Melbourne Trams Deploy Hospital-Grade Cleaning Daily

Melbourne trams receive nightly hospital-grade cleaning with 300+ workers sanitizing stops

Yarra Trams Adds Deep Cleaning for COVID Safety

Melbourne's tram riders now benefit from hospital-grade cleaning on every vehicle before it enters service each day. Yarra Trams implemented comprehensive COVID-19 safety measures beginning in June 2020, including nightly deep cleaning of the entire fleet and employment of over 300 contractors through the Working for Victoria initiative. The enhanced program covers almost 300 high-patronage stops across the network, with major locations receiving multiple cleanings throughout the day.

Context

The cleaning program represents a response to the coronavirus pandemic to ensure passenger safety across Melbourne's tram network. Transit officials said the measures were designed to address public health concerns while maintaining service continuity. Every tram undergoes a thorough deep clean every night using a hospital-grade, three-stage disinfection process that includes wiping down all surfaces and high-touch areas such as buttons, handles, floors, and seats. The 300-plus workers perform additional sanitization between 7am and 6pm, seven days a week.

Implementation Details

After each nightly deep clean, cleaning providers conduct a thorough inspection to ensure quality standards are met. Before any tram enters service each day, Yarra Trams crews perform an additional meticulous check of the entire vehicle, including the driver's cabin, to verify that all cleaning has been completed properly. If a tram doesn't meet the required cleanliness standards, it isn't permitted to run. Major locations like Federation Square and Melbourne University receive multiple cleanings throughout the day as part of the enhanced stop cleaning program.

Timeline

The cleaning program began in June 2020 with the hiring of over 300 workers through the Working for Victoria initiative. Initially, the deep cleaning process included fogging, but this practice was discontinued from September 23, 2020, based on updated advice from the Department of Health and Human Services. The nightly deep cleaning and daily pre-service inspections continue as ongoing operational procedures across the fleet.

Rider Impact

Passengers can expect consistent cleaning standards across all trams in Melbourne's network, with every vehicle undergoing the three-stage disinfection process before entering service. The enhanced cleaning covers high-touch areas that riders interact with most frequently, including buttons, handles, and seats. Riders can check Moovit for real-time tram updates and trip planning across Melbourne's network.