The Sydney Monorail’s 25 year stint
did not go as planned but its existence was for a time, the symbol of progress
and a glimpse of the future that was to come. It was a sight to see, especially
for children who live hours away from the Big City. The ride was most especially breathtaking,
while the carriages, seemingly suspended in mid-air, speed up almost silently
all over the city with its tall buildings and busy streets far below. An
experience the children and a few adults will never forget.
But as other nations started to build greater feats in
design, architecture and technology, the monorail stood much like an iron
dinosaur, completely obsolete and more of an obstruction rather than a tourist
attraction or an actual transport system.
If only Darling Harbor has kept its end of the bargain…
However, on its last weekend of
operations, the Sydney Monorail once again gives back to the children of
Australia. Thanks to the citizens who
wish to bid it farewell, some taking their first and final ride, some genuinely
saddened because an icon will finally and completely ride its last.
The NSW Government has encouraged
everyone to take a nostalgic farewell ride on the monorail for a worthy cause
and it has exceeded its expectations, for the first time. The monorail’s last
weekend of operations raised $70,000.00.
All the proceeds will go to several children’s charities – Camp Quality,
CanTeen, Make-A-Wish Australia, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Youth
off the Streets.
The Sydney Monorail will be
dismantled immediately after it closes. But part of the monorail rolling stock
and track will have its place at the Powerhouse Museum. The rest will be recycled. The end for the
futuristic monorail gives way to a better Inner West Light Rail Transportation
system and expansion and redevelopment of the Sydney international Convention,
Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct.
