Podcars: could this be the future of light rail?

While our local ACT Government struggles to discuss light rail as a serious contender for commuter transport, other governments continue to get on with doing it. The Gold Coast's light rail is moving ahead nicely, Sydney's may be expanding soon.

And in India and at the Heathrow Airport, these nifty little 'podcars' are taking light rail to a whole new level of 'light'.

And Stokholm in Sweden is planning a much more extensive network, as this video shows:



It's often said (only half-jokingly) that public transport is great, except that you have to share it with the public. With podcars, that choice would be put in the commuter's hands - no share at a higher fare or share and save.

This could be an interesting option for Canberra to consider. Certainly the tracks could be far less intrusive than traditional rail or overhead lines, as this official spiel shows:



The key factor of course is that - unlike many 'concept' proposals - this one already exists, has been built in multiple sites, and is therefore proven.