System Melbourne Depot Essendon Began service 2 May 1954 | Operator Yarra Trams Vehicle Z3 class Locale Melbourne, Australia | |
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Melbourne tram route 82 is operated by Yarra Trams on the Melbourne tram network. It operates from Moonee Ponds Junction to Footscray railway station. It is one of only two tram routes which does not travel through the Melbourne CBD, the other being route 78. Part of its route is the last surviving segment of the Footscray tram network. It commenced operating on 2 May 1954.
The 9.2 kilometre route is operated by Z3 class trams from Essendon tram depot.
The route passes Highpoint Shopping Centre in Maribyrnong. A short section (less than 700 metres) of the route is a light rail reserve track parallel to Wests Road, Maribyrnong. The route overlaps route 57 between the intersection of Maribyrnong and Union Roads, Ascot Vale, and Raleigh and Wests Roads, Maribyrnong.
On 12 November 1961 trams on Sunday were replaced on route 82 by buses. Sunday trams were reinstated on 8 August 1993.
Until January 2016, route 82 trams terminated south of Moonee Ponds Junction in the middle of the Ascot Vale Road. After the stop was rebuilt, route 82 trams were extended to terminate at the main platforms with a headshunt built to the north.
Unlike most other tram routes, route 82 does not operate within close proximity of its depot to allow crew transfers en-route. Hence at the beginning and end of shifts, trams operate from and to Essendon depot. Although not advertised in the public timetables, passengers can use these, with trams operating along Mount Alexander Road via route 59.