Answers to Questions

TRAMLINE EXTENSION

154 The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (24 September 2008) (51^st Parliament Second Session). Can the Minister for Transport advise:

1. Have there been any reports of power supply problems on the Glenelg tramline?

2. Have there been instances of trams needing to stop or slow down because of power supply issues?

3. Can extra trams be placed on the network without an increase in power supply?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide): The Minister for Transport has advised:

1. There are no systemic power supply problems. Circuit breaker 'trips' or minor electrical faults do occur at times but these are to be expected with tram power systems.

2. Only as a result of the occasional such fault. In the last four years the average total delay experienced has been 60 minutes per year.

3. With the extension to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre a new power converter station will be built given the extra distance that will now be serviced. The additional six Alstom Citadis trams do not require the power system to be augmented.

All electric rail systems (trams or train) have an upper limit of vehicles that can be operated. When that limit is reached the system is augmented. With this government's unprecedented commitment to expansion of our public transport system augmentation will be necessary in the future for very high frequency services.