Tram Route 112

It has been a little while since I have caught the 112 tram for work but the rant below still stands.


I have been living in postcode 3072 for 6 years now and have used the 112 tram to get to and from work in the CBD a fair bit. The alternative to the 112 is to walk a longer distance and hope the train turns up on the Epping Line. The 112 has had some "issues" over that time.

How many times have I sat at the eye and ear Hospital stop on Victoria Pde to watch 3 or 4 mostly empty brand new trams going to Box Hill only to see a single length old 112 come around the corner 15 minutes late. Doors open and it is like a 3rd world country inside. I am sure some people have gotten pregnant on that tram it is so crowded.

It is a popular tram line that services one of the busiest restaurant and shop strips in Melbourne along Brunswick Street. It also provides a city commute for people from Parliament Station down Collins Street.

How to make it work better:

1. Limit single length trams to be used on non-peak times. Use articulated trams at peak times. They have more doors, more seats, more standing room. They therefore have less delays as people struggle to get on or off;
2. If the tram is full and there is another tram right behind the first one, keep going until someone asks for it to stop. Most people look at the crowded conditions when the door opens and say bugger it I will catch the next one anyway;
3. Equalise the priority in peak times between the 112 and the 109 at peak and shoulder times.
4. Increase the fair way zones at key locations such as on Brunswick Street and Alexandra Pde where the tram often sits still for minutes.
5. Increase the tram priority at a number of intersections so that it is not delayed;
6. When the existing roundabout at St-Georges Rd / Merri Pde is reconfigured give the tram priority.

Any other suggestions? let me know

update:

I caught the tram again this morning. It took about 40mins to get to the city from West Preston, the time taken was roughly as follows:

10 mins Bell St to Merri Pde along St Georges Road

5 mins Merri Pde to Brunswick St Oval where the Lions used to play

15 mins Brunswick St Oval to Alexandra Pde

10 mins Briunswick St

5 mins Victoria Pde to City fringe.

So the upshot is.. The tram is very efficient in getting to the city. Compare this with the 30mins it take via train from Bell Station to Southern Cross.

The only bit that takes the time is getting across Alexandra Pde. There should be a revisit of the clear way zone north of the pde intersection if Yarra Trams aer serious about improving the times taken by trams.