Melbourne University tram stop

Melbourne University
Tram stop
Melbourne University tram stop in September 2013
Location	Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria Australia
Coordinates	37°47′56″S 144°57′51″E / 37.798989°S 144.964213°ECoordinates: 37°47′56″S 144°57′51″E / 37.798989°S 144.964213°E
Operated by	Yarra Trams
Platforms	2 (1 island)
Tracks	2 (plus 3 shunts)
Connections	Bus routes 402 & 546
Construction
Structure type	At grade
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Fare zone	1
History
Opened	1996
Rebuilt	2005
Electrified	Yes
Route map Legend  Routes 1 & 8 Shunt 3 Shunt 2 Shunt 1 Platforms 1 & 2 (southbound and northbound respectively)  Routes 1, 3/3a, 5, 6, 8, 16, 64, 67 & 72

The Melbourne University tram stop is a major terminating point and stop of the Melbourne tram system. It features a single island platform and three shunts. It is located on Swanston Street, Carlton, and is the major tram stop for the University of Melbourne, its name sake. It was opened in 2005 and is one of the busiest stops on the network; seven tram lines terminate at it, while two run through.

History

In 1996, a headshunt was built north of the Melbourne University tram stop in Swanston Street, Carlton, adjacent to the University of Melbourne to allow services from the south to terminate.^[1]

The current stop was opened in 2005. The project, begun by M>Tram, was inherited by Yarra Trams when they commenced operation of the entire tram system in 2004, and was endorsed by the University of Melbourne and Melbourne City Council. It did however attract some controversy, with the Public Transport Users Association and Paul Mees claiming that the location was unsuitable, as if would force those wishing to cross Swanston Street to walk a further 150 metres (490 ft).^[2] Construction of the stop commenced on 11 January 2005, with the stop opening to passengers on 15 February 2005, for the first 12 days of construction tram services terminated either side of the works, with a shuttle bus diverting around the works site connecting the tram routes.^[3][4]

Design

Looking south towards Melbourne University tram stop, with the shunts in the foreground

Melbourne University tram stop consists of one island platform that provides accessible entry to low-floor trams, it is long enough to serve two D2-class trams at the same time, and has three shunts.^[5][6] It was designed by FMSA Architects for Yarra Trams and Department of Infrastructure. The design consists of six steel 'trees', clad with polycarbonate roofing protecting the seating areas; staff amenities; and ramps permitting full disabled access to the stop. The design is intended to compliment its environment while also improving reliability and flexibility.^[6][7][8]

The island platform is about 59 metres (194 ft) long and 6.5 metres (21 ft) wide, shunt number 1 is 34 metres (112 ft) long, and shunts 2 and 3 are 30 metres (98 ft) long.^[9]

Routes

Melbourne University tram stop is one of the busiest on the system, and is utilised by nine routes, seven terminating there, and two running through it.^[4][9][10]

The following routes terminate at Melbourne University tram stop:

• Route 3/3a – Melbourne University to East Malvern (workdays, while diverting through St Kilda on weekends and public holidays)^[11]
• Route 5 – Melbourne University to Malvern^[12]
• Route 6 – Melbourne University to Glen Iris^[13]
• Route 16 – Melbourne University to Kew^[14]
• Route 64 – Melbourne University to East Brighton^[15]
• Route 67 – Melbourne University to Carnegie^[16]
• Route 72 – Melbourne University to Camberwell^[17]

While the following run through it:

• Route 1 – East Coburg to South Melbourne Beach^[18]
• Route 8 – Moreland to Toorak^[19]

References

1. Budd, Dale; Wilson, Randall (1998). Melbourne's Marvellous Trams. Randwick: University of New South Wales Press. p. 23. ISBN 0 868405 04 3.
2. Silkstone, Dan (11 January 2005). "Tram stop dispute may travel to High Court". The Age. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
3. "Temporary tram service changes". Yarra Trams. 11 January 2005. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
4. "University of Melbourne Superstop opens to passengers". Yarra Trams. 14 February 2005. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
5. "Melbourne University Tram Terminus - Reconstruction Project". Yarra Trams. 1 January 2005. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
6. FMSA Architects (11 January 2005). "New tram stop in harmony with University precinct" (Press release). Yarra Trams. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
7. "University of Melbourne Tram Terminus". FMSA Architects. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
8. "Melbourne University Tram Terminus by FMSA Architects". The Royal Australian Institute of Architects. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
9. "Derailment of Tram 3515 at Melbourne University Terminus 20 Apr 2011" (PDF). Office of the Chief Investigator. p. 11. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
10. "1-University of Melbourne/Swanston St (Carlton)". Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
11. "Route 3/3a". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
12. "Route 5". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
13. "Route 6". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
14. "Route 16". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
15. "Route 64". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
16. "Route 67". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
17. "Route 72". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
18. "Route 1". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
19. "Route 8". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 10 November 2013.

External links

• Public Transport Victoria
• Yarra Trams
• Official network maps