Melbourne tram commuters will benefit from 481 new weekly tram services starting on 24 October delivering additional capacity on popular inner city routes with more services to run through the CBD at peak times.
Premier John Brumby said Melbourne had the largest tram network in the world and the additional services would mean more services for commuters across several routes from Docklands, Coburg, Maribyrnong and Brunswick.
"More than 480,000 passenger trips are made on our tram network on average every day and the system is the backbone of our public transport network in the CBD and inner city," Mr Brumby said.
"We have been working closely with Yarra Trams to increase capacity and these 481 additional weekly tram services include 265 new services which will target busy inner city routes.
"These extra services will help ease crowding on our busy Elizabeth Street services and will also mean more frequent services for people travelling to and from West Maribyrnong, Airport West, North Coburg and West Coburg.
"Our Government is determined to deliver on our commitment to provide a better public transport network and together with our investment in 50 new trams, these additional services will improve the journeys of thousands of commuters every day."
Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula said improvements would include the introduction of a Collins Street shuttle service (Route 31) which will deliver an extra 44 trips on weekdays in the interpeak and improve connectivity with the Victoria Harbour Precinct.
"This shuttle service will run during the lunchtime peak and will mean trams will now operate every five minutes between Victoria Harbour and the Paris end of Collins Street between 11am and 2.30pm," Mr Pakula said.
"The additional Collins Street services are designed to assist with increased demand at the Collins Street West end of the CBD into Victoria Harbour and along the length of Collins Street."
Member for Melbourne Bronwyn Pike said Docklands was increasingly becoming a popular residential area of the city and a bustling employment centre.
"Up to 8000 people are currently working in the Victoria Harbour precinct of the Docklands which has significantly increased the number of people using trams along Collins Street, west of Southern Cross Station," Ms Pike said.
"This figure is set to swell to about 13,000 by Christmas when a further 5000 workers move into new offices so these extra tram services will be a welcome boost."
Mr Pakula said 215 additional weekly services would also be added on Route 82 which links Footscray and Moonee Ponds.
"These services will increase the frequency during school peak periods and late at night with trams running until midnight during the week and until 1am on Friday and Saturday nights," he said.
Other service improvements include:
• 20 additional weekend services on Route 19 to provide an eight minute frequency during the daytime;
• An additional weekday service in each direction on Route 19 (North Coburg -- Elizabeth Street ) during the AM-peak;
• Two extra weekday services in each direction on Route 55 (West Coburg -- Domain Interchange) during the AM-peak;
• Two additional weekday services on Route 55 during the PM-peak;
• Five additional weekday services on Route 57 (West Maribyrnong -- City Elizabeth Street) across the morning and evening peaks; and
• An additional weekday service on Route 59 (Airport West -- City Elizabeth Street) during the AM-Peak.
Detailed timetable information on the additional services is now available by calling Metlink on 131 638 or visiting www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au.
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