Trams have a special place in the history of the Melbourne’s development and Footscray is no exception, with today marking a century since the opening of local Footscray tram lines.
On 6 September 1921, three Footscray tram lines were opened, running services in three directions from Footscray railway station with M-class trams.
These original local tram routes operated for more than 40 years, and this important piece of Melbourne’s tram heritage is reflected in today’s tram route 82.
Today, route 82 runs through Footscray. It operates from the Essendon Depot and runs from Moonee Ponds junction to Footscray train station, with more than a million passenger trips taken each year prior to the coronavirus pandemic.
Starting in May 1954, part of route 82 is the last surviving segment of the Footscray tram network.
As we mark this centenary, we are also looking to the future and the continuing evolution of the network.
A new maintenance and stabling facility will be built in Melbourne’s west to house the next generation of trams, boosting the local economy.
The facility will be built on a vacant site in Maidstone near Highpoint Shopping Centre, creating around 280 jobs in construction, ongoing maintenance, and the supply chain.
The project will also see a more reliable, accessible and modern tram fleet servicing communities in this part of Melbourne.
