Melbourne's Tram Network: Speed, Ridership, and the Battle for Road Space

Melbourne operates the world's largest tram network, comprising 250 kilometers of double tracks and carrying over 200 million passengers annually. Approximately three-quarters of tram tracks are shared with road traffic.

Data from the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, obtained through a freedom of information request by The Age and combined with recent passenger statistics, provides a detailed breakdown of average tram speeds and ridership levels across Melbourne's network between January 2019 and June 2025.

The Slowest Tram Segments

The data divides the network into 509 segments, measuring average travel speeds during the morning peak (7am–9am) from December 2024 to August 2025. Sections shorter than three stops were excluded from the analysis.

The slowest tram segments outside the Hoddle Grid (Melbourne's central business district) are:

The overall slowest route is Route 78 (Chapel Street, North Richmond to Balaclava), averaging just 13.3 km/h.

The Fastest Tram Segments

At the other end of the spectrum, several tram segments achieve significantly higher speeds:

• Dandenong Road, Armadale/Caulfield North (Route 64): 30.6 km/h
• Route 59 near Tullamarine Freeway, Airport West: ~28 km/h
• Route 11 on St Georges Road, Northcote: ~28 km/h
• Route 64 on Hawthorn Road: ~28 km/h
• Route 96 from St Kilda Station to Middle Park: ~28 km/h

The overall fastest route is Route 64 (Melbourne University to East Brighton), averaging 16.9 km/h.

Ridership Patterns

Passenger data collected from January 2019 to June 2025 identified Route 96 (St Kilda Beach to East Brunswick) as the busiest service, consistently recording over one million passengers per month since September 2022. Other high-usage routes include 109, 86, 58, and 19. Routes 58 and 19 are noted for their proximity to The University of Melbourne and passage through the Central Business District (CBD).

Route 96 has consistently recorded over one million passengers per month since September 2022.

At the other end of the spectrum, Route 82 (Footscray to Moonee Ponds, 9.2 km) is identified as the quietest tram service, with monthly patronage around 100,000. Other less utilized routes include 78 (North Richmond to Balaclava), 57, and 64. Routes 82 and 78 are the only services operating entirely outside the Melbourne CBD.

Patronage Trends and Timetable Changes

Tram patronage declined during the COVID-19 lockdowns and is now trending upward towards pre-pandemic figures.

Following the final lockdown period in 2021, the Department of Transport and Planning implemented timetable changes across most routes. These adjustments were made in response to passenger feedback indicating reduced demand during morning rush hour and increased need for services on weekends, evenings, and during major events.

Stakeholder Statements

On Speed and Road Sharing

"Sharing road space with traffic is the biggest factor affecting speeds."
— Graham Currie, Monash University Chair of Public Transport

Currie advocated separating trams from vehicles with bollards where possible, and in congested areas like Brunswick Street, removing on-street parking to free up road space.

Daniel Bowen, Public Transport Users Association spokesperson, stated that traffic light signaling could be improved to give trams priority.

Currie also noted that many tram stops are closer together compared to other networks, and building raised "super stops" would improve accessibility, safety, and boarding speeds.

Official Responses

A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson stated that trams are given priority at key intersections, and work is underway to combine some close stops on routes 57, 59, and 82. The department affirmed its commitment to monitoring services and making future adjustments as travel patterns evolve.

A Yarra Trams spokesperson stated that traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists affect travel speeds, and slower speeds in shared high-density sections are necessary for safety. They stated they work with the Department to review operational performance.

Related Information

Disability advocates have criticized the pace of tram stop upgrades.