Editing Trams in Melbourne (section)

===System upgrades===
{{See also|Yarra Trams}}
As a part of the privatisation process, franchise contracts between the state government and both private operators included obligations to extend and modernise the Melbourne tram network. This included acquiring new tram rolling stock, in addition the existing tram fleet was refurbished.<ref name="Privatisation Boosts Rail Investment in Melbourne">{{cite magazine|title=Privatisation Boosts Rail Investment in Melbourne |author=Ian Hammond |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQQ/is_10_40/ai_66931446/ |magazine=[[International Railway Journal]] |date=October 2000 |access-date=10 November 2011 }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="Melbourne Refurbishes to Improve Image">{{cite magazine|title=Melbourne Refurbishes to Improve Image |author=Ian Hammond |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQQ/is_6_41/ai_80898097/ |magazine=[[International Railway Journal]] |date=June 2001 |access-date=10 November 2011 }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Swanston Trams (M>Tram) introduced 59 new [[Siemens Combino]] (D-class) [[Low-floor tram|low-floor]] built trams by [[Siemens Mobility|Siemens]], at a cost of A$175 million, and invested approximately A$8 million in refurbishing their fleet, while Yarra Trams introduced 36 [[Alstom Citadis]] (C-class) low-floor trams, at a cost of A$100 million, and invested A$5.3 million refurbishing their fleet.<ref name="Melbourne Refurbishes to Improve Image"/><ref name="C-class">{{cite press release |title=New era for public transport starts today |url=http://franklin.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/MediaRelArc02.nsf/0/0CB6751618ECE8244A256AE5008133D1?Open |publisher=Office of the Premier |date=12 October 2001 |access-date=10 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509111659/http://franklin.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/MediaRelArc02.nsf/0/0CB6751618ECE8244A256AE5008133D1?Open |archive-date=9 May 2012}}</ref><ref name="NEW LOW-FLOOR TRAM HONOURS TRAMWAYS LEGEND">{{cite press release |title=New Low-Floor Tram Honours Tramways Legend |url=http://franklin.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/MediaRelArc02.nsf/0/79B7C8A44C7671A04A256C0C0000D780?Open |publisher=Minister for Transport|date=2 August 2002 |access-date=10 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509111727/http://franklin.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/MediaRelArc02.nsf/0/79B7C8A44C7671A04A256C0C0000D780?Open |archive-date=9 May 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Tram stop sign outside Flinders Street station.jpg|thumb|left|Tram stop sign outside [[Flinders Street railway station|Flinders Street station]]]]
In 2003 the marketing and umbrella brand [[Metlink]] was introduced to co-ordinate the promotion of Melbourne's public transport and the communications from the separate privatised companies. Metlink's role was to provide timetables, passenger information about connecting services provided by several operators, fares and ticketing information and introduce uniform signage across the Melbourne public transport system.<ref>{{cite press release|title=A New Identity for Melbourne's Public Transport System|url=http://franklin.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/798c8b072d117a01ca256c8c0019bb01/861b4c03c1c2088fca256d410008cf92!OpenDocument |publisher=Minister for Public Transport|date=9 June 2003 |access-date=10 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509111735/http://franklin.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/798c8b072d117a01ca256c8c0019bb01/861b4c03c1c2088fca256d410008cf92%21OpenDocument |archive-date=9 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/about-metlink/ | work=[[Metlink]] | title=About Metlink | access-date=7 April 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607234329/http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/about-metlink/ | archive-date=7 June 2011}}</ref>

Since privatisation extensions have been made to the tram system, with the $28 million extension of the 109 to Box Hill opening on 2 May 2003,<ref>{{cite press release |title=Melbourne's New Tramline Unveiled|url=http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/bc348d5912436a9cca256cfc0082d800/9eab51baa5822b08ca256d1d00088a96!OpenDocument |publisher=Office of the Premier|date=2 May 2003 |access-date=10 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606004218/http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/bc348d5912436a9cca256cfc0082d800/9eab51baa5822b08ca256d1d00088a96!OpenDocument |archive-date=6 June 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> a $7.5 million extension along Docklands Drive in Docklands opened on 4 January 2005,<ref>{{cite press release |title=Docklands Drive Tram Extension Now in Service |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080727092647/http://www.yarratrams.com.au/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-105/99_read-325 |archive-date=27 July 2008 |url=http://www.yarratrams.com.au/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-105/99_read-325 |publisher=[[Yarra Trams]] |date=4 January 2005 |access-date=26 January 2012}}</ref> and a $42.6 million extension of the 75 to Vermont South opening on 23 July 2005.