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{{Short description|Tram route in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Distinguish|City Loop}}
{{Distinguish|City Loop}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2013}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2013}}
{{Infobox tram route
{{Infobox tram route
|logo = Melbourne tram route 35 icon.svg
|number = Route 35 (City Circle)
|logo_width =
|logo_alt = Icon for route 35.
|box_width =
|number = Route 35
|bgcolor = #71BE43
|bgcolor = #71BE43
|titlecolor = #ffffff
|titlecolor = #ffffff
|logo = Melbourne tram route 35 icon.svg
|subheader = City Circle
|logo_width = 100px
|operatorlogo = YarraTramsLogoNew.svg
|oplogo_width = 180
|image = W6 1000 turning from Nicholson St into Victoria Pde on the City Circle, 2013 (close).JPG
|image = W6 1000 turning from Nicholson St into Victoria Pde on the City Circle, 2013 (close).JPG
|image_alt = W6 1000 turning from Nicholson St into Victoria Pde on the City Circle, 2013
|caption = [[W-class Melbourne tram#W|W6 class tram]] turning from [[Nicholson Street]] into [[Victoria Street, Melbourne|Victoria Parade]], April 2013
|caption = [[W-class Melbourne tram#W6|W6 class tram]] turning from [[Nicholson Street]] into [[Victoria Street, Melbourne|Victoria Parade]] in April 2013
|system = [[Trams in Melbourne|Melbourne tramway network]]
|system = [[Trams in Melbourne|Melbourne tramway network]]
|operator = [[Yarra Trams]]
|operator = [[Yarra Trams]]
|depot = [[Southbank tram depot|Southbank]]
|depot = [[Southbank tram depot|Southbank]]
|vehicle = [[W-class Melbourne tram|W class]]
|vehicle = [[W-class Melbourne tram|W class]]
|livery =
|pvr =
|status =
|open = 29 April 1994
|open = 29 April 1994
|close =
|close =
|start = [[Docklands, Victoria#Waterfront City|Waterfront City]]
|predecessors =
|via = [[Harbour Esplanade]]<br>[[La Trobe Street]]<br>[[Nicholson Street]]<br>[[Spring Street, Melbourne|Spring Street]]<br>[[Flinders Street, Melbourne|Flinders Street]]<br>Harbour Esplanade
|night =
|locale = [[Melbourne]], Australia
|end = Waterfront City
|communities =
|landmarks =
|start =
|via =
|end =
|length =
|length =
|otherroutes =
|compete =
|level =
|level1 =
|frequency =
|alt_frequency =
|time = 55 minutes
|day = Daily
|zone = Free Tram Zone
|zone = Free Tram Zone
|timetable_link= [https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/1112 City Circle timetable]
|timetable_link= [https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/timetable/1112/35/ City Circle timetable]
|ridership =
|fare =
|cash =
|transfers =
|map_link = [https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/1112 City Circle map]
|map_link = [https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/1112 City Circle map]
|map = [[File:Melbourne trams route city circle map.png|200px]]
|map = [[File:Melbourne trams route city circle map.png|200px]]
|map_state = show
|map_name =
|previous_line = [[Melbourne tram route 30|Route 30]]
|previous_line = [[Melbourne tram route 30|Route 30]]
|next_line = [[Melbourne tram route 48|Route 48]]
|next_line = [[Melbourne tram route 48|Route 48]]
|notes = }}
|notes = }}


The '''City Circle''' (route 35) is a [[zero-fare]] tram running around the [[Melbourne City Centre]] in Australia. Aimed mainly at tourists, the route passes many Melbourne attractions while running along the city centre's outermost thoroughfares, as well as the developing [[Melbourne Docklands|Docklands]] waterfront precinct. It operates in both clockwise and anti-clockwise direction.
The '''City Circle''' ([[Melbourne tram]] route 35) is a [[zero-fare]] tram running around the [[Melbourne central business district]] in Australia. Running along the city centre's outermost thoroughfares the route passes many Melbourne attractions including [[Parliament House, Melbourne|Parliament House]], the [[Old Treasury Building, Melbourne|Old Treasury Building]] and the developing [[Docklands, Victoria|Docklands]] waterfront precinct. Since October 2023, it operates in a clockwise direction only.


