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G-class Melbourne tram

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G-class
G-class tram 7006 on Elizabeth Street in July 2026
Interior seats in a G class tram mockup
ManufacturerAlstom
Built atDandenong
Family nameFlexity 2
Constructed2024–present
Entered service30 July 2026
Number under construction93
Number built7
Number in service1
Fleet numbers7001–7100
Capacity150
OperatorYarra Trams
DepotsMaidstone
Essendon
Specifications
Train length~25 m (82 ft 0 in)
Low-floor100%
Doors4
Articulated sections3 (2 articulations)
Maximum speed80 km/h (50 mph)
Traction motors4 × Škoda FCX 105 kW (141 hp)[1]
Power output420 kW (560 hp)
Electric systems600 V DC (nominal) from overhead catenary
Current collectionPantograph
UIC classificationBo′+2′+Bo′
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The G-class Melbourne tram is a three-section articulated tram. The trams are low-floor, replacing part of the current fleet of high-floor Z and A class trams. The design is based on the Flexity 2 but with pivoting outer bogies. These trams were introduced onto the Melbourne tram network on 30 July 2026.

The trams were designed, built and maintained by Alstom at its Dandenong factory. Manufacturing of the fleet began in late 2023.[2] The project also included a new maintenance and stabling facility in Maidstone, where the trams would be stored following construction.

The initial contract was for 100 new trams, which is the largest domestic order in Australian history,[3] and included the requirement for Alstom to maintain the vehicles for 15 years.[citation needed] The trams are designed to carry 150 passengers and will be 25 metres (82 ft 0 in) long.

The first of the 50 trams of this fleet will first roll out in the proximity of the Maidstone facility on routes 57, 59 and 82.[4] As of 2023, these routes are operated out of Essendon depot. The other half of the 50 trams of this fleet will also expand to routes 12, 48 and 58.[5]

History

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In 2015, the Andrews Government published a Rolling Stock Strategy. That included ordering new E class trams, the refurbishment of B class trams, and commencing the planning of the "next generation of trams".[6][7] The strategy noted that 240 new trams would be needed during the 2020s, to replace Z and A class trams.[6] Those older trams have restricted accessibility, whereas all new trams ordered since 2000 have been low-floor models.

Bidding process

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In 2019, the Andrews Government announced that 100 Next Generation trams would be produced in Victoria. The government invited a number of manufacturers to create and submit proposals, before inviting them to a collaborative design process.[8]

In the 2020–2021 Victorian Budget, the Andrews Government committed $1.48 billion to the project, including a new maintenance and stabling facility, later announced to be built in Maidstone, near Highpoint Shopping Centre. The budget also foreshadowed the creation of approximately 280 jobs in construction and at the maintenance facility.[9] Alstom and a joint venture comprising UGL Rail and CAF were shortlisted to design and build the new trams.[10]

Contract award

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In April 2022, the government awarded the contract to Alstom, and announced further details about the Next Generation trams. It was named the G-Class, in keeping with the Melbourne tram classification system.[11] Construction was scheduled to commence in late 2023 with the first tram to be delivered in 2025.[12][13] The construction process will create 1,900 local jobs, both in the construction of the trams and at the new Maidstone facility.[14]

Delivery

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The first of 100 G-Class trams, number 7002 was delivered to the Maidstone Tram Depot on 12 September 2025.[citation needed]

Entry into service

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G-class tram 7006 on Elizabeth Street on 30 July 2026, the day it entered service

On 30 July 2026, the first G-class tram entered service, the first service being the route 59 from Essendon Tram Depot to Flinders Street Station.[15]

Operations

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The first of the 50 G-Class trams were initially announced in 2023 to run on routes 57, 59 and 82 out of Maidstone tram depot facility.[16] On 10 May 2026, the Victorian Government announced that the other half of the 50 G-Class will roll out on routes 12, 48 and 58 as part of the $76 million 2026/27 State Budget.[17]

Design

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Controls in the driver's cabin.

