By ALECIA PINNER: apinner@mmpgroup.com.au
BOMBARDIER’S first 210-passenger, three-section tram has finally rolled off the assembly line in Dandenong South.
Overnight on Thursday, June 27, the first of 50 new 33-metre-long
trams was carefully trucked to Preston by Dandenong South firm Membrey’s
Transport for its 6000-kilometre testing program.
Managing director Craig Membrey said planning the 2½-hour trip took a year and included route surveys and removal of trees.
“It is fantastic to see Victoria building something and it is
awesome that a local company won the contract,” Mr Membrey said. “I was
honoured to be involved. I never miss action like that.”
The trams have easier access to tram stops, slip-resistant floors,
airconditioning and state-of-the-art audio and visual technology.
The tram will join Melbourne’s fleet this year. Over five years,
all 50 new trams will boost passenger capacity on the Yarra Trams
network by 10,500 people at any one time.
Premier Denis Napthine, who visited Preston with Transport
Minister Terry Mulder to inspect the tram, said the E class vehicles
would be the most comfortable, safe and high-capacity trams in the
fleet.
“These 50 trams represent a $300 million component of an overall
$800 million investment in Yarra Trams infrastructure, which also
includes track upgrades, tram stop improvements, depot redevelopments
and upgrades to power infrastructure,” he said.”
