The resurgence of light rail in Australia in recent years has brought significant urban renewal and revitalisation in many cities, including Sydney, Canberra and the Gold Coast, an industry conference has heard.
The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) Light Rail Conference, held at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney, brought together more than 150 people, including operators, manufacturers, contractors, and industry and government experts to discuss the latest project updates and share learnings and success stories from Australia and the world.
The conference attendees were given detailed updates on the Canberra, Sydney, Parramatta and Gold Coast light rail projects and their overwhelming success.
Patronage on most light rail services is at about 75 to 80 per cent of pre-COVID levels and is 115 per cent for the Gold Coast Light Rail.
ARA CEO Caroline Wilkie opened the conference saying light rail was having a transformational impact upon capital cities in several states.
“Significant investment has resulted in the resurgence of this sustainable and highly efficient mode of transport, recognised for its unique ability to foster urban regeneration and economic growth and deliver a multitude of positive social and environmental outcomes,” Wilkie said.
Wilkie outlined the ARA’s program of work under its Passenger Operators Executive Committee (POEC), which is focused on growing patronage in both heavy and light rail.
The POEC is made up of the CEOs and managing directors of all the major passenger rail companies in Australia and New Zealand.
In 2021, the ARA released research on the benefits of light rail and the findings confirmed its unique ability to completely revitalise cities and transform how people engage with public transport.
The report, The Renaissance of Light Rail, concluded it is a catalyst for urban renewal and regeneration, driving considerable land use change and placemaking.
Steve Issa, Executive Director, Planning & Programs Greater Sydney at Transport for NSW, told the Conference that Sydney Light Rail had completely transformed George St from being congested with noisy cars and buses to a vibrant pedestrian corridor, connecting the CBD with other entertainment, health and education precincts across the city.
“It enables the sharing of space and transforms and rethinks the way we use public transport,” Issa said.
“Light rail has been the backbone of major urban revitalisation around the world… it has been the centre of landscapes, cityscapes, revitalisation, urban renewal.
“Over the past 10, 15 years we have re-found our light rail mojo and invested heavily in light rail so it’s absolutely fantastic.”
Issa said Newcastle had also been transformed thanks to light rail opening up the city and connecting people to the waterfront.
“The Newcastle light rail has revitalised the Newcastle town centre and has been the catalyst for growth and redevelopment.”
The Conference also heard that patronage on light rail continues to increase and has resulted in significant investment along the corridors.
Since opening 10 years ago, the Gold Coast Light Rail has a 96 per cent 10-year average punctuality and reached 85 million in paid passenger trips.
Patronage on Sydney Light Rail has jumped to over 40 million passenger journeys in 2023/24.
Five years on from opening, Canberra’s Light Rail Stage 1 now sees 1,494 trips each week.
Anthony Haraldson, Executive Branch Manager, Light Rail Operations, Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate told the Conference that since January 2016, about $2.3 billion in construction has been given development approval (or currently under consideration by the Authority) in suburbs directly adjacent to the Light Rail Stage 1.
Business growth has increased by 26.4 per cent in Gungahlin suburbs along the corridor from 2018-2022 and by 19.7 per cent in the city suburbs along the corridor over the same period.
The light rail is reporting a 99.98 per cent on-time service and a significant reduction of motor vehicle travel, with volume at the Northbourne Avenue and Macarthur Avenue intersection dropping by 21 per cent in 2019 and in March 2024 a daily reduction of 18 per cent.
Yarra Trams, which has been operated by Keolis Downer for the past 15 years is seeing patronage of 75 per cent of pre-COVID.
The Conference also heard an update on the Parramatta Light Rail opening soon, which will run seven days a week from 5am to 1am with each vehicle being fully accessible and featuring green track and a wire-free design.
Dr Natalie Pelham GAICD, CEO, ONRSR, outlined the future focus for regulation following the completion of the Review of the Rail Safety National Law, including supporting technology and innovation and having a more transparent cost recovery model.
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