Caulfield - Rowville Trackless Rapid Transit (TRT) is a new public transport solution for Melbourne's south-east.
The $1.4 billion proposal would see next generation vehicles running on dedicated lanes along a 19 km route from Caulfield to Rowville via Chadstone and Monash University Clayton.
With no need for tracks or overhead wires, TRT is cheaper, faster to deliver and just as effective as a traditional tram.
Get on boardCaulfield-Rowville TRT is one step closer to becoming a reality, with the Victorian Government commencing work on a preliminary business case on transport solutions for the corridor.
The business case is being supported by $6 million in funding committed by the Federal Government and announced as part of the October 2022-23 Federal Budget.
We thank all our local MPs for their advocacy which has brought us to this important milestone.
But we still need your support if TRT is going to be delivered! Click below to send an email and tell the State and Federal Governments how important the project is for Melbourne’s south-east.
Take action nowWe are calling on the Victorian and Federal Governments to jointly fund and deliver Caulfield-Rowville TRT.
Please add your voice to our campaign and let them know how important this project is for Melbourne’s south-east.
Click here to send an email to tell the State and Federal Governments how important this project is for Melbourne's south-east.
20 minutes between Caulfield and Monash Clayton, 11 minutes between Monash Clayton and Rowville.
Services running every 5 minutes in peak periods will offer a turn-up and go experience.
TRT will reduce traffic congestion by providing a new public transport option.
TRT could reduce emissions by more than 50,000 tonnes over 10 years.
Trackless Rapid Transit (TRT) is used in more than 200 cities worldwide.
Next generation vehicles run on dedicated road space, offering the ride and experience of a traditional tram, without the need for tracks and overhead wires.
The latest in TRT technology is the trackless tram – a hybrid technology that uses rubber wheels and is powered by rechargeable batteries.
Running in dedicated lanes, TRT offers a fast and reliable service.
Unlike traditional trams, TRT does not need overhead wires.
TRT vehicles run on batteries, charging overnight and at key stops.
TRT does not require tracks and can run on existing roads, with minimal upgrades.
Next generation vehicles provide a smooth ride, just like a train or tram.
Each TRT vehicle can carry 150+ passengers.
Modern platforms allow for safe and easy access.
TRT can reach speeds of up to 75 km/h.
Caulfield-Rowville Trackless Rapid Transit (TRT) developed from a partnership between Monash University and Vicinity Centres.
The $1.4 billion proposal will improve access to jobs and services by providing a new transport link between Caulfield and Rowville.
TRT would travel along Dandenong Road, Ferntree Gully Road and Blackburn Road between Caulfield and Monash Clayton (via Chadstone), and then via Wellington Road to Rowville.
High capacity electric TRT vehicles could move up to 1,800 passengers per hour in each direction.
Thirteen new stations are proposed, including at Carnegie, Oakleigh, Mount Waverley, Clayton, Mulgrave, and Wheelers Hill, as well as at Chadstone and Monash University.
The majority of these stations will interchange with existing public transport services on the bus and train network, making it easier for people in the south-east to connect with jobs, services, amenities and each other.
TRT is not just about connecting Melbourne’s south-east, it will be better for our environment.
Unlike a traditional tram system, building TRT will not require steel tracks or overhead wiring.
This could save more than 27,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the construction process – equivalent to taking 6,460 cars off the road.
Next generation TRT vehicles are battery- powered, charging overnight and at key stops.
Running TRT vehicles on the route, as opposed to diesel bi-articulated buses, would save more than 1 million litres of diesel fuel each year.
This will save an estimated 55,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over 20 years.
Once Caulfield-Rowville TRT is operational, it will provide residents in the south-east with a genuine alternative to cars.
It’s estimated the project could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50,000 tonnes over 10 years by replacing car travel with a fully electric mass transit service powered by renewable energy.
Building TRT will have a transformational effect on jobs and economic growth in Melbourne’s south-east.
Building Caulfield-Rowville TRT will create 2,244 direct and indirect jobs each year during construction.
Many of these jobs will be created in the local area, providing employment opportunities across the south-east.
During the construction period works will contribute $427.4 million to the Victorian economy each year.
Melbourne’s south-east is a major manufacturing hub and is home to large manufacturers of transport equipment and components.
Caulfield-Rowville TRT represents an opportunity for Victorian-based businesses to partner with international suppliers to deliver 14 high capacity TRT vehicles.
TRT could be built in the south- east, for the southeast.
By connecting major economic hubs, TRT will drive transformational growth in Melbourne’s south-east.
It is estimated that it will create $5.7 billion in economic value through supporting the further development of activity centres along the route.
By 2040, TRT and associated development on the route is expected to create an additional 33,700 jobs in the south-east.
On 4 May 2022, the ETC hosted a Community Information Evening for locals to learn more about the TRT Project.
If you missed it, you can watch the video below.
You can also download the slides from the presentation here.
The Eastern Transport Coalition (ETC) consists of Melbourne’s seven eastern metropolitan councils. We advocate for sustainable and integrated transport services that reduce car dependency.
The ETC works with the Federal and State Governments to ensure the economic, social and environmental well being of Melbourne’s outer east.
The Caulfield-Rowville TRT proposal developed from a partnership between Vicinity Centres and Monash University.
