Amusement Park Attraction Or Public Transport Asset?

With the extension of Christchurch's tram tracks now finally given official approval it reminds me that this is an opportunity that this city cannot afford to ignore. Is this to be a simple extension of a tourist attraction, little more than an amusement park ride? Or will this form the first part of a modern CBD light rail line? I've already outlined what I want to see before (scroll down a bit) so now I want to focus on why we must not let this go to waste.

Presently, the heritage tramway runs past mostly tourist orientated attractions as it pierces the very heart of the cultural precinct. The extensions, however, run right through major retail, commercial, entertainment and medium and high density residential areas. In short it runs through a more cosmopolitan precinct, and one with considerable plans about to go into action which will only amplify its cosmopolitan characteristics. These are not the conditions suitable for a tourist heritage tramway and such an operation would hardly be the best utilisation of the tram extensions for this area. With potential for much higher local use we should be aiming at utilising the new tram extension as a form of public transport. Not only would it be of benefit to the people living, working and playing in this area it would give greater encouragement for the planned developments. As I have said, I've already outlined my views on what we need, right now I'm concerned about actually getting it in the first place. I'm worried this will simply end up as a quaint tourist heritage tramway, still costing an arm and a leg to use trundling around half empty while locals use their cars

Utilising the tram extensions as a form of public transport, would provide encouragement for the planned developments in the area. It would encourage business to grow in the city as the increasing residential population can use the tram to access them rather than go to the suburban malls in their car. It would make this area and the CBD a more livable space. I urge our council not to ignore this opportunity to provide a valuable asset for this city. If we end up with a museum tram, we may as well rip it up again. We won't get value for money.

Christchurch's 'Britomart'... The Bus Exchange Replacement

Once again, time is getting away from me and its been a while since my last post. Nevertheless, I've been keeping pretty busy working on a few things of interest in the absence of any real developments of late, including a look at proposals for rail. Hopefully that should be up soon.

One thing I am really hanging out for though is more details on the replacement of the Bus Exchange. Now, you may be aware that the Bus Exchange hasn't actually been around too long and it may seem a waste of money to close it and build a new one in the space of just a decade. However, I firmly believe that it is the right choice, the current bus terminal offers little scope to expand and provide a world class public transport hub for the city. The current terminal is limited, in my opinion, in its ability to provide a service that will result in significant increases in public transport usage also. Why should we limit ourselves? It isn't just about fitting the buses in and increasing capacity (which, arguably, could be achieved with the current location) its about allowing the opportunity for a greater more sustainable transport system. To illustrate this point, it has been announced that provisions will be made for light-rail. What this means exactly is any ones guess as the media and politicians often get light-rail and heavy-rail confused. It could mean one or the other or even both are to be catered for. Nevertheless, it shows that what is being planned is not just a bus shed, its a transit centre and it will be the hub from which a world class sustainable transport network can grow (well that's what I hope).

Other details which have been confirmed include the site (Lichfield Street where Katmandu is located south of Ballentynes) and the fact that the buses will be located underground. Further details I would like to see are;

• Flow from the entrance to the buses (i.e no narrow corridors)
• A large open concourse with shops, information and ticket counter
• Payment before you get on the bus (ticket gates?)
• Potential for increase in bus platforms
• Optimum set-up for bus frequency and capacity
• Future light-rail and heavy-rail space established
• Inspirational architecture

It would be good for people to walk in the entrance and for the place to immediately open up into a large space, with everything they need under the one roof such as shops, eating places, tickets, information toilets etc. From there they would walk through to escalators taking them down to the bus waiting areas, touching in at gates with their metrocard's as they do so which would reduce bus dwell times.

All bus routes must be capable of being catered for and this new terminal should not reach capacity for many years. Platforms should be planned in such a way as to allow the most capacity and greatest frequency and space for additional platforms in the future should be allowed for as well. I won't say much about the light-rail provisions as the possibilities are endless with so few details but I will say that it would be fantastic, and not too costly, to leave space, perhaps below everything else, for a multi-platform central city rail terminal. Yes, it's dubious if rail will play a significant role in Christchurch transport, as it hasn't for well over thirty years now, but it wouldn't add much additional cost and we will probably never get such an opportunity again. It would just be a space if a tunnel to the main line was ever to be built. Finally, it should be an inspirational building, we should out-do Auckland's Britomart transport centre. Imagine my concourse covered with an arched glass roof or something. It should say everything about Christchurch, what it is, where it has been and where it is going.

