Metro Light Rail
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| Metro Light Rail | |
   |
|
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Mode | Light rail line |
| Area | Sydney Leichhardt |
| Owner | Metro Transport Sydney |
| Design | |
| Length | 7.2 km |
| Stations | 14 |
| Connects | Central (interchange) Convention (interchange) Lilyfield |
| 1997 | Line open to Wentworth Park |
| 2000 | Line open to Lilyfield |
| Operations | |
| Operator(s) | Veolia |
| Patronage | 3.5 million (annual) |
| Public transport | | |
Metro Light Rail, owned by Metro Transport Sydney and operated under contract by Veolia, runs one light rail line in inner Sydney, Australia.
The line travels 7.2 km from Central Station to Lilyfield, making 14 stops. The line runs on-street from Central to Haymarket, and then follows the alignment of an old goods line through Ultimo, Pyrmont and Glebe to Lilyfield.
The light rail opened in 1997, nearly 40 years after trams disappeared from Sydney's streets.
Sydney's monorail is also owned by Metro Transport Sydney and operated by Veolia.
In mid-2005, Metro Transport Sydney secured a naming rights deal with Paddy's Markets for the Haymarket stops on both the Metro Light Rail and Monorail that are located nearby.
Contents |
[edit] Current Issues
Sydney City Council has lobbied almost continuously in the years after the introduction of the single light rail line for the State Government to extend it to Circular Quay through the Central Business District.[1] The system's operators claim that an overwhealming majority of workers and residents are in support of the proposed extension.[2]
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 residnetial patrons. This has met continued resistance from the New South Wales 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.[3] The State Opposition leader has 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 Liberals win the upcoming New South Wales State elections.[4] Again, the current Minister for Transport's opinion is at odds with this idea, claiming, despite evidence to the contrary, that Sydney should rely on heavy rail and buses.
[edit] Metro Light Rail stations
- Central
- Capitol Square
- Paddy's Markets (formerly Haymarket)
- Exhibition Centre
- Convention
- Pyrmont Bay
- Star City
- John Street Square
- Fish Market
- Wentworth Park
- Glebe
- Jubilee Park
- Rozelle Bay
- Lilyfield
[edit] References
- Metro Light Rail
- Joint media release by Metro Transport Sydney and Paddy's Markets on the change of name for the Haymarket stop.
- City of Sydney - CBD Light Rail
- "Bleak Outlook for Sydney Roads" (Sydney Morning Herald)
- "Think Bigger on Light Rail, says transport expert" (Sydney Morning Herald)
- Daily Telegraph Story on Light Rail
- "Debnam's Light Rail Pledge (Sydney Morning Herald)
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
Transport Sydney and Paddy's Markets on the change of name for the Haymarket stop
