Melbourne & Australian Architecture Topics

In today's MX I read that Melbourne's tram system is the largest outside continental Europe and the fourth largest in the world.
It has 244km of track and 450 trams.
Can someone please tell me which three European cities are ahead of Melbourne?

I think St Petersburg is one of them?

450 trams?

More than that!

Vienna & the network of Dutch cities would give it a run for its money also.

I think Toronto's about half the size of Melbourne's network and is subsequently the 2nd largest outside of Europe as well.

I checked my Melbourne Tram Book and they claim that Melbourne's tram fleet numbers some 460 vehicles, of a variety of types. That is 10 more than what the MX article quoted. To add further confusion, there was an advertisement by M>Tram in MX today saying that they have ordered 59 new three and five-module Combino trams for Melbourne.

>>38 three-module and 21 five-module Combino trams have been ordered at a total cost of $195 million.

>>The five-module tram can carry up to 190 customers, with 58 seats and six folding seats. All 21 five-module trams could transport close to 4000 people.

>>The five-module tram is 30m long and can travel anywhere on the tram network.

What they don't say is whether these new trams are being added to or are replacing old stock.

I saw that add in the MX Yesterday too. I think the add would suggest that the trams will be replacing existing old trams. Either way, its good news for all of us!

More confusion......
'The Melbourne Book - A History of Now' claims there are over 520 trams running on 240 km of track.
It looks like I will have to call 'Yarra Trams'