Anyway, that's just my thoughts. I think public transport deserves a quality hub and this will help us develop a sustainable world class transport system. Lets do it now, and do it properly. Rest assured once the first details are released Ill let you know.

Christchurch Tram Extension

I thought it was about time I should update this blog as I've been pretty slack (and fairly busy) lately. I thought I'd outline the current plans for the Christchurch CBD tram extension, and what I believe is the Councils desired outcome, plus give a taste of what I would like to see this all lead to.

Here is a picture of the current heritage tramway (green) and the proposed extension (red).

This extension is planned to be completed in two stages. The first stage to the Poplar lanes area will be completed in time for the Rugby World Cup in 2011. Trams will run through Cashel Mall to High Street and down to the lanes area then back up to Cathedral Square where it will rejoin the original route.

The second stage will see the tram continue down High Street from the Poplar lanes area down to CPIT with a completion date of 2013.

The tram extension is well supported by both the public and business, and so far has had a smooth ride towards completion. Generally I support the proposed tram extension, but not if it is simply going to emulate what we currently have (i.e a tourist based museum piece). It would seem that my viewpoint is shared by many people as a number of submissions outlined a view that the tram should be aimed more at opening up the CBD to locals and integrating it into the wider public transport system. Ultimately, I believe that this is what the Council are actually trying to achieve here, it is no coincidence that this extension runs right through the just announced southern CBD redevelopment plans which incorporates massive residential, commercial and retail developments.

If the tram is indeed destined to become a part of the public transport system, then what must we see come of this project? I propose the following;

• Integrated ticketing with Buses



• 'Metro' branding extended to trams



• Real time information integrated with buses



• Modern 'tram stops' with raised platform and shelters



• Modern light-rail vehicles

Soon the Council will announce more detailed plans for the new city bus terminal, and it has already been stated that it will be built to accommodate future light-rail schemes. What this means is any ones guess as talk about light-rail has been mixed with revivals of conventional rail and it has been hard to know exactly what they are talking about. Nevertheless, the Council has talked about this extension forming both the beginning of a city-wide light-rail network as well as the first stage of an eventual city loop light-rail scheme connecting with a revived commuter rail network at Moorhouse Ave.

Below is my take on what the tram extension could eventually form in the southern CBD. The Blue lines are an extension south to Moorhouse Ave and back up Colombo Street to Cathedral Square. As well as providing additional access to the rest of the CBD this concept would also enable services to a revived Christchurch railway station at Moorhouse Ave and the new bus terminal near Lichfield Street both located by purple boxes.

Personally I see such a scheme as this providing the easiest and cheapest hope of reviving, and making viable, high-capacity transport modes within the Greater Christchurch area. Crucially without access to the central CBD no revived rail service would survive or be of great benefit.

Price of Petrol

I check in every now and again on the campaign for better transport's (CBT) website (www.bettertransport.org.nz) and have used the website to keep a keen eye on the price of petrol. Of course we all know a little over a year ago oil went well beyond US $100 a barrel and NZ $2.20 per litre but we seem to have forgotten that as the price of oil has plummeted to as low as US $40 a barrel in recent times (well, as the world economy collapsed to be frank). However, in as little time as over the last two weeks or so oil has moved from $48 a barrel to $68, an upward trend long predicted by many. As the world economy stabilises and improves this should continue to increase. Although the increasing cost of petrol isn't my primary reasoning for supporting greater investment in public transport it nevertheless is a serious problem with the potential to have long term ramifications for our economy. I will continue to watch this with interest and hope it serves as a catalyst for greater change in transport policy in New Zealand.

Anyway, I am currently working on a small project about the proposed Christchurch tram extension. I hope to show what is planned and explain a bit about what I hope for. Should have this done later this week. Till then, keep your powder dry.