==History==
==History==
[[File:City-circle-trams-melbourne.jpg|thumb|left|City Circle trams on [[La Trobe Street]] in August 2007]]
[[File:City-circle-trams-melbourne.jpg|thumb|left|City Circle trams on [[La Trobe Street]] in August 2007]]
The tram route was introduced on 29 April 1994,<ref>City Circle Opens ''[[Trolley Wire]]'' issue 258 August 1994 pages 16–22</ref><ref>[http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/Doi/Internet/transport.nsf/AllDocs/74164766E0CEAF95CA25700500122952OpenDocument Public transport City Loop history] {{dead link|date=August 2019}}</ref> requiring a small track extension along [[Spring Street, Melbourne|Spring Street]], between [[Collins Street, Melbourne|Collins]] and [[Flinders Street, Melbourne|Flinders Streets]], to enable a complete CBD loop to be formed.<ref>Melbourne Track and Overhead Work ''Trolley Wire'' issue 256 February 1994 page 26</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://epress.anu.edu.au/anzsog/auc/mobile_devices/ch08s11.html|title=Getting implementation going|work=The Building Better Cities program 1991–96: a nation-building initiative of the Commonwealth Government |author=Lyndsay Neilson|editor1-first=John|editor1-last=Butcher|year=2008|publisher=epress.anu.edu.au|doi=10.22459/AUC.04.2008|isbn=9781921313776|access-date=1 November 2010
|doi-access=free }}</ref> The [[Government of Australia|Federal Government's]] Building Better Cities program funded the $6.4 million capital cost of the track expansion, while the [[Government of Victoria|State Government]] funded the running costs.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://epress.anu.edu.au/anzsog/auc/mobile_devices/ch08s15.html#d0e3496|work=The ‘Building Better Cities’ program 1991–96: a nation-building initiative of the Commonwealth Government|author=Lyndsay Neilson|editor1-first=John|editor1-last=Butcher|title=Appendix 1: Funding Allocation, Victorian Area Strategies|year=2008|publisher=epress.anu.edu.au|doi=10.22459/AUC.04.2008|isbn=9781921313776|access-date=1 November 2010 |doi-access=free }}</ref>


Until January 2003, the western leg of the original route of the tram was down [[Spencer Street]], but the route was then extended west to run through [[Harbour Esplanade]], [[Docklands, Victoria|Docklands]].<ref>City Circle trams route change ''Trolley Wire'' issue 292 February 2003 page 27</ref><ref>{{Victorian Rail-Newsrail|title=New Docklands Tram Line|month=3|year=2003|page=94}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.victrip.com.au/latest_news/service_alteration_detail.php?id=32|title=City Circle Tram now extends to the Docklands Precinct|website=Victrip|date=26 January 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030415063438/http://www.victrip.com.au/latest_news/service_alteration_detail.php?id=32|archive-date=15 April 2003|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170226023218/http://www.yarratrams.com.au/media/43839/tramroutenumbers.pdf History of Melbourne Trams Routes from 1950 to 2009] Yarra Trams</ref> The travel time around the circle before this change was 40 minutes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/b0222c68d27626e2ca256c8c001a3d2d/527ef3e293dc01dcca256cb7007d2c50!OpenDocument|title=City Circle Tram Extended to Melbourne's Waterfront at Docklands|date=23 January 2003|publisher=Minister for Major Projects, Minister for Public Transport|access-date=6 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001000737/http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/b0222c68d27626e2ca256c8c001a3d2d/527ef3e293dc01dcca256cb7007d2c50!OpenDocument|archive-date=1 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The tram route was introduced on 29 April 1994,<ref>"City Circle Opens" ''[[Trolley Wire]]'' issue 258 August 1994 pages 16-22</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/Doi/Internet/transport.nsf/AllDocs/74164766E0CEAF95CA25700500122952OpenDocument|title=Public transport - City Loop history|publisher=www.doi.vic.gov.au|access-date=2008-08-06}}{{dead link|date=August 2019}}</ref> requiring a small track extension along [[Spring Street, Melbourne|Spring Street]], between [[Collins Street, Melbourne|Collins]] and [[Flinders Street, Melbourne|Flinders Streets]], to enable a complete CBD loop to be formed.<ref>"Melbourne Track and Overhead Work" ''Trolley Wire'' issue 256 February 1994 page 26</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://epress.anu.edu.au/anzsog/auc/mobile_devices/ch08s11.html|title=Getting implementation going|work=The Building Better Cities program 1991-96: a nation-building initiative of the Commonwealth Government |author=Lyndsay Neilson|editor1-first=John|editor1-last=Butcher|year=2008|publisher=epress.anu.edu.au|doi=10.22459/AUC.04.2008|isbn=9781921313776|access-date=2010-11-01
}}</ref> The [[Government of Australia|Federal Government's]] Building Better Cities program funded the $6.4 million capital cost of the track expansion, while the [[Government of Victoria|State Government]] funded the running costs.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://epress.anu.edu.au/anzsog/auc/mobile_devices/ch08s15.html#d0e3496|work=The ‘Building Better Cities’ program 1991-96: a nation-building initiative of the Commonwealth Government|author=Lyndsay Neilson|editor1-first=John|editor1-last=Butcher|title=Appendix 1: Funding Allocation, Victorian Area Strategies|year=2008|publisher=epress.anu.edu.au|doi=10.22459/AUC.04.2008|isbn=9781921313776|access-date=2010-11-01}}</ref>


