Ministerial Statement: MELBOURNE TAKES NEXT STEP TO SECURING NEW TRAM FLEET

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http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/newsroom/9553.html

MELBOURNE TAKES NEXT STEP TO SECURING NEW TRAM FLEET

From the Minister for Public Transport
Thursday, 25 February 2010

Melbourne has moved a major step closer to securing its fleet of 50 new low-floor trams with the two companies which are short-listed for the manufacture and maintenance of the trams invited to tender.

Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula said Alstom and Bombardier would lodge their tenders in June and the contract would be awarded later this year.

"The new low-floor tram fleet will be capable of moving 10,000 people at any one time,'' Mr Pakula said.

"A significant number of local jobs will be created as a result of the manufacture and supply of the new trams, with at least 25 per cent of the manufacturing component being sourced locally."

The new tram order and redeveloped Preston Tram workshops is a $1 billion commitment outlined in the $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan.

Mr Pakula said one of the requirements of the contract was the delivery of a mock-up cab and saloon section of the tram during the design phase for use in consultation.

"The mock-up will be a fantastic tool for public consultation and communication,'' he said.

"This will provide the people of Melbourne, including representatives of the disability community, the opportunity to comment upon, and give input into, the features of the new trams.

"The mock-up of the tram cab will be used for comprehensive consultation with Yarra Trams and its employees, including drivers– enabling everyone to have their say during the design phase."

Mr Pakula said new tram operator KDR, trading as Yarra Trams had ended 2009 with strong performance in both reliability and punctuality.

"Yarra Trams delivered 99.3 per cent of the timetable in December 2009 and 81.9 per cent of services were on time. We know that the operator is looking forward to continuing this excellent performance in 2010 and together with us is anticipating the arrival of new rolling stock," he said.

The new low-floor trams will increase by 50 per cent the number of accessible trams on the system and the first of the trams are expected to enter service in late 2012.

Melbourne's tram network is one of the largest in the world and patronage is continuing to grow with 179.8 million trips made on Melbourne's trams in the 12 months to September 2009, which was an increase of 9.6 per cent from the previous year.