UN 183: Melbourne trams versus the world

Some interesting commentary on how our trams compare with other countries' here (from the same people who brought you those SNAMUTS city maps showing public transport's haves and have nots). 

It starts by asking whether Melbourne trams are the slowest in the world (spoiler: they're not - that honour goes to Toronto, which is so good with buses but so bad with trams) and finishes with many other graphs and numbers. 

Speed

As can be seen below, Melbourne's weighted tram speed, in both kilometres per hour and relative to other cities terms, fell between 2006 and 2016. There was however a rebound in 2021, possibly due to pandemic-related factors. 

Our most recent average of 15.5 km/h is far better than Toronto's at 10.7km/h. Zurich, often praised by transport academics and commentators, has performed poorly on tram speeds, dropping from better than Melbourne to worse than Melbourne. Sydney, and some northern European systems, operate faster than ours. 

Catchment density

Another graph compares job and resident density around tram routes. In 2006 Melbourne was, with Adelaide, at the bottom of the sample but had increased significantly by 2016. Sydney fell then rebounded, with the large changes likely due to its growing tram network extending to less dense and then much denser areas. Increased density is good for potential patronage but may slow trams if there are also more cars, bikes and pedestrians. 

Frequency

This is yet another addition to the mountain of evidence that Melbourne is deteriorating on service frequency, especially when measured in per capita terms or compared against Sydney.  

Melbourne averages 8.8 trams per hour. This is higher than the typical route's frequency (5 or 6 trams per hour) because the calculation factors in sections with multiple routes (mostly in or surrounding the CBD). 

Despite its decline, Melbourne still occupies a respectable middling position on frequency. However note that they are based on weekday interpeaks, where individual routes are at or close to turn-up-and-go frequency. However if the graph was based on maximum waits across the week, Melbourne would be a poor performer with 20 and even 30 minute intervals between services the rule at nights and certain times on Sundays. 

Conclusion

There's two lessons out of this data if we want a world class tram network. That is: 

1. Run trams faster through priority measures that give spatial or temporal separation from car traffic

2. Run trams more frequently, especially during popular night and weekend times

We also need to exploit cascading opportunities, such as presented by the Metro Tunnel's relief of the Swanston St corridor, to reform the tram network so that routes more evenly reflect CBD activity and there is better connectivity in CBD fringe areas, including to new stations such as Arden, Anzac and new routing via Victoria St and Park St. 

See other Useful Network items here