C2-class Melbourne tram

This article is about Alstom Citadis 302 trams in Melbourne. For Alstom Citadis 202 trams in Melbourne, see C-class Melbourne tram.
C2-class (Citadis 302)

C2 5123 on Bourke Street on route 96 in
December 2014
Manufacturer Alstom
Number in service 5
Fleet numbers 5103, 5106, 5111, 5113, 5123
Capacity 54 (Seated)
150 (Standing)[1]
Depot(s) Southbank
Specifications
Train length 32.52 m (106 ft 8 in)
Width 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in)
Height 3.27 m (10 ft 9 in)
Doors 10
Articulated sections 4
Wheelbase 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in)
Weight 40.0 t (39.4 long tons; 44.1 short tons)
Traction motors 4 x 129 kW (173 hp)
Power supply N/A
Electric system(s) 600 V DC
Current collection method Pantograph
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The C2-class trams are five-section Citadis 302 trams built by Alstom in France that operate on the Melbourne tram network. They were built for the tram network in Mulhouse, France, but being surplus to Mulhouse demands, were leased to use in Melbourne in 2008, later being purchased by the Government of Victoria. The trams operate solely on route 96.

History

C2-class undergoing testing in La Trobe Street in June 2008

In 2008 an arrangement to lease five low floor, air-conditioned, bi-directional, five section Citadis 302 trams was brokered with Mulhouse, France, through Yarra Trams' then French parent, Transdev.[2][3][4] The lease agreement was $9 million for four years with shipping costs of $500,000 for each tram,[5] with the first tram arriving in Melbourne in February 2008.[6] The first tram was launched on 11 June 2008, nicknamed Bumble Bee 1, with the rest following suit up to Bumble Bee 5; all entered service on route 96.[3][7]

Being surplus the demands of Mulhouse, they were originally intended to be leased only until December 2011.[7] However, it was announced in November 2010 that the State Government was in negotiations to acquire the C2-trams, with all five subsequently purchased in 2012/13.[5][8][9]

Prior to entering service in Melbourne they had minor adjustments made at Preston Workshops, including improvements to the air-conditioning and additions to the Mulhouse livery.[4][7][10]

In July 2014, C2 5123 was the first C2 class tram to receive the new PTV livery since operation in 2008.[11]

Operation

The trams operate out of Southbank depot and exclusively used on route 96 East Brunswick to St Kilda Beach.[5][10]

References

  1. ↑ "Yarra Trams Load Survey May 2014" (PDF). Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  2. ↑ "Mulhouse Light Rail and Tram Train, France". railway-technology.com. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  3. 1 2 "First of Five French Trams Now on Melbourne Tracks" (Press release). Minister for Public Transport. 11 June 2008. Archived from the original on 19 May 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  4. 1 2 "Five more trams to be added to the metropolitan system". Yarra Trams. 7 February 2008. Archived from the original on 10 February 2008. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 Lucas, Clay (13 October 2010). "Bee trams to stay, but at what price?". The Age. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  6. ↑ "C2.5123". Vicsig. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 "Yarra Trams introduces Plan Bee". The Age. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  8. ↑ "Tram Procurement Program". Public Transport Victoria. Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  9. ↑ "Public Transport Victoria Annual Report 2012 – 13" (PDF). Public Transport Victoria. 2013. p. 13. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  10. 1 2 "C2 Class". Vicsig. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  11. ↑ http://www.vicsig.net/photo/18468
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