The first of Newcastle’s light rail fleet has arrived and Revitalising Newcastle is encouraging anyone who comes into the city to ‘be aware, there’s a tram there.’
The first tram arriving in Newcastle coincides with the launch of a safety campaign to promote staying aware in the city centre with trams soon to start testing, and services commencing early next year.
Revitalising Newcastle Program Director Michael Cassel said the arrival of the first tram was a huge milestone and the perfect time to start talking about safety.
"The arrival of our first tram is a big moment, and with testing starting from next month it’s time to raise awareness of how to be safe around light rail in Newcastle.
"While testing will start gradually, with trams travelling slowly along the track at night, later this year trams will be travelling frequently through the city simulating timetabled running.
"Light rail is by design quiet and less obtrusive than other forms of public transport, and with our trams weighing 45 tonnes and moving at 40 kilometres an hour, it’s especially important to be aware in the city centre.
"The community will see more information from Revitalising Newcastle about living safely with trams, and work has already started on a schools program to ensure local students are conscious of the changes in the city.
"The most important thing we’ll be encouraging is that people follow signs and signals in the city centre. We’ve added six new pedestrian crossings along the light rail route which will operate in tandem with trams to ensure people can cross the road safely," he said.
Mr Cassel said the upcoming testing and commissioning program was essential to ensure the system functions as it should from the first day of services.
"Each tram needs to undergo rigorous testing to ensure they function exactly as they should, and provide the safe, efficient and comfortable ride they’re built for.
"The community will see our first tram out on the tracks from next month, and from then they’ll be a permanent fixture of Newcastle."
Top 5 light rail safety tips
- Stay alert. Trams are quiet, move quickly, and take longer to stop than smaller vehicles
- Always obey traffic lights and road signals
- When crossing the tracks on a bike, in a wheelchair, or with a pram, keep your wheels at right angles to the track so they don’t get stuck
- Pedestrians should only cross at designated crossings and intersections, and always look both ways
- Remember walking, driving or cycling in designated tramways is not permitted.