Between May and November 2005, the route temporarily ran between Flinders Street / Spencer Street and Victoria Parade / Nicholson Street due to the closure and removal of the [[Flinders Street, Melbourne#King Street Overpass|Flinders Street Overpass]] over [[King Street, Melbourne|King Street]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yarratrams.com.au/default.jsp?xcid=465|title=Flinders Street Overpass Removal|website=Yara Trams|date=20 May 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060823132904/http://www.yarratrams.com.au/default.jsp?xcid=465|archive-date=23 August 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yarratrams.com.au/default.jsp?xcid=1118|title=Routes 13, 24, 30, 48, 70, 75, 86, 109, 112 & City Circle - From Monday 21 November 05|date=14 November 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060820030302/http://www.yarratrams.com.au/default.jsp?xcid=1118|archive-date=20 August 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Until January 2003, the western leg of the original route of the tram was down [[Spencer Street]], but the route was then extended west to run through [[Melbourne Docklands|Docklands]].<ref>"City Circle trams route change" ''Trolley Wire'' issue 292 February 2003 page 27</ref><ref>[http://www.yarratrams.com.au/media/43839/tramroutenumbers.pdf History of Melbourne Trams Routes from 1950 to 2009] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226023218/http://www.yarratrams.com.au/media/43839/tramroutenumbers.pdf |date=26 February 2017 }} Yarra Trams</ref> The travel time around the circle before this change was 40 minutes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/b0222c68d27626e2ca256c8c001a3d2d/527ef3e293dc01dcca256cb7007d2c50!OpenDocument|title=City Circle Tram Extended to Melbourne's Waterfront at Docklands|date=23 January 2003|publisher=Minister for Major Projects, Minister for Public Transport|access-date=2008-08-06}}</ref>


During early 2006, new [[Passenger information system|Passenger Information Displays]] were installed along with Digital Voice Announcements.
During early 2006, new [[Passenger information system|Passenger Information Displays]] were installed along with Digital Voice Announcements.


In April 2008, the service adopted the [[daylight saving time]]table on a permanent basis, operating from 10:00 to 21:00 every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The end of service at other times is 18:00.<ref name=sundown>{{cite web|url=http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/minister-for-public-transport/city-circle-tram-to-run-when-the-sun-goes-down.html
In April 2008, the service adopted the [[daylight saving time]]table on a permanent basis, operating from 10:00 to 21:00 every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The end of service at other times is 18:00.<ref name=sundown>{{cite web|url=http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/minister-for-public-transport/city-circle-tram-to-run-when-the-sun-goes-down.html
|title=City Circle Tram to Run When the Sun goes Down|publisher=Premier of Victoria|date=6 April 2008|access-date=2008-08-06}}</ref> Services after 18:00 between Thursday and Sunday were removed in November 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/footer/about-ptv/improvements-and-projects/tram/changes-to-routes-12-30-35-86-96-and-109/|title=Changes to Routes 12, 30, 35, 86, 96 and 109|website=Public Transport Victoria|access-date=9 January 2022}}</ref>
|title=City Circle Tram to Run When the Sun goes Down|publisher=Premier of Victoria|date=6 April 2008|access-date=6 August 2008}}</ref>


