G-class Melbourne tram

The G-class Melbourne tram is a three-section articulated tram, to be introduced onto the Melbourne tram network in 2025. The trams will be low-floor, replacing the Z-class and A-class trams, which will help improve passenger accessibility across the network. The design is based on the Flexity 2 but with pivoting outer bogies.

The trams will be designed, built and maintained by Alstom at its Dandenong factory. Manufacturing of the fleet is scheduled to begin in late 2023. The project also includes a new maintenance and stabling facility in Maidstone, where the trams will be stored following construction.

The initial contract is for 100 new trams, which is the largest domestic order in Australian history, and includes the requirement for Alstom to maintain the vehicles for 15 years. The trams will be designed to carry 150 passengers and will be 25 metres long.

The fleet will first roll out in the proximity of the Maidstone facility on routes 57, 59 and 82. , these routes operate out of Essendon tram depot.

History
In 2015, the Andrews Government published a Rolling Stock Strategy. That included ordering new E-class trams, the refurbishment of B-class trams, and commencing the planning of the "next generation of trams". The strategy noted that 240 new trams would be needed during the 2020s, to replace Z and A-class trams. Those older trams have restricted accessibility, whereas all new trams ordered since 2000 have been low-floor models.

Bidding process
In 2019, the Andrews Government announced that 100 Next Generation trams would be produced in Victoria. The government invited a number of manufacturers to create and submit proposals, before inviting them to a collaborative design process.

In the 2020–2021 Victorian Budget, the Andrews Government committed $1.48 billion to the project, including a new maintenance and stabling facility, later announced to be built in Maidstone, near Highpoint Shopping Centre. The budget also foreshadowed the creation of approximately 280 jobs in construction and at the maintenance facility. Alstom and a joint venture comprising UGL Rail and CAF were shortlisted to design and build the new trams.

Contract award
In April 2022, the government awarded the contract to Alstom, and announced further details about the Next Generation trams. It was named the G-Class, in keeping with the Melbourne tram classification system. Construction was scheduled to commence in late 2023 with the first tram to be delivered in 2025. The construction process will create 1,900 local jobs, both in the construction of the trams and at the new Maidstone facility.

Design
The G-class tram will be based on the Alstom Flexity 2, which is used on several tram networks around the world, including the Gold Coast G:Link in Queensland. The tram will be customised to Melbourne's network and will include 65% locally made content. The fleet is designed to use less electric power than the E-Class so as not to require new power or traction infrastructure, and will utilise onboard battery power storage which will be recharged by regenerative braking, thereby limiting current draw at peak times and reducing overall power use by 30-40%.

Alstom has committed that the new trams will conform with federal disability-access regulations. The G-Class will be low-floor and will include additional doors for users of wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The Government will consult with accessibility groups during the final design process to refine the accessibility features.

The tram will be 25 metres long, designed to hold up to 150 passengers with seating for 48. That makes them smaller than the E-Class tram, which can hold 210 people and is 33.45 m long, but they will be able to carry more passengers than the Z, A or B-class trams.

Classification
Initially classified "F-class", the trams will be classified "G-class", in keeping with Melbourne tramway practice, because they are the seventh generation of trams, and the letter G is the seventh letter of the alphabet.

Maidstone tram facility
To cater for the G-class trams, a new tram depot will be built in the Western Melbourne suburb of Maidstone, on an old Victoria University site. It will include maintenance and stabling facilities and is to be located off tram route 82. The existing line will be extended to access the new facility.