The MMTB, unhappy with the performance of the buses, decided to reinstate trams when the buses reached life expiry, trams on the 88 (predecessor to the modern 86) started on 26 June 1955 with the first tram to Brunswick East operating on 8 April 1956.[2][3][4]
The W7 class trams were built for running on these lines and the new Z class trams first ran on route 96 in June 1975.[5]
After the merger of the M>Tram network with Yarra Trams in 2004, most D2 class trams were transferred from Malvern depot to Southbank depot to help alleviate the congestion on the route.[9][10][11][12] After the introduction of these low floor Siemens Combino trams on the route, accessible stops were built on Bourke Street, Fitzroy Street and St Kilda Esplanade, increasing customer safety and comfort.
In response to frequent overcrowding on the tram system in 2008, the state government leased new C2 class trams from Mulhouse, France specifically to run the route.[13] The first of these new trams began operation on 11 June 2008 with the nickname Bumble Bee 1.[14][15] In November 2013, the first E class trams entered service on the route.[16] In January 2016 of which there are now 26 which saw all D2 class trams transferred to Brunswick depot. Route 96 began operating through the night on Fridays and Saturdays as part of the Night Network.[17]
In July 2023, PTV began trialling a new NaviLens information system for those with vision impairments on Route 96[18]
Route 96 ProjectEdit
On 17 April 2012, it was announced that Route 96 would become the focus of tram upgrades to transform it from a tramway to a light rail system; a "model" for how Melbourne's tram network should operate. The Route 96 Project superseded a similar project of the previous government, Tram 109.
The proposed aims of the project are:
Providing level access stops along the entire route
Upgraded termini at Blyth Street, Brunswick East, and Acland Street, St Kilda[19][20]
Segregation treatments to better separate low-floor trams from traffic
Improved priority for low-floor trams at traffic lights
Improved customer information
The objectives are to:
Increase access to trams and safety for customers through providing improved infrastructure and information
Improve tram reliability and efficiency through increased priority and accessible infrastructure
Ensure better utilisation of the road network with a focus on moving people
Design a full route of enhancements to demonstrate the benefits of a modern light rail system in Melbourne conditions, compared with a traditional tram network.
In mid-2013, the proposed changes were released to the public. They involved an eventual segregation of trams from traffic along nearly the entire route, and the upgrade of all stops to level access to improve passenger flow and make the network disability-compliant. On Nicholson Street, all on-street parking would eventually be removed to create dedicated tram lanes where it is illegal for cars to drive. Easy-access stops (level access by raising the road to footpath level) would be constructed between Blyth Street and Brunswick Road, while centre island superstops would be constructed between Brunswick Road and the CBD.
The Batman Park (previously the World Trade Centre) and Clarendon Street Junction (Previously Port Junction) stops in South Melbourne would be redesigned with a separate bay for the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, while in St Kilda, some parts of Acland Street would be closed to cars in favour of widened footpaths, pedestrian plazas and tram right of way.
