C class Melbourne tram

The C class Melbourne tram is a fleet of 36 three-section Alstom Citadis 202 trams built in La Rochelle, France, that operate on the Melbourne tram network. They were the first low-floor trams in Melbourne, delivered in 2001 and 2002, and the first trams imported for the Melbourne system since the 1920s. To meet a franchise commitment to replace Z1 and Z2 class trams, Yarra Trams purchased them, with the design adapted by Alstom for local conditions. The first four arrived at Webb Dock on 10 August 2001 and, after fit-out and testing at Preston Workshops, entered service on 12 October 2001; the last arrived on 25 June 2002 and entered service on 30 August 2002. All C1 class trams initially operated solely on route 109. The trams have been criticised by the Rail Tram and Bus Industry Union over operational problems including driver injuries, and tram 3011 has derailed four times, most recently on 7 May 2023, each time after a collision with a car. They now operate on route 48 from North Balwyn to Victoria Harbour Docklands and route 109 from Box Hill to Port Melbourne.