Step into the future

Yarra Trams has today started its driver training program on Melbourne’s latest low floor trams, the C2 Class.

Tram drivers commenced training on the first of the five trams being brought to Melbourne under a unique international lease arrangement with France.

Yarra Trams CEO Dennis Cliche who today launched the driver training program said: “Because the C2 Class trams are very similar to our Citadis (C Class) fleet most drivers are familiar with this type of tram. However, we will be putting all 120 drivers at our Southbank depot through a conversion course which will also include on road driving experience in this new model.”

It is expected that driver training will take approximately two weeks. The final safety accreditation process will follow the driver training program.

“Since the first C2 Class tram was shipped into Melbourne it has undergone significant modifications, testing and accreditation. This has included boosting its air conditioning to make it suitable for Melbourne’s conditions,” Mr Cliche said.

Yarra Trams has added some local design features to the original yellow livery of the tram and the phrase ‘step into the future’ is displayed on both sides. It is one of five trams being leased until December 2011 from the town of Mulhouse in France.
 
The remaining four trams are due to arrive in Melbourne over the coming months.

Equivalent in length to the longest trams currently operating in Melbourne, the trams can carry about 240 passengers at a time.

Yarra Trams expects the first tram will be in service on Route 96 (East Brunswick – St Kilda Beach) next month, subject to final approval from the independent safety regulator.

Release Distributed: 26 May 2008