Yarra Trams
Encyclopedia
Trams in Melbourne
The 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...
, which is fully owned and registered by the Victorian State Government. The current franchise is operated by a consortium named KDR Melbourne
KDR Melbourne
KDR Melbourne is a consortium led by Keolis & Downer EDI Rail that was selected by the State Government of Victoria as the franchise operator of Melbourne's tram network. Taking over from previous operator Yarra Trams, the company was awarded an eight-year contract which commenced on 30 November...
which consists of a partnership between French company Keolis
Keolis
Keolis is the largest private sector French transport group. It runs passenger railways, tramways, bus networks, funiculars, trolley buses, and airport services. The company, based in Paris, is majority owned by SNCF, the French state rail operator. AXA Private Equity and Caisse de dépôt et...
and Australian company Downer EDI Rail.
Yarra Trams operates 28 major tram routes and 501 vehicles of 6 different classes 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...
, Australia which consists of 70 A-class; 132 B-class; 36 three-section C-class, low-floor Citadis
Citadis
The Citadis is a low-floor tram built by Alstom in La Rochelle, France, and Barcelona, Spain. 1,140 Citadis are currently in use in 28 cities, among others: Bordeaux, Grenoble, Lyon, Montpellier, Orléans, the Paris area, and Barcelona, Dublin, Gdańsk, Katowice, Adelaide, Melbourne, Jerusalem and...
; 5 five-section C2-class, low-floor Citadis
Citadis
The Citadis is a low-floor tram built by Alstom in La Rochelle, France, and Barcelona, Spain. 1,140 Citadis are currently in use in 28 cities, among others: Bordeaux, Grenoble, Lyon, Montpellier, Orléans, the Paris area, and Barcelona, Dublin, Gdańsk, Katowice, Adelaide, Melbourne, Jerusalem and...
; 38 three-section D-class, 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,...
; 21 five-section D-class, 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,...
; 52 W-class and 147 Z-class type trams.
Yarra Trams currently employs around 1,900 staff which includes approximately 1150 tram drivers and 265 Authorised Officers. Yarra Trams operates the biggest tram network in the world with over 249 km of double track, over 1770 tram stops and 28 tram routes including Melbourne's free City Circle tourist tram.
A total of 141 million trips were taken in 2002 & 2003, rising to nearly 150 million in 2004 and in 2007 & 2008 over 158.3 million trips were taken on trams in Melbourne with trams travelling more than 24.8 million kilometres each year on timetabled services. Each week Yarra Trams operates 31,400 scheduled tram services, which results in trams operating for approximately 20 hours per day and a team of 24 hour operations staff completing network maintenance and cleaning.
1997 - 2002
Public Transport Corporation
The Public Transport Corporation was a State Government of Victoria owned corporate body formed under the Transport Act 1983 which operated passenger and freight trains, trams and bus services in Victoria, Australia....
. In August 1999, ownership of Yarra Trams was transferred to the private sector.
2003 - 2009
KDR Melbourne
KDR Melbourne is a consortium led by Keolis & Downer EDI Rail that was selected by the State Government of Victoria as the franchise operator of Melbourne's tram network. Taking over from previous operator Yarra Trams, the company was awarded an eight-year contract which commenced on 30 November...
a consortium led by Keolis
Keolis
Keolis is the largest private sector French transport group. It runs passenger railways, tramways, bus networks, funiculars, trolley buses, and airport services. The company, based in Paris, is majority owned by SNCF, the French state rail operator. AXA Private Equity and Caisse de dépôt et...
& Downer EDI Rail took control of Melbourne's tram network retaining the government owned brand, Yarra Trams.
2010 - present
Yarra Trams current metropolitan franchise started on 30 November 2009, and will last for eight years, with the option of a further seven years' extension on completion. The current CEO of Yarra Trams, Michel Masson, launched at the changeover a new Yarra Trams logo along with a new modern tram livery featuring yellow doors.Fleet
Comeng
The Comeng train is a type of electric train that operates on the suburban railway network of Melbourne, Australia. They first appeared on the network in VicRail "teacup" livery in 1981 to replace the last of the then-60 year old Tait trains. More were ordered after the failed refurbishment and...
between 1975 and 1994.
