M-Tram
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- The correct title of this article is M>Tram. It appears incorrectly here because of technical restrictions.
| M>Tram | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Slogan | "Moving Melbourne" |
| Fate | Parent company withdrawal |
| Successor | Yarra Trams |
| Founded | Swanston Trams Sept 1999 M>Tram Oct 2001 |
| Defunct | 18 April 2004 |
| Location |  Melbourne, Australia |
| Industry | Public transport |
| Products | Transport services |
| Parent | National Express Group |
M>Tram is a former tram operating company of half of Melbourne's tramway network. Part of the National Express Group, it was created with the rebranding of Swanston Trams in October 2001,[1] and was absorbed into Yarra Trams on April 18, 2004.
Contents |
[edit] History
Victoria's train and tram networks were privatised in 1999 under the Jeff Kennett government. The Melbourne tramway network was divided in two, and National Express Group won the Swanston Trams franchise (along with the Bayside Trains and V/Line regional passenger franchises).[2]
In October 2001, National Express rebranding Swanston Trams as M>Tram (as well as Bayside Trains to M>Train). The two "M>" business used near-identical, complementing branding, including colour scheme, and the same "Moving Melbourne" banner or motto.[3]
The National Express Group withdrew from their operations in Victoria on 22 December 2002 and the State Government took on the operation of M>Tram, M>Train and V/Line Passenger.[4] In May 2003 the State Government announced that they would establish a single company to operate the tram networks, and was negotiating with Yarra Trams (who operated the other half of the network) to operate this entity.[1] In February 2004 an agreement was reached, and on 18 April 2004 the last M>Tram service operated.[5]
[edit] Operations
The M>Tram network was focused on the north-south tram routes in Melbourne, running along Swanston, Elizabeth and William Streets though the CBD and then into the suburbs. It was also responsible for the cross-suburban routes. Brunswick, Essendon, Glenhuntly and Malvern tram depots were also allocated to the company.[6]
Part of the franchise agreement required replacement of older rolling stock with newer models, and refurbishment of the existing rolling stock. New Siemens 3 and 5 unit Combino trams were purchased as the D1 and D2 class, the first of 38 D1 class trams entering service on 19 December 2002[7] and the first of 21 D2 class trams on 3 March 2004.[8] Z3 and B2 class trams were also internally refurbished by M>Tram, receiving green seat pads, and yellow stanchions and grab rails.[9]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Public transport - Metropolitan train and tram franchising project. www.doi.vic.gov.au. Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
- ^ ARHS Railway Museum: Victoria 1950 - now (HTML). ARHS Railway Museum. Retrieved on 2008-02-05.
- ^ National Express - Review of Operations - Australia. www.investis.com. Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
- ^ The long goodbye - FeaturesNational - www.theage.com.au. www.theage.com.au (March 14, 2004). Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
- ^ VICSIG - Trams - Farewell M>Tram Tour. www.vicsig.net. Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
- ^ VICSIG - Trams - Tram Depots. vicsig.net. Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
- ^ VICSIG - Trams - D1 class trams. www.vicsig.net. Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
- ^ Media Release: SUPER TRAM COMES TO MELBOURNE. www.dpc.vic.gov.au. Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
- ^ VICSIG - Trams - Interior. www.vicsig.net. Retrieved on 2008-04-29.
| Preceded by Public Transport Corporation (as Swanston Trams) |
Trams in Melbourne North-south routes 1999-2002 |
Succeeded by State Government receivership, then Yarra Trams |