On 30 May 2009, the route was altered for a second time, being extended from [[Harbour Esplanade]] to the NewQuay and [[Docklands, Victoria#Waterfront City|Waterfront City]] precincts via Docklands Drive. This made the route an elongated 'q'.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yarratrams.com.au/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-105/99_read-1954 |author=Yarra Trams |title=Media Release: Popular City Circle tram extended to Docklands Drive |publisher=www.yarratrams.com.au |access-date=2010-03-28 |date=2009-05-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925130412/http://www.yarratrams.com.au/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-105/99_read-1954/ |archive-date=25 September 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On 30 May 2009, the route was altered for a second time, being extended from [[Harbour Esplanade]] to the NewQuay and [[Docklands, Victoria#Waterfront City|Waterfront City]] precincts via Docklands Drive. This made the route an elongated 'q'.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yarratrams.com.au/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-105/99_read-1954 |author=Yarra Trams |title=Media Release: Popular City Circle tram extended to Docklands Drive |publisher=www.yarratrams.com.au |access-date=28 March 2010 |date=1 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925130412/http://www.yarratrams.com.au/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-105/99_read-1954/ |archive-date=25 September 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>Tram changes ''[[Railway Digest]]'' August 2009 page 14</ref>

Services after 18:00 between Thursday and Sunday were removed in November 2020.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201101013026/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/footer/about-ptv/improvements-and-projects/tram/changes-to-routes-12-30-35-86-96-and-109/Changes to Routes 12, 30, 35, 86, 96 and 109] [[Public Transport Victoria]]</ref>

Due to driver shortages, the route's operator, [[Yarra Trams]], has found it hard to run all City Circle tram services. Due to this, since 30 October 2023, the route only runs in a clockwise direction between 9:30 and 17:30 daily.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/footer/about-ptv/improvements-and-projects/tram/tram-timetable-changes|title=Tram timetable changes|website=PTV|access-date=4 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004081839/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/footer/about-ptv/improvements-and-projects/tram/tram-timetable-changes|archive-date=4 October 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hatch |first1=Patrick |title=St Kilda, City Circle heritage trams cut in timetable overhaul |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/st-kilda-city-circle-heritage-trams-cut-in-timetable-overhaul-20230920-p5e665.html |website=The Age |access-date=7 January 2024 |date=21 September 2023}}</ref>


==Route==
==Route==
[[File:W Tram Interior.JPG|thumb|left|Interior of a [[W-class Melbourne tram|W class tram]] in City Circle service]]
[[File:W Tram Interior.JPG|thumb|Interior of a [[W-class Melbourne tram|W class tram]] in City Circle service]]
[[File:City-Circle-Tram,-cnr-Flinders&Elizabeth,-Melb,-12.08.2008.jpg|thumb|left|[[W-class Melbourne tram|W class tram]] on [[Flinders Street, Melbourne|Flinders Street]] in August 2008]]
[[File:City-Circle-Tram,-cnr-Flinders&Elizabeth,-Melb,-12.08.2008.jpg|thumb|[[W-class Melbourne tram|W class tram]] on [[Flinders Street, Melbourne|Flinders Street]] in August 2008]]


The route of the City Circle trams roughly follows the outer edges of the [[Hoddle Grid]], with three diversions. It takes in all of [[La Trobe Street]], [[Harbour Esplanade]] and [[Flinders Street, Melbourne|Flinders Street]]. It follows [[Spring Street, Melbourne|Spring Street]] between Flinders and [[Bourke Street]]s, but travels along [[Nicholson Street]] and [[Victoria Street, Melbourne|Victoria Street]] before turning into La Trobe Street. At the junction of Harbour Esplanade and Latrobe Street trams turn off the loop to run to and from a terminus towards the end of Docklands Drive, [[Docklands, Victoria#Waterfront City|Waterfront City Docklands]].
The route of the City Circle trams roughly follows the outer edges of the [[Hoddle Grid]], with three diversions. It takes in all of [[La Trobe Street]], [[Harbour Esplanade]] and [[Flinders Street, Melbourne|Flinders Street]]. It follows [[Spring Street, Melbourne|Spring Street]] between Flinders and [[Bourke Street]]s, but travels along [[Nicholson Street]] and [[Victoria Street, Melbourne|Victoria Street]] before turning into La Trobe Street. At the junction of Harbour Esplanade and Latrobe Street trams turn off the loop to run to and from a terminus towards the end of Docklands Drive, [[Docklands, Victoria#Waterfront City|Waterfront City]].


