Melbourne Trams

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Yarra Trams push for more separation between trams and cars

Motorists would be blocked from driving on inner city tram tracks in a $42 million bid to slash the number of collisions and improve journey times.

The Herald Sun can reveal Yarra Trams is planning to install bluestone or concrete kerbs along 38km of busy routes including along Collins, Elizabeth, Flinders and Bourke streets.

Busy inner city thoroughfares including Bridge Rd, Nicholson St, Racecourse Rd and St Kilda Rd would also be targeted for permanent separation.

About 40 per cent of collisions occur on just 15 per cent of track where hard barriers are not used.

Trams and vehicles collide almost three times a day but Yarra Trams predicts installing solid kerbs would prevent about 270 crashes a year.

Busy inner city thoroughfares including Bridge Rd, Nicholson St, Racecourse Rd and St Kilda Rd would be targeted for permanent separation.

But authorities also know the move could create traffic problems for motorists as cars are given less space to park and move.

The company has identified that road authorities may reject changes in some areas if they feel that traffic flow would be impacted.

A Yarra Trams spokeswoman said 75 per cent of the network was shared with cars and other road users, with separation recently increased along Lygon, Nicholson, Williams and Swan streets.

"Trams can't swerve to avoid collisions, and we ask motorists to be aware when driving on or around tram tracks," she said.

Yarra Trams expects the plan would reduce the incident rate in treated areas by a massive 80 per cent.

Over the last five years, trams have collided with cars about 1000 times ever year and 10 trams are typically unavailable for peak services due to repairs which then causes frustrating delays and cancellations.

A preliminary business case on the kerb upgrade, prepared for Yarra Trams by GHD Advisory, found bluestone kerbing would cost $42.7 million to install along 38km of tracks.

It would then cost $5000 per year to maintain — compared to $17,000 for plastic strips.

Yarra Trams passenger and network innovation director Emilie van de Graaff said "inadequate maintenance" of plastic strips likely contributed to higher rates of collisions.

A government spokesman said the Department of Transport worked closely with Yarra Trams to assess each project.

"Improved tram separation will continue to be considered as part of the program of road safety improvements that we carry out on a regular basis," he said.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/aussiewongm/status/1264335497469386753

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/BenCarrollMP/status/1407597535099641856

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/VicGovDoT/status/1432838107158700035

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/maidstone-home-melbournes-next-generation-trams

Maidstone Home To Melbourne's Next Generation Trams

25 August 2021

The Andrews Labor Government will build a new tram maintenance and stabling facility in Melbourne's west to house 100 new Next Generation Trams, delivering hundreds of jobs in construction and boosting the local economy.

The facility will be built on a vacant site in Maidstone near Highpoint Shopping Centre, creating around 280 jobs in construction, ongoing maintenance, and the supply chain. The project will also see a more reliable, accessible and modern tram fleet servicing communities in this part of Melbourne – reducing the need for new tracks and other infrastructure.

The Labor Government is continuing to expand its Melbourne tram fleet, with the $1.85 billion project in Maidstone set to become the home of the new trams as existing depots reach capacity.

The project team will engage with the local community and businesses before detailed planning begins, and will consider how the development can best celebrate the history of the local area.

The new Next Generation Trams will set the standard for modern public transport and deliver a more comfortable, accessible, and energy-efficient journey for passengers. The project also includes a minimum local contract quota of 65 per cent, supporting skilled manufacturing jobs.

The contract to design, build and maintain the trams will be awarded in early 2022 following a tender evaluation process.

This investment is another way the Labor Government is supporting rolling stock and infrastructure in Victoria, following a record $7.5 billion investment since 2015.

Alongside the Government's orders of 50 E-Class trams since 2015, the Next Generation Trams will gradually replace Melbourne's longest serving high-floor trams, making the public transport network more accessible for all Victorians.

To find out more about the project visit www.transport.vic.gov.au/next-gen-trams

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll

"We are leading the nation in tram and train manufacturing, and this project will support hundreds of skilled jobs."

"This new facility will play a critical role as we transform Melbourne's iconic tram network and deliver better and more accessible services for passengers."

Quotes attributable to Member for Footscray Katie Hall

"We are transforming the former Victoria University site and supporting local businesses and creating more jobs in our community."

"This is great news for both residents and visitors to the area, with the project providing a more reliable, accessible and modern tram fleet to the community."

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Next Generation Trams

The Victorian Government is investing $1.85 billion in 100 Next Generation Trams and a proposed new tram maintenance and stabling facility in Melbourne's west.

>> https://transport.vic.gov.au/our-transport-future/our-projects/new-and-upgraded-trains-and-trams/next-generation-trams



In keeping with Melbourne tramway practice, these new vehicles will be the 7th generation of trams for our network and have been assigned the letter class 'G' – the 7th letter of the alphabet. G Class trams will also receive individual vehicle numbers starting from 7001.

The use of 'G Class' for these vehicles continues Melbourne's proud tram classification tradition, while celebrating our next generation of trams.

