For believers in the advancement of public transport in general and light rail/trams in particular, Sunday, 14 October 2007 was a landmark day. The opening of Adelaide's tramway extension on that day was the culmination of around 30 years of discussion about extending the Glenelg tram line into the heart of the South Australian capital. It is easy to forget that the Glenelg line could have easily been closed years ago. It originally was given a life of around 10 years after the rest of the tram network closed in 1958 and in more recent times former South AustralianTransport Minister Dianna Laidlaw seemed keen to convert the line into a busway. It is therefore fitting that SA Premier Mike Rann should pay tribute not only to the Glenelg tramway's remarkable survival but also the former tramway network. He listed many former tramway destinations in his extension opening speech and praised those who have supported thetramway cause. The Premier has indeed had a "conversion on the tram line to Damascus" thanks in part to the efforts of Fred Hanson of Portland's (US) TriMet light rail system which Mr Rann visited and came away imbued with light rail fervour.Significantly, Mr Hanson attended the opening ceremony.
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