Greens’ $6.5 billion plan for more trams and accessible stops across Melbourne network

TRAMS should get priority over cars at more intersections and super stops would be installed across Melbourne under a $6.5 billion Victorian Greens transport plan.

TRAMS would get priority over cars at intersections and new super stops installed across Melbourne under a $6.5 billion Victorian Greens transport plan.

The Greens yesterday said $4.1 billion should be splurged on 300 new high-capacity trams over the next decade.

The party also called for $2.3 billion to be spent building disability-friendly super stops across the network and ensuring trams get priority over cars at traffic lights.

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The decade-long tram plan prioritised the upgrade of seven routes, many of which run through inner-city seats key in November’s state election.

Trams would get priority at Melbourne intersections under a Greens’ Victorian transport plan.

The super stop upgrades would be modelled on controversial works along route 96 that have gobbled up car spaces — although little detail about the design or how it would be paid for has been provided.

Greens transport spokesman Sam Hibbins said the upgrades would speed up the sluggish network, one of the slowest in the world, as well as benefit drivers.

“At the moment, there are a lot of places were trams and traffic intersect and it is not clear who has priority,” he said.

“Where we have seen upgrades and greater separation, you see both trams and traffic moving a lot better.

“This is cost effective, low-hanging fruit for any government to achieve.”

A law passed in the early 2000s required disability access to 90 per cent of Melbourne’s trams stops by 2017 and the entire network by 2032.

But less than a quarter of stops are currently considered accessible.

Prahran state Greens MP Sam Hibbins. Picture: Paul Loughnan

The state government upgraded three stops along route 96’s Nicholson St last month.

Similar upgrades at three other stops were halted when Moreland Council — led by two Greens councillors — opposed the work because it did not include a dedicated bike lane.

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the Greens’ hypocrisy was “unbelievable”.

“This is the party that actively blocked our investment to build accessible tram stops on one of Melbourne’s busiest routes,” she said.

“Labor is the only party who is delivering bigger, accessible trams to get Victorians where they need to go.”

The Public Transport Users Association’s Daniel Bowen said despite push back about bike lanes or reduced parking, hundreds of other tram stops needed to be made more accessible.

“Ultimately, it has to happen and authorities are going to need to push on with it,” he said.

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