The project has received strong support from commuters, urban planners and public transport advocates, while there have been concerns from shop owners along the route that a loss of on-street parking will negatively affect business.[21]
Work completed as at October 2018 has included:
new Blyth Street terminus headshunt at the northern end in July 2015[19][22]
Richards, Tim (13 October 2022). "Number 96 tram in Melbourne: This one route gives you the best of the city". Traveller. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
External linksEdit
Media related to Melbourne tram route 96 at Wikimedia Commons
October 17, 2023
melbourne, tram, route, operated, yarra, trams, melbourne, tram, network, from, brunswick, east, kilda, beach, kilometre, route, operated, southbank, depot, with, class, trams, route, class, trams, bourke, street, december, 2013overviewsystemmelbourneoperatory. Melbourne tram route 96 is operated by Yarra Trams on the Melbourne tram network from Brunswick East to St Kilda Beach The 13 9 kilometre route is operated out of Southbank depot with C2 and E class trams Route 96E class trams on Bourke Street in December 2013OverviewSystemMelbourneOperatorYarra TramsDepotSouthbankVehicleC2 classE classNight timeFriday amp SaturdayRouteStartBrunswick EastViaFitzroy NorthCarlton NorthCarltonFitzroyBourke StreetSouthbankSouth MelbourneAlbert ParkMiddle ParkEndSt Kilda BeachLength13 9 kilometresTimetableRoute 96 timetableMapRoute 96 mapRoute map map Route 86 system nav Route 109 Contents 1 History 2 Route 96 Project 3 Route 4 Operation 5 Special events and services 6 In popular culture 7 Route map 8 References 9 Further reading 10 External linksHistory EditThe line opened as a cable tram line operated by the Melbourne Tramway amp Omnibus Company on 30 August 1887 operating along Bourke and Nicholson Streets 1 It operated until 26 October 1940 when the Bourke Street cable lines were abandoned by the Melbourne amp Metropolitan Tramways Board MMTB in favour of double decker buses The Bourke Street cable lines were the last cable trams to operate in Melbourne The MMTB unhappy with the performance of the buses decided to reinstate trams when the buses reached life expiry trams on the 88 predecessor to the modern 86 started on 26 June 1955 with the first tram to Brunswick East operating on 8 April 1956 2 3 4 The W7 class trams were built for running on these lines and the new Z class trams first ran on route 96 in June 1975 5 The line was extended south to St Kilda along Spencer Street the former St Kilda railway line Fitzroy Street and The Esplanade to terminate in Acland Street on 20 November 1987 following the conversion of the St Kilda railway along with the Port Melbourne railway line to light rail 6 The broad gauge 1 600 mm 5 ft 3 in track was re gauged to standard gauge 1 435 mm 4 ft 8 1 2 in and the overhead voltage was reduced from 1500 V DC to 600 V DC with light rail platforms built adjacent to the former stations platforms With the closure of North Fitzroy depot on 19 December 1993 its route 96 duties were transferred to South Melbourne depot 7 8 After the merger of the M gt Tram network with Yarra Trams in 2004 most D2 class trams were transferred from Malvern depot to Southbank depot to help alleviate the congestion on the route 9 10 11 12 After the introduction of these low floor Siemens Combino trams on the route accessible stops were built on Bourke Street Fitzroy Street and St Kilda Esplanade increasing customer safety and comfort In response to frequent overcrowding on the tram system in 2008 the state government leased new C2 class trams from Mulhouse France specifically to run the route 13 The first of these new trams began operation on 11 June 2008 with the nickname Bumble Bee 1 14 15 In November 2013 the first E class trams entered service on the route 16 In January 2016 of which there are now 26 which saw all D2 class trams transferred to Brunswick depot Route 96 began operating through the night on Fridays and Saturdays as part of the Night Network 17 In July 2023 PTV began trialling a new NaviLens information system for those with vision impairments on Route 96 18 Route 96 Project EditOn 17 April 2012 it was announced that Route 96 would become the focus of tram upgrades to transform it from a tramway to a light rail system a model for how Melbourne s tram network should operate The Route 96 Project superseded a similar project of the previous government Tram 109 The proposed aims of the project are Providing level access stops along the entire route Upgraded termini at Blyth