{{Short description|Former tramway network in Perth, Western Australia}} {{for|trams in the Scottish town|Perth Corporation Tramways}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Use Australian English|date=August 2025}} {{Infobox tram network |color = |name = Perth tramway network |system = |logo = |image = Perth tram 38 -1950.jpg | caption = Tram 38 on Horseshoe Bridge, 1950 |locale = Perth, Western Australia |open = {{Start date|1899|09|28|df=y}} |close = {{End date|1958|07|19|df=y}} |status = Closed |routes = |owner = {{unbulleted list|Perth Electric Tramways Limited|(1899–1913)|Western Australian Government|(1913–1958)}} |operator = {{unbulleted list|Perth Electric Tramways Limited|(1899–1913)|Western Australian Government Railways|(1913–1949)|Western Australian Government Tramways & Ferries|(1949–1958)}} |gauge = {{RailGauge|3ft6in|al=on}} |propulsion_system = Electricity |el = Overhead catenary |depot = East Perth |stock = |single_track_length = |double_track_length = |total_track_length = |route_length = Over {{cvt|50|km}} (max){{contradictory inline |reason=How can it be over 50 km while also being a maximum of 50 km?!?! |date=July 2025}} |pass_year = |passengers = |pass_percent = |pass_system = |mpassengers = |map = |map_state = }} The '''Perth tramway network''' served Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, from 1899 until 1958. The network was initially run by a private company, but was taken over by the state government in 1913. From a single line along Hay Street, the network expanded northeast as far as Osborne Park, east as far as Welshpool, south as far as Como, and west as far as Claremont. The tramways were gradually replaced by buses after World War II.
The port city of Fremantle and surrounds were served by a separate, non-connected network.
==History== ===Horse tram=== According to one source,{{sfn|Brimson|1983|p=159}} the central city terminus of the short lived horse tramway was the General Post Office, which was then located within the Treasury Building, at the corner of St Georges Terrace and Barrack Street. The outlying terminus was said by the same source to be in East Perth. However, it now seems that there was never a horse tram provided for the carriage of passengers in Perth.{{sfn|Culpeffer-Cooke|Gunzburg|Pleydell|2010|p=24}}
Rather, there was{{snd}}it is believed{{snd}}a horse tramway which ran from quarries just north of the city to the construction site of Government House situated at St Georges Terrace. For how long the horse tramway survived is not known, nor its exact route. It is known, however, that a horse omnibus system did exist.{{sfn|Culpeffer-Cooke|Gunzburg|Pleydell|2010|p=24}} {{Clear |left}} {{Gallery |align=centre <!-- default left --> |width=205 |height=140 |mode=packed
|File:Perth tram 10.jpg |Opening of the William and Wellington Streets line, 1902
|File:Perth tram Premier Theatre.jpg |Perth tram at East Perth car barn, 1929
|File:Perth tram Show Boat.jpg |Perth tram on the network, 1929
|File:HayStreet 1949.jpg |Trams in Hay Street, 1949
|File:B15 Tram display, South Perth, January 2021 03.jpg |The restored B15 Tram, built in 1899, on display in South Perth }}
===Electric trams=== thumb|right|Map of Perth suburban tramways in 1939 The initial Perth tramway was operated by an English company, Perth Electric Tramways Limited.<ref>[http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204554137 Perth Trams and Their Profits] ''The Evening Star'' 28 May 1906 page 3</ref> Construction started on 30 January 1899, with services commencing on 28 September 1899. The first line ran {{convert|4.8|km}} along Hay Street, from East Perth near the WACA Ground to Thomas Street in West Perth. There was a spur line along Colin Street to Kings Park.<ref name=Subiaco>{{cite book|last=Richardson|first=John|title=Destination: Subiaco|date=1967|publisher= Traction Publications|location=Canberra|page=4}}</ref>{{sfnp |Perth Electric Tramway Society |Brown |2013c }}
