Comments on: Milan and Penang: Trams vs Monorail/PORR/PGCC http://anilnetto.com/development-issues/milan-and-penangpgcc-trams-vs-monorailporr/ Journalism and other thoughts Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:30:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Tim http://anilnetto.com/development-issues/milan-and-penangpgcc-trams-vs-monorailporr/#comment-6901 Tim Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:26:28 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/2007/10/28/milan-and-penangpgcc-trams-vs-monorailporr/#comment-6901 Many an expert have proposed the reintroduction of trams in George Town. However, they base their argument on research done in non-tropical climate. So far, there isn't a large city in a tropical climate that has implemented the use of trams and for good reason. Apart from the views already pointed out, (that our streets are too narrow, and that the implementation of trams will only aggravate the gridlock), the sheet number of motorcyclists on the road make the presence of trams hazardous. As for the speed of the tram, if it is made to run slowly, it will create jams, if it is made to run fast, it will cause collisions. A friend of mine who was living in Italy (studying to be a priest) told me on an incident where his bicycle slipped on the tram tracks. This is going to happen to many of our motorcyclist on rainy days, if our narrow George Town streets are laid out with new tram tracks. Introducing trams and then finding it impractical will be a very costly mistake. To power the tram, our cities will look like cities in Thailand with overhanging cables. That's how streets in Europe look like, because of the tram. It is better that we concentrate on how we can improve on our bus system. We should continue to encourage the use of the Rapid Penang buses as a flexible transport system for the masses. Tim www.penang-traveltips.com Many an expert have proposed the reintroduction of trams in George Town. However, they base their argument on research done in non-tropical climate. So far, there isn’t a large city in a tropical climate that has implemented the use of trams and for good reason. Apart from the views already pointed out, (that our streets are too narrow, and that the implementation of trams will only aggravate the gridlock), the sheet number of motorcyclists on the road make the presence of trams hazardous. As for the speed of the tram, if it is made to run slowly, it will create jams, if it is made to run fast, it will cause collisions.

A friend of mine who was living in Italy (studying to be a priest) told me on an incident where his bicycle slipped on the tram tracks.
This is going to happen to many of our motorcyclist on rainy days, if our narrow George Town streets are laid out with new tram tracks.

Introducing trams and then finding it impractical will be a very costly mistake. To power the tram, our cities will look like cities in Thailand with overhanging cables. That’s how streets in Europe look like, because of the tram.

It is better that we concentrate on how we can improve on our bus system. We should continue to encourage the use of the Rapid Penang buses as a flexible transport system for the masses.

Tim
http://www.penang-traveltips.com

]]> By: K.C.Heah (KC) http://anilnetto.com/development-issues/milan-and-penangpgcc-trams-vs-monorailporr/#comment-254 K.C.Heah (KC) Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:13:55 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/2007/10/28/milan-and-penangpgcc-trams-vs-monorailporr/#comment-254 Coming to think of it I would agree to the setting up of this system versus what you now see in George Town. The cars can then be barred from the city which have to be demarcated. People can board the trams on a single ticket system and hopping on an off as they wishes whether on a straight line or at inter-sections. When this is to operate there must be setting up of multi-storey car parks to accomodate the vehicles coming in. One other thing which is important is the logistics for the movement of goods in and out when there are no other vehicles permitted in this area. Outside of this area other modes eg LRT, Monorail, Underground trains can still operate. Not forgetting Taxis and hire-cars to be fair. Coming to think of it I would agree to the setting up of this system versus what you now see in George Town. The cars can then be barred from the city which have to be demarcated. People can board the trams on a single ticket system and hopping on an off as they wishes whether on a straight line or at inter-sections. When this is to operate there must be setting up of multi-storey car parks to accomodate the vehicles coming in. One other thing which is important is the logistics for the movement of goods in and out when there are no other vehicles permitted in this area. Outside of this area other modes eg LRT, Monorail, Underground trains can still operate. Not forgetting Taxis and hire-cars to be fair.

