A new G-class locally made tram has been unveiled in Melbourne for testing and evaluation, marking a milestone in the Victorian Government’s largest locally made next generation tram project.
Victorian Minister for Public and Active Transport, Gabrielle Williams, visited Tullamarine on 23 October to unveil the life-sized mock up tram, which is set to hit the network by 2025.
The Victorian Government is investing $1.85 billion into 100 new G-class trams alongside a new tram maintenance and stabling facility when the fleet is ready.
The more accessible trams will be built by Alstom in Dandenong, using at least 65 per cent local content and supporting up to 1,900 local jobs through manufacturing, the supply chain and construction.
Once complete, the new fleet of next-generation trams will replace some of Melbourne’s longest-serving A and Z class high-floor trams, making the public transport network more accessible for all members of the community.
The new G-class trams will have greater capacity than the ones currently operating, housing space for up to 150 passengers and will feature a low floor design to improve accessibility. The trams will also feature on-board energy storage to reduce power use and network costs.
The life size model of the next generation trams are allowing passengers, tram drivers, technical and accessibility groups to walk through the interior layout, including the drivers cab to provide feedback on the design.
The first G-class trams are scheduled to begin testing on the network from 2025, before taking passengers on Routes 57,59 and 82 in Melbourne’s West.
The Victorian Government has invested more than $9 billion in new and upgraded rolling stock and supporting infrastructure since 2015 to get people where they need to go safer and sooner.
Ms Williams said the project will be one of the biggest in Australia.
“We’re getting on with delivering modern and more accessible trams to Melbourne’s west, replacing our longest-serving high-floor trams while supporting hundreds of skilled jobs,” Ms Williams said.
“This is the biggest investment in locally made trams in Australia’s history and today is an important step towards finalising the design before production gets underway in Dandenong.”
