Busy tram corridors to receive extra services in new timetable

PASSENGERS on overcrowded tram routes are about to get some relief, with more than 500 new services a week to be added across Melbourne. Check if your route is set to get a boost.

OVERCROWDED tram routes will be boosted with new services to meet growing demand, with more than 500 new weekly journeys to be added across Melbourne’s light rail network.

From May 20, weekday passengers on the city’s busiest transport corridors will have access to extra services when annual changes are made to the Yarra Trams timetable.

TOUGH NEW PENALTIES FOR LATE TRAINS AND TRAMS

MELBOURNE’S BIG TRAIN AND TRAM FAIL

More weekday trips will be added to Routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72, which all run along St Kilda Rd, to improve frequency along the world’s busiest tram corridor during Metro Tunnel construction.

Routes 58 and 86 will also be upgraded to turn-up-and-go timetables, in which trams arrive every 10 minutes between 10am and 7pm, on Saturdays and Sundays.

Workers putting the finishing touches on upgrades along St Kilda Road. Picture: Ian Currie

The annual timetable update will also add extra weekday off-peak services to Routes 19, 57, 58 and 59.

In total there will be 534 additional tram journeys every week, including 100 that will not run the full route but will transport passengers along the busiest parts of the network.

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the Andrews Government was improving Melbourne’s iconic tram system.

“By adding extra services on the most popular tram corridor in the world along St Kilda Road, we’re giving people more options,” she said.

“At the same time we’re getting on with building the new Anzac station and as part of the Metro Tunnel project to deliver the frequent, reliable, turn-up-and-go transport system passengers need.”

Tramworks along St Kilda Rd. Picture: Ian Currie

MELBOURNE, YOU’RE GETTING TRAM LESSONS

According to figures from Yarra Trams, more than 203 million people board a tram in Melbourne every year.

The changes come after workers yesterday finished rerouting tram lines along St Kilda Rd near the site of the Metro Tunnel’s Anzac Station.

Traffic has been reduced to one lane in both directions near the construction zone but tram services will continue at normal frequencies over the course of the project.

The new services are expected to create 31 new jobs for tram drivers, with the updated timetables to be released publicly on the PTV website from April 19.

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