Street Brunswick East and Acland Street St Kilda 19 20 Segregation treatments to better separate low floor trams from traffic Improved priority for low floor trams at traffic lights Improved customer informationThe objectives are to Increase access to trams and safety for customers through providing improved infrastructure and information Improve tram reliability and efficiency through increased priority and accessible infrastructure Ensure better utilisation of the road network with a focus on moving people Design a full route of enhancements to demonstrate the benefits of a modern light rail system in Melbourne conditions compared with a traditional tram network In mid 2013 the proposed changes were released to the public They involved an eventual segregation of trams from traffic along nearly the entire route and the upgrade of all stops to level access to improve passenger flow and make the network disability compliant On Nicholson Street all on street parking would eventually be removed to create dedicated tram lanes where it is illegal for cars to drive Easy access stops level access by raising the road to footpath level would be constructed between Blyth Street and Brunswick Road while centre island superstops would be constructed between Brunswick Road and the CBD The Batman Park previously the World Trade Centre and Clarendon Street Junction Previously Port Junction stops in South Melbourne would be redesigned with a separate bay for the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant while in St Kilda some parts of Acland Street would be closed to cars in favour of widened footpaths pedestrian plazas and tram right of way The project has received strong support from commuters urban planners and public transport advocates while there have been concerns from shop owners along the route that a loss of on street parking will negatively affect business 21 Work completed as at October 2018 has included new Blyth Street terminus headshunt at the northern end in July 2015 19 22 new Clarendon Street Junction stop in January 2016 23 24 new Acland Street terminus in December 2016 25 26 stop upgrades at Johnston Street Moor street and Melbourne Museum in September 2018 along with stop removal at Hoddle St and Hanover streetRoute Edit nbsp B2 class tram on the former St Kilda railway line section in January 2006Route 96 runs from its terminus in Brunswick East travelling south on Nicholson Street through the suburbs of Carlton North Fitzroy North Carlton and Fitzroy passing the Royal Exhibition Building and Melbourne Museum It enters the CBD on Spring Street turning right into Bourke Street at Parliament House travels through the Bourke Street Mall and turns left into Spencer Street passing Southern Cross station It crosses the Yarra River and enters Southbank on Clarendon Street before passing through the suburbs of South Melbourne Albert Park Middle Park and St Kilda on a right of way track The tram line exits the private right of way and travels along Fitzroy Street and The Esplanade to Acland Street St Kilda where it terminates Operation Edit nbsp C2 class tram at the Spring Street stop on Bourke StreetRoute 96 is operated out of Southbank depot with C2 and E class tram 27 Special events and services EditSeveral annual events affect the usual services along route 96 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix most services terminate at Middle Park and are replaced with buses 28 RMIT University exams held at Melbourne Sports amp Aquatic Centre additional services St Kilda Festival additional services but terminate at St Kilda stationIn popular culture EditRoute 96 is featured in the Courtney Barnett song Elevator Operator Route map EditvteRoute 96Brunswick East St Kilda Beachvia Fitzroy City Southbank amp Albert ParkFree Tram Zone covers stops 124 to 11 fare zone 1 from stop 140 to 124A 27 to 12SuburbStreet StopNo Brunswick East ConnectionsBrunswick EastNicholson Street 23 nbsp nbsp nbsp Blyth Street nbsp 503 50822 nbsp Albert StreetFitzroy NorthNicholson Street 21 nbsp nbsp nbsp Glenlyon Road nbsp 50620 nbsp Miller Street nbsp 506 nbsp Former Brunswick Road Holden Street Line19 nbsp Brunswick Road nbsp 250 251 nbsp nbsp North Fitzroy tram depot closed 18 nbsp Scotchmer Street17 nbsp Reid Street16 nbsp Freeman Street15 nbsp Alexandra Parade nbsp 54614 nbsp Rose StreetFitzroyNicholson Street 13 nbsp nbsp nbsp Johnston Street nbsp 200 202 20712 nbsp Moor Street nbsp nbsp Gertrude StreetTram 86 Bundoora RMIT nbsp 11 nbsp Melbourne Museum nbsp 86Zone 1Free Tram Zone nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp Victoria ParadeTram 30 St Vincent s Plaza nbsp nbsp La Trobe StreetMelbourne CBDNicholson Street 10 nbsp nbsp nbsp Parliament station nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp Parliament stationCity Loop suburban lines nbsp nbsp Spring StreetTram City Circle Flinders Street nbsp nbsp La Trobe Street Bourke Street 9 nbsp Spring Street nbsp City Circle7 nbsp Russell Street nbsp 605 nbsp nbsp nbsp Swanston StreetTram 1 3 5 6 16 64 67 72 St Kilda Road nbsp nbsp Melbourne University6 nbsp Swanston Street nbsp 1 3 5 6 16 64 67 725 nbsp Bourke Street Mall nbsp 19 57 59 nbsp nbsp nbsp Elizabeth StreetTram 19 57 59 Flinders Street station nbsp nbsp North Melbourne4 nbsp Queen Street nbsp Queen Street3 nbsp William Street nbsp 58 nbsp nbsp nbsp William StreetTram 58 Toorak nbsp nbsp West Coburg1 nbsp Southern Cross station nbsp 96 nbsp nbsp Spencer StreetTram 86 nbsp Waterfront City nbsp nbsp Southern Cross station Spencer Street 122 nbsp Southern Cross station nbsp nbsp nbsp Collins StreetTram 11 12 48 109 St Vincent s Plaza nbsp nbsp Southern Cross station nbsp nbsp nbsp Flinders StreetTram 70 75 City Circle Russell Street nbsp nbsp Docklands nbsp nbsp nbsp Flinders Street Viaduct124 nbsp Batman ParkFree Tram ZoneZone 1 nbsp SouthbankClarendon Street 124A nbsp nbsp nbsp Casino MCEC nbsp 12 nbsp nbsp Clarendon StreetTram 12 St Kilda Fitzroy Street nbsp Normanby Street 125 nbsp Clarendon Street Junction nbsp 109 nbsp nbsp Port Melbourne Light RailTram 109 nbsp Port Melbourne Ferrars Street 126 nbsp City Road nbsp 234 236127 nbsp South Melbourne station nbsp nbsp nbsp Park StreetTram 1 no connecting stop South MelbourneFerrars Street 128 nbsp nbsp nbsp Albert Park station nbsp nbsp nbsp Albert RoadTram 12 no connecting stop Canterbury Road 129 nbsp Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre130 nbsp Middle Park stationMiddle ParkCanterbury Road 131 nbsp nbsp nbsp Fraser Street132 nbsp St Kilda station nbsp 600 922 923 nbsp nbsp Fitzroy StreetTram 3a 16 Melbourne University nbsp Fitzroy Street 133 nbsp Canterbury Road nbsp 3a 16St KildaFitzroy Street 134 nbsp nbsp nbsp Park Street nbsp 12 nbsp 606 nbsp nbsp Park StreetTram 12 nbsp Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre135 nbsp Jacka Boulevard nbsp 606 The Esplanade 136 nbsp The Esplanade138 nbsp Luna Park nbsp 3a 16 nbsp 606 623 nbsp nbsp Carlisle StreetTram 3a 16 Balaclava Junction nbsp Acland Street nbsp Acland Street nbsp 246 600 606922 923SuburbStreet StopNo St Kilda Beach ConnectionsNote Green denotes free tram zoneReferences Edit Melbourne Tramway amp Omnibus Company Limited Running Journal volume 9 no 3 page 16 Our golden years Yarra Trams Route 96 East Brunswick Blyth Street Electric Traction October 1968 pages 8 11 East Burwood Extension Opening Electric Traction August 1978 page 127 New Cars for North Fitzroy Trolley Wire issue 159 August 1975 page 40 Towards the modern era Yarra Trams The Met Fleetline issue 221 December 1993 page 264 National Bus Company Australian Bus Panorama issue 9 5 January 1994 page 31 News in brief Railway Digest September 2004 page 15 A new century Yarra Trams D2 Class Vicsig New low floor trams boost capacity on Route 96 Yarra Trams 26 July 2004 Melbourne welcomes Mulhouse tram Railway Gazette International March 2008 page 127 Five more trams to be added to the metropolitan system Yarra Trams 7 February 2008 First of five French Trams now on Melbourne tracks Yarra Trams 11 June 2008 Stand by your tram Melbourne welcomes the E class Yarra Trams 4 November 2013 Night Tram Public Transport Victoria We re trialling NaviLens on the Route 96 Yarra Trams yarratrams com au Retrieved 5 October 2023 a b Route 96 Tram network upgrade June 2015 Yarra Trams Route 96 Acland Street St Kilda Public Transport Victoria Help Council Have Their Say on Tram Changes City of Port Phillip 25 July 2013 Route 96 Improvements Nicholson Street Public Transport Victoria Route 96 Stop 125 Port Junction Public Transport Victoria Port Junction Platform stop construction Yarra Trams Acland Street upgrade Yarra Trams Acland Street upgrades City of Port Phillip Southbank Depot Vicsig Getting Here Australian Grand PrixFurther reading EditRichards Tim 13 October 2022 Number 96 tram in Melbourne This one route gives you the best of the city Traveller Retrieved 14 October 2022 External links Edit nbsp Media related to Melbourne tram route 96 at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Melbourne tram route 96 amp oldid 1178784420, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