==Operation==
==Operation==
The City Circle route is operated by heritage [[W-class Melbourne tram|W class trams]], restored to original condition as part of the W8 upgrade. As of 2020, these are the only W-class trams on the system, and there are no plans to retire them. The City Circle trams originally sported a unique maroon livery promoting the service, however as part of the W8 upgrade the trams were restored back to their original green and cream livery. Until 2014, the City Circle was one of several routes to run W-class trams ([[Melbourne tram route 30|30]], [[Melbourne tram route 78|78]] and [[Melbourne tram route 79|79]]) but the remaining routes controversially had their W-class trams removed, mostly replaced by [[A-class Melbourne tram|A-Class]]. Trams display the route number 35.<ref>"Melbourne - Trams" ''Trolley Wire'' issue 257 May 1994 page 8</ref><ref name=route35>{{cite PTV route|35|mode=tram}}</ref> The City Circle operates at a headway of 12 minutes in both directions, with the service taking approximately 60 minutes to complete a loop.<ref name=route35/> Ten trams are allocated to the service at any one time (five in each direction). An average of three million passengers uses the service every year, with each tram circling the city 9 times a day, or 12 times when the tram operates to 21:00.<ref name=sundown/>
The City Circle route is operated with heritage [[W-class Melbourne tram|W class trams]], restored to original condition as part of the W8 upgrade. As of 2020, these are the only W-class trams on the system, and there are no plans to retire them. The City Circle trams originally sported a unique maroon livery promoting the service, however as part of the W8 upgrade the trams were restored back to their original green and cream livery. Until 2014, the City Circle was one of several routes to run W-class trams ([[Melbourne tram route 30|30]], [[Melbourne tram route 78|78]] and [[Melbourne tram route 79|79]]) but the remaining routes controversially had their W-class trams removed, mostly replaced by [[A-class Melbourne tram|A class]]. Trams display the route number 35.<ref>Melbourne Trams ''Trolley Wire'' issue 257 May 1994 page 8</ref><ref>[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/timetable/1112/35/ Route 35] Public Transport Victoria</ref> The City Circle operates at a headway of 12 minutes in the clockwise direction, with the service taking approximately 60 minutes to complete a loop. An average of three million passengers use the service every year, with each tram circling the city 9 times a day, or 12 times when the tram operates to 21:00.<ref name=sundown/>

{{-}}


==Route map==
==Route map==
{{Route 35 tram}}
{{Route 35 tram}}
{{-}}
{{Clear}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{commons category-inline|City Circle Tram}}
{{commons category-inline|City Circle Tram}}
* [https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/1112 Route 35 timetable and map]


{{Melbourne landmarks}}
{{Melbourne landmarks}}
{{MelbourneTramNavbox}}
{{MelbourneTramNavbox}}


{{coord missing|Victoria (Australia)}}
{{coord missing|Victoria (state)}}


[[Category:Tram routes in Melbourne|035]]
[[Category:Tram routes in Melbourne|035]]
[[Category:Zero-fare transport services]]
[[Category:Free public transport]]
[[Category:1994 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:1994 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Melbourne City Centre]]
[[Category:Public transport routes in the City of Melbourne (LGA)]]

Latest revision as of 09:17, 18 August 2024

Route 35 (City Circle)
W6 class tram turning from Nicholson Street into Victoria Parade, April 2013
Übersicht
SystemMelbourne tramway network
OperatorYarra Trams
DepotSouthbank
VehicleW class
Began service29 April 1994
Route
StartWaterfront City
ViaHarbour Esplanade
La Trobe Street
Nicholson Street
Spring Street
Flinders Street
Harbour Esplanade
EndWaterfront City
Zone(s)Free Tram Zone
TimetableCity Circle timetable
MapCity Circle map
← Route 30  {{{system_nav}}}  Route 48 →

The City Circle (Melbourne tram route 35) is a zero-fare tram running around the Melbourne central business district in Australia. Running along the city centre's outermost thoroughfares the route passes many Melbourne attractions including Parliament House, the Old Treasury Building and the developing Docklands waterfront precinct. Since October 2023, it operates in a clockwise direction only.

