Yarra Trams staff to get portable speakers and microphones to direct passengers at busy stops

Yarra Trams staff will be kitted out with speakers and microphones in a bid to direct passengers and improve congestion at busy stops across Melbourne’s CBD. Tell us what you think.

Yarra Trams staff will be kitted out with speakers and microphones in a bid to improve congestion at busy stops across Melbourne’s CBD.

The portable amplifiers can be placed in pockets and have been provided to customer service workers to help them communicate above the noise of commuter crowds.

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The system was first trialled at Melbourne Park during the Australian Open and has also been successfully used across busy Metro networks in Japan.

It will allow commuters to receive information on the fly about services, similar to the work of train conductors, and prevent jostling through peak-hour crowds at some of the city’s busiest stops.

Yarra Trams staff will be given portable speakers to direct passengers at busy stops. Picture: Nicole Garmston. Picture: Nicole Garmston

The operator has also introduced QR codes to trams and stops for passengers with smartphones to receive digital updates.

It comes as extra services are to be rolled out to cater for the thousands of motorsport fans travelling to the Australian Formula One Grand Prix from March 14 to 17.

Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne said almost 300,000 people were expected to attend the event this year.

“The portable amplifier system gives passengers important and timely information during one of Victoria’s — and indeed Australia’s — most popular events,” she said.

An extra 1156 tram services will ferry people to Albert Park, with Route 96 and 12 services running every two to five minutes over the busiest parts of Saturday and Sunday.

They will run express between Southern Cross station and Whiteman St, while replacement bus services will also ferry route 96 passengers bound for other destinations.

Public Transport Victoria acting chief executive Alan Fedda said the event was the busiest period for the network.

“A lot of planning goes into delivering this significant event for our city,” he said.

“We are proud to deliver new ways to help improve the experience for passengers, making it easier for racegoers to get the most out of this year’s event.”

In January, Yarra Trams scored above its contracted punctuality target by delivering 88.3 per cent of its services on time.

More than 3000 extra services were added last month to get tennis fans to the Australian Open.