- Minister for Public Transport
Melbourne's largest and newest trams will begin testing on Route 58, as part of the Andrews Labor Government's plan to roll out E-Class trams to more routes.
Minister for Public Transport Melissa Horne announced that testing begins today on Route 58 from West Coburg to Toorak.
Route 58 travels from Melbourne's north, through the CBD to the city's south east, passing Melbourne Zoo, Royal Children's Hospital, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Queen Victoria Market and the Toorak Road shopping precinct.
The test tram will investigate things like tram stops and platforms, curves and gradients, bridge clearance, track quality, diversion routes for disruptions and identify any other potential issues.
Passengers on routes 96, 11, and 86 are already serviced by E-Class trams which have space for more than 200 passengers - doubling passenger capacity on these routes.
Each tram is accessible with dedicated spaces for passengers with mobility aids or prams, has audio and visual passenger information, more myki readers and air conditioning.
Since 2015, the Labor Government has invested more than $700 million for 50 new E-Class trams and infrastructure upgrades to modernise Melbourne's iconic tram network.
The 81st E-Class tram has been rolled out on the network with the Labor Government announcing additional orders of the Victorian built E-Class trams last year, boosting the overall fleet to 100.
For more information visit ptv.vic.gov.au
As stated by Minister for Public Transport Melissa Horne
"Testing E-Class trams on Route 58 is an important first step in rolling out our largest and most accessible trams to help passengers from West Coburg to Toorak get where they need to go."
"Melbourne's tram network is the biggest in the world, modernising it is critical to making sure we keep pace with growing demand."
