EuroTram Demonstration Pictures - January 2003

(Tram normally parked at New Quay opposite to Telstra Dome)

Another striking example of high tech light rail will be glimpsed in the streets of Melbourne during the coming week with a state of the art Bombardier Eurotram making its debut. Demonstrated by Bombardier Transportation, this vehicle will operate a free shuttle service in Flinders Street during the week of 20th January, running to Wellington Parade providing passengers with access to the Australian Open at Jolimont via the pedestrian bridge through the MCG car park.

The award winning Eurotram is designed to carry up to 370 passengers and incorporates modern light rail features such as a 100% low floor for easy passenger access and large panoramic windows. At 35 metres long, it is significantly longer than any other vehicle on Melbourne’s tram tracks today. This is the third generation of the Eurotram design and Bombardier is manufacturing 72 of these vehicles for the historic city of Porto in Portugal.

“We wanted to show Melbourne another example of what is possible with light rail and what a Bombardier tram can look like, and I think you’ll agree it looks great,” said Dan Osborne, Managing Director Bombardier Transportation Australia. “Even though this one is called the Eurotram, any tram manufactured for Melbourne by Bombardier would be Australian made.”

Yarra Trams have agreed for Bombardier to demonstrate the vehicle in Melbourne. This tram will operate free of charge to passengers for the next week servicing the Australian Open and possibly later, the Formula One Grand Prix in March.

“It is another example of a modern type of tram that Melburnians can experience. As with the Citadis tram we currently operate on route 109, the Bombardier low floor vehicle supports our vision for more modern, accessible and efficient trams in Melbourne,” said Hubert Guyot, Chief Executive Officer of Yarra Trams.

Bombardier Transportation is the largest rail manufacturer in the world with over 50 manufacturing sites globally, including here in Melbourne. Yarra Trams (an Australian/ French partnership between Transfield Services and Transdev) currently operates services in central Melbourne, running out to the city’s north eastern, eastern and southern suburbs.

The Eurotram will be shuttling between the MCG and the Telstra Dome via Flinders Street daily from 20th – 26th January 2003. It will be the first tram to along the waterfront into Melbourne’s new Docklands precinct.