Norman wrote:Because the business case for the trams has not been completed yet. The department has no idea how many trams it needs yet, if any at all. If the business case recommends only a city loop and airport line, it would be pretty silly to buy 50 trams now.
The business case will show how many and what types of trams we need.
Well yes, that's true enough. However, what's wrong with doing that exact business case before ordering the trams? Of course, that might mean the trams and extension were six months later, but is that a problem if we are talking about $300m worth of trams?
Why are we buying trams before a business case is undertaken? Why could the business case not have been done earlier? What's the hurry now that wasn't a hurry when we could have started a business case months earlier?
For example, knowing we are going to need something of the order of the 50 trams, why not look round for the most suitable and cost effective types now, buy three, and test them extensively in the next few years. Then when it comes time for the main order using $300m of taxpayer money, we'll have in depth experience on which to make a decision?
Of course there's no connection between this timing and the coming election, is there?