The new Tram Town?

Melbourne (Australia) is sometimes called Tram Town because of the trams (aka light rail) that still serve as a key form of public transport (as opposed to a tourist attraction). Once derided as well out of fashion, civic planners the world over are starting to recognise just how wonderful the tram is.

So why not Sydney? Press articles about trams in Sydney have been escalating recently - the latest in today's SMH: Forget the tunnel - all hail the tram.

One issue the article brings up is that of the steep grades found in Sydney - a problem Melbourne just doesn't have. The other problem, that of quarantining streets (or even just right hand turns) is, to me, an opportunity. Imagine a Sydney criss-crossed with pedestrian malls with trams running down them. Do we really need cars and trucks driving through the center of Sydney? The cross city tunnel (like it or loathe it) removes much of the necessity for the through-city traffic.

Maybe it's because I grew up in Melbourne, but bring on the tram I say! Subsidise the cross-city tunnell toll, block off major inner city streets to regular traffic (and busses) and flood the city with trams. We may as well get rid of that stupid monorail while we're at it (yes, even great Sydney once stooped to the monorail sales pitch!).