Melbourne tram route 96
Encyclopedia
Melbourne tram route 96 is a public transport
tram
and light rail
route in Melbourne
, Victoria
, Australia
.
It is one of Melbourne's busiest tram route carrying 39,700 passengers a day with a frequency of every 10 minutes or less during peak. It has been described as one of the World's Top 10 Tram rides, highly popular with both commuters and tourists visiting St Kilda
's many attractions and special events including the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix and the St Kilda Festival
.
The route began electric operation on 6 May 1956, with the reintroduction of trams on Bourke Street
. It was extended to St Kilda on 20 November 1987, with the conversion of the St Kilda railway line to a light rail. As a result it has a lengthy right of way between Melbourne and St Kilda, although the majority of the route is on-road.
Like most tram routes in Melbourne, it falls within Metcard
/myki
ticketing Zone 1.
Frequent overcrowding problems have seen the route 96 become the only routes to run the C2 class Melbourne tram
, specifically designed to carry more passengers, however several different tram models regularly run the route.
line operated by the Melbourne Tramway and Omnibus Company on 30 August 1887, operating along Bourke St and Nicholson St
. It operated until 26 October 1940, when the Bourke St cable lines were abandoned by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board in favour of double decker buses. The Bourke St cable lines were the last cable trams to operate in Melbourne. Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board, unhappy with the performance of the buses wished to rebuilt the lines as electric tram services, it was decided to reinstate trams when the buses were life expired, trams on the 88 (predecessor to the modern 86) started on 26 June 1955 with the first tram to East Brunswick operating on 6 May 1956. The W7 class of trams were built for running on these lines and the new Z class trams first ran on route 96.
The line was extended south to St Kilda along Spencer St, the former St Kilda Railway, Fitzroy Street and The Esplanade to terminate in Acland Street on 20 November 1987 following the conversion of the St Kilda Railway (along with the Port Melbourne Line
) to light rail. The broad gauge track was re-gauged to standard gauge
and the overhead
voltage was reduced from 1500V
DC
to 600V DC with light rail platforms built adjacent to the former stations platforms.
After the merger of the M>Tram network with Yarra Trams
in 2004, most D2 class trams were transferred from Malvern depot to Southbank depot
to help alleviate the congestion on the route. Since the introduction of these low floor Combino
trams on the route, accessible stops have been built in Bourke Street
, Fitzroy Street and St Kilda Esplanade, increasing customer safety and comfort.
In response to frequent overcrowding on the tram system in 2008, the state government leased new C2 class trams from Mulhouse
, France
specifically to run the route. The first of these new trams began operation on 11th June, 2008 with the nickname Bumble Bee 1.
, travelling south on Nicholson Street
between the suburbs of, Carlton North
, Fitzroy North
, Carlton
and Fitzroy
, past the Royal Exhibition Building
in the Carlton Gardens
, a World Heritage Site
.
It enters the CBD
on Spring Street
turning west into Bourke Street
at Parliament House
, travells through the Bourke Street Mall and turns south into Spencer Street
, passing Southern Cross Station, it crosses the Yarra River
and enters Southbank
on Clarendon Street before traversing the suburbs of South Melbourne
, Albert Park
, Middle Park
and St Kilda
on a right-of-way - the former St Kilda railway line - with stops at City Road, South Melbourne market
, Albert Park, Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre
, Middle Park, Fraser Street and St Kilda.
At the former railway terminus - St Kilda Railway Station - the tram line exits the private right-of-way and travels along Fitzroy Street and The Esplanade to Acland Street
, St Kilda where it terminates.
Route 96 is run from Southbank depot
and is predominantly run with D2 class and C2 class
trams, both low-floor tram
classes, although during special events, track works or tram shortages trams running this route can include:
In particular:
Public transport
Public transport is a shared passenger transportation service which is available for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab, car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams...
tram
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
and light rail
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
route in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
It is one of Melbourne's busiest tram route carrying 39,700 passengers a day with a frequency of every 10 minutes or less during peak. It has been described as one of the World's Top 10 Tram rides, highly popular with both commuters and tourists visiting St Kilda
St Kilda, Victoria
St Kilda is an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 6 km south from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Port Phillip...
's many attractions and special events including the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix and the St Kilda Festival
St Kilda Festival
The St Kilda Festival is a popular community festival held in the Melbourne suburb of St Kilda. Traditionally held on the second Sunday in February, the festival is about showcasing live Australian music, family and children's entertainment, beach activities and much more all presented in a...