History

[edit]
City Circle trams on La Trobe Street in August 2007

The tram route was introduced on 29 April 1994,[1][2] requiring a small track extension along Spring Street, between Collins and Flinders Streets, to enable a complete CBD loop to be formed.[3][4] The Federal Government's Building Better Cities program funded the $6.4 million capital cost of the track expansion, while the State Government funded the running costs.[5]

Until January 2003, the western leg of the original route of the tram was down Spencer Street, but the route was then extended west to run through Harbour Esplanade, Docklands.[6][7][8][9] The travel time around the circle before this change was 40 minutes.[10]

Between May and November 2005, the route temporarily ran between Flinders Street / Spencer Street and Victoria Parade / Nicholson Street due to the closure and removal of the Flinders Street Overpass over King Street.[11][12]

During early 2006, new Passenger Information Displays were installed along with Digital Voice Announcements.

In April 2008, the service adopted the daylight saving timetable on a permanent basis, operating from 10:00 to 21:00 every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The end of service at other times is 18:00.[13]

On 30 May 2009, the route was altered for a second time, being extended from Harbour Esplanade to the NewQuay and Waterfront City precincts via Docklands Drive. This made the route an elongated 'q'.[14][15]

Services after 18:00 between Thursday and Sunday were removed in November 2020.[16]

Due to driver shortages, the route's operator, Yarra Trams, has found it hard to run all City Circle tram services. Due to this, since 30 October 2023, the route only runs in a clockwise direction between 9:30 and 17:30 daily.[17][18]

Route

[edit]
Interior of a W class tram in City Circle service
W class tram on Flinders Street in August 2008

The route of the City Circle trams roughly follows the outer edges of the Hoddle Grid, with three diversions. It takes in all of La Trobe Street, Harbour Esplanade and Flinders Street. It follows Spring Street between Flinders and Bourke Streets, but travels along Nicholson Street and Victoria Street before turning into La Trobe Street. At the junction of Harbour Esplanade and Latrobe Street trams turn off the loop to run to and from a terminus towards the end of Docklands Drive, Waterfront City.

Operation

[edit]

The City Circle route is operated with heritage W class trams, restored to original condition as part of the W8 upgrade. As of 2020, these are the only W-class trams on the system, and there are no plans to retire them. The City Circle trams originally sported a unique maroon livery promoting the service, however as part of the W8 upgrade the trams were restored back to their original green and cream livery. Until 2014, the City Circle was one of several routes to run W-class trams (30, 78 and 79) but the remaining routes controversially had their W-class trams removed, mostly replaced by A class. Trams display the route number 35.[19][20] The City Circle operates at a headway of 12 minutes in the clockwise direction, with the service taking approximately 60 minutes to complete a loop. An average of three million passengers use the service every year, with each tram circling the city 9 times a day, or 12 times when the tram operates to 21:00.[13]

Route map

[edit]
City Circle Tram
City Circle
via Docklands, La Trobe Street & Flinders Street
Free tram zone covers entire route
Suburb
Street
Stop
No.
Waterfront City
Connections
Docklands
Docklands Drive
D11
The District Docklands
Tram interchange 70, 86
D10
NewQuay
Footscray Road Siding
D2
Central Pier
Tram interchange 30, 75
Harbour Esplanade
Tram 70, 75
D1
Docklands Stadium
La Trobe Street Bridge
119
Spencer Street
Spencer Street
Tram 86
1
Spencer Street
2
King Street
William Street
Tram 58
Mainline rail interchange Flagstaff station
3
Flagstaff station
4
Queen Street
Elizabeth Street
Tram 19, 57, 59
5
Melbourne Central station
Tram interchange 19, 57, 59
Mainline rail interchange Melbourne Central station
Swanston Street
Tram 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72
6
Melbourne Central station
Tram interchange 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72
7
Russell Street
8
Exhibition Street
9
Victoria Street
La Trobe Street
Nicholson Street
Tram 30
Tram 86, 96
11
Victoria Parade
10
Parliament station
Mainline rail interchange Parliament station
Bourke Street
Tram 86, 96
 