In October 2001, Yarra Trams took delivery of 36 Citadis
Citadis
The Citadis is a low-floor tram built by Alstom in La Rochelle, France, and Barcelona, Spain. 1,140 Citadis are currently in use in 28 cities, among others: Bordeaux, Grenoble, Lyon, Montpellier, Orléans, the Paris area, and Barcelona, Dublin, Gdańsk, Katowice, Adelaide, Melbourne, Jerusalem and...
trams which have primarily operated on route 109 to complement the extension to Box Hill. As part of the acquisition of the failed M>Tram in 2004, Yarra acquired 39 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 and oversaw the delivery of another 20 Combino trams originally ordered by National Express.
Yarra Trams also operate heritage W-class trams, namely on the City Circle tourist service. W-class trams are also used on routes 30, 78 and 79. Due to these trams being limited to 40 km/h as a result of a series of modifications due to braking problems, their use is restricted to ensure limited interface with modern trams.
In 2003, Yarra Trams trialled a seating layout which became known as "Apollo". The trial involved removing 30 seats from a B-class tram and replacing the removed seats with "bum racks" which are found in Citadis trams. This resulted in a higher capacity for standing passengers on crowded services during peak hours. A further ten trams received the seating layout during refurbishment.
The network must be compliant with disability legislation by 2011, which will require all trams to have the "low floors" that the Combino and Citadis trams have. To this end, the State Government are currently looking to invest in a sizable number of new trams to accommodate this need in time. One such example is the "Bumblebee" bright yellow trams that are currently on lease from France, operating exclusively on the light-rail route 96 to St Kilda.
Currently, Yarra Trams are giving all Z/A/B-class trams with the new livery which features yellow doors and a big green leaf in the center for Z/A-class trams and two big leaves on each end for the B class fleet. It is interesting to also note that the Z/A/B fleet are receiving new internal signs and seat covers whilst they are being re-branded. The seat covers are a green colour with leaf patterns. The C- and D-class fleet received a livery with new logos and yellow doors, but retaining there previous livery design. The interior of these trams have remained unchanged with only maps and signage getting the new logo.
Ticketing
Yarra Trams currently runs under the MetlinkMetlink
Metlink, formerly The Met, is the marketing body and umbrella brand for public train, tram and bus transport operators in Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.-Responsibilities:Metlink is responsible for the promotion of travel by public transport...
banner and utilises the 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...
ticketing system. Each tram has a coin only ticket machine on board. The on board machines currently sell City Saver, 2-Hour, Daily and Senior tickets. Trams are also equipped with a number of ticket validators.
Major superstops in the CBD also have coin-only ticket machines. Tickets can also be purchased from Railway Stations and retail outlets displaying a blue Metcard flag.
Most tram routes operate entirely within Zone 1, however Routes 75, 86 and 109 enter Zone 2.
It is expected that the entire tram network will be changing to the new 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...
smartcard fare collection system.
Fare Enforcement
Yarra Trams employs approximately 265 Authroized Officers, whose job is to report ticketing and behavioural offences onboard trams, tram lines, stops and other tram related properties to the Victorian Department of Transport, and to provide customer service and assistance.In Melbourne all public transport modes employ Authorised Officers, Authorised Officers have the right to exercise legislative powers
Police power
In United States constitutional law, police power is the capacity of the states to regulate behavior and enforce order within their territory for the betterment of the general welfare, morals, health, and safety of their inhabitants...
, similar to the police. They are permitted to arrest and detain offenders, if they believe an offence has been committed. Furthermore they are also allowed to exercise discretion in all cases and may choose to warn offenders instead of formally reporting them.