.
The route began electric operation on 6 May 1956, with the reintroduction of trams on Bourke Street
Bourke Street, Melbourne
Bourke Street is one of Melbourne's best known streets. Historically been regarded as Melbourne's "second street", with the main street being Collins Street and "busier than Bourke Street" is a popular catchphrase. Bourke Street has traditionally been Melbourne's entertainment hub...
. It was extended to St Kilda on 20 November 1987, with the conversion of the St Kilda railway line to a light rail. As a result it has a lengthy right of way between Melbourne and St Kilda, although the majority of the route is on-road.
Like most tram routes in Melbourne, it falls within Metcard
Metcard
"OneLink" redirects here. For the computer/cable company, see OneLink Communications.Metcard is the brand name of an integrated ticketing system used to access public transport in Melbourne, Australia. It is a universal ticket which allows users to ride on the city's Metlink network, consisting of...
/myki
Myki
myki is the contactless smartcard ticketing system being introduced on public transport in Victoria, Australia. myki is designed to replace a number of ticket systems in Victoria, primarily the Metcard and V/Line ticketing systems...
ticketing Zone 1.
Frequent overcrowding problems have seen the route 96 become the only routes to run the C2 class Melbourne tram
C2 class Melbourne tram
The C2 class are a group of Citadis trams built by Alstom for the Mulhouse, France tram network but leased by Yarra Trams in Melbourne, Australia...
, specifically designed to carry more passengers, however several different tram models regularly run the route.
History
The line opened as a cable tramCable car (railway)
A cable car or cable railway is a mass transit system using rail cars that are hauled by a continuously moving cable running at a constant speed. Individual cars stop and start by releasing and gripping this cable as required...
line operated by the Melbourne Tramway and Omnibus Company on 30 August 1887, operating along Bourke St and Nicholson St
Nicholson Street, Melbourne
Nicholson Street is a street in inner Melbourne. It is named after William Nicholson, then member of the Legislative Council, and later Premier of Victoria from 1859 to 1860.-Geography:...
. It operated until 26 October 1940, when the Bourke St cable lines were abandoned by the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board in favour of double decker buses. The Bourke St cable lines were the last cable trams to operate in Melbourne. Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board, unhappy with the performance of the buses wished to rebuilt the lines as electric tram services, it was decided to reinstate trams when the buses were life expired, trams on the 88 (predecessor to the modern 86) started on 26 June 1955 with the first tram to East Brunswick operating on 6 May 1956. The W7 class of trams were built for running on these lines and the new Z class trams first ran on route 96.
Port Melbourne railway line, Melbourne
The Port Melbourne railway line is a former suburban railway in Melbourne, Australia. The line was the first significant railway in Australia and was opened by the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company to carry passengers arriving in Victoria at Station Pier, and to alleviate the high cost of...
) to light rail. The broad gauge track was re-gauged to standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
and the overhead
Overhead lines
Overhead lines or overhead wires are used to transmit electrical energy to trams, trolleybuses or trains at a distance from the energy supply point...
voltage was reduced from 1500V
Volt
The volt is the SI derived unit for electric potential, electric potential difference, and electromotive force. The volt is named in honor of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta , who invented the voltaic pile, possibly the first chemical battery.- Definition :A single volt is defined as the...
DC
Direct current
Direct current is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and commutator-type electric machines of the dynamo type. Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through...
to 600V DC with light rail platforms built adjacent to the former stations platforms.
After the merger of the M>Tram network with Yarra Trams
Yarra Trams
Yarra Trams is the trading name of the Melbourne tram network, which is fully owned and registered by the Victorian State Government. The current franchise is operated by a consortium named KDR Melbourne which consists of a partnership between French company Keolis and Australian company Downer EDI...
in 2004, most D2 class trams were transferred from Malvern depot to Southbank depot
Southbank Tram Depot
Southbank Tram Depot is located in Southbank, a suburb of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. It is one of 8 depots operated in the Yarra Trams network. The depot was opened in March 1997 on the site of the former Montague shipping shed, and replaced the now-demolished South Melbourne tram depot.-...
to help alleviate the congestion on the route. Since the introduction of these low floor Combino
Combino
The Combino is a low floor tram produced by Siemens Transportation Systems . The first prototype was produced in 1996 at the Duewag works in Düsseldorf; the trams are currently made in Krefeld-Uerdingen. Because of its modular design using standardised components, and the resulting reduced costs,...
trams on the route, accessible stops have been built in Bourke Street
Bourke Street, Melbourne
Bourke Street is one of Melbourne's best known streets. Historically been regarded as Melbourne's "second street", with the main street being Collins Street and "busier than Bourke Street" is a popular catchphrase. Bourke Street has traditionally been Melbourne's entertainment hub...
