Tezza, I love your optimism.
If only I could see the future of Newcastle through your rose coloured glasses I would be able to safely relax in the knowledge that the transport and development needs of the city are in safe and dependable hands.
Unfortunately you and I are living in parallel universe's and in mine all the politicians are corrupt and the plans are to destroy an existing system and replace it with spectacular light rail which haven't been designed, quoted, budgeted or even discussed.
I can look forward to no rail transport after Boxing day but I will be able to look forward to a proposed interchange with a large carport roof, traffic congestion in the Wickham and Hamilton areas like never seen before, and no plans for a bus interchange to link up with it.
I can also look forward to wasting $400M earned from the misguided lease of the Port which could have been spent on at least half a dozen more worthy and needy projects.
So you can see your world looks much nicer than mine, but sadly yours doesn't appear to really exist, so welcome to mine!