Monash University is calling for both the State and Federal Governments to fund the $1.45 billion Caulfield-Rowville Trackless Rapid Transit (TRT), proposed in 2021, with the Eastern Transport Coalition encouraging the community to voice their opinions on the project.
The $1.45 billion Caulfield-Rowville Trackless Rapid Transit (TRT) proposal sets out a path to see trackless vehicles up and running in just three years.
Monash University and Vicinity Centres presented the proposal in 2021 which shows trackless trams are cheaper, more flexible, and faster to construct than heavy rail.
Victoria’s southeastern corridor is a rapidly growing supercity and is considered to be one of the most important economic corridors in Australia. Monash University said there are challenges throughout the southeastern corridor, which include:
- Traffic congestion is getting worse
- East-west bus connections are getting slower
- The first stage of the Suburban Rail Loop won’t be completed until 2032 at the earliest
- Rowville is still waiting for a long-promised mass public transport option
The proposal states that trackless trams connecting Caulfield to Rowville can be delivered at a cost of approximately $1.4 billion, and be operational by 2025, compared to the cost of a comparable light rail solution which is $2.9 billion and an additional two years to complete.
Monash University’s proposal suggests there are possible planning challenges in Melbourne’s south-east that could be addressed using TRT, such as the rising cost of travel congestion and increasing public transport access to the Monash National Employment and Innovation Cluster (NEIC) and Clayton industrial and employment zone.
Monash University also suggested in its proposal a potentially cost-effective solution that includes the implementation of 13 new stations including at Carnegie, Oakleigh, Mount Waverley, Clayton, Mulgrave, and Wheelers Hill, as well as at Chadstone and Monash University as well as a number of other solutions, including supporting further development of activity centres along the route, creating job opportunities in the south-east, providing a new commuting option, and easing traffic congestion
Individuals can voice their opinions on the campaign via the ETC website at trt.etc.org.au/
While trackless trams are faster to deliver they have issues and are not necessarily cheaper to construct and operate. They generally don’t have the smooth ridability like modern lrt and are prone to uncomfortable Jerky movements similar to buses. A whole new suit of storage and maintenance facilities will have to be in place. The proposed Roweville rail corridor would be better as a tram lrt route