Auckland’s heritage trams to stop operating

THE Auckland Dockline Tram which opened in 2011 is threatened with imminent closure as the site used for its depot is to be redeveloped as new apartment buildings. However, it has been given a short reprieve and will continue to operate until April 2023. Auckland Council’s development agency, which owns the tramway infrastructure, has advised the Museum of Transport & Technology (MOTAT) that the apartment developer does not require the site where the tram shed is located until mid-2023 so services can continue for a few more months.

The 1.5km-long tramway operates at weekends using historic tram cars. The vehicles and other equipment will be transferred to MOTAT. Recent elections have resulted in the councillor originally responsible for building the tramway becoming the city’s mayor. So far this does not appear to have influenced the decision to close the system, although supporters have put forward proposals to extend the current line rather than closing it. Our thanks to Robert Sweet for information in this item.

ROBERT SWEET With the Auckland Sky Tower in the background tram 466 is seen on the Dockline route on August 28. This tram was built in 1926 in Melbourne, Australia and prior to entering preservation worked there as part of the fleet of X1 type trams.