Maiden Tram Trip Marks New Era for Newcastle

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Politicians and lucky locals took the first trip on the Newcastle Light Rail this morning.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian was joined by Transport Minister Andrew Constance, Newcastle Liberal Candidate Blake Keating and Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot Macdonald for the ride from Newcastle Beach to Newcastle Interchange.

It was the first complete trip for the tram while carrying a load of passengers, which included a host of excited schoolchildren.

Concerns were raised about the expected efficiency of the service last week after it was revealed one tram was yet to finish testing and another was still yet to arrive from Spain, but Andrew Constance dismissed these, saying it won't make any difference.

"There will be a tram every ten minutes and then they'll get the final vehicle in place and that will then deliver the optimum seven and a half minute frequency over the next couple of weeks," said Mr Constance.

The premier said the project's completion comes after years of hard work.

"I remember when I first became the transport minister nobody used public transport in the CBD of Newcastle, the buses ran around empty, the services didn't connect," said Gladys Berejiklian.

"This frequency and the value for money is going to attract people like never before."

Residents will be able to ride the tram for free on Sunday as part of a community event to launch the service before paid services begin on Monday morning.

Andrew Constance, Gladys Berejiklian and Blake Keating. Image: Gemma Ferguson/2nurfm News

Daytime Testing of Newcastle Light Rail Begins

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A flash of red was seen darting around Hunter street this morning, with the first daytime test of Newcastle's light rail taking place.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance visited the CBD to witness the milestone, inspecting the depot and control centre before jumping aboard with engineers for a ride to Queens Wharf.

Minister Constance says he's fully confident Novocastrians will embrace the trams.

"Anybody who thinks Hunter Street is not going to come to life now because of public transport is wrong," he says, "we will see an uplift in values, we will see a restoration of confidence...I particarly want to pay tribute to the small business community who've done it particularly tough through construction, but look at it now."

The Transport Minister confirmed light rail services will be up and running sometime in February 2019.

Newcastle's first light rail vehicle has been put through its paces already, driven more than 500 kilometres by engineers testing braking and onboard energy storage.

Commuters will be able to pay for their trip via Opal card, credit or debit card as well as Apple Watches and smartphones.

Minister Constance says the state government is offering affordable fees.

"Can I also say to the people of Newcastle that you can get a 20 cent trip on the tram. We introduced the $2 transfer discount, it means people can catch a bus or the heavy rail to Wickham, then jump on a tram and enjoy the benefits of a 20 cent trip."

The next two light rail vehicles are expected to arrive in the next week as final testing goes ahead.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance in Newcastle.