You might recall a few months ago I got to see one of the new X’Trapolis 2 trains. Over the weekend the government did another event for public transport influencers (for want of a better term) for the G-class trams.
We got to see one in the flesh at the new Maidstone Depot – as well as a quick look around the depot itself.
The length of the tram (25 metres) is deliberately shorter than the E-class (33.45 metres), to make it possible for them to run on routes that can’t cope with the length of the Es.
Likewise they’re more energy efficient, reducing the need for power upgrades.
Inside there are some very clear displays showing upcoming stops. My assumption is the dulcet tones of (recorded) Colin Tyrus will also announce stops, but we didn’t hear that on this occasion.
The external displays are also pretty clear – though like their brethren on the older trams they’re difficult to photograph using a phone camera.
On the back of the tram a Stop sign is prominently displayed. This seems better than the always-moving E-class signage, though I expect motorists will still find a way to ignore it, ignore the road rules, and ignore common sense, and dangerously overtake stopped trams while people are trying to board and alight. I’m told road design changes at some stops are expected to help with this.
There are cameras inside the tram but also along the side. I’m told these are primarily designed to help the driver’s visibility around the tram, but theoretically they could also be used to gather footage of motorists driving illegally past tram stops, if the State Government decided to do it. I hope they do.
The aisle between the seats is a little narrow, similar to other trams. Anybody with a mobility scooter, pram or luggage will want to head for the middle doors, where there’s more space.
The seats either side of the aisle section are above the wheels, making for a floor level that is a little higher than the rest of the tram. I found when standing to get up that my head was close to the roof, but it was fine, it didn’t feel cramped for me.
The seats are fine, but I did not find them spectacularly comfortable. The size of them seemed okay. Note the wood as part of the seat back design – it looks nice, though I wonder if it may be challenging to clean.
There’s some seats at the very front/back of the tram that one bright spark quipped was equivalent to the front business class seat in an aeroplane.
One curious thing is the position of the tram’s front door. When opened this moves forward, temporarily creating an interesting looking gap between it and the nose of the tram. Not a problem, just unlike what I’ve seen on other trams.
The depot grounds are sizeable, so they were able to take us on a short ride on the tram, from the stabling area to the workshop and back again.
The ride seemed smooth on this slow curvy track, though there wasn’t enough space to get up to speed, so I couldn’t judge the acceleration or comfort at the speeds you’d move in an uncongested tram lane or open road.
We also got to look inside the workshop; here are a few pics.
Overall the G class tram looks good. And with 100 ordered, and an option for more, we’re about to see significant progress on modernisation of the fleet.
When do they enter service? Soon is all we know.
Obviously to be fully accessible, the tram network needs platform stops to go with them. There’s some progress on this too, but lots to do.
Good to see things are moving in the right direction.
Thanks to the Department of Transport and Planning (and Alstom) for the invitation.
Here’s my initial video post from this event:
Others’ posts
Some other content I’ve seen posted:
11/8/2026: Marcus Wong has a blog post looking around the new tram depot
Updates
Update 30/7/2026: The first tram entered service today on route 59. It’s number 7006 if you want to track it on TramTracker.
We didn’t get to see this during the preview: the internal displays show interchanges along the way.
10 replies on “G-class trams coming soon”
So is the G class basically the A/Z class to the E class?
And I also seen some talk about a potential G2 model that’s longer than this one, anything concrete or is it just a concept?
Yes, there is an election due any month now. No better time for things to be fresh in certain minds, especially when we now have a new leader of the state.
You where clearly on the 6th tram in this new fleet, do you know how many more they now have?
I guess that, they will first see the replacement of many Z3 class trams, followed by the A class after the Z3s are gone. Do we know how soon they will start their withdrawals? Will they wait say months or years for the G class to settle down first? Or, given how bad the rust is in some of the z3s, will that seem them instantly withdrawn?
Looks like the first G class will all be on route #59? Will they have some based at Essondon depot for this?
It looks great! That single seat is a little odd though but to your point, I’m sure will be coveted by passengers. I’m glad there’s sideways seating. The E-Class trams don’t have this and anyone with a pram or trolley is usually forced to stand because the only other choices are to try to get the seat next to the bendy bit, or to awkwardly hold on to it through the bar of the seats closest to the doors, which would block the doors partially anyway.
Interesting that the route number says 59A with a capital A. All other altered or depot routes on the current tram fleet use a lower case letter (e.g. 109d, 64a). I wonder if they will keep this or change this to lower case (or even change all other trams to upper case) to be consistent.
Saw my first G on test on route 59 outside the Linc Hotel in Essendon (stop 47) on 22 June. Couldn’t get a photo in time through the pub window.
Yes, it looks tailor made for a dodgem route like the 82. They’ll be looking forward to the Great Leap Forward from what must be the oldest Zs still in service.
Now they just have to replace thousands of non compliant tram stops on the network! Easy fixed!
They entered service today (30 July) on Route 59.
@Andrew, thanks, yes, added a couple of pics at the bottom of the blog post.
Do you know what the 3 cameras over the front double doors on the left-side are for? Watching a couple of videos they are only over the front left doors for either direction of travel, but not the other double doors.
@Anonymous, I believe above that door is a combination of lights and cameras, to make it theoretically possible to deploy a ramp for wheelchair use.
Some of the other Melbourne trams have these, but in practice they are only used in emergency situations.
The overall design is good and inspired by trams in Europe but the front is so ugly in that it sticks out. The choice of wood for the seats is also ugly