Perth can have an integrated transport system which includes a light rail component. This is the opinion of members of the Light Rail Action Group, a diverse group of people who are interested in improving transport in Perth. We asked PHIL McMANUS, a spokesperson for the group, to explain their views.
The Light Rail Action Group was formed in mid-1991 as a result of a more environmentally conscious alternative to the so-called City Northern Bypass proposed by the Independent MLA for Perth, Dr Ian Alexander, and myself.
This so-called "bypass" is a major road planned in secret to link the Mitchell Freeway with the eastern suburbs of Perth. Our alternative proposal, after investigating various options, was to recommend a light rail route that linked existing facilities in Perth, such as a ferry terminus, the Busport, the bus station and the train station with the airports and the eastern suburbs.
As a result of this work, an interest group of community representatives, environmentalists, engineers, unionists, students, local politicians, urban planners and general enthusiasts formed around the transport mode known as "light rail".
Light rail transit is a flexible form of electric rail transport that can operate rapidly when separated from private automobiles, or can move slowly through city streets so as not to detract from a safe pedestrian environment. While originally developed as a hybrid between trams and trains in Germany, the technology has improved rapidly so that light rail can be adapted to the needs of high density European and Asian cities, or to the needs of west coast USA cities such as Portland, Sacramento and Los Angeles.
We originally recommended light rail for Perth because of its speed, flexibility, safety and less polluting nature, because people prefer the smoothness and permanency of rail-based transport and because it was seen as appropriate for Perth's low density urban form.
From its inception, the Light Rail Action Group has included relevant unions in its membership because these unionists have a working knowledge of transport in Perth and because we do not intend to let governments and transport authorities use light rail as an excuse to degrade working conditions.
We are against the enormous levels of funding and subsidy given
to the private automobile and associated infrastructure, not against other forms of public transport and the very energy efficient and clean modes of walking and cycling.
Since the inception of the Light Rail Action Group, our 40-odd members have met as the need has arisen. Not every member attends every meeting, but we are continually welcoming new people to join the group. Early in 1992 the Light Rail Action Group decided to develop an integrated network of light rail transport so that we could overcome previous criticisms about the lack of integration of our ideas with the wider transport needs of Perth.
A working group of 10 people met to develop a concept which was then amended slightly by the Light Rail Action Group. It was this plan, based on the notions of linking existing transport facilities, major traffic generators (such as universities and shopping centres), existing high-demand bus routes and proposed major developments, that we released through the mainstream media.
The plan identified some "priority routes" and less urgent "possible routes". While some routes focused on the central city, there was also a suburban ring route which was designed to serve the needs of suburban residents rather than central area commuters.
The plan has received favourable response from the public, wheelchair access groups and some planners and transport experts. There have been some negative comments, usually relating to the idea of "trams" or of spending money on public transport.
The plan and resulting media attention have raised awareness of light rail generally. Recently people such as author Elizabeth Jolley and Aboriginal activist Clarrie Isaacs have been promoting the idea in the West Australian. This takes the light rail concept to a new audience that otherwise we might not have been able to reach.
The proposals for light rail do not represent a radical critique of society or a comprehensive call for change. What they do represent is the organisation of an interest community that can highlight the problems of a car-dependent city and can propose innovative alternatives to capture the imagination of professionals and members of the wider public. They also increase pressures to review the existing transport proposals for central Perth so that walking, cycling and more environmentally sustainable forms of transport are favoured.
The cumulative impact of this work makes it more difficult for the car and road lobbies to continue their destruction of our cities. While in itself light rail does not necessarily promote a
more humane city, linked with other environmental and social actions, it can be part of a progressive movement.