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/designs-released-new-tram-facility-melbournes-west

Statement: Premier of Victoria

Designs Released For New Tram Facility In Melbourne's West

22 April 2023

The Andrews Labor Government has released designs for the new tram maintenance and stabling facility in Maidstone – giving locals a glimpse of what it will look like once complete.

The facility will be home to the new fleet of Next Generation Trams, located on the corner of Williamson and Hampstead roads in Maidstone.

It will be used to maintain, clean and store the accessible, low-floor trams, as well as house tram operations and administration staff.

The designs have been informed by community feedback and include modern and sustainable infrastructure, with energy efficient LED lights, recycled plastic materials and rainwater tanks which will harvest 80 megalitres annually to wash the trams.

The trams – which have space for up to 150 passengers – use around 30-40 per cent less energy per passenger, compared to an E Class tram.

The designs also celebrate Maidstone's history, with the administration and maintenance building to include a saw-tooth roof design which is an acknowledgement of the industrial past of Melbourne's west.

The Labor Government invested in the Victorian Budget 2021/22 to deliver 100 Next Generation Trams, which includes building the new facility to deliver more comfortable, accessible, and energy-efficient journeys for passengers.

Early works are now underway, with crews to spend the next few months preparing the site for major construction to begin later this year. The facility is scheduled to open in 2026.

The site is on the Victorian Heritage Register, with the community encouraged to provide feedback as part of the project's heritage permit by visiting heritage.vic.gov.au.

The project will create around 280 local jobs in construction, ongoing maintenance and the supply of materials and services. It forms part of the Government's $90 billion investment in transport infrastructure projects, which will provide better, more connected and more accessible services for Victorians.

Quote attributable to Acting Minister for Public Transport Melissa Horne

"We're keeping passengers moving across Melbourne by investing in our Next Generation Trams and we're getting on with works to build this new facility to keep our modern tram fleet running safely and reliably."

Quote attributable to Member for Footscray Katie Hall

"It's great to see early works are now underway on this new energy-efficient tram maintenance and stabling facility in Maidstone – which means passengers in the west will be the first to benefit from our Next Generation trams once complete."

[ozbob]

Next Generation Trams

The Victorian Government is investing $1.85 billion in 100 Next Generation Trams and a new tram maintenance and stabling facility in Melbourne's west.

>> https://dtp.vic.gov.au/our-transport-future/our-projects/new-and-upgraded-trains-and-trams/next-generation-trams

[SurfRail]

They really need to be spending a lot more on the trams.  Modest useful extensions to connect with rail and extend orbital routes, DDA compliance including planning for another 200 odd trams on top of this 100 to 1 for 1 replace the Zs, As and Bs, power upgrades, depot upgrades, getting cars out of the way etc.

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Melbourne tram operations open for tender

Interested parties are asked to apply for pre-qualification in the 2024 operations and maintenance contract for the Melbourne tram network. 

Those pre-qualified will be invited to participate in a Request for Proposal phase commencing July 2023. ...

[ozbob]

Premier of Victoria

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/delivering-modern-trams-future

Delivering Modern Trams For The Future

31 August 2023

The Andrews Labor Government is making Victoria's tram network more modern, reliable and accessible – launching a plan to deliver a $3.8 billion investment in new trams, accessible stops and better travel across Melbourne.

Melbourne's Tram Plan, released today, sets out how the Labor Government will continue to deliver a tram network for the future that puts passengers first and gets them to where they need to go.

The community is invited to help shape plans for tram stop upgrades in Melbourne's north and west as part of improvements to make sure tram travel is accessible for everyone across the network.

Tram stop upgrades will be carried out along three tram corridors - in Footscray/Maribyrnong, Thornbury/Northcote and Fitzroy/Collingwood which give passengers access to the new Footscray Hospital, Victoria University, Northcote Plaza, Australian Catholic University, schools, and busy cafes bars and restaurants.

Since 2014, the Labor Government has already delivered 83 level access tram stops with a further 12 in progress along Latrobe Street that are due to be completed in 2024 thanks to $68 million in the Victorian Budget 2022/2023.

We've invested more than $60 million in the last Budget in infrastructure to enable the first 100 Next Generation Trams to start rolling out on to the network including safety and minor accessibility improvements and a new terminus along routes 57, 59 and 82 in Melbourne's west.

This is in addition to our $1.85 billion investment in Victorian-made 100 Next Generation Trams and a new tram maintenance facility in Maidstone, the largest ever investment in new trams which will begin their rollout in 2025.

The Tram Plan builds on a track record of investment and sets out our plan to deliver a more accessible and interconnected network, with high frequency trunk corridors providing passengers a turn up and go service and making sure the tram network connects with infrastructure the Labor Government's Big Build is delivering.

The Tram Plan sets out actions for how we will improve and expand access to our iconic tram network. Along with Victoria's Bus Plan, it gives communities, industry and government our blueprint for the future of the transport network.

Anyone who lives, works, cycles, walks, drives, or travels by tram along three identified sections of routes 82 and 86 can visit the Engage Victoria website until 15 October to have their say about improvements they want to see. Feedback will help.

