Editing Trams in Melbourne (section)

==Fleet==
[[File:Melbourne Tram 1979.jpg|thumb|right|A tram travels down [[Brunswick Street, Melbourne|Brunswick Street]], 1979.]]
The Melbourne tram fleet currently comprises 520 trams as of May 2023.<ref name="Yarra Trams">{{cite web | title=Melbourne's tram fleet | website=Yarra Trams | url=https://yarratrams.com.au/our-fleet-today | access-date=2023-05-25 | archive-date=25 May 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525051143/https://yarratrams.com.au/our-fleet-today | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Melbourne tram classification|Classification]] is based on the original system begun by the MMTB in 1921.<ref name=cross>{{cite book|last=Cross|first=Norman|title=Destination City|year=2001|publisher=Transit Australia|location=Sydney|isbn=0-909459-17-7|page=8}}</ref>

The [[rolling stock]] is part of leases to Yarra Trams, with the W-, Z-, A- and B-class trams owned by the Victorian Government, and the C1-class and D-classes are subject to lease purchase agreements, while the C2-class trams were leased from [[Mulhouse]], France but are now state assets.<ref name="Invitation to Tender">{{cite web | url=http://corp.ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/MR3-IOT-Tram-Vol2.pdf | work=[[Public Transport Victoria]] | title=Invitation to Tender – Melbourne Metropolitan Tram Franchise | pages=97–98 | access-date=9 July 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410192954/http://corp.ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/MR3-IOT-Tram-Vol2.pdf | archive-date=10 April 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Bee trams to stay, but at what price?">{{cite news |title=Bee trams to stay, but at what price? |author=Clay Lucas |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/bee-trams-to-stay-but-at-what-price-20101012-16huk.html |newspaper=[[The Age]] |date=13 October 2010 |access-date=6 November 2011 |archive-date=19 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119110844/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/bee-trams-to-stay-but-at-what-price-20101012-16huk.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===W-class===
{{Main|W-class Melbourne tram}}

W-class trams were introduced to Melbourne in 1923 as a new standard design. They have two equal-wheeled [[bogie]]s, with all four axles powered by a separate motor; carbodies feature a distinctive "drop centre" section, allowing the passenger steps at the central doorways to be closer to the ground. A total of 756 W-class trams of 11 variants were built up until 1956, and they formed the mainstay of Melbourne's tramways system for 60 years.<ref name="Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board W Class No 380"/><ref name="Melbourne's W-class tram">{{cite web | url=http://www.railpage.org.au/tram/w.html | work=Trams of Australia | title=Melbourne's W-class tram | access-date=6 November 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011014944/http://www.railpage.org.au/tram/w.html | archive-date=11 October 2011 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="W Class Trams – NatTrust">{{cite web | url=http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/search/nattrust_result_detail/64262 | work=[[National Trust of Australia]] | title=W Class Trams | access-date=6 November 2011 | archive-date=2 April 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402185647/http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/search/nattrust_result_detail/64262 | url-status=live }}</ref>

It was not until the 1980s that the W-class started to be replaced in large numbers, and by 1990 their status as an icon for the city was recognised, leading to a listing by the [[National Trust of Australia]]. Public outrage over their sale for tourist use overseas led to an embargo on further export out of the country in 1993, though recently{{when|date=June 2017}} some have been given or loaned to various Museums. Approximately 200 of the W-class trams retired since then remain stored, and the future use of these trams is unknown.<ref name="W Class Trams – NatTrust"/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nattrust.com.au/content/download/81747/865020/file/Background_information.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091014092904/http://www.nattrust.com.au/content/download/81747/865020/file/Background_information.pdf |archive-date=2009-10-14 |url-status=live | work=[[National Trust of Australia]] | title=W Class Trams – Background Information | access-date=6 November 2011}}</ref>

W-class trams have been sent overseas: five went to [[Seattle]] between 1978 and 1993, where they operated on Seattle's [[Seattle Waterfront Streetcar|George Benson Waterfront Streetcar Line]] from 1982, but suspended in 2005. Another nine are now part of the downtown Memphis tourist service, while several{{which|date=June 2017}} other US cities have one or two.<ref name="Melbourne's W-class tram"/> The [[Edmonton Radial Railway Society]] in [[Edmonton]], [[Alberta]] received No. 930 in 1997, and currently operates it on the [[High Level Bridge Streetcar]] heritage line.

