Melbourne Tram Refranchising
The Victorian government has awarded a new long term service contract - the operations and maintenance contract for Melbourne’s Tram franchise.
On this page
On 1 December 2024, Yarra Journey Makers, a joint venture between Transdev and John Holland commenced operation of Melbourne’s tram network. The iconic tram network spans 24 routes, with 250 kilometres of double track, around 500 trams, and over 1600 stops. The network services over 147 million passenger trips per year.
This marks the beginning of a new chapter for Melbourne’s iconic tram network. Yarra Journey Makers will deliver under a new franchise agreement, strengthened and modernised to meet higher demands and deliver improved customer outcomes.
The new contract will improve reliability, deliver passengers more consistent real time information and better customer service. Some of the key deliverables under MR5 include:
- Stronger accountability on the operator to meet targets. The new contract has a focus on better performance, with strict benchmarks and more monitoring points across day and night services.
- More reliable services, and greater certainty that the right tram is used for the right trip.
- Roll out of the more accessible Next Generation Trams which will replace the longer serving high floor fleets – further modernising Melbourne’s transport network.
- Improved passenger information to all cohorts, particularly at times of disruption.
- More training for frontline staff and better support for priority groups and customers who are culturally and linguistically diverse.
- A gender-balanced tram workforce by the end of the contract term.
The transition was coordinated with the outgoing operator, Keolis Downer. Keolis Downer has operated the Melbourne tram network since 2009, servicing millions of passengers through a time of unprecedented growth, building community partnerships and delivering an inclusive tram network.
There is no change to how customers interact or access metropolitan tram services. The same tram drivers, frontline staff and maintenance workers will provide the same valued service to customers on the tram network.
Read the announcement (opens in a new window)
Contact us
For more information, email mr5@transport.vic.gov.au.
Updated 2 December 2024
About the VIC Government
- The Premier and ministers
- Find a Vic Gov department, agency or service
- Strategies and policies
- Inquiries and royal commissions
Grants and programs
Jobs and careers
Arts, culture and heritage
Business and the workplace
- Mentally Healthy Workplaces Framework
- Portable Long Service Authority
- Victoria’s racing industry
- Workforce Inspectorate Victoria
- Liquor licensing, sale and supply
Communities
- Children
- First Peoples - State Relations
- Finding records
- Gender equality & women’s leadership
- LGBTIQA+ equality
- Multicultural communities
- Seniors Online
- Veterans support and commemoration
- Volunteering in Victoria
- Youth Central
Education and training
- Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority
- Early childhood education – information for professionals
- Kinder: Best Start, Best Life
- Education – information for parents
- Schools.Vic - information for schools
- Education grants, programs, awards and events
- PROTECT
- TAFE, training and universities sector
- TAFE Victoria
- Victorian Skills Authority
- Apprenticeships Victoria
- Learn Local
Environment, water and energy
Finance and economy
Health and social support
- Family violence reform
- NDIS Worker Screening Check
- NDIS and disability services and support in Victoria
- Patient Review Panel
- Transforming Trauma Victoria
Housing and property
Law and justice
- Adoption
- Births, deaths and marriages
- Honorary justices
- Machete ban
- Safeguarding Victorians against terrorism
- Stolen Generations Reparations Package
- Victims of Crime
- Victorian Racing Tribunal
Safety and emergencies
- Emergency Recovery Victoria
- Victorian Emergency Relief and Recovery Foundation
- Emergency Recovery Resource Portal
- How well do you know fire
- Fire Services Reform
- Water safety
- Marine Search and Rescue
Science and technology
- Data sharing and open data
- Data.vic - discover and access Vic Gov open data
- Developer.Vic - portal for API developers
- Go.vic URL shortener
- Vic Gov IT project dashboard
- Victoria’s free public wi-fi network
- Cyber security in the Victorian Government
Sport and recreation
Traffic and transport
- Cameras Save Lives
- Transport Fines
- Getting Around
- Transport Planning
- Transport Future
- Climate Change and transport
- Future Directions For Transport
- Transport projects
- Ports and Freight
Working in the Victorian Government
- Single Digital Presence home
- Accommodation and Library Services
- Executive employment in the Victorian public sector
- Budget, procurement and funding
- Careers in the Victorian Government
- Council and Regulator Toolkit
- Guidelines for working in government
- Join a government network
- Standards and guidelines
- VicFleet CarPool
- Victorian Government style guide