, Fitzroy Street and St Kilda Esplanade, increasing customer safety and comfort.
In response to frequent overcrowding on the tram system in 2008, the state government leased new C2 class trams from Mulhouse
Mulhouse
Mulhouse |mill]] hamlet) is a city and commune in eastern France, close to the Swiss and German borders. With a population of 110,514 and 278,206 inhabitants in the metropolitan area in 2006, it is the largest city in the Haut-Rhin département, and the second largest in the Alsace region after...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
specifically to run the route. The first of these new trams began operation on 11th June, 2008 with the nickname Bumble Bee 1.
Route
Route 96 runs from East BrunswickBrunswick East, Victoria
Brunswick East is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 6 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moreland. At the 2006 Census, Brunswick East had a population of 7,410....
, travelling south on Nicholson Street
Nicholson Street, Melbourne
Nicholson Street is a street in inner Melbourne. It is named after William Nicholson, then member of the Legislative Council, and later Premier of Victoria from 1859 to 1860.-Geography:...
between the suburbs of, Carlton North
Carlton North, Victoria
Carlton North is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 4 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area are the Cities of Melbourne and Yarra...
, Fitzroy North
Fitzroy North, Victoria
Fitzroy North is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 4 km north-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area are the Cities of Yarra and Moreland. At the 2006 Census, Fitzroy North had a population of 11,069....
, Carlton
Carlton, Victoria
Carlton is an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 2 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Melbourne...
and Fitzroy
Fitzroy, Victoria
Fitzroy is an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 2 km north-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Yarra. Its borders are Alexandra Parade , Victoria Parade , Smith Street and Nicholson Street. Fitzroy is Melbourne's...
, past the Royal Exhibition Building
Royal Exhibition Building
The Royal Exhibition Building is a World Heritage Site-listed building in Melbourne, Australia, completed in 1880. It is located at 9 Nicholson Street in the Carlton Gardens, flanked by Victoria, Nicholson, Carlton and Rathdowne Streets, at the north-eastern edge of the central business district...
in the Carlton Gardens
Carlton Gardens, Melbourne
The Carlton Gardens is a World Heritage Site located on the northeastern edge of the Central Business District in the suburb of Carlton, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
, a World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
.
It enters the CBD
Melbourne city centre
Melbourne City Centre is an area of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. It is not to be confused with the larger local government area of the City of Melbourne...
on Spring Street
Spring Street, Melbourne
Spring Street is a major street in the central business district of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It runs roughly north-south, and is the easternmost street in the Hoddle Grid. The street travels from Flinders Street in the south, to La Trobe Street and the Carlton Gardens in the north...
turning west into Bourke Street
Bourke Street, Melbourne
Bourke Street is one of Melbourne's best known streets. Historically been regarded as Melbourne's "second street", with the main street being Collins Street and "busier than Bourke Street" is a popular catchphrase. Bourke Street has traditionally been Melbourne's entertainment hub...
at Parliament House
Parliament House, Melbourne
Parliament House in Melbourne, located at Spring Street in East Melbourne at the edge of the Melbourne city centre, has been the seat of the Parliament of Victoria, Australia, since 1855 .- History :In 1851, even before the colony of Victoria acquired full parliamentary self-government, Governor...
, travells through the Bourke Street Mall and turns south into Spencer Street
Spencer Street, Melbourne
Spencer Street is a major street in the central business district of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is named for John Spencer, 3rd Earl Spencer, Chancellor of the Exchequer under Lord Melbourne, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom....
, passing Southern Cross Station, it crosses the Yarra River
Yarra River
The Yarra River, originally Birrarung, is a river in east-central Victoria, Australia. The lower stretches of the river is where the city of Melbourne was established in 1835 and today Greater Melbourne dominates and influences the landscape of its lower reaches...
and enters Southbank
Southbank, Victoria
Southbank is an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia located direct south of the Yarra River opposite Melbourne's Hoddle Grid. The northernmost area is considered part of the Central Business District and Central Activities District of the city. Its Local Government Area are the...
on Clarendon Street before traversing the suburbs of South Melbourne
South Melbourne, Victoria
South Melbourne is an inner city suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 2 km south from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area are the Cities of Port Phillip and Melbourne...