As of January 2015, there are approximately 230 W-class trams: about 165 are in storage, 27 are stored operational in "ready reserve", 12 run on the [[City Circle tram|City Circle]] (the oldest W-class tram in service runs on the City Circle) and 26 are used in revenue service.<ref>{{cite news |title=City not ready to lose its W-class act |author=Ruth Williams |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/city-not-ready-to-lose-its-wclass-act-20100227-pa8v.html |newspaper=[[The Age]] |date=28 February 2010 |access-date=6 November 2011 |archive-date=29 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729074924/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/city-not-ready-to-lose-its-wclass-act-20100227-pa8v.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2010, it was announced by the new transport minister that the 26 W-class trams running the two inner city routes, would be phased out by 2012, prompting a new campaign from the [[National Trust of Australia]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Minister in, W-class trams out |author=Sarah-Jane Collins |url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/minister-in-wclass-trams-out-20100121-mo95.html |newspaper=[[The Age]] |date=22 January 2010 |access-date=6 November 2011 |archive-date=29 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729074554/http://www.theage.com.au/national/minister-in-wclass-trams-out-20100121-mo95.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nattrust.com.au/advocacy/campaigns/w_class_trams | work=[[National Trust of Australia]] | title=W Class Trams | access-date=6 November 2011 | archive-date=14 August 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814162114/http://www.nattrust.com.au/advocacy/campaigns/w_class_trams | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2010, it was proposed to better utilise the unused W-class trams by refurbishing and leasing them as "roving ambassadors" to other cities, generating revenue which could then be invested back into the public transport system.<ref>{{cite news |title=Activist ready to rattle to keep W-class rolling |author=Ruth Williams |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/activist-ready-to-rattle-to-keep-wclass-rolling-20100306-pptp.html |newspaper=[[The Age]] |date=7 March 2010 |access-date=6 November 2011 |archive-date=29 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729075405/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/activist-ready-to-rattle-to-keep-wclass-rolling-20100306-pptp.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2011 the Victoria government committed $8 million over four years for the restoration of W-class trams, with options for new routes to be considered.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Coalition Government to save Victoria's W-Class trams |url=http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/719-coalition-government-to-save-victorias-w-class-trams.html |publisher=From the Minister for Public Transport |date=3 May 2011 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=14 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514202703/http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/719-coalition-government-to-save-victorias-w-class-trams.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Restoring W-Class trams|url=http://corp.ptv.vic.gov.au/projects/metropolitan-tram-network/restoring-w-class-trams/|work=[[Public Transport Victoria]]|access-date=16 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312122110/http://corp.ptv.vic.gov.au/projects/metropolitan-tram-network/restoring-w-class-trams/|archive-date=12 March 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:SW5.728FlindersStreet.jpg|A SW5-class tram on [[Flinders Street, Melbourne|Flinders Street]]
File:W6 Melbourne tram, Nicholson Street.jpg|A W6-class tram on [[Victoria Street, Melbourne|Victoria Street]]
File:City-Circle-Tram,-cnr-Flinders&Elizabeth,-Melb,-12.08.2008.jpg|A W7-class tram on [[Flinders Street, Melbourne|Flinders Street]]
</gallery>

===Z-class===
{{Main|Z-class Melbourne tram}}
[[File:Z3 229 at Footscray Terminus on route 82, in PTV livery, 2013.JPG|thumb|right|A Z3-class tram]]

