“There is an alternative to the light rail. It looks the same, operates in a similar way, but at a tiny percentage of the initial investment. No rails! No new bridges! Much more flexible for future options,” writes political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.

Rather than slugging Canberrans so heavily in the 2025-26 budget, Treasurer Chris Steel could have pursued another option.

The constant blow-out on light rail, resulting in a debt of over a billion dollars highlights the problem.

There is an alternative to the light rail. It looks the same, operates in a similar way, but at a tiny percentage of the initial investment. No rails! No new bridges! Much more flexible for future options. In design terms, the trackless tram sits between buses and light rail.

The constant blowout in costs of the current light rail system can be reined in. And Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Labor do not have to be embarrassed for failing to deliver on his promise of a tram.

in Perth, the City of Stirling conducted a thorough trial of the trackless tram in 2023. The system of a rubber-tired tramway (or guided bus) system was originally developed by Lohr Industrie of France. In Stirling, the trial connected Glendalough Train Station to the iconic Scarborough Beach precinct. 

The 30-metre-long vehicle running on rubber tyres arrived in September,  2023, and underwent a range of tests by experts from across Australia. As reported in Sustainable Bus, the research is being used to understand a range of issues. These include how the vehicle operates, the impacts on the road surface and the quality of the ride.

The project was delivered by the City of Stirling working with partners from Curtin University, the Chinese vehicle manufacturer CRRC, and Shanghai Electric and Infrastructure Technology Solutions.

The report of the trial was extremely positive. The vehicle can travel at a speed of 70km/h and carry between 150 to 300 passengers. The guiding mechanism uses magnetic nails embedded in the road. For the trial, the trackless tram was operating on a dedicated lane, with priority at traffic lights. Access into Scarborough Beach became largely trouble-free.

The trackless tram, like our current light rail, is a bidirectional vehicle with a driver’s seat at both ends so that it doesn’t need to turn around. It has a flat wide floor, with easy access from station platforms and room to accommodate things such as bikes, e-rideables, prams, and wheelchairs.

Feedback from the community revealed very positive findings:

• 94% said the ride quality was good to excellent

• 98% liked the look of the trackless tram

• 92% liked the accessibility of the tram

• 73% said it was better than a bus.

The outcome of the trial and the future of the trackless tram is currently under consideration by the Council of the City of Stirling.

As Canberra is moving away from overhead wires and moving the current trams and our bus fleet towards chargeable batteries, it makes sense to consider the trackless tram that also runs on chargeable batteries.

Some challenges will remain. According to the report of the trial by Arup, for example, it will require some approvals. 

“Identifying the path forward to gaining approval for a new technology involves all tiers of government. Apart from the bus models that can be built in Australia consistent with ADRs (Australian Design Rules)… vehicles will require legislative changes and import approval processes”.

Arup does suggest one possibility is providing “ministerial exception for a ‘special purpose vehicle’ and a state minister can approve its use under certain conditions”.

The recent ACT budget sees huge increases in the way that Canberrans are being slugged. Rates are increasing significantly. As reported by the ABC, “for houses, average rate rises range from $47 a year in Chapman to $2332 in Forrest – that’s an increase of 18 per cent”. No doubt, in due time, this increase will be passed on to renters as well.

Then there are all the other increases even beyond the hospital levy of $250 per ratepayer. Parking will increase by 6 per cent. There will be an extra 10 per cent for the ambulance levy, driver licence fees will jump by 10.7 per cent. This will mean now paying $486.80 for a 10-year renewal. Most appalling is the slug on those seeking to assist people in need with a charge of $11 to get a volunteer working with vulnerable people card.

There are options for better outcomes for the ACT budget. Being sensible about light rail is one.