In the ongoing debate over the future of public transport in Hobart, Greens Leader Cassy O’Connor has voiced her support for a light rail system, arguing that it is the high-quality public transport solution that the city deserves.
Transport Minister Michael Ferguson, however, maintains that the northern suburbs bus proposal is a more economically viable option.
O’Connor contests this claim, saying that the available evidence does not support it.
“The government-commissioned comparative study work confirmed light rail is not only possible on the existing corridor, it would be more popular, and generate more social and economic activity,” O’Connor said.
“The Liberals’ plan will cost $50M a kilometre for buses that would hold only dozens of people.”
“It might look cheaper in the short term, but the economic and social benefits would fall way below the light rail option.”
Support for O’Connor’s stance comes from the Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group, who recently warned the AFL that rapid buses would be insufficient to manage the crowds at the proposed Macquarie Point stadium.
President of the group Toby Rowallan has urged the AFL to join their efforts in lobbying the Tasmanian Government to reinstate the railway for use as a commuter rail service.
“If Tasmania and Hobart are to have a stadium that matches those in other cities, then public transport is a vital feature that must be provided,” he said.
He said only a “small amount of work” was required to make a section of Glenorchy track suitable for the Transport Museum’s heritage trains, which only reopened in recent weeks.
“It is our firm belief that the costs of retaining and upgrading the existing railway have been greatly exaggerated, to its detriment, when in fact it would be far quicker and cheaper to use that railway, which would ensure that when the stadium is completed, an effective and capable public transport system would already be in place.”
“The cost of upgrading and fixing the existing track is unquestionably going to be cheaper than destroying it for a busway.”
O’Connor says while the Greens don’t support the proposed stadium at Macquarie Point, adding in a “second-rate transport option” would only make it worse.
“Light rail is significantly more popular than buses – a Western Australian project to rip up a bus line and create light rail saw a quadrupling of patronage. It would also stimulate more urban growth and jobs,” she said.
“Rapid buses will fail.”