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Major Public Transport Boost Opens in Melbourne's East |url=http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/b0222c68d27626e2ca256c8c001a3d2d/77f706ecbd1cb0a2ca2570490003dfcc!OpenDocument |publisher=Minister for Public Transport|date=23 July 2005 |access-date=10 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606004226/http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/b0222c68d27626e2ca256c8c001a3d2d/77f706ecbd1cb0a2ca2570490003dfcc!OpenDocument |archive-date=6 June 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:E 6001 in PTV livery on the Preston Workshop test track, September 2013.JPG|thumb|[[E-class Melbourne tram|E 6001]] in [[Public Transport Victoria]] livery at [[Preston Workshops]] on the test track before entering passenger service, September 2013]]
It was announced on 27 September 2010 that [[Bombardier Transportation]] had won a $303 million contract to supply and maintain 50 new [[E-class Melbourne tram|E-class]] trams, the contract includes an option for a further 100.<ref name="50 TRAMS ORDER FOR MELBOURNE CREATES LOCAL JOBS">{{cite press release |title=50 Trams Order for Melbourne Creates Local Jobs |url=http://archive.premier.vic.gov.au/newsroom/12031.html |work=From the Minister for Public Transport |date=27 September 2010 |access-date=19 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019060638/http://archive.premier.vic.gov.au/newsroom/12031.html |archive-date=19 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Bombardier Wins Contract for 50 Trams for One of the World's Largest Tram Operations in Melbourne, Australia">{{cite press release |title=Bombardier Wins Contract for 50 Trams for One of the World's Largest Tram Operations in Melbourne, Australia |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2010/09/29/idUS150770+29-Sep-2010+HUG20100929 |work=[[Bombardier Transportation]] |agency=Reuters |date=29 September 2010 |access-date=10 September 2013 |archive-date=16 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016062425/http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/09/29/idUS150770+29-Sep-2010+HUG20100929 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=VicsigE>{{cite web |title=E Class |url=http://www.vicsig.net/trams/tram/e/v1 |work=Vicsig |access-date=19 November 2011 |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212002244/https://vicsig.net/trams/tram/e/v1 |url-status=live }}</ref> They will be built at Bombardier's Dandenong factory, with the propulsion systems and bogies coming from Bombardier's factories in [[Mannheim]] and [[Siegen]], Germany, respectively. The trams will be 33 metres long and have a capacity of 210 passengers and are due to be in service in 2013.<ref name="Bombardier Wins Contract for 50 Trams for One of the World's Largest Tram Operations in Melbourne, Australia"/><ref name=VicsigE/><ref name="Carey">{{cite news|last=Carey|first=Adam|title=New low-floor trams miss first stop by seven months|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/new-lowfloor-trams-miss-first-stop-by-seven-months-20120817-24e1q.html|access-date=31 March 2013|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=18 August 2012|archive-date=13 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313152106/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/new-lowfloor-trams-miss-first-stop-by-seven-months-20120817-24e1q.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The first E-class tram arrived at Preston Workshops in late June 2013 for testing, with the first two E-class entering revenue service in November 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Melbourne's first new generation tram arrives|url=http://ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/melbourne-s-first-new-generation-tram-arrives/|work=26 June 2013|access-date=4 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130710200409/http://ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/melbourne-s-first-new-generation-tram-arrives|archive-date=10 July 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Longer and louder: New E-Class tram makes itself heard">{{cite news|last=Gough |first=Deborah |title=Longer and louder: New E-Class tram makes itself heard |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/longer-and-louder-new-eclass-tram-makes-itself-heard-20131104-2wvt8.html |access-date=4 November 2013 |newspaper=[[The Age]] |date=4 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104075947/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/longer-and-louder-new-eclass-tram-makes-itself-heard-20131104-2wvt8.html |archive-date=4 November 2013 }}</ref>