The G-class tram is based on the Alstom Flexity 2, which is used on several tram networks around the world, including the Gold Coast G:Link in Queensland. The tram is customised to Melbourne's network and includes 65% locally made content.[11][18] The fleet is designed to use less electric power than the E-Class so as not to require new power or traction infrastructure, and utilises onboard battery power storage which is recharged by regenerative braking, thereby limiting current draw at peak times and reducing overall power use by 30-40%.[19][20][21]

Alstom has committed that the new trams will conform with federal disability-access regulations.[22] The G-Class is low-floor and includes additional doors for users of wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The Government had consulted with accessibility groups during the final design process to refine the accessibility features.[11]

The tram is 25 metres (82 ft 0 in) long, designed to hold up to 150 passengers with seating for 48.[11] That makes it smaller than the E-class tram, which can hold 210 passengers and is 33.45 metres (109 ft 9 in) long,[23][21] but they are able to carry more passengers than the Z or A-Class trams.[11]

Classification

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Initially classified "F-class",[7] the trams are now classified "G-class", in keeping with Melbourne tramway practice, because they are the seventh generation of trams,[dubious – discuss] and the letter G is the seventh letter of the alphabet.[20]

Maidstone tram facility

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Maidstone tram depot is a new tram depot built in the suburb of Maidstone in suburban Melbourne, Victoria. It started construction in 2023 and is set to open in 2026. All new G-Class Trams will be maintained at Maidstone depot. The depot is off Route 82 which currently runs from Moonee Ponds to Footscray. This depot will serve Routes 57, 59 and 82, which currently only runs B and Z class high floor trams from Essendon depot.

References

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  1. ↑ "Škoda Group se bude podílet na dodávkách tramvají do australského Melbourne" [Škoda Group will participate in the supply of trams to Melbourne, Australia] (in Czech). Dopraváček. 18 July 2023. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  2. ↑ "Next Generation Trams". www.vic.gov.au. 15 November 2023. Archived from the original on 12 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  3. ↑ Nestor, Stephanie (21 April 2022). "Contract awarded for Australia's largest tram project". Infrastructure Magazine. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  4. ↑ "Designs for Maidstone's new tram facility released - Community update – April 2023". Department of Transport and Planning. April 2023. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  5. ↑ "Making It Easier And Safer To Travel". Premier of Victoria. 10 May 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  6. 1 2 "TRAINS, TRAMS, JOBS 2015–2025 Victorian Rolling Stock Strategy" (PDF). Victorian Government. 2015. pp. 24–27. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  7. 1 2 Robson, Rob (21 September 2016). "Shaping the Future of Railway" (PDF). Monash University. Yarra Trams. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022. And there's more to come - Design and delivery of F-Class trams
  8. ↑ "Next Generation Trams – Infrastructure Pipeline". infrastructurepipeline.org. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  9. ↑ "Maidstone Home To Melbourne's Next Generation Trams". Premier of Victoria. 25 August 2021. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  10. ↑ Jacks, Timna (1 May 2021). "Melbourne's next generation trams could be trackless with rubber wheels". The Age. Archived from the original on 13 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022. Two manufacturers have been shortlisted to design and build the trams: French rail manufacturer Alstom – which acquired former tram manufacturer Bombardier – and a joint venture comprising Spanish rail maker CAF and UGL.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 "Next Generation Trams". Department of Transport. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  12. ↑ "Alstom wins largest light rail contract in Australia to deliver Next Generation Trams for Melbourne, Victoria". Alstom. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  13. ↑ "Alstom wins the contract for Melbourne's G-Class trams". Tramways & Urban Transit. 21 April 2022. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  14. ↑ "Boost For Jobs As Biggest Tram Project Gets Underway". Premier of Victoria. 21 April 2022. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  15. ↑ "Labor's New And Better Trams Hit The West". www.premier.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
  16. ↑ "Designs for Maidstone's new tram facility released - Community update – April 2023". Victorian Government. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  17. ↑ "Making It Easier And Safer To Travel". Premier of Victoria. 10 May 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  18. ↑ "Another 100 trams to be built in Melbourne". The Canberra Times. 20 April 2022. Archived from the original on 22 September 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  19. ↑ "Largest light rail contract in Australia". Rail Express. 21 April 2022. Archived from the original on 21 April 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  20. 1 2 "Next Generation Trams". Department of Transport. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  21. 1 2 "Alstom wins the contract for Melbourne's G-Class trams". Tramways and Urban Transport. 21 April 2022. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  22. ↑ Juanola, Marta Pascual (21 April 2022). "French company to build 100 new Melbourne trams under $1.85 billion deal". The Age. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  23. ↑ Roberts, Peter (21 April 2022). "Victoria announces Australia's biggest-ever local tram order". Australian Manufacturing Forum. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
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