The Carroll Labor Government is delivering better public transport across Melbourne's west.
Labor's new, more accessible and comfortable G Class trams will hit the network for the first time today.
The first G Class will depart Essendon Depot at 8:30am for Flinders Street Station on Route 59.
This marks the start of passenger services for Melbourne's first new tram design in more than a decade.
The G Class is Melbourne's most accessible tram, featuring level boarding, dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and mobility aids, more doors, cooling and heating and improved passenger information displays.
The new trams carry up to 150 passengers - around twice the capacity of the Z and A Class trams they will replace.
The fleet will first operate in Melbourne's west along:
- Route 59 from the CBD to Airport West
- Route 57 from the CBD to West Maribyrnong
- Route 82 from Footscray to Moonee Ponds
The fleet will expand to Routes 12, 48 and 58 over coming years.
The new Maidstone Tram Maintenance and Stabling Facility will maintain the fleet while supporting more tram services and local jobs in Melbourne's growing west.
The trams are being built by Alstom in Dandenong - supporting up to 1,900 local jobs.
The G Class is the biggest investment in locally made trams in Australia's history.
It's part of Labor's $1.85 billion investment to deliver 100 new trams and the infrastructure to support them.
Jess Wilson's Liberal-One Nation Coalition have a $40 billion cuts plan. That means our new trams scrapped and local workers sacked.
Only Labor is backing Victorian-made trams and the good paying jobs that come with them.
As stated by Premier and Member for Niddrie Ben Carroll
"This is a massive moment for Melbourne's west and my community - with passengers stepping aboard our first new tram in more than a decade."
"The Government I lead will always deliver better services for Melbourne's west - from schools to hospitals to public transport - because that's what the west deserves."
As stated by Deputy Premier and Minister for Public and Active Transport
"Built in Dandenong, rolling through Melbourne's west - these are trams built by and made for Victorians."
"The G Class carries around twice as many passengers, is easier to board and built right here in Victoria - that's good for commuters and good for local jobs."
As stated by Member for Essendon Danny Pearson
"The first G Class has rolled out from Essendon and it's delivering exactly what Melbourne's north-west needs - bigger, better and more accessible trams."
As stated by Member for Footscray Katie Hall
"This is another win for Melbourne's west and the people who rely on our tram network every day."
As stated by Member for Northern Metropolitan Sheena Watt
"Victoria is home to the world's largest tram network, and the G Class will make it easier for more people to use it."