In April 2012, [[Public Transport Victoria]] (PTV), a new [[statutory authority]] was formed after amendments to the [[Transport Integration Act 2010]] and the passing of the Transport Legislation Amendment (Public Transport Development Authority) Act 2011. PTV assumed responsibility from the Director of Public Transport for the provision and administration of Victoria's transport services. It also provides information on fares, transport services and initiatives, and is responsible for overseeing and improving Victoria's public transport services.<ref>{{cite web |title=Transport Legislation Amendment (Public Transport Development Authority) ACT 2011 (No. 61 of 2011) |url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/num_act/tlatdaa201161o2011828/ |work=[[Government of Victoria (Australia)|Government of Victoria]] |publisher=Australasian Legal Information Institute |access-date=25 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316204248/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/num_act/tlatdaa201161o2011828/ |archive-date=16 March 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://corp.ptv.vic.gov.au/ | work=[[Public Transport Victoria]] | title=Welcome to Public Transport Victoria | access-date=7 April 2012 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707072221/http://corp.ptv.vic.gov.au/ | archive-date=7 July 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://corp.ptv.vic.gov.au/managing-victoria-s-public-transport-network/ | work=[[Public Transport Victoria]] | title=Managing Victoria's public transport network | access-date=25 November 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405054741/http://corp.ptv.vic.gov.au/managing-victoria-s-public-transport-network | archive-date=5 April 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Caulfield-Monash-Rowville Tram Melbourne 2018.jpg|alt=Map showing the 2018 State Government proposal for a new tram line from Caulfield railway station to Chadstone, Monash University, Waverley Park and Rowville|thumb|Map showing the 2018 State Government proposal for a new tram line from Caulfield railway station to Chadstone, Monash University, Waverley Park and Rowville]]
The era since privatisation has also brought large patronage increases, an increase in platform stops, and a new ticketing system. In 1999–2000 year—when the tram system was privatised—patronage was 127.3 million per annum, this has increased almost each year since, and in the 2012–2013 year was 182.7 million passenger trips, a 4.2% year-on-year patronage increase; trams are the second most utilised public transport method, between trains and buses.<ref name=ptvar /> Yarra Trams, the [[Department of Transport (Victoria, 2008–13)|Department of Transport]], and later Public Transport Victoria, committed to introduce level boarding [[Tram stop|stops]] to improve accessibility and safety, and comply with the Disability Discrimination Act; as of January 2014 360 accessible stops have been constructed, all since 1999.<ref>{{cite press release |title=330 and counting for platform stops |url=http://www.yarratrams.com.au/media-centre/news/articles/2011/330-and-counting-for-platform-stops/ |publisher=[[Yarra Trams]] |date=27 May 2011 |access-date=26 January 2012 |archive-date=19 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319034049/http://www.yarratrams.com.au/media-centre/news/articles/2011/330-and-counting-for-platform-stops/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Accessible trams|url=http://ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/accessible-transport/accessible-trams/|work=[[Public Transport Victoria]]|access-date=16 January 2014|archive-date=16 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116213747/http://ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/accessible-transport/accessible-trams/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Metcard]] ticketing system which operated from 1996 was switched off on 29 December 2012, leaving [[myki]]—which has been in operation on Melbourne trains since 29 December 2009, and valid on Melbourne trams and buses since 25 July 2010—as the sole ticketing system.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki/ |work=[[Public Transport Victoria]] |title=myki |access-date=22 April 2013 |archive-date=23 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423184857/http://ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Metcards a piece of Melbourne history |author=Stephen Cauchi |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/metcards-a-piece-of-melbourne-history-20121229-2bzy6.html |newspaper=[[The Age]] |date=29 December 2012 |access-date=29 December 2012 |archive-date=1 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101044036/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/metcards-a-piece-of-melbourne-history-20121229-2bzy6.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Myki rolls out – but only on city trains |author=Clay Lucas |url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/myki-rolls-out--but-only-on-city-trains-20091228-lhc8.html |newspaper=[[The Age]] |date=29 December 2009 |access-date=29 December 2012 |archive-date=31 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231004616/http://www.theage.com.au/national/myki-rolls-out--but-only-on-city-trains-20091228-lhc8.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Myki will grow on you: ticket boss |author=Jason Dowling |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/myki-will-grow-on-you-ticket-boss-20100811-11ztt.html |newspaper=[[The Age]] |date=12 August 2010 |access-date=29 December 2012 |archive-date=17 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417003440/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/myki-will-grow-on-you-ticket-boss-20100811-11ztt.html |url-status=live }}</ref>