, Albert Park
Albert Park, Victoria
Albert Park is an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3 km south from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Port Phillip. At the 2006 Census, Albert Park had a population of 5827....
, Middle Park
Middle Park, Victoria
Middle Park is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 5 km south from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Port Phillip. At the 2006 Census, Middle Park had a population of 4012...
and St Kilda
St Kilda, Victoria
St Kilda is an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 6 km south from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Port Phillip...
on a right-of-way - the former St Kilda railway line - with stops at City Road, South Melbourne market
South Melbourne Market
The South Melbourne market is located in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It began operating in 1867.The market has recently undergone an upgrade, which includes a new design and refurbishment....
, Albert Park, Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre
Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre
The Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre is an international sporting venue located in Albert Park, Victoria, Australia. The centre was opened on the 24th of July 1997 at a construction cost of A$65 million. The cost was funded by the State Government of Victoria and the City of Port Phillip...
, Middle Park, Fraser Street and St Kilda.
At the former railway terminus - St Kilda Railway Station - the tram line exits the private right-of-way and travels along Fitzroy Street and The Esplanade to Acland Street
Acland Street, Melbourne
Acland Street is a street in the Melbourne suburb of St Kilda, which enjoys great popularity as a recreational area, mainly due to its many restaurants and its proximity to the entertainment areas along St Kilda beach...
, St Kilda where it terminates.
Operation
Southbank Tram Depot
Southbank Tram Depot is located in Southbank, a suburb of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. It is one of 8 depots operated in the Yarra Trams network. The depot was opened in March 1997 on the site of the former Montague shipping shed, and replaced the now-demolished South Melbourne tram depot.-...
and is predominantly run with D2 class and C2 class
C2 class Melbourne tram
The C2 class are a group of Citadis trams built by Alstom for the Mulhouse, France tram network but leased by Yarra Trams in Melbourne, Australia...
trams, both low-floor tram
Low-floor tram
A low-floor tram is a tram that has no stair steps between one or more entrances and part or all of the passenger cabin. The low-floor design improves the accessibility of the tram for the public, and also may provide larger windows and more airspace....
classes, although during special events, track works or tram shortages trams running this route can include:
- A class
- B classB class Melbourne tramThe B class are a two-section, three-bogie articulated tram that operates in Melbourne, Victoria. Following the introduction of two B1-class trams in 1984 and 1985, a total of 130 B2-class trams were ordered by the Victorian Government and built by Comeng in Dandenong, Victoria...
- C1 classC class Melbourne tramC class is the designation given to the type of Citadis trams used in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia by Melbourne's tram operator Yarra Trams. These three-section low-floor electric trams were built by the transport company Alstom in La Rochelle, France...
(low-floor)
Special Events and Services
Several annual events affect the usual services along route 96.In particular:
- Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix - most services terminate at Middle Park are and replaced with buses
- RMIT UniversityRMIT UniversityRMIT University is an Australian public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. It has two branches, referred to as RMIT University in Australia and RMIT International University in Vietnam....
exams - (held at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic CentreMelbourne Sports and Aquatic CentreThe Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre is an international sporting venue located in Albert Park, Victoria, Australia. The centre was opened on the 24th of July 1997 at a construction cost of A$65 million. The cost was funded by the State Government of Victoria and the City of Port Phillip...
) additional services typically terminate at Middle Park are added during the peak to mitigate overcrowding caused thousands of students catching the trams - St Kilda FestivalSt Kilda FestivalThe St Kilda Festival is a popular community festival held in the Melbourne suburb of St Kilda. Traditionally held on the second Sunday in February, the festival is about showcasing live Australian music, family and children's entertainment, beach activities and much more all presented in a...
- additional services
Maps and Timetables
- Official timetables
- Official route map
- Official tram network map
- Tram and train network map from railmaps.com.au
See also
- St Kilda railway lineSt Kilda railway line, MelbourneThe St Kilda railway line is a former suburban railway in Melbourne, Australia.-Operation:The line was opened by the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company in 1857...
- Trams in MelbourneTrams in MelbourneThe Melbourne tramway network is a major form of public transport in Melbourne, the capital city of the state of Victoria, Australia. , the network consisted of of track, 487 trams, 28 routes, and 1,773 tram stops. It was therefore the largest urban tramway network in the world, ahead of the...
- Transportation in Australia