Trackless tram proposal for Rowville

A hi-tech transport hybrid could help speed up the nightmare morning commute for people living in Melbourne’s east.

A decades-long battle to build a rail line out to Rowvilleand tackle crippling southeastern suburbs congestion may have found an unconventional solution, with a new proposal to build “trackless trams” emerging as a potential frontrunner.

The Herald Sun can reveal the state government is investigating a new plan to solve the missing public transport link in the region.

The Andrews Government first committed in 2018 to study a light rail connection after years of local advocacy for a Rowville railway line between major employment hubs.

In 2019, the Morrison Government pledged $475 million towards planning a heavy rail link from Huntingdale to Rowville

But over this time a report by Vicinity Centres and Monash University asked both state and federal bureaucrats to consider another option that would cost just $1.4 billion be finished by 2025.

Under the new proposal, hi-tech trackless trams would run between Caulfield Station, Chadstone Shopping Centre, the Clayton campus and beyond.

An artist impression of a trackless tram. Picture: supplied.

The specially built vehicles would travel 19km on their own dedicated lanes along on Dandenong Rd, Ferntree Gully Rd, Blackburn Rd and Wellington Rd.

They would carry 1800 passengers per hour in each direction and when completed would help Rowville residents reach the CBD within 50 minutes during the morning peak.

Trackless trams are a hybrid between buses and trams that use rubber wheels but hold more people and provide smoother rides.

Each vehicle runs on batteries and can charge at each stop, saving the cost of overhead wires.

Both levels of government have been briefed on the proposal, with the Commonwealth writing to the state government and asking them to investigate the idea as part of its Rowville rail strategy.

Much of the feasibility work has already been done, with authorities to consider the idea as part of a business case and along with part of planning for the Suburban Rail Loop.

No money has been put forward by the private operators and responsibility for the project is now in the hands of government.

Local councils in the area have also thrown their support behind the idea.

trackless tram plan rowville map

Monash University Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Gardner said the Clayton campus can reach the size of a regional city on any given day and needed better public transport.

“This simple, cost-effective transport solution will help streamline the commute for thousands of people each day along the busy road corridor between Caulfield and Rowville,” she said.

“It will also increase access to the Suburban Rail Loop through its connections to the Monash station.

“We urge the governments to prioritise funding for this significant project.”

The report to government showed that traffic congestion in the southeastern suburbs surrounding the university and shopping employment hubs was set to get worse.

Delays along the Monash Freeway and Princes Highway corridor are the second worst in the country and poor public transport options means commuters are increasingly turning to cars.

Without action, the Monash National Employment and Innovation Cluster is expected to be the only area of its kind where the share of public transport usage goes down.

An artist's impression of trackless trams pitched for Sunshine Coast Council's transport plan.

Hi-tech trackless trams would run between Caulfield Station, Chadstone Shopping Centre, the Clayton campus and beyond. Picture: David Crosling

Vicinity Centre’s regional general manager of development, Josef Seidler, said the proposal had many benefits.

“The proposal will provide safe and efficient public transport, connecting the local communities from Caulfield to Rowville with a wide range of employment, education, recreation and other facilities,” he said.

A state government spokeswoman said the corridor had some of Melbourne’s most important precincts.

“That’s why we’ve undertaken extensive planning work for possible transport connections – and as part of that work the Commonwealth has asked us to look at the trackless rapid transit proposal.”