]]> By: Ahlam http://anilnetto.com/development-issues/milan-and-penangpgcc-trams-vs-monorailporr/#comment-255 Ahlam Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:56:56 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/2007/10/28/milan-and-penangpgcc-trams-vs-monorailporr/#comment-255 Monorail and Trams both are good idea and should be implemented. Trams can implemented in the city center like Komtar/Explanate/Pulau Tikus/etc for short distance. Monorail will connect a longer distance like T.Bungah/Int Air-Port/FTZ/P.Terubong etc. Monorail and Trams both are good idea and should be implemented. Trams can implemented in the city center like Komtar/Explanate/Pulau Tikus/etc for short distance. Monorail will connect a longer distance like T.Bungah/Int Air-Port/FTZ/P.Terubong etc.

]]> By: Moaz Yusuf Ahmad http://anilnetto.com/development-issues/milan-and-penangpgcc-trams-vs-monorailporr/#comment-257 Moaz Yusuf Ahmad Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:11:49 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/2007/10/28/milan-and-penangpgcc-trams-vs-monorailporr/#comment-257 Another good (no, great!) thing about tram technology is the vast number of options that are available. Currently there are mroe than 20 companies in the world offering various types of trams of various sizes. These companies are located in North America, Europe and Asia. More competition through open tenders will give us the best options and the lowest prices. Compare this to the 3 manufacturers of monorail lines (Hitachi, Bombardier and Scomi), or the single manufacturer of the Kelana Jaya LRT (Bombardier). Not only are trams cheaper to construct and operate, we can have competition as well as lower prices....truly a win win win situation. cheers, mya Another good (no, great!) thing about tram technology is the vast number of options that are available.

Currently there are mroe than 20 companies in the world offering various types of trams of various sizes. These companies are located in North America, Europe and Asia.

More competition through open tenders will give us the best options and the lowest prices.

Compare this to the 3 manufacturers of monorail lines (Hitachi, Bombardier and Scomi), or the single manufacturer of the Kelana Jaya LRT (Bombardier).

Not only are trams cheaper to construct and operate, we can have competition as well as lower prices….truly a win win win situation.

cheers, mya

]]> By: Sean E http://anilnetto.com/development-issues/milan-and-penangpgcc-trams-vs-monorailporr/#comment-256 Sean E Thu, 17 Apr 2008 01:53:02 +0000 http://anilnetto.com/2007/10/28/milan-and-penangpgcc-trams-vs-monorailporr/#comment-256 Actually, a combination of monorail and tram would be ideal for Penang. Monorail to serve the outlying areas and tram to serve the city. Tram are at ground level and required no expensive pylons. The tram routes will carry the people to most corners of George Town. The monorail will deliver the people to a few interchange in the city, from which they will take the trams to their final destinations. At the sub-urban monorail stations, there will be ample multi storey car park for the people to park their cars and then ride the monorail to the city. The subsidy on petrol should be reduced and the savings used to finance these public transport projects. Now everybody get the subsidy, the rich, poor and the smugglers. The use of our precious petrol is very ineffecient. look at the number of single occupant cars. Look at the number of cars stuck in jam or inching along in heavy traffic. The BN government does not want to raise the petrol price as this will be a very unpopular move. Afterall the interest of BN politicians are not for the country. Actually, a combination of monorail and tram would be ideal for Penang.

Monorail to serve the outlying areas and tram to serve the city.

Tram are at ground level and required no expensive pylons. The tram routes will carry the people to most corners of George Town. The monorail will deliver the people to a few interchange in the city, from which they will take the trams to their final destinations. At the sub-urban monorail stations, there will be ample multi storey car park for the people to park their cars and then ride the monorail to the city.

The subsidy on petrol should be reduced and the savings used to finance these public transport projects. Now everybody get the subsidy, the rich, poor and the smugglers.

The use of our precious petrol is very ineffecient. look at the number of single occupant cars. Look at the number of cars stuck in jam or inching along in heavy traffic.

The BN government does not want to raise the petrol price as this will be a very unpopular move. Afterall the interest of BN politicians are not for the country.

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