M-Tram facts for kids
M>Tram was a company that ran trams in Melbourne, Victoria. They started operating trams on 29 August 1999. M>Tram had a 12-year agreement to run the tram services, which were first called the Swanston Trams and later renamed M>Train. However, M>Tram stopped running trams in April 2004. Today, another company called Yarra Trams operates all tram services in Melbourne. M>Tram's catchphrase was Moving Melbourne.
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What Was M>Tram?
M>Tram was a private company that managed some of Melbourne's tram lines. This happened because the government decided to let private companies run parts of the public transport system. M>Tram was part of a bigger company called National Express, which is based in the United Kingdom.
Why Did M>Tram Start?
In the late 1990s, the Victorian government decided to split Melbourne's tram network into two parts. They wanted private companies to take over running these services. M>Tram won the contract for one of these parts, known as the Swanston Trams franchise. This meant they were responsible for operating many of the city's busy tram routes.
When Did M>Tram Operate?
M>Tram officially began running trams in August 1999. For almost five years, they were a key part of Melbourne's public transport. During this time, they managed the trams, drivers, and maintenance for their part of the network.
Why Did M>Tram Stop Running?
M>Tram's time as a tram operator ended in April 2004. The company faced financial difficulties and decided to end its contract early. This meant that the Victorian government had to step in and find a new operator for the tram services.
Who Took Over After M>Tram?
After M>Tram stopped operating, the government transferred all tram services to Yarra Trams. Yarra Trams was already running the other half of Melbourne's tram network. This change meant that all of Melbourne's trams were once again managed by a single company, which is still the case today.
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