ACT Light Rail were recently asked to take part in a 'Light Rail v Bullet Train Face Off'. We had reservations, as aside from rails, the two technologies are very different and serve very different needs. Nevertheless, we decided to take part.
The topic: Given the current financial climate, are our municipal funds better spent on light rail or a bullet train?
Here is our contribution below, as posted on their site. Click on the link, and go to the Riot Act site to take part in their debate.
Comparing the two is the classic apples to oranges cliché, as they are
very different transport solutions with little in common aside from rails. However,
that is what Riot Act has requested.
For the short and long term benefit of the ACT ratepayer, it is better
to build Capital Metro from Gungahlin to Civic, and eventually across Canberra,
than a bullet train.
Planning and engineering studies for light rail are well underway.
Construction costs can be estimated, as building light rail is a standard and
routine engineering task in Australia. Aside from conceptual feasibility
studies, no similar work has been performed for bullet trains. If it was ever
built, it may never come here, instead running directly between Melbourne and
Sydney.
Investing in light rail is not the challenge many believe. The ACT will
receive 4.4 billion dollars this year from the Federal government, an amount
rising incrementally every year. In this context a public transport investment
of 600 million over 4 years is fiscally prudent and a sound long-term
investment in a growing city.
Light rail has strong electoral support, with the parties taking it to
the 2012 Assembly election forming government. Individuals campaigning for
bullet trains attracted a handful of votes, as bullet trains provide few clear
benefits. Regular polling conducted since consistently shows a majority of
Canberrans supporting light rail. Canberrans understand the short and long term
benefits.
The use of public money for any project requires careful consideration
using triple bottom line analysis – economic, environmental and societal. In
each area Capital Metro delivers immediate and long-term benefits to Canberra,
that bullet trains can’t match.
Light rail will provide direct economic benefit in the ACT enhancing
productivity, freeing families from needing a second car and allowing parking
space to be better used. Increased patronage and retasked ACTION buses will
lead to a decrease in the public transport subsidy. Many construction jobs will
be immediately created.
Transit oriented development will act as an economic growth driver.
Businesses will establish themselves along the corridor knowing that parking
wont be required for all staff, and that clients can visit them with ease.
Light rail will alleviate road congestion, mitigate future road
construction costs and lead to a reversal in falling public transport patronage
by attracting new passengers. Tourists visiting the nations capital will no
longer get lost on the wrong bus.
Increased density along the corridor will lead to more walking, and a
rise in the number of small businesses to service the needs of new residents.
As Capital Metro expands across Canberra, this will be repeated.
The longer term benefits of light rail will be seen as its influence in
shaping Canberras growth and culture emerge over several decades. Those
preferring a suburban house and backyard will still have that option, but people
seeking an apartment style of living will have that option in more quantity,
and at lower cost.
Bullet trains may be wonderful technology and one day in the future
deserving of finance, however the immediate priority for Canberra’s ratepayers
is not visiting Sydney in 30 minutes, but commuting to work in 30 minutes.
For more frequent updates on Capital Metro and light rail related news, please visit our Facebook page 'Light Rail for Canberra'.
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