G-class Melbourne tram

G-class
Front of the mockup of a G class tram at Alstom Warehouse in Tullamarine, December 2023
Interior seats at the rear of the G class tram mockup looking into a mirror at Alstom Warehouse in Tullamarine, December 2023
ManufacturerAlstom
Built atDandenong
Family nameFlexity 2
Number under construction100
Fleet numbers7001–7100
Capacity150
OperatorsYarra Trams
DepotsMaidstone
Specifications
Train length~25 m (82 ft 0 in)
Low-floor100%
Doors4
Articulated sections3 (2 articulations)
Traction motors8 × Škoda FCX 105 kW (141 hp)[1]
Power output420 kW (560 hp)
Electric system(s)600 V DC (nominal) from overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Pantograph
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge

The G-class Melbourne tram is a three-section articulated tram, to be introduced onto the Melbourne tram network in 2025. The trams will be low-floor, replacing the Z and A class trams, which will help improve passenger accessibility across the network. The design is based on the Flexity 2 but with pivoting outer bogies.

The trams will be designed, built and maintained by Alstom at its Dandenong factory. Manufacturing of the fleet was scheduled to begin in late 2023.[2] The project also includes a new maintenance and stabling facility in Maidstone, where the trams will be stored following construction.

The initial contract is for 100 new trams, which is the largest domestic order in Australian history,[3] and includes the requirement for Alstom to maintain the vehicles for 15 years. The trams will be designed to carry 150 passengers and will be 25 metres (82 ft 0 in) long.

The fleet will first roll out in the proximity of the Maidstone facility on routes 57, 59 and 82.[4] As of 2023, these routes operate out of Essendon depot.

  1. ^ "Škoda Group se bude podílet na dodávkách tramvají do australského Melbourne" [Škoda Group will participate in the supply of trams to Melbourne, Australia] (in Czech). Dopraváček. 18 July 2023. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  2. ^ "Next Generation Trams". www.vic.gov.au. 15 November 2023. Archived from the original on 12 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  3. ^ Nestor, Stephanie (21 April 2022). "Contract awarded for Australia's largest tram project". Infrastructure Magazine. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  4. ^ "Designs for Maidstone's new tram facility released - Community update – April 2023". Department of Transport and Planning. April 2023. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.