The Victorian tram network will get a major boost with the busiest tram corridor in the world set to receive upgrades, while a trial gets underway to expand the successful Ridespace initiative.
From late-June until mid-July, the popular Federation Square/Flinders Street Station stop on St Kilda Road will undergo upgrades including a larger platform, improved disability access and new shelters – to reduce overcrowding and improve passenger flow between Flinders Street Station and the stop.
Crews will also replace nearly 600 metres of tracks on Swanston Street and St Kilda Road as part of the upgrade, providing a safety boost for passengers, quieter infrastructure and a reduced risk of derailments.
As more passengers return to the network, the real-time arrival and passenger capacity indicator RideSpace is being trialed on tram route 59 which travels between Essendon and the city.
Over the coming months, this tram trial will assess passenger counting technology and data accuracy before being rolled out to passengers.
The St Kilda Road upgrade is part of the Victorian Government’s maintenance and renewal program, which delivered $640 million of works across the public transport network this financial year, improving reliability and passenger experience while injecting millions of dollars into the economy.
The St Kilda Road business precinct and Shrine of Remembrance will be accessed by the new Metro Tunnel Project’s Anzac Station when it opens in 2025. The new station is strategically located to ease pressure on the St Kilda Road/Swanston Street tram corridor and will include an interchange with a tram super stop on St Kilda Road.
During the major upgrades, St Kilda Road will be closed to vehicles and trams between Flinders Street and Southbank Boulevard from Sunday, 27 June until Monday, 12 July and Southbank Boulevard will be closed between St Kilda Road and Sturt Street while these significant works are undertaken.Detours will be in place using Punt Road and Kings Way.
Tram routes operating on this corridor will also be impacted by the works, with tram routes 1, 3, 3a, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72 being impacted. For full disruption information, head to ptv.vic.gov.au.
To access RideSpace for the metro train network, head to the PTV app or .
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll
“This stretch from Southbank Boulevard through to Melbourne University is the busiest tram corridor in the world. These improvements will create a better travel experience for both commuters and people visiting some of Melbourne’s most popular attractions like Federation Square and the arts precinct.”
“We already know millions of customers are accessing valuable real-time information through RideSpace for the train network each week, and now we’re taking steps to roll this out to other public transport modes.”
Quote attributable to Member for Albert Park Martin Foley
“The updates to our tram network will ensure every Victorian can safely access and enjoy our city."
Quote attributable to Member for Southern Metropolitan Nina Taylor
“We’re investing in Melbourne’s iconic tram network with this upgrade delivering improved comfort, safety and a smoother ride for the 365,000 passengers who use this stop each week.”
Reviewed 25 June 2021