First of six new trams hits the line
Adelaide’s new trams have been given the thumbs up by commuters who say they offer more space and comfort.
Running from Glenelg this morning and then as the city shuttle, the first of the new trams impressed passengers with the use of space and the working airconditioning, but they say the real test will come with weekday peak-hour trips when the festive season is over.
Commuters who spoke to The Advertiser said increased peak-hour trips would be better served by the increased standing space.
More doors allowed faster entry and exit and ticket machines were situated in the middle of the floor in front of doors.
One of the drawbacks was steps up to seats which some felt could cause issues for elderly and when school children were on board crowded services.
As for a smooth ride, most felt it was improved, although some felt the new tram was noisier than the old.
On the whole, the reaction was positive and people could actually see out the windows without looking through graffiti. The verdicts:
PATRICK KENNY, Seacliff Park.
It’s fantastic, longer and wider. They were made in France so the real test will be how they cope with the air conditioning when it’s 40 degrees. I didn’t notice much noise at all.
ENRICO VARRICCHIO, Glandore.
Too much noise. It is nice inside and looks like it has the same seating, it is smoother than the old ones but it is noisy, more noisy.
BRODIE PAPARELLA, Eden Hills.
It’s really nice, spacious, you don’t feel so cramped up inside and I’m really happy because when you sit down, you’re not touching everyone anymore. It’s a lot better than the old ones where you could barely move inside.
JAZ PUNGERCAR, Melbourne
It’s quite nice, very much like the trams in Melbourne and definitely better than some of the old rattlers. It is pretty good for room, it’s nicely laid out and there’s enough standing room.
PENNY BAKER, Lyndoch.
One thing I have noticed is that there’s too many steps, when it’s crowded with school children it could be a problem with someone falling and hurting themselves. It’s very comfortable, but I do kind of miss the old trams and the noise.
JALPA GANDHI, Kurralta Park
It’s fabulous compared to the old trams, the air conditioner is circulating better, there are more doors so people can get on and off easier without pushing and taking a long time. It is very smooth. The seating is less, but the standing room is more.
IDA ZURAIDAH, Wayville.
It looks very modern. There seems less seating and maybe they will need to adjust the airconditioning for very hot days. I noticed a little noise. The windows are very large.
The French-built Alstom Citadis tram – one of six bought from Spanish capital Madrid’s transport authority MINTRA for $36 million – took tram enthusiasts on a jaunt from Moseley Square to the Glengowrie depot on Monday night, and morning commuters from Glenelg to the city yesterday.
But today’s hot weather and large numbers of commuters returning home after work or post-Christmas-sales shopping will give the best indication yet whether the new trams will avoid the problems that plagued the German-made Bombardier Flexity Classic trams when they replaced the old H-Class fleet in January, 2006.
Within days of their introduction, the Bombardier trams drew strong criticism for having fewer seats than the historic trams, and many passengers thought the airconditioning units were unable to cope with Adelaide’s extreme summer.
The new trams have 54 seats – 10 fewer than the Bombardiers – but have a capacity of 186, compared to 173 for the Bombardiers.
Acting Premier Paul Holloway said the Government did not expect problems similar to those experienced with the Bombardier fleet.
“These models were built in Madrid, which has a climate similar to Adelaide,” he said.
The new trams will initially be used as peak-hour sweepers – immediately following regular Bombardiers operating on the current timetable – to provide additional capacity.
They will be incorporated into a new timetable introduced once the tramline extension to the Entertainment Centre is opened in February or March.
Two of the new trams are undergoing final commissioning works at the Glengowrie depot. The other three are getting minor modifications in Melbourne and will arrive from January.
