Need a safety refresher course for the new trams? Waterfront Auckland is advising cyclists, pedestrians and motorists to watch out for the rails, take care when crossing and listen for oncoming trams.
Trams will return on Saturday, August 6 during the opening of Wynyard Quarter, for the first time since 1956. Two historic, bright carnation-red trams bearing the logos and personal tram number sequence from the last time trams were in the city will run a 1.5km clockwise loop from Halsey St to Gaunt St, Daldy St and Jellicoe St within Wynyard Quarter.
John Dalzell, chief executive of Waterfront Auckland says that it’s important for everyone to brush up on their road awareness skills to take into account the new, 11cm-wide steel tram tracks.
“It’s been more than 50 years since the public has encountered train tracks and trams operating on busy city streets. Cyclists need to be aware of the double rails, avoid cycling on them if possible, and if they need to cross the rails, to do so at right angles. The rails can get very slippery when wet, so we should all take care when crossing roads where tram tracks are installed.”
The larger 48-long W2 tram weighs 17 tonnes, seats 52 people and has a driver and conductor onboard. The smaller X-1 tram IS 31 feet long, weighs 9 tonnes, seats 32 people and has one driver onboard.
Both trams have front and rear indicators and warning gongs that ring when the tram pulls out on to the road as it leaves each stop. Auckland Tramways has been contracted to operate the “dockline” tram within Wynyard Quarter.
I cycle round there a lot and now have another obstacle to avoid ... .but I do welcome back the trams, its a neat idea for Auckland