The Victorian Greens say they can put another 300 high capacity trams on Melbourne’s streets in the next 10 years, in an ambitious policy to “transform” the city’s network.
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The party will go to November’s election promising to upgrade the busiest and most overcrowded tram routes, at a cost of $2.3 billion over 10 years and to spend $4.1 billion building 30 high capacity trams a year for the next decade.
There are currently 69 of the large e-class trams on the network with another 90 on order, according to the Labor government.
The Greens’ latest election promise comes after the party’s councillors last month stymied the state government’s plan to build a group of accessible tram stops in the inner north in favour of a dedicated cycling lane.
But Greens transport spokesman Sam Hibbins said on Monday that Melbourne has one of the world’s longest tram networks but one of the slowest systems with trams moving at an average of 16 km/h, and down to just 11km/h in the CBD.
Last month a Greens councillor at the City of Moreland moved to prevent the upgrade of three Nicholson Street tram stops in Brunswick East because they did not include space specifically for a bike lane.
The resolution was seconded by a fellow Greens councillor and then gained majority support, leaving the project in limbo while Public Transport Victoria appeals Moreland’s decision to VCAT.
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan leapt on the Greens policy announcement on Monday.
“The hypocrisy of the Greens political party is unbelievable,” Ms Allan said.
“This is the party that actively blocked our investment to build accessible tram stops on one of Melbourne’s busiest routes.”
Monday’s tram upgrade policy announcement comes on the heels of a $500 million policy from the Greens for a network of "smart bus" routes across Melbourne.
The party wants electric buses driving direct routes with priority over other road users for lane space and at traffic lights with real-time information at stops.
Mr Hibbins said on Monday that 90 per cent of Melbourne's tram network to should have been accessible by 2017 but fewer than a quarter of the city’s tram stops are currently disabled-friendly.
The Prahran MP said he and his colleagues wanted to improve Melbourne’s “overcrowded, slow and un-accessible” trams.
"Melburnians love our trams, but right now too many of them are overcrowded, slow and un-accessible,” Mr Hibbins said.
"The busiest and most overcrowded routes will be upgraded first, with level access stops along the entire route, better separation from traffic and traffic light priority."