The development of new [[rolling stock]] to replace the W-class began in the early 1970s, employing a modern design, based on the [[M28 (tram)|M28 trams]] running in [[Gothenburg]], Sweden.<ref name="Melbourne's Z-class tram">{{cite web | url=http://www.railpage.org.au/tram/z.html | work=Trams of Australia | title=Melbourne's Z-class tram | access-date=6 November 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219103851/http://www.railpage.org.au/tram/z.html | archive-date=19 February 2011 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Z-class trams, built by [[Commonwealth Engineering|Comeng]], were introduced in 1975. One hundred Z1-class trams were built between 1975 and 1979, the first 80 or so entering service as Z-class before being modified. The design proved unpopular with passengers due to the limited number of doors and the seated conductor.<ref name="Melbourne's Z-class tram"/> Most of the Z1-class trams were withdrawn following the introduction of the C, D and E class trams, with the last Z1-class being withdrawn on 23 April 2016. Many were later sold at auctions, while others were donated to tram museums.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=Z1 |work=Vicsig |title=Z1 Class |access-date=25 April 2020 |archive-date=27 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127013352/https://vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=Z1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1978 and 1979, fifteen Z2-class trams were built, as a bridging order to maintain construction continuity between the Z1 and Z3-class trams. Some slight modifications were incorporated, the main visible ones being a larger anti-climber bumper and larger opening area for the driver's side-window, otherwise they resemble the Z1-class vehicles.<ref name="Melbourne's Z-class tram"/> The last Z2-class tram was withdrawn from service on 21 April 2016.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=Z2 | work=Vicsig | title=Z2 Class | access-date=25 April 2020 | archive-date=27 November 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127014715/https://vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=Z2 | url-status=live }}</ref>

One hundred and fifteen Z3-class trams entered service between 1979 and 1984. They were designed with an additional door on each side of the tram, the rear door improving passenger flow. Different motors and control equipment were fitted, resulting in smoother acceleration and braking compared to the Z1-class. As with the preceding Z1 and Z2-class trams, the conductor's console was removed when one-person operation was introduced in the 1990s.<ref name="Melbourne's Z-class tram"/> 111 remain in service.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=Z3 | work=Vicsig | title=Z3 Class | access-date=25 April 2020 | archive-date=27 November 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127013645/https://vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=Z3 | url-status=live }}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Z1 Melbourne tram.jpg|A Z1-class tram at [[Federation Square]], [[Swanston Street]]
File:Z2 101 Swanston Street 4-10-2012.jpg|A Z2-class tram at City Square, [[Swanston Street]]
File:Z3-class Melbourne tram interior, 2013.jpg|A Z3-class tram interior
</gallery>

===A-class===
{{Main|A-class Melbourne tram}}
[[File:A2273_YarraTrams_PTV_Livery.jpg|thumb|right|An A2-class tram]]

The A-class trams were built between 1984 and 1987 by [[Commonwealth Engineering|Comeng]]. They were built in two batches: 28 A1-class trams entered service between 1984 and 1985, and 42 A2-class trams between 1985 and 1986. They were similar – the major differences being the brakes, door operating mechanisms, and that the A1-class were built with [[trolley poles]], while A2-class were the first trams for Melbourne that were equipped with [[pantograph (rail)|pantographs]] only.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.railpage.org.au/tram/a.html | work=Trams of Australia | title=Melbourne's A-class tram | access-date=6 November 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011014122/http://www.railpage.org.au/tram/a.html | archive-date=11 October 2011 | url-status=dead }}</ref> All but one that were built remain in service at present.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=A1 | work=Vicsig | title=A1 Class | access-date=6 November 2011 | archive-date=20 February 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220081644/http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=A1 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=A2 | work=Vicsig | title=A2 Class | access-date=6 November 2011 | archive-date=20 February 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220020039/http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=A2 | url-status=live }}</ref>

