Trams in Melbourne

Melbourne tramway network
Public Transport Victoria
Metropolitan Melbourne tram network logo
E-class trams on Bourke Street, December 2013
Operation
LocaleMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
Infrastructure
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Horse tram era: 1884 (1884)–1923 (1923)
Status Abandoned or
Converted to electric
Operator(s)
  • Various (1884–1915)
  • MTOC (1887–1916)
  • MTB (1916–1919)
  • MMTB (1919–1923)
Propulsion system(s) Horse
Cable tram era: 1885 (1885)–1940 (1940)
Status Converted to electric tram
or petrol/diesel bus
Operator(s)
  • MTOC (1885–1916)
  • Various (1890–1919)
  • MTB (1916–1919)
  • MMTB (1919–1940)
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge[1]
Propulsion system(s) Cable, pulled by steam engines and electric motors
Electric tram era: since 1906
System
Status Operational
Routes 24 routes
Owner(s)
Operator(s)
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge[2]
1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)
(1906–1959)
Propulsion system(s) Electricity
Electrification 600 V DC from overhead catenary
Depot(s) 8 depots
Stock 501 trams
Track length (double) 250 km (155.3 mi)
2023-24154.8 million[3] Increase 4.9%
Melbourne tramway network, May 2017
Website Yarra Trams
Trams at Melbourne tram stop 14, 'Arts Precinct'
recorded 15 September 2018
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The Melbourne tramway network is a tramway system serving the city of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The tramway network is centred around the Melbourne central business district (CBD) and consists of approximately 1,700 tram stops across 24 routes. It is the largest operational urban tram network in the world and one of the most used,[4] with more than 500 trams and 250 kilometres (160 miles) of double tram track. It carried 154.8 million passnegers over the year 2023-24.[5][6] Trams are the second most utilised form of public transport in Melbourne after the city's metropolitan commuter railway network.[7]

Trams have operated continuously in Melbourne since 1885 (the horse tram line in Fairfield opened in 1884, but was at best an irregular service). Since then they have become a distinctive part of Melbourne's character and feature in tourism and travel advertising. Melbourne's cable tram system opened in 1885, and expanded to one of the largest in the world, with 75 kilometres (46.6 miles) of double track. The first electric tram line opened in 1889, but closed only a few years later in 1896. In 1906 electric tram systems were opened in St Kilda and Essendon, marking the start of continuous operation of Melbourne's electric trams.

Victoria's public transport system was reorganised in 1983 and saw the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board absorbed into the Metropolitan Transit Authority, which was in turn absorbed by the Public Transport Corporation in 1989. The network has been operated under contract since the commencement of franchising, following the privatisation of the Public Transport Corporation in 1999. The current private operator contracted to run Melbourne's tram system is Keolis Downer, trading as Yarra Trams.

Ticketing, public information and patronage promotion are undertaken by Victoria's public transport body, Public Transport Victoria. The multi-modal integrated ticketing system, myki, currently operates across the tram network.

At some Melbourne intersections (most within the CBD), motor vehicles turning right are required to perform a hook turn, a manoeuvre designed to give trams priority.[8] To further improve tram speeds on congested Melbourne streets, trams also have priority in road usage, with specially fitted traffic lights and exclusive lanes being provided either at all times or in peak times, as well as other measures.[9][10]

  1. ^ Joe Thompson. "Cable Tramways in Australia and New Zealand". The Cable Car Home Page. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  2. ^ David Hoadley (1998). "Trams Currently in Service". Trams of Australia. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  3. ^ "Department of Transport and Planning Annual Report 2023-24" (PDF). Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  4. ^ "Facts & figures – Yarra Trams". yarratrams.com.au. Archived from the original on 26 February 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
  5. ^ "Facts & Figures". Yarra Trams. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  6. ^ "Facts & figures about Melbourne's tram network - Yarra Trams". yarratrams.com.au. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Public Transport Victoria Annual Report 2017–18" (PDF). Public Transport Victoria. p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  8. ^ "Turning". VicRoads. Archived from the original on 15 November 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
  9. ^ "Think Tram Program". VicRoads. Archived from the original on 14 November 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  10. ^ "Tram priority & safety", VicRoads, archived from the original on 14 November 2011, retrieved 19 October 2011