The route 86 tram, which shares its streets with many bike riders through Melbourne's inner northern suburbs, is due for a suite of 12 new stops – a move that could benefit riders and tram passengers.
Sections of the route along Gertrude, Smith and High streets in Fitzroy, Collingwood, Thornbury and Northcote are narrow, busy and over-stuffed with car parking, making for a harrowing journey by bike.
New, level-access tram stops, which are compulsory by law and will eventually replace all step-up boardings, create an opportunity to relocate poorly positioned stops and improve safety for all road users.
The planning for route 86 has reached the stage where the stop locations have been decided, but the stop types are still under consideration.
You are being asked for your views on some of the options for the designs of the new stops: https://engage.vic.gov.au/route-86-planning
A design challenge is getting the bike lanes through or around the stops in a way that avoids conflict with pedestrians.
PTV and Yarra Trams have developed a number of stop configurations to deal with these issues in each local context, and improved them with successive implementations.
You can see the options for each location, including general street improvements, when you take the survey for each section of the street.
Six stops are planned for Gertrude and Smith streets and another six for High Street from Separation/Arthurton Street in Northcote to Blythe Street in Thornbury.
Both sections are busy shopping and eating hubs, and Gertrude Street has outdoor dining right to the kerb in places.
Consultation continues until 30 June 2024 with analysis under way until August and final reporting by the end of the year.
At this stage, there is no funding to deliver tram stop upgrades at these locations. Delivery funding for upgrades will be considered by the state government in future budgets.
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