<gallery>
File:A1 class tram.jpg|An A1-class tram at [[Federation Square]], [[Flinders Street, Melbourne|Flinders Street]]
File:A1.234 spencer, 2014.JPG|An A1-class tram
File:A2.272FlindersStreet.jpg|An A2-class tram on [[Flinders Street, Melbourne|Flinders Street]]
</gallery>

===B-class===
{{Main|B-class Melbourne tram}}
[[File:B 2086 PTV livery Sep 2014.JPG|thumb|right|A B2-class tram]]

Two B1-class trams were built as part of the order for 28 A1-class trams in 1984 and 1985.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=B1 | work=Vicsig | title=B1 Class | access-date=6 November 2011 | archive-date=21 April 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421162043/http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=B1 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Melbourne's B-class tram">{{cite web | url=http://www.railpage.org.au/tram/b.html | work=Trams of Australia | title=Melbourne's B-class tram | access-date=25 April 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011014107/http://www.railpage.org.au/tram/b.html | archive-date=11 October 2011 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The B-class trams used the same traction equipment as the Z3 and A-class trams, and were designed for operating on the light rail lines. They were originally built with both trolley poles and pantographs, as well as movable steps to allow railway platform and street level boarding, however this concept was later abandoned when low-floor platforms replaced railway-height ones at the converted light rail stations. Both B1-class trams were withdrawn in 2018.

B2-class trams entered service between 1988 and 1994, differing from the B1-class prototypes by not having trolley poles, having [[Dot-matrix display|dot-matrix destination displays]], and non-opening windows. 130 trams were built by Comeng, and later [[ABB]]; all of which remain in service today. The B2-class was the first Melbourne tram fitted with [[air conditioning]].<ref name="Melbourne's B-class tram"/><ref name="B2 Class">{{cite web | url=http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=B2 | work=Vicsig | title=B2 Class | access-date=6 November 2011 | archive-date=21 April 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421111448/http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=B2 | url-status=live }}</ref>

B-class trams were the first articulated trams to serve on the Melbourne network.

<gallery>
File:B1.2001 bourke, 2014.JPG|B1-class tram #2001
File:B2-class Melbourne tram interior, 2013.JPG|A B2-class tram interior
</gallery>

===C-class (Citadis)===
{{Main|C-class Melbourne tram|C2-class Melbourne tram}}

Following the privatisation of Melbourne's tram system in 1999, the private operators acquired new trams to replace the older Z-class trams. In 2001, Yarra Trams introduced the [[Low-floor tram|low-floor]] C1-class trams, a variant of the [[Alstom Citadis|Citadis]] manufactured in France by [[Alstom]]. They are three-section articulated vehicles, with 36 in service.<ref name="C-class"/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=C&v=1 | work=Vicsig | title=C Class | access-date=6 November 2011 | archive-date=20 February 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220044639/http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=C&v=1 | url-status=live }}</ref>

Five C2-class trams, a five-section articulated variant of the Alstom Citadis, began running in Melbourne in 2008 after being leased from [[Mulhouse tramway|Mulhouse]] in France. They were dubbed 'Bumble Bees' due to the distinctive yellow colour scheme they carried when first introduced, and run exclusively on route 96. In November 2010 it was announced that the State Government was in negotiations to purchase the five C2-class trams,<ref name="Bee trams to stay, but at what price?"/><ref>{{Citation | url=http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=C2 | work=Vicsig | title=C2 Class | access-date=6 November 2011 | archive-date=29 September 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929145302/http://vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=C2 | url-status=live }}</ref> with the purchase finalised in 2013.<ref name="PTV-TPP">{{cite web|title=Tram Procurement Program|url=http://ptv.vic.gov.au/projects/trams/tram-procurement-program/|work=[[Public Transport Victoria]]|access-date=21 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513161451/http://ptv.vic.gov.au/projects/trams/tram-procurement-program/ |archive-date=13 May 2013}}</ref> They can hold 54 seated passengers and 150 standing passengers.

