If you read Part 1, you may begin to suspect, I am not a fan of the Gold Coast Tram
“ Pro’s” as a commuter
The tram is undoubtedly convenient for those who are able to use it on a regular basis. I consider it convenient if walking for no more than 5-10 minutes to a tram station, or have someone who can transport me to the nearest train station.
Rising fuel prices have made car travel much more expensive and have directed many commuters toward public transport of all types. With many family units now electing to either change to one car, with a second car for ‘convenience/shopping’ the tram can make sense.
Many who cite the trams’ convenience usually draw comparisons from the Melbourne service, which has been in place for many decades, and frankly does do an excellent job of moving Melbournians around, in a cost-effective, efficient and convenient manner.
“Con’s” as a Commuter
As I may have mentioned previously, there is limited ‘free parking’ at or even near any tram station on the Gold Coast, except at Helensvale and Pacific Fair Shopping Centre. Parking at PacificFair of course is limited to a maximum of 5 hours (at present) before needing to pay. And of course, free, on-street parking for more than two hours is rarely available near any tram station. Strange that?
Additionally, inclement weather is the enemy of the public transport commuter. As Gold Coast ‘Locals’ will attest, rain on the Gold Coast rarely falls vertically and is more likely to fall horizontally (or at least on an angle) making umbrellas and long walks in the rain very unpleasant. And, the tram stations themselves are open to nasty weather, providing very limited undercover areas from which you can shelter.
Carrying anything other than a satchel or briefcase on a busy day is also an issue. Baby prams/strollers, particularly wide 2 seater varieties also present challenges both for mothers as well as passengers.
The flexibility of our Tram Network
There is NONE! Our Gold Coast trams can only travel on purpose-built tracks. So if circumstances require change, for whatever reason, we have no alternatives to re-route said tram to a more effective/ efficient route, no matter how temporary. We regularly hear of accidents on or near the tram tracks, and the necessity to shut down the entire tram network so as to clear that accident. At times for many hours.
Tram tracks are for exclusive use by the tram. Emergency vehicles of all types are unable to use this under-utilised section of the road because of the way the tracks and their infrastructure have been laid out. Trams, and their infrastructure are essentially “Forever”!
Expansion of the tram network will require very costly and incredibly inconvenient variations to the existing network. Running a spur line, in say a westerly direction, will require major engineering and civil construction works.
Aesthetics
When our Queensland State Government began to ‘sell’ the initial concept of a Gold Coast tram, we saw visions of a gleaming, modern blue and gold “Light Rail System.” However, the reality we have experienced, is that we have a noisy, rolling advertising billboard that can best be described as an eyesore. And the screen printing applied to the exterior of this tram makes for difficult viewing from inside the tram. A little like peering through a heavy-duty fly screen.
Additionally, even the most avid tram ‘fan’ would have to admit, probably grudgingly, that both the tracks and the overhead wires/supports are an additional example of Visual Pollution.
Funny how the "Artist’s Impression" for a new project, rarely, if ever matches the final outcome?