Network expansion
Tram stop
A tram stop is a place designated for a tram to stop so passengers can board or alight it. Tram stops share most characteristics of bus stops, but because trams operate on rails, they often include railway platforms, especially if stepless entries are provided for accessibility...
built as of June 2011.
In March 2000, trams reached the new Melbourne Docklands
Melbourne Docklands
Docklands is an inner city suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia occupying an area extending up to 2 km west of and adjacent to Melbourne's Central Business District . Its Local Government Area is the City of Melbourne...
precinct for the first time. Since then, a line connecting LaTrobe St and Flinders St via Docklands has been constructed as well as a further extension along Docklands Drive to NewQuay, which opened in January 2005. Route 109 was extended 2.2 km from Mont Albert
Mont Albert, Victoria
Mont Albert is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 12 km east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area are the Cities of Whitehorse and Boroondara. At the 2006 Census, Mont Albert had a population of 4419....
to Box Hill
Box Hill, Victoria
Box Hill is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 14 km east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Whitehorse. At the 2006 Census, Box Hill had a population of 8,616....
in May 2003. The extension to Box Hill has provided a direct link between Box Hill and suburbs such as Balwyn
Balwyn, Victoria
Balwyn is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 10 km east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Boroondara...
, Kew
Kew, Victoria
Kew is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 6 km east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Boroondara. At the 2006 Census, Kew had a population of 22,516....
and Richmond
Richmond, Victoria
Richmond is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Yarra...
.
In July 2005, a 3 km extension of route 75 from East Burwood to Vermont South
Vermont South, Victoria
Vermont South is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 20 km east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Whitehorse. At the 2006 Census, Vermont South had a population of 11,485....
opened. Critics argue that the line should have been extended to Knox City Shopping Centre
Knox City Shopping Centre
Knox City Shopping Centre is a super-regional shopping centre and outdoor entertainment complex located in the outer eastern suburb of Wantirna South in the city of Melbourne, Australia. The centre opened on November 9, 1977 with an initial 88 stores and 2300 parking spaces...
(as promised by the incumbent State Government in 1999). A shuttle bus service, operated by Ventura Bus Lines
Ventura Bus Lines
Ventura is a privately owned bus and coach operator in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Today the largest private Melbourne bus company, and operates a number of bus routes under contract from the Victorian State Government. The company purchased National Bus Company for A$45 million, and the Mount...
, provides a service between Vermont South and Knox City which sees each tram met by a connecting bus.
Think Tram
Such idea implemented is the 'Part-time tram lane' - where trams have right of way on tram tracks often during peak hours. Several ideas such as raised curb dividers have also been in use to physically prevent cars from straying onto tram tracks. An example of these dividers can be seen on Spencer Street.
Controversy
Up until 1 March 2010, Yarra Trams was the only main public transport operator in Melbourne to not have "Meet Our Managers" sessions. Connex senior management regularly held public feedback sessions at City Loop stations, while V/Line senior management also travel on regional trains at the rate of about once a month to have consultation sessions with their passengers. Yarra Trams have now decided to have a series of "Meet the Manager" sessions commencing 1 March 2010 at St Vincents Plaza Tram Stop (No. 12). Yarra Trams plan to make this a regular feedback event with further events being planned for the future on different routes within the network.
Transport Integration Act
The prime transport-related statute in Victoria is the Transport Integration ActTransport Integration Act
The Transport Integration Act 2010 is a law enacted by the Parliament of the State of Victoria, Australia. The Act is the prime transport statute in Victoria, having replaced major parts of the former Transport Act 1983....
. The Act establishes the Department of Transport
Department of Transport (Victoria, Australia)
The Department of Transport or DOT is the central Government agency responsible for the coordination, integration and regulation of the transport system in the State of Victoria, Australia...
as the integration agency for Victoria's transport system. The Act also establishes and sets the charters of the state agencies charged with providing public transport rail services and managing network access for freight services, namely the Director of Public Transport
Director of Public Transport
The Director of Public Transport is the Government agency responsible for promoting, providing, coordinating and regulating public transport in the State of Victoria, Australia...
and V/Line
V/Line
V/Line is a not for profit regional passenger train and coach service in Victoria, Australia. It was created after the split-up of VicRail in 1983. V/Line is owned by the V/Line Corporation which is a Victorian State Government statutory authority...
