The “Centenary Art Tram”, a tram decorated in the pop-art style of Andy Warhol, has been attracting public attention in Melbourne Australia since August 2006. It represents a century of electric tramway operations in the Australian metropolis. In colorful images, this mobile work of art reflects the history of the tramcars of the last 100 years.

The tramway operator, Yarra Trams, and Siemens are co-sponsors of the centenary tram, a five-car Combino. The low-floor tram will sport this colorful livery for the next twelve months while it provides service on Yarra Trams Route 96 during this period. Siemens delivered a total of 59 trams of this series to Melbourne between November 2002 and November 2004. Paul Bennett, head of Siemens Transportation Systems Australia, pointed to his company’s long tradition in the tram sector – from the invention of the first electric tram in 1881 to the delivery of Melbourne’s tram fleet – saying, “With the Centenary Art Tram, Yarra Trams is celebrating both the past and the future electric trams, and we at Siemens are proud to have played such an important role in one of the world’s best tram networks.”

The first electric tram set out to conquer Melbourne in 1906: On May 7 of that year, service commenced between the city districts of St. Kilda and Brighton. Only five months later, the “North Melbourne Electric Tramway and Lighting Company” started operating. Part of that original line still constitutes as the backbone of Yarra Trams’ Route 59. In April 2004, Yarra Trams took over responsibility for the entire Melbourne tram network. “We have achieved a lot and will continue to improve our excellent tram network,” emphasized Yarra Trams chief executive, Dennis Cliche.

The Melbourne tram network is considered to be the third largest in the world. Around 145 million passengers travel over its 245 route kilometers of double track every year. Yarra Trams expects ridership to increase by 22 million passengers in the next five years.