Melbourne tram route 96

Melbourne tram route 96 is operated by

The MMTB, unhappy with the performance of the buses, decided to reinstate trams when the buses reached life expiry, trams on the 88 (predecessor to the modern 86) started on 26 June 1955 with the first tram to Brunswick East operating on 8 April 1956.^[2][3][4]

The W7 class trams were built for running on these lines and the new Z class trams first ran on route 96 in June 1975.^[5]

The line was extended south to

With the closure of North Fitzroy depot on 19 December 1993, its route 96 duties were transferred to South Melbourne depot.^[7][8]

After the merger of the

In July 2023, PTV began trialling a new NaviLens information system for those with vision impairments on Route 96.[18]

Route 96 Project

On 17 April 2012, it was announced that Route 96 would become the focus of tram upgrades to transform it from a tramway to a light rail system; a "model" for how Melbourne's tram network should operate. The Route 96 Project superseded a similar project of the previous government, Tram 109.

The proposed aims of the project are:

• Providing level access stops along the entire route
• Upgraded termini at Blyth Street, Brunswick East, and Acland Street, St Kilda^[19][20]
• Segregation treatments to better separate low-floor trams from traffic
• Improved priority for low-floor trams at traffic lights
• Improved customer information

The objectives are to:

• Increase access to trams and safety for customers through providing improved infrastructure and information
• Improve tram reliability and efficiency through increased priority and accessible infrastructure
• Ensure better utilisation of the road network with a focus on moving people
• Design a full route of enhancements to demonstrate the benefits of a modern light rail system in Melbourne conditions, compared with a traditional tram network.

In mid-2013, the proposed changes were released to the public. They involved an eventual segregation of trams from traffic along nearly the entire route, and the upgrade of all stops to level access to improve passenger flow and make the network disability-compliant. On Nicholson Street, all on-street parking would eventually be removed to create dedicated tram lanes where it is illegal for cars to drive. Easy-access stops (level access by raising the road to footpath level) would be constructed between Blyth Street and Brunswick Road, while centre island superstops would be constructed between Brunswick Road and the CBD.

The Batman Park (previously the World Trade Centre) and

The project has received strong support from commuters, urban planners and public transport advocates, while there have been concerns from shop owners along the route that a loss of on-street parking will negatively affect business.[21]

Work completed as at October 2018 has included:

• new Blyth Street terminus headshunt at the northern end in July 2015^[19][22]
• new
  Clarendon Street Junction stop in January 2016^[23][24]
• new Acland Street terminus in December 2016[25]^[26]
• stop upgrades at Johnston Street, Moor street and Melbourne Museum in September 2018 along with stop removal at Hoddle St and Hanover street

Route

Route 96 runs from its terminus in

Route 96 is operated out of Southbank depot with C2 and E class tram.^[27]

Special events and services

Several annual events affect the usual services along route 96:

• Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix - most services terminate at Middle Park and are replaced with buses^[28]
• Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre
  ) additional services
• St Kilda Festival - additional services but terminate at St Kilda station

In popular culture

Route 96 is featured in the Courtney Barnett song Elevator Operator.

Route map

v t e Route 96
Brunswick East - St Kilda Beach via Fitzroy, City, Southbank & Albert Park Free Tram Zone covers stops 124 to 11, fare zone 1 from stop 140 to 124A, 27 to 12
Suburb Street Stop No. Brunswick East Connections Brunswick East Nicholson Street 23 Blyth Street 503, 508 22 Albert Street Fitzroy North Nicholson Street 21 Glenlyon Road 506 20 Miller Street 506 Former Brunswick Road/Holden Street Line 19 Brunswick Road 250, 251 North Fitzroy tram depot (closed)   18 Scotchmer Street 17 Reid Street 16 Freeman Street 15 Alexandra Parade 546 14 Rose Street Fitzroy Nicholson Street 13 Johnston Street 200, 202, 207 12 Moor Street Gertrude Street Tram 86 Bundoora RMIT   11 Melbourne Museum 86 Zone 1 Free Tram Zone Victoria Parade Tram 30 St Vincent's Plaza   La Trobe Street Melbourne CBD Nicholson Street 10 Parliament station Parliament station City Loop suburban lines Spring Street Tram City Circle Flinders Street  La Trobe Street   Bourke Street 9 Spring Street City Circle 7 Russell Street 605 Swanston Street Tram 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72 St Kilda Road   Melbourne University 6 Swanston Street 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72 5 Bourke Street Mall 19, 57, 59 Elizabeth Street Tram 19, 57, 59 Flinders Street station   North Melbourne 4 Queen Street Queen Street 3 William Street 58 William Street Tram 58 Toorak   West Coburg 1 Southern Cross station 96 Spencer Street Tram 86 Waterfront City   ●
Spencer Street		122			Southern Cross station
					Collins Street Tram 11, 12, 48, 109	St Vincent's Plaza   Southern Cross station
					Flinders Street Tram 70, 75, City Circle	Russell Street   Docklands
					Flinders Street Viaduct
		124			Batman Park
Free Tram Zone Zone 1
Southbank Clarendon Street		124A			MCEC	12
					Clarendon Street Tram 12	St Kilda (Fitzroy Street)
Normanby Street		125			Clarendon Street Junction	109
					Port Melbourne Light Rail Tram 109	Port Melbourne
Ferrars Street		126			City Road	234, 236
		127			South Melbourne station
					Park Street Tram 1 (no connecting stop)
South Melbourne Ferrars Street		128			Albert Park station
					Albert Road Tram 12 (no connecting stop)
Canterbury Road		129			Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre
		130			Middle Park station
Middle Park Canterbury Road		131			Fraser Street
		132			St Kilda station	600, 922, 923
					Fitzroy Street Tram 16	Melbourne University
Fitzroy Street		133			Canterbury Road	3, 16
St Kilda Fitzroy Street		134			Park Street	12, 606
					Park Street Tram 12	Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre
		135			Jacka Boulevard	606
The Esplanade		136			The Esplanade
		138			Luna Park	16; 606, 623
					Carlisle Street Tram 3a, 16	Balaclava Junction
Acland Street					Acland Street	246, 600, 606 922, 923
Suburb Street		Stop No.			St Kilda Beach	Connections

References