The latest Bombardier-built trams are hitting the tracks in Melbourne.
Premier Daniel Andrews joined Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan in Wellington Parade to inspect E-Class tram 51 on Tuesday 13 June before it entered service alongside tram 52.
“The E-Class tram is local manufacturing at its best,” Mr Andrews said.
The State Government ordered 20 from Bombardier in 2015, supporting 500 jobs plus suppliers, and these are the first of that order taking passengers.
The trams have low floors, more myki readers, space for more than 200 passengers, audio and visual passenger information, air-conditioning and dedicated spaces for passengers with prams and mobility aids.
The newest E-Class trams also feature a new cab design including eight extra hand rails and 24 more strap hangers.
Trams 51 and 52 will operate on routes 96, 86 and 11.
The 2017-’18 State Budget funded a further 10 E-Class trams, taking the total order to 80.
They’re all expected to be in service by mid-2019.
