Tram network scores a round of service frequency increases in new May timetable

Trams running down St. Kilda Road and routes to the north-west are set to be the beneficiary of service frequency increases when the new timetable comes online from Sunday 20th of May.

Spring Street announced the service increases to coincide with the re-opening of the temporary Domain interchange tram stop which has just re-entered service after work to make way for the construction of the new Anzac metro station was completed.

In some cases, the service increases are focused outside of weekdays - for instance, the West Coburg - Toorak route, the 58, will see 6 trams per hour (a tram every 10 minutes) on Sundays - this represents 1 extra tram per hour.

The Bundoora RMIT - Docklands route, the 86, is also set to see frequency increases on weekends. 

Overall, however, the bulk of the service increases are at times 'surrounding' peak periods - this effectively means more frequent services for longer into the mornings and evenings beyond the end of the traditional peak periods.

The service improvements include:

Extra services are being added to St Kilda Road (Routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72) and the north-west (Routes 19, 57, 58 and 59) in the times surrounding peak periods to provide more travel options for people affected by construction of the Metro Tunnel.

Turn-up-and-go frequencies mean trams will operate every 10 minutes at specified times.

Details of changes:

• Route 58 is being upgraded to a turn-up-and-go 10-minute frequency from 10am until 7pm on weekends through the provision of extra services.
• Route 86 will also be upgraded to a turn-up-and-go frequency from 12pm until 4pm on Sundays, and will align with Route 96 in Bourke Street to create a regular service along this busy corridor.
• Routes 1, 6, 19, 57, 58 and 59 will have more evening trams on weeknights, arriving every 15 minutes until 9pm.

Yarra Trams media release

Yarra Trams also says that route 58 will see more low-floor trams run during inter-peak times, citing all the medical facilities that are connected by the tram route.

St Kilda Road was closed as part of the construction blitz over the Easter school holidays in order to move the tram stop so construction on the Anzac station could begin in earnest.

Early works in the area have included diverting the South Yarra main sewer in the area.

As we discussed in March, submissions on the proposed planning scheme amendments for rail infrastructure required in the Sunbury and Dandenong corridors close this Saturday (21st of May).  To make a submission, click here.