Sydney’s first tram makes 1 million kilometres with more new trams soon on order
Sydney, Friday 18 Feb 2011 – Today, Pyrmont Light Rail’s ‘Light Rail Vehicle 1’ (LRV1) was the first tram to travel one million kilometres.
Just after 9.30 this morning, LRV1 pulled into Star City Station, as it made the one million kilometre mile stone.
Daryl Rodriguez, the Light Rail driver who had the pleasure of being on shift when LRV1 clicked over, said he felt privileged to be driving at the time.
“I’ve been working for Light Rail for five years and driving trams for three and a half,” he said
“I’m really lucky to be the one driving today because generally I’m on permanent night shift and I rarely drive during the day. I just happened to be called in to do a day shift today,” said Daryl.
One million kilometres of travel on the current light rail system equates to just over 69,444 loops.
Pyrmont Light Rail Company is currently undergoing a study of patronage for the new light rail extension from Lilyfield station through to Dulwich Hill.
The study will accurately determine the number of new passengers that can be serviced by the extension and therefore the appropriate number of new trams required to ensure the same service and comfort level that is now offered will continue for the inner west extension.
With construction of the new extension from Lilyfield to Dulwich Hill due to start in September 2011, the targeted start date of operations for the new inner west extension is the end of 2012.
Today’s Light Rail was one of the first seven purchased to service the original Light Rail system which opened in1997 from Central to Wentworth Park. Three years later second stage through to Lilyfield was completed.
Daryl said it was great. He was really stoked and wondered if he will get a chance to be there when the other six Light Rail Vehicles, click over the one million mark.
