Seeking support for LGWM consideration of elevated light rail

Stephen from Hataitai

Hi all

I had an opinion article published in Stuff proposing LGWM consider the elevated light rail option for Wellington that has been operating in a suburb of Tokyo that has a very similar landscape to Wellington with steep hills, narrow congested streets and valleys at speeds up to 75kph.

This is a existing system - so watch a video youtu.be...

Given the mostly positive feedback I have received, I am seeking interested people to join the following FB page as I need ideas and support to progress this further. www.facebook.com...

Yes i accept it will be visible above the road but the route is mostly not down residential streets and it wont involve a loss of road space or significant amounts of park. Compare this to FIT's light rail design where:
• at least one traffic lane would be lost on the waterfront quays and possibly on Taranaki St,
• southbound vehicles on Riddiford St, in Newtown, would be moved to the adjacent Daniel St.
• www.stuff.co.nz...

For your information:

Read the full Stuff article: www.stuff.co.nz...

In brief -
• Can fit down the golden mile which light rail cannot necessitating their proposed waterfront route in wellington

• Has same capacity as light rail

• Doesn’t require removal of road lanes or significant amounts of parking • Its elevated so there’s no risk of accidents with people, cycles ,etc or cyclists falling off due to tracks

• Is much faster than light rail at 75kph because it doesn’t need to take account of intersections or people crossing its tracks or shared roads with other vehicles

• Has rubber tyres so is quiet • Can go up and down 10% gradients much steeper than light rail

• It can switch lines like light rail

• Doesn’t occupy road space so doesn’t conflict with traffic and could easily service suburbs such as Island Bay / Karori

• Could provide mass transit to Newlands and Woodridge

• Minimal disruption during construction • Stations are located over the roadway and can have gateways to ensure all passengers on the platform have already paid (speeding boarding). Lifts provide access for people unable to climb stairs

• Does not require tunnels to reach the airport (like the light rail proposals) minimising construction time

• Does not require Daniel St to me made one way as per the FIT light rail proposal. In Fit Wellington's design, at least one traffic lane would be lost on the waterfront quays and possibly on Taranaki St, while southbound vehicles on Riddiford St, in Newtown, would be moved to the adjacent Daniel St. www.stuff.co.nz...