Guided Electric Transit Gaining Traction
Thursday 25 May, 2017
Inner West Council’s ground breaking proposal for a modern public transport solution for Parramatta Road is gaining momentum, with both Northern Beaches Council and the State Government showing interest in the project.
The technology is a Guided Electric Transit System (GETS), which is being widely used internationally. It uses optical technology to guide electrically powered trackless trams down narrow road corridors.
Inner West Council Administrator Richard Pearson said Council’s proposal – for clean, silent track-free trams centre-running along Parramatta Road between Strathfield and Sydney CBD – was also creating interest in the Northern Beaches of Sydney.
“It would cause minimal disruption to commuters, be quick and relatively cheap to install, and is environmentally friendly,” he said.
“Since our recent launch of the study, our transport experts have already been approached by other metropolitan Councils keen to discuss application of the breakthrough technology.”
Northern Beaches Council Administrator Mr Dick Persson AM said the concept of a Guided Electric Transit System has been recently proposed to Council by former Mayor Michael Regan.
“It appears this maybe a solution for the Northern Beaches future East-West transport route,” he said.
“It is definitely a concept worth looking into as a potential solution to provide a rapid public transport option for the Northern Beaches, from Dee Why to Chatswood.
“We look forward to working with Inner West Council and the State Government to further develop this proposal,” Mr Persson said.
Mr Pearson said Inner West Council had held constructive talks with the State Government around the proposal.
“We are seeking a dollar for dollar commitment to jointly fund a feasibility study into this bold new transport solution for Parramatta Road” he said.
“We’ve recently held positive discussions with Transport NSW as we seek State Government backing for the study.
“We need to investigate the practical implementation of our proposal to run a GETS along Parramatta Road, which would be the first system of its type in Australia.
“Given further State Government support, this cutting-edge public transport project could be delivered within five years - so their joint commitment is vital,” he said.
“This also may well lead to its implementation on other major metropolitan roads just as the success of the inner west light rail helped pave the way for the Sydney CBD light rail adoption.”
The innovative proposal emerged from the Parramatta Road Public Transport Opportunities Study, commissioned by Inner West and Canada Bay Councils and supported by all inner west councils.
View Council’s GETS proposal now at Parramatta Road