 Left arrowBourke Street Mall
CC
Bourke Street
Tram interchange 86, 96
Collins Street
Tram 11, 12, 48, 109
Wellington Parade
Tram 48, 75
8
Spring Street
Batman Avenue
Tram 70
6
Russell Street
Tram interchange 70 Bus interchange 605
Swanston Street
Tram 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72
5
Flinders Street station
Tram interchange 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72
Mainline rail interchange Flinders Street station
Elizabeth Street
Tram 19, 57, 59
4
Flinders Street station
Tram interchange 19, 57, 59
3
Market Street
Market Street
Tram 58
2
King Street
1
Spencer Street
Tram interchange 12, 96, 109
Spencer Street
Tram 12, 96, 109
Flinders Street Viaduct
D6
Flinders Street West
Bus interchange 232, 235, 237
 
McCrae Street
D5
The Goods Shed
D4
Docklands Park
Collins Street
Tram 11, 48
D3
Docklands Stadium
La Trobe Street
Tram 30, 86
D2
Central Pier
Footscray Road Siding
 
Docklands Drive
D10
NewQuay
D11
The District Docklands
Tram interchange 70, 86
Suburb
Street
Stop
No.
Waterfront City
Connections

References

[edit]
  1. ^ City Circle Opens Trolley Wire issue 258 August 1994 pages 16–22
  2. ^ Public transport – City Loop history [dead link]
  3. ^ Melbourne Track and Overhead Work Trolley Wire issue 256 February 1994 page 26
  4. ^ Lyndsay Neilson (2008). Butcher, John (ed.). Getting implementation going. epress.anu.edu.au. doi:10.22459/AUC.04.2008. ISBN 9781921313776. Retrieved 1 November 2010. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  5. ^ Lyndsay Neilson (2008). Butcher, John (ed.). Appendix 1: Funding Allocation, Victorian Area Strategies. epress.anu.edu.au. doi:10.22459/AUC.04.2008. ISBN 9781921313776. Retrieved 1 November 2010. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  6. ^ City Circle trams route change Trolley Wire issue 292 February 2003 page 27
  7. ^ "New Docklands Tram Line". Newsrail. Vol. 31, no. 3. Vic: ARHS Victoria Division. March 2003. p. 94. ISSN 0310-7477. OCLC 19676396.
  8. ^ "City Circle Tram now extends to the Docklands Precinct". Victrip. 26 January 2003. Archived from the original on 15 April 2003.
  9. ^ History of Melbourne Trams Routes from 1950 to 2009 Yarra Trams
  10. ^ "City Circle Tram Extended to Melbourne's Waterfront at Docklands". Minister for Major Projects, Minister for Public Transport. 23 January 2003. Archived from the original on 1 October 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
  11. ^ "Flinders Street Overpass Removal". Yara Trams. 20 May 2005. Archived from the original on 23 August 2006.
  12. ^ "Routes 13, 24, 30, 48, 70, 75, 86, 109, 112 & City Circle - From Monday 21 November 05". 14 November 2005. Archived from the original on 20 August 2006.
  13. ^ a b "City Circle Tram to Run When the Sun goes Down". Premier of Victoria. 6 April 2008. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
  14. ^ Yarra Trams (1 May 2009). "Media Release: Popular City Circle tram extended to Docklands Drive". www.yarratrams.com.au. Archived from the original on 25 September 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  15. ^ Tram changes Railway Digest August 2009 page 14
  16. ^ to Routes 12, 30, 35, 86, 96 and 109 Public Transport Victoria
  17. ^ "Tram timetable changes". PTV. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  18. ^ Hatch, Patrick (21 September 2023). "St Kilda, City Circle heritage trams cut in timetable overhaul". The Age. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  19. ^ Melbourne – Trams Trolley Wire issue 257 May 1994 page 8
  20. ^ Route 35 Public Transport Victoria
[edit]

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