Comments on: Call for trams on Oxford St

By: tom hamilton

tom hamilton — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:39:22 +0000

i agree with the idea of lightrail through oxford street. i think the saving of oxford street depends on developing a local, village feel. thiscan be found already off oxford street, behind oxford and along bourke,crown and riley streets. perhaps the lightrail should run from the city, or cross city and go on, on the other end to bondi beach, taking the rail along oxford through paddington, or threading it’s way around oxford. either way, it should be a destination tram and be useful for locals and tourists as a daytripper and a transit vehicle. the laneways around the strip could be called into use as local holes in the wall and small cafes. ala soho in london and sanfrancisco. come on! we have the ideas.. it can’t be that hard to realise! above all .. the strip needs to be calmed and contained as a destination and stopoff in itself.

By: Vsevolod

Vsevolod — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:49:08 +0000

An excellent idea that could become a crystallizing axis of the Sydney city planning.

It would be quieter, greener, safer, most probably more efficient and would render to the whole stretch the soul and nostalgic character that makes locals and visitors love the city.

By: Paul Mitchell

Paul Mitchell — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:15:35 +0000

A tram (or light rail) on Oxford Street and joining other tram/light rail lines would cost up to $500 million. I guess taxpayers are fotting the bill.

By: chris lewis

chris lewis — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:28:38 +0000

GJS..Clover didn’t rip down the fences…the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA ) did .They own the road .

By: GJS

GJS — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:08:26 +0000

Trams are a good idea!

However why did clover rip down the fences in the middle of oxford st on both sides of oxford st.The fences made pedestrians cross at the pedestrian crossings.Now people play chicken with the traffic.

By: danny

danny — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:05:32 +0000

Wouldn’t it make sense that the 3 road identified as having the highest amount of casualties – George & William Streets followed by Oxford St – all have trams? Or a tram that does a giant apex down Oxford Street, right at George St, right at Park St and a loop of the Cross before returning to Oxford St and end up in the Bondi Junction?

By: Oliver

Oliver — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 04:49:51 +0000

Ive just come back from Melbourne and I have to say Trams are much more pleasant to ride on. The buses along Oxford St and other major roads here in Sydney are Annoying, Loud and Smell!!

Oxford St is large enough to fit a tramline so why not? By the time plans get approval and construction gets under way I probably wont live to see it.

By: Adam Takesce

Adam Takesce — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:00:18 +0000

Restoring the tramline along Oxford Street is a fabulous idea. Trams would improve the look and ambiance of the Oxford Street precinct in many ways. First of all, trams are cleaner and much more quiet than buses. Because trams do not lurch and jerk their way through traffic, they are more comfortable to ride, carry more seated passengers and are safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists alike. Unlike buses, trams have their own dedicated lane of traffic and, therefore, can move people across the city faster.

Well designed light rail trams are also seen as adding visual appeal to the urban landscape. This should be an important consideration for revitalising the Oxford Street precinct. Furthermore, there is a symbolic value of having a light rail system, owing to the cost and effort required to install, it can be seen as proof that the New South Wales Government is truly committed to public transport.

Presently Oxford Street is a major bus throroughfare. Noisy, diesel-belching buses competing with the ceaseless car traffic is unpleasant and discourages a vibrant street life. Oxford Street is one area in particular where traffic-calming measures are desperately needed to achieve the outcomes of creating safer and more pleasant entertainment district. But we will never attract commuters out of their cars by offering them a bus. Trams are the way to go.

And while they are at it, why stop at just Bondi Junction? Certainly a tram loop from Central along Oxford Street to the Moore Park sporting grounds, Centennial Park and the University of New South Wales should also be given serious consideration. I think any sports fan who has had to hike up Foveaux Street from Central would agree a better mode of transport is needed.