Present in 19 countries
Yarra trams
The world’s largest
light rail
In 2024, Victoria’s Department of Transport and Planning entrusted Transdev and John Holland with a landmark nine-year, $6.8 billion AUD (€4.2 billion) contract to operate and maintain Yarra Trams—the largest light rail network in the world. This partnership marks a new era for Melbourne’s iconic tram system
In brief
Yarra Trams is the world’s largest light rail network.
Yarra Trams: The world’s largest light rail network
Melbourne is home to the world’s largest operational tram network. Established in 1885, Yarra Trams today spans more than 250 kilometres of double track across 24 routes and 1,600 stops, serving a growing population of 5.3 million and carrying more than 147 million passengers annually.
This sustainable mobility service is vital to visitors and residents of Victoria alike, with Transdev and John Holland responsible for the next chapter of the network as the fleet is further enhanced by the introduction of 100 state-of-the-art Next Generation Trams.
The partnership is committed to building inclusive workplaces that reflect the diverse communities of Melbourne, championing workforce diversity, First Nations participation, gender equity and inclusive leadership—core to delivering public transport which is safe, welcoming and community focused.
Since 2022, Transdev and John Holland have also operated the largest bus contract in Australia in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, providing 51 million passengers trips in 2024.
“Our focus is performance and customer experience—unlocking smarter ways to move more people, day and night, with the real-time information they need, when they need it.”
Brian Brennan
CEO Transdev Australia & New Zealand
Yarra trams
key
Yarra Trams operates Australia’s largest tram network, providing reliable, round-the-clock service and playing a vital role in urban mobility and the local economy
200 M+
annual passenger trips
120+
of operation
2,600
employees including 1,400 drivers
Your network, your neighbourhood
The Yarra Trams network is a beloved part of the city, as renowned as Melbourne’s laneways and lattes.
Heritage homes for beloved trams Yarra Trams has nine depots located throughout Melbourne with histories as diverse as the network—including New Preston Depot (pictured), listed on Victoria’s Heritage Register.
Part of Melbourne’s cultural fabric Yarra Trams plays a crucial role in supporting Melbourne’s calendar of world-class events, including the Grand Prix (pictured) and Australian Open.
A team of dedicated Journey Makers Yarra Trams’ operations are supported by a team of more than 2,600 Journey Makers, among them more than 1,400 drivers.
Beyond the basics
Yarra Trams is an integral part of Melbourne’s transport ecosystem, serving as both a practical necessity and a symbol of the city’s identity. The following facts provide a snapshot of its scale, complexity, and unique operating environment:
- City population: 5.3 million (Greater Melbourne)
- Tram operations began: 1885
- Trams in service: 498
- 298 high-floor trams
- 200 low-floor trams (Alstom, Siemens, Bombardier)
- New fleet: 100 low-floor Next Generation Trams (Alstom) to be introduced progressively from 2025–2028, replacing ageing high-floor vehicles
- Free Tram Zone: Introduced in 2015 across Melbourne’s central business district to enhance accessibility and ease congestion
Context & Challenges
- Average tram speed: 16km p/hour, impacted by road sharing and signal priority limitations.
- Tram stop accessibility: of approximately 1,700 tram stops, 420 are currently accessible.
- Collisions: due to shared road operations, there are approximately 1,000 collisions per year.
- Mid-road platforms: Many stops are located mid-road with limited separation from general traffic.
Found out more about our light rail operations worldwide
Eco-friendly website
0.5
This page is times lighter than average
Emissions from this page
0.29
in grams
of CO2 equivalent
of CO2 equivalent