Basil Jet wrote:
I find it odd that the new Tube map doesn't show Tramlink. I know it's
not part of the Tube, but they show DLR, TfL Rail and all of the bits of
the Overground including six stations in Hertfordshire and an entire
shuttle which never strays far from the M25. They even show the bloody
emirates airline, which is fun but frankly barely qualifies as transport
at all. I see no difference between DLR and Tramlink significant enough
to warrant only one being on the Tube Map.

While I'm here, Croydon Tramlink arose from a study called, IIRC, "New
transport ideas for London" or some similar title, which contained many
other proposed tram lines in other parts of London. Obviously none of the
others have emerged. Does this mean that Tramlink is officially
considered to have been a failure? Or are other parts of London on a
nationwide queue of schemes, and as soon as Metrolink's latest branch is
opened will we get a Harrow Tramlink? Now that I've asked the question, I
suspect Crossrail has swallowed up the Home Counties' allocation of
government spending until about 2050.

Tramlink works because most of it runs on old railway formations, or at
least segregated tracks. I think the other London tram proposals have
included mostly on-street running, or taking over existing roads. That
leads to huge opposition from local residents and businesses, and the
on-street trams are hardly faster than buses.