1. Intro

Welcome to my Hobart Light Rail Metro blog site.

My scenario plan is for a transformation of the Tasmanian state capital into a carbon neutral transit oriented city where a light rail network can be the principal core served by autonomous vehicles and buses. This is a long term vision of mine going back to 2000 when I was a resident of Hobart. 

I am a public transport advocate - member of Rail Futures Inc and former resident of Hobart, Tasmania. I am currently living in Melbourne and frequently visit the Tasmanian capital.

Over time I will be making updates and some necessary alterations as more relevant information becomes available and importantly as public debate increases when concerning the needs for better transport infrastructure in Hobart. I look forward to your comments.

Many thanks to the City of Hobart - Planning Department for their generous support with detailed mapping.

2. History of Trams in Hobart

Public transport in Hobart today is provided almost entirely by the state government owned bus system – Metro Tasmania. This however was not always the case as up until the early 1960s the city was served by a municipal tram and electric trolley bus network. There was also a regular state passenger rail service from Hobart to the northern suburbs and beyond. This was closed down in the mid 1970s.

Fig. 01: Postcard from c1917 of two HMT round front double deck trams at the Sandy Bay terminus.

3. A Little Rail Guidance for Hobart

Fig 01: Hobart City and surrounding suburbs map showing the 2009 Parsons Brinckerhoff - PB and the HNSARG (Hobart Northern Suburbs Action Rail Group) proposals. Included are my own two proposals for a possible Hobart Light Rail Metro network and a City Bypass road tunnel and new Tasman Bridge.

4. LRT Evolution

Light rail transit (LRT) is one of the fastest modes of public transport infrastructural development worldwide. Its origins go back to the late 1960s and 1970s when a number of German cities in particular coupled trams and ran them on fully or partial ROW lines. LRT became an effective and economical method for meeting public transit needs through pre-metro or semi-metro transportation systems. This said Edmonton claims to be the world’s first purpose built LRT system, first opened in 1978. Since 1970 there have been over 100 LRT systems built world wide.

In 1987 Melbourne converted the former St Kilda and Port Melbourne heavy rail lines to partial LRT and the city is undergoing a gradual and indeed long term transition from metropolitan tramway system to LRT network. Sydney in the 1990s and 2010s reintroduced trams with an LRT line  placed mostly along a disused rail corridor. The Gold Coast, Newcastle and Canberra now have recently introduced LRT lines. LRT systems wherever running surface or sub-surface are generally less costly compared with rapid transit heavy rail and have the benefits of access to streets as traditional tramways have. LRT can likewise have its own exclusive ROW corridors such as with metro rail systems. Generally LRT vehicles are articulated trams and potentially have faster running speeds, fewer stops to traditional street bound tramways and higher passenger load capabilities (PAX).