Saturday 22 March 2014

MELBOURNE TRAMS

The Melbourne tramway network is a major form of public transport in Melbourne. As of June 2011, the network consisted of 250 km of track, 487 trams, 30 routes, and 1,763 tram stops. It is the largest urban tramway network in the world, ahead of the networks in St. Petersburg (240 km), Berlin (190 km), Moscow (181 km) and Vienna (172 km). Trams are the second most used form of public transport in overall boardings in Melbourne after the commuter railway network, with a total of 182.7 million passenger trips—a 4.2% year-on-year patronage decline—in the 2012–2013 year.

Trams have operated continuously in Melbourne since 1884, with the opening of a horse tram line in Fairfield. Since then they have become a distinctive part of Melbourne's character and feature in tourism and travel advertising. Melbourne's cable tram system opened in 1885, and expanded to one of the largest in the world. The first electric tram line opened in 1889, but closed only a few years later in 1894. In 1906 electric tram systems were opened in St Kilda and Essendon, marking the start of continuous operation of Melbourne's electric trams.

Here we see three W7-class trams on La Trobe Street in a rear view mirror reflection.

This post is part of the Weekend Reflections meme,
and also part of the Weekly TopShot meme,
and also part of the Scenic Weekends meme.

7 comments:

  1. Such a neat shot - and thanks for sharing about these trams!!

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  2. It looks like your first commenter is a spammer.... (sigh)
    Anyway, neat capture, Nick!

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  3. Thanks for story about trams... The reflection shot is fabulous...

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  4. We have 250 ks of tram ways, compared to the other important cities: St Petersburg (240 km), Berlin (190 km), Moscow (181 km) and Vienna (172 km). That is so cool to know... thank you. I shall use it at dinner parties to surprise and impress the other guests :)

    Every time I go into the city to work or for any other reason, I leave my car at a car park and take the tram into town. The train would be faster, but the trams are more green, glide-y and pleasing. More Melbourne!

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  5. Cool shot, they remind me of trams we used to have here. Happy Sunday!

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  6. I like the way the trams are painted in your country... Very joyful.

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  7. Neat shots ~ great job ~ love trams, trolleys, streetcars, cable cars ~ fun ~ Happy Week to you , xxx

    artmusedog and carol

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