To view the Tram Plan, visit the Department of Transport and Planning's website ( https://engage.vic.gov.au/department-of-transport-and-planning )

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll

"We're getting on with deliver improvements to our iconic tram network to make sure people in Melbourne can continue to get to where they need to go."

"This plan sets out our vision for a modern tram network and we want to hear from people who travel along these critical tram corridors, to help us plan for improvements that will make the biggest difference to you."

[ozbob]

Melbourne's Tram Plan

https://dtp.vic.gov.au/getting-around/public-transport/trams

====

https://twitter.com/VicGovDTP/status/1697144712421925003

[SurfRail]

^ Still pretty underwhelming stuff - very motherhood.

I didn't expect it to have a big shopping list of proposed extensions or specific upgrades given this isn't meant to be the Victorian equivalent of QTRIP, but it's still very thin.

[ozbob]

https://x.com/3AW693/status/1716563088131117221?s=20

[Unidexter]

Newby here so not sure I'm doing this correctly. I'm a born and raised Melbournian but sadly been away for decades due to work but happily able to return recently for a holiday with much tram travel but some questions from the visit.
1/  Pleased to see 42 Mont Albert extended to Box Hill but North Balwyn 48 not extended to say Doncaster. Why?
2/  Frequently noticed cars/trucks etc refusing to stop for tram passengers getting off or on at tram stops away from the CBD. Has there been a traffic law change to allow this?
3/  It was clear that some traffic lights have been linked to tram traffic to avoid needless delays at these lights but there were numerous cases where this had not been done. Why is this not being actioned?

[ozbob]

Welcome Unidexter. 

Tram priority is a not done well at times agreed. There seems to a be a lot of road rule violations with respect to not stopping when passengers are getting on and off trams. Much still be done on the Melbourne tram network. The PTUA in Melbourne do raise these sorts of issues constantly from my observations.

[ozbob]

https://x.com/ptua/status/1784065639575150792

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Spike in number of Melbourne motorists smashing into trams sparks crash warning $

Yarra Trams has recorded an alarming spate of car smashes with trams — at least three motorists involved in collisions every day in Melbourne. See how the company plan to combat the figures.

So far this year Yarra Trams has recorded more than 450 car smashes — almost three a day.

CCTV footage from inside the cabin or from the sides of trams shows the careless nature of drivers in some of the incidents. ...

[ozbob]

Media Statement Premier of Victoria

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/making-worlds-biggest-tram-network-even-better

Making The World's Biggest Tram Network Even Better

28th June 2024

Globally renowned transport operators Transdev and John Holland have formed a consortium to run Melbourne's world-famous tram network for the next nine years – which will improve reliability, deliver passengers more consistent real time information and better customer service.

Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams today announced the Yarra Journey Makers consortia signed a $6.8 billion contract to operate the world's largest tram network, which manages 500 trams, 1,600 tram stops, 24 routes and more than 250 kilometres of double track.

Commencing on 1 December 2024, Transdev and John Holland will operate under the Yarra Trams brand and progressively deliver improvements to services and customer experience.

Transdev brings a wealth of experience, operating large-scale networks across 19 locations around the world, including France and Spain, while John Holland operates light rail across Australia and is part of the consortium that run our metropolitan train network – Transdev John Holland also operate Region 9 buses in Sydney.

The new contract has a focus on performance, with strict benchmarks and more monitoring points across day and night services – holding the operator to account to deliver reliable services, while making sure the right tram is used for the right trip.

The agreement will also roll out more accessible Next Generation Trams which will replace the longer serving high floor fleets – further modernising Melbourne's transport network before the Metro Tunnel opens to passengers in 2025.

During the contract term, new technology will be rolled out to provide passengers more consistent information in real time, including possible alternative transport options during disruptions and tailored updates for blind and low vision passengers in large text and text to speech.

There will also be more training for frontline staff to better support passengers with particular needs and customers who are culturally and linguistically diverse.

In a first for any Victorian public transport franchise, there will be board gender parity from day one. Transdev John Holland will also set targets to increase employment opportunities for women, Victorian First Peoples, long term unemployed, young people and people living with a disability.

Melbourne's tram network transports more than 147 million passenger trips each year – complementing the city's sophisticated integrated road and rail network.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams

"Melbourne is home to the largest tram network in the world and this new contract will make sure our trams continue to move Victorians around safely, quickly and easily."

"We look forward to working with Transdev John Holland as we continue to modernise and improve the passenger experience on our iconic tram network."

[ozbob]

https://x.com/ptua/status/1830171254785261807

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> New trams being built

Melbourne's first G Class Trams are on the way with manufacturing underway – supporting more than a thousand local jobs and building a better experience for passengers on the world's biggest tram network.

Backed by a $1.85 billion investment by the Victorian Government – the project is delivering 100 low floor trams, along with a new tram maintenance and stabling facility in Maidstone.

The G Class trams will be more accessible and have more space, accommodating 150 passengers – which is about double the capacity of current high floor trams on the network.  ...

[SilverChased]

Same length and capacity as a bertie. Built locally and on tracks though. If only they had their own lanes.

[#Metro]

Really good video on the new trams- same capacity as the HESS Brisbane Metro BRT buses.