The Victorian Government is set to make the largest investment in Australian-made trams, a move that will create thousands of jobs and enhance accessibility within Melbourne’s iconic tram network.
The anticipated next-generation trams, produced locally in Melbourne, have come one step closer to reality as a life-sized model of a G-class tram was unveiled for testing and evaluation in preparation for production ramp-up, the government said in a news release.
Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams visited Tullamarine to reveal the first life-sized prototype of the next-gen tram, which is slated to join the network by 2025.
The government is also channelling $1.85 billion into the creation of 100 new G-class trams, accompanied by a state-of-the-art tram maintenance and stabling facility to be ready when the fleet is deployed.
The development of these highly accessible trams will be undertaken by Alstom in Dandenong, with a commitment to using a minimum of 65 per cent locally sourced materials.
This initiative is expected to support up to 1,900 local jobs across the manufacturing, supply chain, and construction sectors.
These new trams will replace some of Melbourne’s long-serving A and Z class high-floor trams, making the city’s public transport system more inclusive for all Victorians.
With greater passenger capacity compared to the high-floor trams, the new models can accommodate up to 150 passengers and feature a low-floor design for enhanced accessibility.
The trams will also incorporate on-board energy storage systems to reduce power consumption and network operating costs.
Minister Williams expressed her commitment to delivering modern and more accessible trams to Melbourne’s western region.
“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,” the minister noted.
Meanwhile, Member for Sunbury Josh Bull also stressed the importance of locally producing trams, resulting in increased employment opportunities.
“We’re getting on with building locally made trams, creating more local jobs and ensuring our transport network more accessible than ever before,” Bull stated.