. The Director of Public Transport is empowered by the Transport Integration Act to contract transport operators to provide rail and bus services and has used those powers to contract Yarra Trams to provide tram services in Melbourne.
In addition, the Transport Integration Act establishes VicTrack
VicTrack
VicTrack is the Victorian Government agency which owns all railway and tram lines, associated rail lands and other related rail-related infrastructure in the state of Victoria, Australia....
which owns the public rail network and associated infrastructure. Another important statute is the Rail Management Act 1996 which confers powers on rail operators and provides for an access scheme for the state's rail network. The Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous Act) 1983 is also a relevant statute relating to public transport as it contains a number of offences relating to safety, ticketing and amenity.
Rail Safety Act
The safety of rail transport operations in Melbourne is regulated by the Rail Safety Act 2006Rail Safety Act
The Rail Safety Act 2006 is a law enacted by the Parliament of the State of Victoria, Australia and is the prime statute regulating the safety of rail operations in the State...
which applies to all commercial passenger operations. The Act establishes a framework containing safety duties for all rail industry participants and requires operators who manage infrastructure and rolling stock to obtain accreditation prior to commencing operations. Accredited operators are also required to have a safety management system
Safety Management Systems
Safety Management System is a term used to refer to a comprehensive business management system designed to manage occupational safety and health elements in the workplace.-Description of SMS:...
to guide their operations. Sanctions applying to the safety scheme established under the Rail Safety Act
Rail Safety Act
The Rail Safety Act 2006 is a law enacted by the Parliament of the State of Victoria, Australia and is the prime statute regulating the safety of rail operations in the State...
are contained in the Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983
Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983
The 'Transport Act 1983' is a prime statute regulating transport activities in the State of Victoria, Australia...
. The safety regulator for the rail system in Melbourne including trams is the Director, Transport Safety
Director, Transport Safety
The Director, Transport Safety is the independent Government agency responsible for rail, bus and marine safety in the State of Victoria, Australia. The position was created as a statutory office by the Transport Integration Act 2010...
(trading as Transport Safety Victoria) whose office is established under the Transport Integration Act 2010
Transport Integration Act
The Transport Integration Act 2010 is a law enacted by the Parliament of the State of Victoria, Australia. The Act is the prime transport statute in Victoria, having replaced major parts of the former Transport Act 1983....
.
Ticketing and conduct
Ticketing requirements for trains, trams and buses in Melbourne are mainly contained in the Transport (Ticketing) Regulations 2006 and the Victorian Fares and Ticketing Manual. Rules about safe and fair conduct on trains, trams and buses in Melbourne are generally contained in the Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983
The 'Transport Act 1983' is a prime statute regulating transport activities in the State of Victoria, Australia...
and the Transport (Conduct) Regulations 2005.
See also
- Metro Trains MelbourneMetro Trains MelbourneMetro Trains Melbourne is the current franchise operator of the suburban railway network of Melbourne, Australia. Metro Trains Melbourne is a joint venture led by Hong Kong based MTR Corporation together with John Holland Group and United Group Rail .Metro Trains Melbourne operates a fleet of 381...
- Director of Public TransportDirector of Public TransportThe Director of Public Transport is the Government agency responsible for promoting, providing, coordinating and regulating public transport in the State of Victoria, Australia...
* - Department of Transport (Victoria)
- Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983The 'Transport Act 1983' is a prime statute regulating transport activities in the State of Victoria, Australia...
- Transport Integration ActTransport Integration ActThe Transport Integration Act 2010 is a law enacted by the Parliament of the State of Victoria, Australia. The Act is the prime transport statute in Victoria, having replaced major parts of the former Transport Act 1983....