Further lines opened were:{{sfnp |Perth Electric Tramway Society |Brown |2013c }} *Subiaco: along Hay Street and Rokeby Road to Thomas Street *Nedlands: extension from Subiaco along Thomas Street and Broadway to Nedlands Baths *Wellington Street East via Hill Street and Kensington Street to Trafalgar Road *Wellington Street West to Thomas Street *Mounts Bay Road to Point Lewis *Mount Lawley via Beaufort Street and Walcott Street to York Street *Victoria Park via The Causeway and Albany Highway *Lincoln Street via Lord Street *North Perth via Bulwer Street and Fitzgerald Street to Albert Street *Leederville via Newcastle Street and Oxford Street *Osborne Park extension from Leederville along Main Street to Royal Street
These routes, together with other city track resulted in a {{convert|37|km|adj=on}} network by June 1913. At that time there were 53 trams in the fleet: 44 four-wheel single truck cars, and nine larger bogie cars.{{sfnp |Perth Electric Tramway Society |Brown |2013c }}
The Beaufort Street lines ran from a terminus at Barrack Square, which connected with the ferry service from Barrack Street Jetty.{{sfnp |Perth Electric Tramway Society |Brown |2013c }}
Under the franchise agreement entered into by the Perth Electric Tramways, the Perth City Council was able to take ownership of the tramways upon its expiry. However the state government took ownership of the network by passing the ''{{visible anchor|Tramways Purchase Act 1912}}'', which cancelled the reversionary rights held by the council.<ref>[http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/num_act/tpa191231o1912262/ Tramways Purchase Act] Parliament of Western Australia 27 September 1912</ref> The Nedlands line transferred on 29 May 1913, followed by the other lines on 1 July 1913.<ref>[http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article207238501 Perth Trams] ''The Evening Star'' 24 July 1912 page 3</ref><ref>[http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article33422935 Nedlands-Perth Trams] ''Western Argus'' 3 June 1913 page 41</ref> The Osborne Park line that was operated by Town Properties was taken over by the government in December 1914 under the ''{{visible anchor|Osborne Park Tramways Purchase Act 1914}}''.<ref>[http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/num_act/optpa191411o1914385/optpa191411o1914385.pdf Osborne Park Tramways Purchase Act 1914] Parliament of Western Australia 8 September 1914</ref>
The tramway network was operated by the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) until April 1949 when a separate Western Australian Government Tramways and Ferries department was established.{{sfnp |Perth Electric Tramway Society |Brown |2013c }}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.sro.wa.gov.au/index.php/western-australian-government-tramways-ferries-au-wa-a586|title=AU WA A586 - Western Australian Government Tramways and Ferries|publisher=State Records Office of Western Australia|access-date=4 June 2018}}</ref>
As the city expanded so did the tram network with the following openings between 1913 and 1930: *Nedlands extension of Mounts Bay Road line to Nedlands Baths *Inglewood via Beaufort Street to Dundas Road *Claremont via Thomas Street and Stirling Highway *South Perth Zoo via The Causeway and Angelo Street *Como from Mends Street Jetty via Labouchere Road *Maylands along Guildford Road to Ferguson Street *Mount Lawley, Walcott Street to Blake Street *Claremont via Mounts Bay Road and Stirling Highway *Westana Road from Claremont station via Victoria Avenue *Wembley via Woolwich Street and Cambridge Street to Nanson Street
The Wellington Street West line had been abandoned by early 1920s while the Colin Street to Kings Park Road was abandoned in 1930.{{sfnp |Perth Electric Tramway Society |Brown |2013c }}
In the 1930s, the following extensions opened:{{sfnp |Perth Electric Tramway Society |Brown |2013c }} *Inglewood to Salisbury Street *Victoria Park to Patricia Street *Wembley to Alexander Street
