Melbourne commuters can now ride the city’s first new tram design in more than a decade, with the new G Class officially entering passenger service today.
The first tram departed Essendon Depot at 8.30am on Route 59, travelling to Flinders Street Station and marking the beginning of a gradual rollout across Melbourne’s west.
Designed with accessibility and comfort in mind, the G Class features level boarding, dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and mobility aids, more passenger doors, improved heating and cooling, and upgraded information displays. Each tram can carry up to 150 passengers, around twice the capacity of the older Z and A Class trams they will eventually replace.
The new fleet will initially operate on Route 59 between the CBD and Airport West, Route 57 between the CBD and West Maribyrnong, and Route 82 between Footscray and Moonee Ponds. Services are expected to expand to Routes 12, 48 and 58 in the coming years.
Premier Ben Carroll said the launch was an important milestone for Melbourne’s west.
“This is a massive moment for Melbourne’s west and my community – with passengers stepping aboard our first new tram in more than a decade.”
He added that improved public transport remained a priority for the growing region.
“The Government I lead will always deliver better services for Melbourne’s west – from schools to hospitals to public transport – because that’s what the west deserves.”
The G Class trams are being built by Alstom in Dandenong, supporting local manufacturing and jobs, while the new Maidstone Tram Maintenance and Stabling Facility will service the fleet as it expands.
The introduction of the G Class marks a significant upgrade for Melbourne’s tram network, bringing more accessible and higher-capacity vehicles to some of the city’s busiest western routes.
