- Minister for Public Transport
Cleaning on Melbourne's tram network will be intensified, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government's $500 million Working for Victoria initiative.
More than 300 jobseekers have been hired to sanitise trams over the past few weeks in a major boost to cleaning services on the network.
The workers are carrying out additional cleaning between 7am and 6pm seven days a week - on carriages, in depots and at high-patronage stops across the network. Almost 300 stops will get special attention, with high touch-point areas being cleaned multiple times a day at major stops including Federation Square and Melbourne University.
Crews travelling up and down busy routes like St Kilda Road will be hopping on and off at stops to increase cleaning frequency.
The new jobs are an addition to cleaning roles added to the tram network in March. The government is also installing 270 new hand sanitising stations across the public transport network.
Melbourne's trams already undergo a deep clean before each service, which involves wiping of high-touch areas, handrails and grab straps at the beginning of each run. The new roles will provide additional support on top of current cleaning measures.
Public transport continues to run to normal timetables to ensure those Victorians who need to travel can get where they need to go. Commuters are encouraged to practice good hygiene when travelling, maximise distance between passengers where possible, avoid travelling if unwell and those who can work from home should work from home.
Businesses and workers can register at vic.gov.au/workingforvictoria.
As noted by Minister for Public Transport Melissa Horne
"Our trams are seeing more cleaning than ever before, and passengers should be assured that we are doing everything we can to keep the network clean."
"I want to thank our hard-working team who are working around the clock cleaning, providing advice to passengers and keeping our transport network moving."
As noted by Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade Martin Pakula
"This is creating opportunities for people who have lost their job through no fault of their own and providing a crucial community service into the bargain."
"The work that is being done is one of the reasons that we have been so successful to date in slowing the spread of coronavirus."
