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Yarra Trams
Yarra Trams is the trading name of the operator of the tram network in Melbourne, Australia, which is owned by VicTrack and leased to Yarra Trams by the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning. Since December 2024, the current franchise is operated by Yarra Journey Makers, a joint venture of Transdev and John Holland.
As at May 2014, Yarra Trams operated 487 trams, across 26 tram routes, including a free City Circle tourist tram, and over 1,763 tram stops. With 250 km (155.3 mi) of double track, Melbourne's tram network is the largest in the world. In 2015/16, 203.8 million journeys were taken on Melbourne's trams, with trams traveling more than 24.8 million kilometres (15.4 million miles) annually. Each week Yarra Trams operates 31,400 scheduled tram services, which results in trams operating for approximately 20 hours per day and a team of 24-hour operations staff completing network maintenance and cleaning.
In October 1997, in preparation for privatisation, it was announced that the tram operations of the Public Transport Corporation would be split into two business units, Swanston Trams and Yarra Trams. The split became effective on 1 July 1998.
MetroLink Victoria Pty Ltd, a joint venture between Transfield Services (50%), Transdev (30%) and Egis (20%), successfully bid to take over the Yarra Trams services from 29 August 1999. Transdev bought out Egis' share in 2000. MetroLink Victoria became part of TransdevTSL in 2007.
The joint venture inherited 23 W, 31 Z3, 28 A1, 42 A2, two B1 and 55 B2 class trams, and took over the operation of 10 routes and four depots: Camberwell, East Preston, Kew and Southbank. In March 2000 a new white with green and blue stripes and grey skirt livery was introduced.
After National Express, which operated the other half of the network, handed back its M>Tram franchise, having been unable to renegotiate revised financial terms, the State Government temporarily took it over. In May 2003, the State Government announced it would establish a single company to operate both networks, and was negotiating with TransdevTSL to operate it. In February 2004, an agreement was reached, and the networks were reunited on 18 April 2004 under the Yarra Trams brand.
When the franchise was next tendered, Transdev TSL and Keolis Downer were shortlisted to bid. In June 2009, the franchise was awarded to Keolis Downer with the new franchise commencing on 30 November 2009. The Yarra Trams brand was retained. Keolis Downer introduced a new Yarra Trams logo, along with a new livery featuring yellow doors.
In September 2017, it was announced that the franchise is to be extended until November 2024, but with tougher conditions.
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Yarra Trams
Yarra Trams is the trading name of the operator of the tram network in Melbourne, Australia, which is owned by VicTrack and leased to Yarra Trams by the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning. Since December 2024, the current franchise is operated by Yarra Journey Makers, a joint venture of Transdev and John Holland.
As at May 2014, Yarra Trams operated 487 trams, across 26 tram routes, including a free City Circle tourist tram, and over 1,763 tram stops. With 250 km (155.3 mi) of double track, Melbourne's tram network is the largest in the world. In 2015/16, 203.8 million journeys were taken on Melbourne's trams, with trams traveling more than 24.8 million kilometres (15.4 million miles) annually. Each week Yarra Trams operates 31,400 scheduled tram services, which results in trams operating for approximately 20 hours per day and a team of 24-hour operations staff completing network maintenance and cleaning.
In October 1997, in preparation for privatisation, it was announced that the tram operations of the Public Transport Corporation would be split into two business units, Swanston Trams and Yarra Trams. The split became effective on 1 July 1998.
MetroLink Victoria Pty Ltd, a joint venture between Transfield Services (50%), Transdev (30%) and Egis (20%), successfully bid to take over the Yarra Trams services from 29 August 1999. Transdev bought out Egis' share in 2000. MetroLink Victoria became part of TransdevTSL in 2007.
The joint venture inherited 23 W, 31 Z3, 28 A1, 42 A2, two B1 and 55 B2 class trams, and took over the operation of 10 routes and four depots: Camberwell, East Preston, Kew and Southbank. In March 2000 a new white with green and blue stripes and grey skirt livery was introduced.
After National Express, which operated the other half of the network, handed back its M>Tram franchise, having been unable to renegotiate revised financial terms, the State Government temporarily took it over. In May 2003, the State Government announced it would establish a single company to operate both networks, and was negotiating with TransdevTSL to operate it. In February 2004, an agreement was reached, and the networks were reunited on 18 April 2004 under the Yarra Trams brand.
When the franchise was next tendered, Transdev TSL and Keolis Downer were shortlisted to bid. In June 2009, the franchise was awarded to Keolis Downer with the new franchise commencing on 30 November 2009. The Yarra Trams brand was retained. Keolis Downer introduced a new Yarra Trams logo, along with a new livery featuring yellow doors.
In September 2017, it was announced that the franchise is to be extended until November 2024, but with tougher conditions.
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