Sydney once had one of the world’s largest tram networks, before its sudden closure in the mid-20th century. This course examines the rise and fall of the tram system, the reasons behind its removal, and the social consequences for the city. We also explore the return of light rail and what it suggests about the future of urban transport in Sydney.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

COURSE OUTLINE

• Trams: their arrival in history
• The beginnings of the Sydney tram network in the 1860s
• The growth of the electric trams
• The Sydney tram network at its zenith
• Decline of the network and closure
• The return of the light rail
• Sydney vs. Melbourne - a comparison
• The future of the light rail in Sydney?

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Appreciate the importance of the tram network to Sydney’s infrastructure in the 19th and 20th centuries
2. Discuss and appreciate the advantages and disadvantages of tram as a form of public transport