W Class Trams
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The 10 City Circle (on the left) will stay, the 40 green trams are to be scrapped |
LET'S KEEP 'THE W' THE FACE OF MELBOURNE
UPDATED 22 JANUARY 2010
It has been reported in The Age and Herald Sun that new Tansport Minister Mr Pakula has confirmed the W class trams will no longer be used for commuter routes, as soon as new trams become available. The Age reported on 22 January:
In his first act as Public Transport Minister, Martin Pakula has confirmed the Government will retire Melbourne's W-class tram fleet from commuter service.
The historic trams have been carrying Melbourne commuters for more than 80 years, but yesterday Mr Pakula said they were simply too old to go on.
''They are a historic, heritage vehicle, and I think people enjoy travelling on them for what they are,'' he said. ''I don't think they are designed for large-scale commuter transportation any more,'' he said.
Mr Pakula said the W-class, built at workshops in Preston and introduced to the network in 1923, will remain on the city circle route.
National Trust Chief Executive Martin Purslow said the trams were a Melbourne icon, and a fleet should be maintained to take passengers not just around the city loop but to landmarks throughout Melbourne.
''If we are ever to link the city with other key sites, it is imperative that Government preserves the remaining fleet of 30 or so operational W-Class trams for the benefit of future generations,'' he said.
Mr Martin Purslow, CEO for the Trust, states "The Trust's position is that like everyone in Melbourne, the National Trust of Australia supports Government investment in modernising our transport networks to promote accessibility and integration. The W-Class tram is a visitor and tourist icon used freely to promote our city. The Ws have a guaranteed future on the city circle that will enable millions to enjoy our great city’s attraction into the future and experience what generations have grown up with, which is travelling on a W-Class tram. However, we would urge the Government not to lose sight of the potential to expand this network in the future. If we are ever to link the city with other key sites, it is imperative that Government preserves the remaining fleet of 30 or so operational W-Class trams for the benefit of future generations. Don’t just throw away our legacy.”
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The Trust's W Class Tram Working Group has proposed a 'Grand Circle Line' for the W Class |
W ClassTram Support Group (PDF) 4.17 MB
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If you agree that more W class trams should be kept operating, help us by making your voice heard. Sign our on-line petition by clicking here
Join the Facebook group 'Melbourne's W Class Trams'
Send this form letter (re-word as you see fit) to the Minister for Public Transportor email to martin.pakula@parliament.vic.gov.au and cc. to info@nattrust.com.au
For further background and images, see below or visit our W Class Tram blog
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Upgraded W Class tram (photo Dean-Melbourne, Flickr) |
Typical W Class tram interior (partly restored) |
BACKGROUND
The National Trust has long been campaigning to keep a significant number of Melbourne’s unique and iconic W Class trams in operation.
The Trust classified the remaining fleet of 300 in 1990, highlighting the fact that they had been an essential part of Melbourne’s character for over 60 years. In 1993, the then government promised to keep 53 on the streets, and not to sell the 'surplus' to overseas tourist routes. In 2009 the Minister for Public Transport Lynne Kosky confirmed that the operating W Class trams were to be phased out in the next few years, leaving only the 10 City Circle trams operating, In September 2009, the Minister confirmed that the new contract with KDR to run the tram system included the retention of only 37 W Class trams in total, down from earlier promises of 53, with only 25 or so to operate outside the City Circle.
Articles to download:
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Background_information (PDF) 245.09 kB
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Upgrades for the W's (PDF) 144.29 kB
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LETTERS TO THE AGE 2009 27.00 kB
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This video shows a W Class tram in Savannah, Georgia that has had an off-the-shelf disabled access lift installed at a very modest cost. This proves it is possible to make W's accessible to all.