The C1-class trams are owned by Allco entity and are subject to a lease purchase agreement, while the C2-class trams were initially leased from Société Générale entity,<ref name="Invitation to Tender"/> they were subsequently purchased by the Victorian Government in the 2012–2013 financial year.<ref name="PTV-TPP"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Public Transport Victoria Annual Report 2012 – 13|url=http://ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PTV/PTV%20docs/AnnualReport/Annual-Report-2012-13.pdf|work=[[Public Transport Victoria]]|access-date=1 January 2014|pages=13|year=2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102192722/http://ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PTV/PTV%20docs/AnnualReport/Annual-Report-2012-13.pdf|archive-date=2 January 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:C.3025 collins, 2014.JPG|A C1-class tram
File:C2.5123 bourke, 2014.jpg|A C2-class tram
</gallery>

===D-class (Combino)===
{{Main|D-class Melbourne tram}}

The German-made [[Siemens Combino]] trams were introduced by the now defunct [[M-Tram|M>Tram]] between 2002 and 2004. The Combino is a three-section ([[D-class Melbourne tram|D1-class]]) or five-section ([[D-class Melbourne tram|D2-class]]) low-floor articulated vehicle.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&section=class&class=D1 | work=Vicsig | title=D1 Class | access-date=25 April 2020 | archive-date=9 February 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209222105/https://vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&section=class&class=D1 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&section=class&class=D2 | work=Vicsig | title=D2 Class | access-date=6 November 2011 | archive-date=30 June 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630090138/http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&section=class&class=d2 | url-status=live }}</ref>

The D-class trams are subject to a lease purchase agreement.<ref name="Invitation to Tender"/>

<gallery>
File:D1.3528 flinders, 2014.JPG|A D1-class tram
File:D2 5001 (Melbourne tram) in Elizabeth St on route 19 to North Coburg in PTV livery, December 2013.jpg|A D2-class tram
File:D2-class Melbourne tram interior, 2013.JPG|A D2-class tram interior
</gallery>

===E-class (Flexity)===
{{Main|E-class Melbourne tram}}
[[File:Melbourne Tram E-Class 6007.jpg|thumb|An E1-Class tram in [[St Kilda, Victoria|St Kilda]]]]
[[File:E2.6057 bourke, 2023 (01).jpg|thumb|An E2-Class tram in [[Bourke Street, Melbourne|Bourke Street]]]]
The E-class are three-section, four-[[bogie]] articulated trams, based on the [[Bombardier Flexity Swift]] design and built at [[Bombardier Transportation]]'s [[Dandenong]] factory. The propulsion systems and bogies were imported from Bombardier's Mannheim and Siegen factories in Germany.<ref name="Bombardier Wins Contract for 50 Trams for One of the World's Largest Tram Operations in Melbourne, Australia"/><ref name="VICSIG E">{{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> Bombardier was selected on 27 September 2010 following a tendering process for 50 new low-floor trams, which was opened in 2009. The $303 million contract was for supply of 50 trams with maintenance to 2017, and included an option for a further 100 trams.<ref name="50 TRAMS ORDER FOR MELBOURNE CREATES LOCAL JOBS"/> The E-class trams are the first locally built Melbourne trams since the B-class in 1994.<ref name="Melbourne's newest tram – the story so far">{{cite web |title=Melbourne's newest tram – the story so far |url=http://www.yarratrams.com.au/media-centre/news/articles/2012/melbourne%E2%80%99s-newest-tram-%E2%80%93-the-story-so-far |work=[[Yarra Trams]] |date=2 May 2012 |access-date=1 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407200839/http://yarratrams.com.au/media-centre/news/articles/2012/melbourne%E2%80%99s-newest-tram-%E2%80%93-the-story-so-far/ |archive-date=7 April 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

