design allows a wide body car without overswing on curves and they have had their design weight reduced to compensate for the addition of climate-control air-conditioning equipment. The trams run on 750 volt direct current and each tram is fitted with three doors each side which have enhanced safety systems with obstacle detection interlocked with the traction system.^[7]

References