Light Rail

1
Light Rail Rapid Transit Finding the keys to
unlock the best options for urban travel13th
October 2005
BEGINNING OF THE END, OR END OF THE
BEGINNING?The UK TRAM assessment of how to take
plans forward

• Neil Scales OBE
• Chief Executive Director General
• Merseytravel

Phil Hewitt Head of TfL London Trams Chair of
UKTram Steering Group
and
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Context

• Beginning of the end, or end of the beginning?
• The case for Light Rail is well established
• Light Rail is a means to an end
• regenerating and creating sustainable cities
• fuel prices
• the road user charging debate
• population and demographic trends
• housing market expansion in the South East, the
  Northern Way
• The key challenge to simplify the DELIVERY
  PROCESS and ALIGN all the KEY PLAYERS

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Key Questions to be Addressed

• How can we shorten the delivery timescale from
  inception to opening?
• Who is best placed to lead the process?
• What can we learn from overseas examples?
• What can we learn from UK experience to date?
• How can we reduce costs and improve efficiency?

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Lessons Learnt from Tramways in France

• Implement in corridors with strong existing bus
  ridership
• Restructure buses to support, not compete with
  tramways
• Construct in-street to regenerate streetscape,
  advertise tramway and displace cars
• Dedicate fill right of way with signal priority
• Space stops within easy walking distance of each
  other
• Focus on image of tramway
• Institute dedicated funding for public transport
• Provide strong leadership (political will) to
  support project
• Source Lessons from French Tram Schemes, PTEG

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Lessons Learnt from Tramways in France

• Versement Transport (transport tax)
• Local payroll tax
• 1.75 of company payroll (gt 9 employees)
• e.g. Lyon, population of 1.4 million, raises
  100m EACH YEAR
• Similar local sales/gas taxes raised to fund US
  transit projects

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The Merseytram Approach

• Learning from UK and Overseas experience
• Network-based approach
• No. 1 Major Scheme in Local Transport Plan
• Part of wider regeneration initiative
• City Centre Movement Strategy
• Major Developments
• Social Inclusion objectives
• Integrated design approach
• Re-defined the approach to LRT procurement

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Key Components for Successful LRT

• A strong link with land use plans and
  regeneration initiatives
• Maximum segregation of tramway
• Direct routeings which provide high levels of
  accessibility
• Twin track layout throughout
• High Quality industry-standard components to
  minimise capital costs
• Integration with other public transport services
  and ticketing
• Integrated design to complement wider traffic
  management, public realm and city centre planning
  initiatives
• A transparent procurement strategy with
  appropriate allocation of risk
• Source Merseytram TWA Inquiry, Proof of
  Evidence, April 2004
• CONSISTENT WITH NAO REPORT FINDINGS

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Merseytram Key Aspects

• Segregated alignment, Merseytram Design Guide
• Comprehensive approach to Ridership forecasts,
  traffic impacts, scheme appraisal
• Early contractor involvement
• Public and Private partnership and risk share

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Merseytram 3-Line Network
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Key Developments along Merseytram Line 1
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Merseytram City Centre Loop

• Interchange with
• Lime Street Station
• Merseyrail
• Queen Square
• Paradise Street Bus Station
• Links between
• Commercial District
• Cultural Quarter
• Existing Retail Area
• Future Retail Area
• Waterfront developments
• Culture Tourism
• Links National Museums of Liverpool sites
• Boost for visitors tourists

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Liverpool Paradise Street Development Area

• 1 million sq. ft development
• 900 million
• Shops
• Restaurants
• Residential
• Multi-screen cinema
• Respects historic street pattern
• Planning consent 67 trips by non-car modes
• 100 private finance
• Includes
• Merseytram route
• Major new tram/bus interchange

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Liverpool Paradise Street Development Area
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Liverpool Paradise Street Development Area
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The Merseytram Project The Vehicle

• Merseytram Line 1
• 16.7km
• 26 stops
• 21 Light Rail Vehicles
• 80 seats/200 passengers
• Bombardier vehicle

• 270million
• Drivers and Conductors
• 6am to Midnight Operation
• 700 space Park and Ride

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Merseytram TWA Experience

• Line 1 awarded TWA Order in 28 weeks
• 286 objections (53 on one single property issue)
• Over 40 objections withdrawn before end of
  Public Inquiry

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Merseytram Line 1 Chronology

• Included in LTP
• DfT in principle funding
• Public consultation/Stakeholders
• Start of procurement
• Transport and Works Act application
• TWA Inquiry
• TWA Order confirmation
• Procurement Developer Agreement
• DfT Funding Decision
• Commercial Close (conditional)
• Financial/Full Commercial Close
• Start of Construction
• System opening

July 2000 December 2002 February 2003 -
ongoing April 2003 October 2003 April
2004 December 2004 January 2005 June 2005 October
2005 October 2005 October 2005 2008
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What Is UKTram?

• TRAMWAY industry representative body
• Brings together public and private sectors,
  operators, promoters, suppliers and financiers
• Positively supported by DfT and HMRI
• Incorporated as UKTram Ltd in September 2005
• Board of Directors - govern the organisation
• Steering Group - manages activities
• Activity teams - do the work
• A Body Committed to doing not discussing

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UKTram is Not

• A Lobbying Organisation
• Making the case for tram against other modes
• Representing wider light rail interests
• A Talking Shop

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Who are UKTram?

• UKTram Ltd equally owned by
• Confederation of Passenger Transport
• Light Rapid Transit Forum
• Passenger Transport Executive Group
• Transport for London (London Trams)
• Steering Group includes
• Department For Transport
• Her Majestys Railway Inspectorate
• Activity Teams
• Steering Group members
• Industry experts
• You?

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Aims and Objectives

• Where Tramways Are Chosen As The Means Of
  Delivering Local Transport Objectives, UKTram
  Will Promote Solutions That Deliver Best Value
  For The Public Sector And Reasonable Returns For
  Private Investors

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Aims and Objectives

• Addressing causes of cost escalation
• Developing common pools of expertise and
  knowledge
• Understanding risk and risk allocation
• Developing standard solutions, guidelines and
  codes of practice
• Development of alternative procurement and
  funding methodologies
• Promotion of research activities

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First Steps

• 12 activity groups formed
• Prioritised workstream under development
• 45k of experts time committed to date
• Funding proposals to UKTram Board and DfT in
  November?
• Engaging wider industry audience
• Application for EU Research Funding

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End of the Beginning

• NAO report and DfT decisions in 2004/5 mark end
  of the initial phase of tramway development
• UKTram highlights industry commitment to
  resolving problems
• Government position to date - closer partnerships
  will bring better solutions strongly supportive
  of UKTram objectives
• UKTram, with Government support can help deliver
  cost effective, affordable and efficient public
  transport schemes

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Conclusions

• Streamline the LTP and Transport and Works Act
  process
• Align funding approval to the planning process
• Streamline and standardise the procurement
  process with sensible allocation of risk
• Allow for indexation
• Standardise light rail components to reduce
  capital costs
• Review scope for raising local funds for local
  schemes
• Light Rail schemes must be fully integrated
• With developments
• With traffic/public realm schemes
• With other public transport
• With park ride
• Review the financing of Light Rail is covering
  operating costs through the farebox realising the
  full economic/social benefits of LRT?