Get on board Victoria's first wind-powered tram
Media Release
Yarra Trams has introduced Melbourne’s first wind-powered tram in partnership with leading Australian renewable energy company Pacific Hydro and Victoria’s primary agency on climate change, Sustainability Victoria.
Through this partnership, Yarra Trams has secured GreenPower from one of Pacific Hydro’s Victorian wind farms to power the wind tram.
The Chief Executive Officer of Yarra Trams, Dennis Cliche said: “We are thrilled to be implementing this demonstration project which further illustrates Yarra Trams’ strong commitment to the environment. Our hope is that the wind tram will generate greater awareness of the sustainability of public transport and the important role renewable energy must play in our future.”
“It is our vision that in the coming years Yarra Trams will be able to power a larger proportion of our fleet with green energy with the support of the State of Victoria and our parent companies,” he said.
The wind tram, one of the low floor Combino models in the Yarra Trams fleet, has been wrapped in an eye-catching wind farm landscape design, with the interior displaying messages on climate change and clean energy.
Pacific Hydro’s Chief Executive Officer Rob Grant welcomed the initiative by Yarra Trams which further enhances the role public transport plays in the community. “This is a great example of business leading the way and promoting sustainability”, said Mr Grant. “The wind tram makes an already sustainable form of mass transport even greener.”
The wind tram will be in service on one of Melbourne’s busiest routes, Route 96 (St Kilda Beach -East Brunswick), as part of the campaign that will run to the end of 2008.
Along with increased tram priority, a modernised and more efficient network and new vehicles, a move to renewable energy will further enhance the role of trams in achieving a more sustainable Melbourne.
Yarra Trams is also a supporter of Earth Hour with trams running at reduced power on Saturday 29 March from 8pm to 9pm.
Released: 28 March 2008.
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