E-class trams are 33 metres long and 2.65 metres wide, have anti-slip flooring, are air-conditioned, have automatic audio-visual announcements and a passenger capacity of 210. A two-thirds mock up, produced for design input, was unveiled on 24 August 2011 and was displayed at the 2011 [[Royal Melbourne Show]].<ref name="Melbourne's newest tram – the story so far"/><ref>{{cite web |title=FLEXITY Swift – Melbourne, Australia |url=http://www.bombardier.com/en/transportation/products-services?docID=0901260d801b2dd7# |publisher=[[Bombardier Transportation]] |access-date=1 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=First Look at Melbourne's New Trams|url=http://www.terrymulder.com.au/media-releases/first-look-at-melbourne-s-new-trams |publisher=The Hon Terry Mulder, Minister for Public Transport |date=24 August 2011 |access-date=1 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426061203/http://www.terrymulder.com.au/media-releases/first-look-at-melbourne-s-new-trams |archive-date=26 April 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Melbourne's new trams revealed |author=Clay Lucas |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/melbournes-new-trams-revealed-20110824-1j9iz.html |newspaper=[[The Age]] |date=24 August 2011 |access-date=1 July 2012 |archive-date=27 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627114217/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/melbournes-new-trams-revealed-20110824-1j9iz.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Although originally anticipated to be delivered in 2012, design complexity slowed down construction, delaying delivery of the first tram.<ref name="Carey"/>

The first two E1-class trams entered service on 4 November 2013,<ref name="Longer and louder: New E-Class tram makes itself heard"/> and the last of the fifty on 24 April 2017.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://vicsig.net/trams/class/E/1 | work=Vicsig | title=E1 Class | access-date=25 April 2020 | archive-date=11 February 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211235509/https://vicsig.net/trams/class/E/1 | url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2015, the State Government announced it had partially taken up the option, ordering a further 20<ref>[http://ptv.vic.gov.au/projects/trams/new-e-class-trams/ New E-class trams] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923011303/http://ptv.vic.gov.au/projects/trams/new-e-class-trams/ |date=23 September 2013 }} Public Transport Victoria</ref><ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-04/victorian-government-2-billion-on-trams-trains-budget-surplus/6441788 Victoria budget to include $2 billion for new trams & trains for Melbourne] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807141304/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-04/victorian-government-2-billion-on-trams-trains-budget-surplus/6441788 |date=7 August 2016 }} ''[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]'' 4 May 2015</ref> to a slightly modified design; the first of these entered service on 13 June 2017. This updated design focused on improved safety, in response to a significant increase in passenger injuries, and implemented measures such as glare reduction to allow improved road visibility for drivers and extra handholds and grab rails for passengers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/20-new-trams-to-be-rolled-out-in-melbournes-cbd-next-week-and-premier-says-more-to-come/news-story/5126d93e9afad523bdbf527823432938|title=New trams to hit Melbourne CBD|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-date=6 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506071140/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/20-new-trams-to-be-rolled-out-in-melbournes-cbd-next-week-and-premier-says-more-to-come/news-story/5126d93e9afad523bdbf527823432938|url-status=live}}</ref> Further extensions to this order have since been made, and as of 1 October 2021 there are 50 E2-class trams in service. A total of 100 E-class trams are currently in service.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 February 2023 |title=E2 Class |url=https://vicsig.net/trams/class/E2/1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404175714/https://vicsig.net/trams/class/E2/1 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |access-date=29 October 2024 |work=Vicsig}}</ref>

