Tram passengers in Melbourne’s west are to be the first to benefit from new and more accessible trams with the introduction of the latest Next Generation Trams (NGTs).
Announced by the Minister for Public Transport, Ben Carroll, the new low-floor trams are to be rolled-out from 2025 on routes 57, 59 and 82, servicing suburbs such as Footscray, Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Ascot Vale, Maribyrnong, North Melbourne and Niddrie.
“The NGTs will progressively replace some of Melbourne’s longest-serving high-floor trams, providing better access for people with mobility needs and those travelling with prams, as well as offering improved capacity, with space for up to 150 passengers,” Mr Carroll said.
“The introduction of Next Generation Trams to Melbourne’s west will see a significant improvement to services in the area, delivering the more modern, accessible, and reliable services that passengers deserve,” he said.
“These new trams feature the latest accessibility technology, coupled with a low-floor design and additional doors, greatly improving accessibility on the network.”
Mr Carroll said the NGTs were part of a plan to build 100 new trams and a new tram maintenance and stabling facility in Melbourne’s West to improve capacity, accessibility and reliability across the network.
He said construction of a tram maintenance and stabling facility in Maidstone to house the NGTs was on track to start in 2023.
“The new facility will be used to clean, maintain and stable the trams and will also house tram operations and administration staff,” the Minister said.
