M-Tram
{{Short description|Tram system}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2011}}
{{Correct title|M>Tram|reason=bracket}}
{{Infobox company
|name = M>Tram (Swanston Trams)
|logo = M-Tram-brand.jpg
|image = M-Tram.jpg
|image_size = 250
|image_caption = B2 class tram on Elizabeth Street in August 2001
|former_name = Swanston Trams
|industry = Tram operator
|predecessor = Public Transport Corporation
|successor = Yarra Trams
|foundation = 1 July 1998
|defunct = 18 April 2004
|location_city = Melbourne
|location_country = Australia
|area_served = Melbourne
|parent = National Express
|website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20040103103258/http://www.mtram.com.au/mtram_about.shtml?site=mtramgif www.mtram.com.au]}}
M>Tram was a tram operator in Melbourne, Australia. Formed in July 1998 as Swanston Trams, a business unit of the Public Transport Corporation, it was privatised in August 1999 becoming a subsidiary of National Express. In December 2002 National Express handed the franchise in, with the State Government taking over until negotiations were concluded for Yarra Trams to take over in April 2004.
History
In October 1997, in preparation for privatisation, it was announced the Public Transport Corporation's tram operations were split into two business units, Swanston Trams and Yarra Trams.City in Brief Railway Gazette International December 1997 page 835Melbourne on the brink of change Trolley Wire issue 273 May 1998 page 3 The split was effective on 1 July 1998.{{cite web|url=https://www.audit.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/19991209-Goverment%27s-Finance-1998-99.pdf|title=Report of the Auditor-General - Victorian Government's finances 1998-99|publisher=Auditor-General of Victoria|page=114|date=1999|access-date=25 March 2023|archive-date=25 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325111910/https://www.audit.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/19991209-Goverment%27s-Finance-1998-99.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://ipa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/archive/1179188058_document_allsop_transport.pdf|title=Victoria's public transport - Assessing the results of privatisation|publisher=Institute of Public Affairs|page=8|date=April 2007|access-date=25 March 2023|archive-date=25 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325111242/https://ipa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/archive/1179188058_document_allsop_transport.pdf|url-status=live}}
National Express successfully bid to take over the Swanston Trams services from 29 August 1999.All change for private trains and trams Railway Digest August 1999 page 23NEG conquers Oz Rail issue 363 11 August 1999 page 11Swanston Trams Franchise Trolley Wire issue 278 August 1999 page 22 National Express were also awarded the Bayside Trains franchise and V/Line concession.[http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/national-express-group-awarded-three-franchises-to-operate-passenger-train-and-tram-services-in-melbourne-and-the-state-of-victoria-in-australia-156491325.html National Express Group Awarded Three Franchises] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011110718/http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/national-express-group-awarded-three-franchises-to-operate-passenger-train-and-tram-services-in-melbourne-and-the-state-of-victoria-in-australia-156491325.html |date=11 October 2013 }} National Express June 1999[http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/national-express-takes-root-in-melbourne.html National Express takes root in Melbourne] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025174623/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/national-express-takes-root-in-melbourne.html |date=25 October 2013 }} Railway Gazette International 1 October 2000
In October 2000, Swanston Trams was rebranded as M>Tram.Moving Melbourne - A New Brand Coming for Melbourne's Transport Transit Australia January 2001 page 18Metros Railway Gazette International July 2001 page 441 After an attempted sale of the franchise to Yarra Trams failed,[https://web.archive.org/web/20130514143221/http://www.yarratrams.com.au/media-centre/news/articles/2002/talks-between-melbourne-tram-operators/ Talks between Melbourne tram operators] Yarra Trams 18 October 2002Tram networks to reintegrate Railway Gazette International November 2002 page 667 National Express handed back the franchise in December 2002, having been unable to renegotiate financial terms with the State Government.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2836793/National-Express-walks-out-of-Australian-rail-service.html National Express walks out of Australian rail service] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112160218/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2836793/National-Express-walks-out-of-Australian-rail-service.html |date=12 January 2018 }} The Daily Telegraph (London) 17 December 2002[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2894001/Nat-Express-pulls-back-Down-Under.html Nat Express pull back Down Under] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412221223/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2894001/Nat-Express-pulls-back-Down-Under.html |date=12 April 2018 }} The Daily Telegraph (London) 3 September 2004
KPMG were appointed to operate the business on behalf of the State Government.[http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/12/23/1040511007915.html Receivers take over train, tram group] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026135818/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/12/23/1040511007915.html |date=26 October 2012 }} The Age 24 December 2002[https://www.railexpress.com.au/victorian-passenger-services-get-new-managers/ Victorian passenger services get new managers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325102128/https://www.railexpress.com.au/victorian-passenger-services-get-new-managers/ |date=25 March 2023 }} Rail Express 28 January 2003 In May 2003 the State Government announced it would establish a single company to operate both networks, and was negotiating with Yarra Trams (who operated the other half of the network) to operate this entity. In February 2004 an agreement was reached, and the networks were reunited on 18 April 2004.{{cite web|url=http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&event=Farewell%20M%3ETram%20Tour|title=Vicsig – Trams – Farewell M>Tram Tour|publisher=vicsig.net|access-date=2008-04-29}}Yarra Trams takes over Railway Gazette International May 2004 page 254Yarra Trams takes over in Melbourne Trolley Wire issue 297 May 2004 pages 21/22
Operations
The M>Tram network was focused on the north–south tram routes in Melbourne, running 17 routes along Swanston, Elizabeth and William Streets though the CBD and then into the suburbs as well as cross-suburban routes.Prelude to Privatisation - New Rail & Tram Capital Works for Melbourne Railway Digest January 1999 page 13
National Express inherited 30 W, 94 Z1, 12 Z2, 84 Z3 and 55 B2 class trams and took over the operation of four depots; Brunswick, Essendon, Glenhuntly and Malvern.Swanston Trams Trolley Wire issue 279 November 1999 page 25
Part of the franchise agreement required replacement of older rolling stock with newer models, and refurbishment of the existing rolling stock. Siemens Combino trams were purchased as the D1 and D2 class, the first of 38 D1 three-car class trams entering service on 19 December 2002News in Brief Railway Digest February 2003 page 14 and the first of 21 five-car D2 class trams on 3 March 2004.Victorian rolling stock contracts announced Railway Digest May 2000 page 20Market Railway Gazette International May 2000 page 277Melbourne - Swanston Trams Trolley Wire issue 281 May 2000 page 30{{cite web|url=http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/798c8b072d117a01ca256c8c0019bb01/37aebd4a406c28bdca256e4c0076b974?OpenDocument|title=Media Release: Super Tram Comes to Melbourne|publisher=dpc.vic.gov.au|access-date=2008-04-29|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050717161406/http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/798c8b072d117a01ca256c8c0019bb01/37aebd4a406c28bdca256e4c0076b974?OpenDocument|archive-date=17 July 2005}} Z3 and B2 class trams were also internally refurbished by M>Tram, receiving green seat pads, and yellow stanchions and grab rails.{{cite web|url=http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&detail=interior|title=Vicsig – Trams – Interior|publisher=vicsig.net|access-date=2008-04-29|archive-date=29 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829043124/http://vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&detail=interior|url-status=live}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.showbus.co.uk/australia/gallery/mtram.htm Showbus gallery]
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{{succession box|before=Public Transport Corporation|title=Trams in Melbourne
North-south routes|years=1997–2002|after=State Government then
TransdevTSL trading as
Yarra Trams}}
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{{MelbourneTramNavbox}}
{{NEXG}}
Category:Transport companies established in 1997
Category:Transport companies disestablished in 2004