Physical description

Newspaper clipping titled:

“Trackless and with rubber wheels, it may be our next generation trams” by Timna Jacks

Newspaper clipping from the Age 02/05/2021



Rubber wheels, electric batteries and no overhead wires could be the future for Melbourne’s trams.



By 2025, 100 new trams will be designed and built due to a $1.5 billion government injection to fund 100 ‘‘next-generation trams’’, replacing A and Z-Class trams.



Two manufacturers have been shortlisted to design and build the trams: French rail manufacturer Alstom and a joint venture comprising Spanish rail maker CAF and UGL.



At 25 metres long – about eight metres shorter than the newest E-Class trams – the trams will carry 150 passengers, fewer than the E-Class, which carry 210 people. Despite the smaller size, seating will remain proportionally comparable with the E-Class, with 48 people or a third of passengers getting a seat on the new fleet.



The new fleet will be the first in Melbourne to be partly powered by on-board batteries.