The Department of Transport and Planning is looking at ways to make tram travel along Route 86 in Melbourne’s inner north, easier, safer and more accessible.
We’re doing this by changing the way we plan tram stop upgrades with planning work being undertaken for multiple stops along two sections of Route 86:
Once upgraded, these tram stops will better connect with existing level access tram stops along Route 86, making tram travel in Melbourne’s inner north more accessible to more people.
Route 86 Tram Corridor Planning Map
About the project
We’re making our tram network more accessible by rolling out more low-floor trams and building more level access tram stops.
To do this efficiently we’re working with the community to plan and develop upgrades for groups of stops called ‘corridors.’
By planning multiple tram stop upgrades along a section of street rather than individual tram stops we can streamline the development of a more accessible tram network.
As with any change within the streetscape, tram stop upgrades can change the layout of the street and how me move in the area. The corridor approach means that we can zoom out and consider how the street functions. To do this we need to involve the community, interest groups and local businesses at the planning phase to help inform our plans.
For Route 86 in Melbourne’s inner north, trams travel along busy streets with a mix of road infrastructure (such as tram stops, traffic lanes and parking), people walking and cycling, as well as places of interest.
These busy road environments can create challenges with competing priorities impacting on peoples’ safety and experience of the street.
Between August and October 2023, we ran an initial round of engagement with the local community, nearby businesses, and representative groups along both corridors.
More than 13,000 people visited our Engage Victoria website. We heard from people who lived, shopped, worked and travelled through the area, as well as from local businesses and key representative groups.
More information on what we heard during the first round of engagement can be found on the individual project pages (see section above).
Community feedback has helped inform options for tram stop upgrade options that we’re sharing with the community for feedback.
This project is part of a $5.5 million project funded in the 2022/23 Victorian State Budget and delivers on a key component of Melbourne’s Tram Plan, which calls for a coordinated and consistent approach to planning and designing level access tram stops.
Our new approach to tram stop upgrades supports more inclusive and equitable access to tram travel for more passengers.
At this stage, there is no funding to deliver tram stop upgrades at these locations. Future delivery funding for upgrades will be considered by government as part of future stage budget processes.