=== G-class (Next Generation Trams) ===
{{Main articles|G-class Melbourne tram}}
[[File:Front of G-class tram mockup at Alstom warehouse in Melbourne, Tullamarine (53413010003).jpg|thumb|Front of a G-Class mockup at Alstom warehouse in Tullamarine]]
In November 2020, plans were announced for 100 Next Generation Trams in the 2020 Victorian Budget, at a cost of around $1.5 billion. [[Alstom]] and a joint venture comprising [[UGL Rail]] and [[Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles|CAF]] were shortlisted to design and build these new trams,<ref name=":0" /> with the first of the new models entering service in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Next Generation Trams {{!}} Victorian Budget 20/21|url=http://www.budget.vic.gov.au/next-generation-trams|access-date=15 February 2021|website=www.budget.vic.gov.au|language=en|archive-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302065054/https://www.budget.vic.gov.au/next-generation-trams|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1331066595909586944|user=BenCarrollMP|last=Carroll|first=Ben|title=Big budget. Bigger transport projects. Biggest EVER investment in new trams for Victoria. #VICbudget|website=Twitter|date=2020-11-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Department of Economic Development|first=Jobs|title=New train and tram orders|url=https://transport.vic.gov.au/our-transport-future/our-projects/new-and-upgraded-trains-and-trams/new-train-and-tram-orders|access-date=15 February 2021|website=transport.vic.gov.au|language=en-au|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201091609/https://transport.vic.gov.au/our-transport-future/our-projects/new-and-upgraded-trains-and-trams/new-train-and-tram-orders}}</ref> The new low floor trams will replace the older classes of trams, which are not accessible due to their high floor designs.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jacks|first=Timna|date=15 February 2021|title='Considerable risks': Internal document reveals key problems facing tram network|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/considerable-risks-internal-document-reveals-key-problems-facing-tram-network-20210215-p572k7.html|access-date=15 February 2021|website=The Age|language=en|archive-date=15 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215083606/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/considerable-risks-internal-document-reveals-key-problems-facing-tram-network-20210215-p572k7.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They are planned to be shorter than the E-Class at 25-metres long, with an option for a 35-metre long version.<ref name=":0" /> They are planned to carry 150 passengers with seating for 48, and will include new technology for Melbourne's fleet including on-board batteries and regenerative braking, resulting in lower power consumption.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

In April 2022 the Victorian Government announced that Alstom would build 100 new trams and provide 15 years of maintenance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Boost For Jobs As Biggest Tram Project Gets Underway {{!}} Premier of Victoria |url=http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/boost-jobs-biggest-tram-project-gets-underway |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=www.premier.vic.gov.au |language=en |archive-date=20 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420230127/https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/boost-jobs-biggest-tram-project-gets-underway |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2022-04-21 |title=Largest light rail contract in Australia |url=https://www.railexpress.com.au/largest-light-rail-contract-in-australia/ |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=Rail Express |language=en-AU |archive-date=21 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421003256/https://www.railexpress.com.au/largest-light-rail-contract-in-australia/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As part of the $1.85 billion project, a new stabling and maintenance facility will be constructed at [[Maidstone tram depot|Maidstone]] in Melbourne's west to house the new trams.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Maidstone Home To Melbourne's Next Generation Trams {{!}} Premier of Victoria |url=http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/maidstone-home-melbournes-next-generation-trams |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=www.premier.vic.gov.au |language=en |archive-date=19 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019083413/https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/maidstone-home-melbournes-next-generation-trams |url-status=live }}</ref> The trams are to be based on the [[Flexity 2|Bombardier Flexity 2]] design, customised to Melbourne's network, and will include 65% locally made content.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Victorian Department of Transport |date=April 2022 |title=Next Generation Trams |url=https://transport.vic.gov.au/our-transport-future/our-projects/new-and-upgraded-trains-and-trams/next-generation-trams |access-date=27 December 2021 |archive-date=30 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130132105/https://transport.vic.gov.au/our-transport-future/our-projects/new-and-upgraded-trains-and-trams/next-generation-trams |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-20 |title=Another 100 trams to be built in Melbourne |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7707197/another-100-trams-to-be-built-in-melbourne/ |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=The Canberra Times |language=en-AU}}</ref> The tram order is the largest in Australian history and the fleet is designed to use less power than the E-class so as not to require new power or traction infrastructure.<ref name=":2" /> The trams are to be known as the G-class.<ref name=":3" />