A new tram system in Montreal has been the talk of the town for the last month if not the last year. I somehow fell upon this document [pdf 240 kb] put out by Projet Montreal, complete with maps of every borough, and their proposed tram lines. If you haven't forgotten the last municipal election, Projet Montreal is the very new municipal party that surprising won a seat. They are the ones who have been putting the pressure to introduce a tram system.
Their proposal is a very bold one at that, seemingly drawn up by randomly connecting lines using a blue felt pen. This is the type of ambitious project, however, needed to stop the automobile's pervasiveness. Implementing the key routes like Park Ave, Old Port, Henri-Bourassa and Notre-Dame would be a great beginning.
Update: (Thanks to the Montreal City Weblog) The city will unveil a transit plan today that will apparently address the need for sustainable transit on the island. Bridge tolls and streetcars are in order. It seems a lot of people (including Kate from the Mtl city weblog) do not think there are advantages of trams over buses... maybe an upcoming post?
Update #2: For those with a lot of free time (like myself) the 155 page pdf document released by the city is available here.
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karaoké
3 hours ago
4 comments:
i was just going to ask what's the big deal with the trams? Isn't it just a bus with a hook and on a rail? I don't understand the need to put a tram up on these streets. The project is expensive and could be easily avoided by bettering the existing bus lines. Is there a real advantage to trams? cuz I don'T get it.
I dont like Kate.
I think I can answer Jazzophile. Your right not to get trams. I've been living in Toronto for a few years now - and have been trying to understand this city's streetcars. The fact of the matter is that they are useless as a way to move people. They're slower than buses. Passengers must walk into the street to get them (or stand in a tiny island in the middle of the road whie waiting.) When one breaks down - which happens frequently - the whole service comes to complete stop.
Worst - when the service becomes out of whack (very frequently!) the TTC 'short turn' the streetcars. This mean dumping passengers off a vehicle and making them wait for another.
So why does TTC have streetcars. It's actually just for show. Many people like streetcars - but mostly those who don't have to ride them. Bizarre - but all too true.
Trolley VS Bus
Electric power vs Diesel fuel ($)
electric traction motors vs transmission oil, filters,etc.
non-polutant vs carbon deposits
steel wheels vs rubber(oil based)tires
stuck in traffic vs stuck in traffic with diesel constantly running burning fuel.
In the long run, trams are cheaper and less expensive than buses.
Montreal was shortsighted and wrong to scrap a functional and effecient tramway system.
Totonto's officials knew better and never scrapped their tramways.
They expanded their electric bus system as well.
And their GO Train suburban rail system is Notrh America's reference.
This is from a native born Montrealer who remembers what Montreal was like. Stepping out from the old Eaton's and boarding the No.3 line car heading home in the winter. You didn't wait 30 minutes for a car.
No more streetcars and no more Eaton's.
Clang-clang, went the trolley !
I'll get off my soapbox now.
Thank you.
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