The Next Generation Trams are the largest investment in locally made trams in Australia’s history. They will set a new standard for modern public transport by delivering a more comfortable, accessible and energy-efficient journey for passengers.
The project requires 65 per cent local content and will support up to 1900 local jobs, including those in the wider economy.
After a competitive tender process, the Victorian Government signed a contract with Alstom in April 2022 to design, build and maintain the new trams.
Manufacturing is now underway at Dandenong, with the first trams expected to arrive for testing on our network in 2025.
Go to the Next Generation G Class Tram – Fact Sheet (Accessible version)
Passenger benefits
The G Class tram design focuses on modern features that enhance passenger comfort and accessibility.
It accommodates up to 150 passengers and features:
- two dedicated mobility aid spaces and two flexible mixed-use areas
- six priority seats
- dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and mobility aids
- a low-floor design for easy boarding
- an onboard energy storage system to reduce power use and capture energy generated when braking.
The new trams will enable the retirement of some of our longest-serving high-floor trams, helping to make our public transport network more accessible for all Victorians.
Designed with Melburnians, for Melburnians
Built on learnings from earlier High Capacity Metro Trains and E Class tram projects, and based on Alstom’s Flexity 2 design, the new G Class tram is a customised design.
Through workshops, discussions and a hands-on experience in a life-size mock-up of the proposed G Class design, we collaborated with approximately 1,000 passengers, accessibility advocates, tram drivers and technical experts to ensure our newest trams meet the needs of all of our passengers and operators.
Snapshot of co-design outcomes
Conversation summary
Read the conversation summary outlining what we heard and how the tram’s design was changed in response to feedback.
Go to the Next Generation G Class Tram – Conversation Summary (Accessible version)
A vision for universal access
The new trams have been designed to improve access for everyone through their low-floor, multi-door design and the consideration of new technologies.
We took a human-centred design approach to enhance the onboard experience and ensure the tram was accessible and user-friendly.
Accessibility improvements and features were further evaluated and refined during our stakeholder engagement and consultation program.
Supporting local jobs
At its peak, the project will support up to 1,900 Victorian jobs through direct manufacturing and across Victoria’s strong rolling stock supply chain.
The project requires 65 per cent local content, which is above Victoria’s minimum 50 per cent local content policy for new rolling stock orders.
The new fleet will support future network service changes and other improvements to public transport, including service upgrades, which will also support jobs in tram operations.
Manufacturing
The Victorian Government’s rolling stock program is building a world-class rolling stock industry right here in Victoria.
The G Class trams are being made at Dandenong and must have a minimum of 65 per cent local content.
In 2023, the factory established the production line, and early ‘pre-series’ manufacturing activities, including upskilling the workforce, assembling jigs and commencing production of base components.
With the tram’s design finalised, the main manufacturing program commenced in 2024.
The first G Class trams are expected to arrive on the Melbourne network for testing in 2025.
Operations
The new G Class trams will be able to operate across the network. Design features like improved energy efficiency, tram length and internal layout will ensure they can run on our existing lines without major changes to tracks or the tram power system.
As a part of this project, a new tram maintenance and stabling facility is being built at Maidstone to maintain the new fleet.
The new fleet will initially operate on routes 57, 59 and 82 from Maidstone and Essendon depots.
Planning for wider operation of G Class trams on more routes is underway, in coordination with other initiatives as part of Melbourne’s Tram Plan.
The 7th generation of trams
In keeping with Melbourne tramway practice, these new vehicles will be our network’s 7th generation of trams and have been assigned the letter class ‘G’ – the 7th letter of the alphabet. G Class trams will also receive individual vehicle numbers starting from 7001.
The use of ‘G Class’ for these vehicles continues Melbourne’s proud tram classification tradition while celebrating our next generation of trams.
More information
For more information on the Next Generation Trams project:
For more information about the Maidstone tram maintenance and stabling facility:
- Sign up for email updates(opens in a new window)
- Email: MaidstoneTMF@transport.vic.gov.au
- Call 1800 105 105(opens in a new window) any time. For languages other than English, call 9209 0147(opens in a new window)
- To sign up for SMS updates, text MAIDSTONE to 0428 581 917(opens in a new window)
Updated