The Westana Road to Claremont station section closed in 1935 and the Crawley to Nedlands line in 1938, while the Wellington Street East, Claremont and Wembley services were replaced by trolleybuses.{{sfnp |Perth Electric Tramway Society |Brown |2013c }}
In the early 1940s, the final extensions opened: *Inglewood line extended by {{convert|400|m}} to reach Grand Promenade *Victoria Park line extended by {{convert|1.6|km}} to serve the munitions factory at Welshpool
Over a ten-year period beginning in 1948, all of the lines were gradually replaced by buses.<ref name=Subiaco/>{{sfnp |Perth Electric Tramway Society |Brown |2013c }} The last tram ran on 19 July 1958.<ref>[http://www.sydneytramwaymuseum.com.au/members.old/Trolley_Wire/135%20-%20Trolley%20Wire%20-%20Aug%201971.pdf Perth's Beaufort St Services] ''Trolley Wire'' (Sydney Tramway Museum) issue 135 August 1971 page 19</ref>{{sfnp |Perth Electric Tramway Society |Brown |2013a }}
==Rolling stock== Over the years, a total of 130 trams were operated. Early examples were manufactured by JG Brill Company, Jackson & Sharp and St Louis Car Company in the United States, with later examples by the WAGR's Midland Railway Workshops.{{sfnp |Perth Electric Tramway Society |Brown |2013c }}<ref>{{cite book|last1=Watson|first1=Lindsay|title=The Railway History of Midland Junction: Commemorating The Centenary Of Midland Junction, 1895-1995|date=1995|publisher=L&S Drafting|isbn=0-646-24461-2}}</ref>
The trams were originally painted bright red; in 1903 a darker shade of red was introduced. This was later replaced by WAGR red with gold lining. In 1927, a light grey livery was adopted and then in the 1930s the same cream and green livery as worn by the trolleybuses.<ref name=Subiaco/>
Some of the trams from the former Perth network have been preserved by the Perth Electric Tramway Society, at its heritage tramway in Whiteman Park.{{sfnp |Perth Electric Tramway Society |Brown |2013b }}
==Patronage== {{Historical populations |title = {{nowrap|Perth tram patronage}} |year_name = {{Abbr|FY|Financial year (12 month before 30 June)}} |pop_name = Patronage |align=left |percentages = pagr |source = Bureau of Infrastructure & Transport Research Economics<ref>{{cite book |title=Long-term trends in urban public transport |url=https://www.bitre.gov.au/sites/default/files/is_060.pdf |publisher=Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics |isbn= 978-1-922205-97-1 |access-date=15 November 2022 |page=16 |date=2 September 2014}}</ref> |1900 |4000000 |1910 |6800000 |1920 |18900000 |1930 |34900000 |1940 |31900000 |1945 |50400000 |1950 |35400000 |1960 |0 }} {{Clear}}
== Future developments == While Perth's original tram network ceased operations in 1958, recent years{{when |date=July 2025}} have witnessed renewed interest in tram and light rail systems as sustainable urban transport solutions.
=== Whiteman Park Tram Extension === As part of the METRONET Morley–Ellenbrook Line project, the heritage tram line at Whiteman Park is being extended{{when |date=July 2025}} by {{convert|1.6|km}} to connect with the new Whiteman Park Station. This extension aims to enhance{{when |date=July 2025}} both tourism and public transport integration, offering a 27-minute train ride between the park and Perth's CBD. The project is a collaboration between METRONET and the Perth Electric Tramway Society.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Whiteman Park Tram Extension |url=http://www.buildingfortomorrow.wa.gov.au/projects/whiteman-park-tram/?utm_ |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=www.buildingfortomorrow.wa.gov.au |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mutton |first=Troy |date=2024-02-12 |title=Whiteman Park's heritage tram line to be extended to new Ellenbrook-Morley train line |url=https://perthisok.com/news/whiteman-parks-heritage-tram-line-to-be-extended-to-new-ellenbrook-morley-train-line/ |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=Perth is OK! |language=en}}</ref>
=== Trackless Tram === The City of Stirling has proposed a {{convert|7|km|adj=on}} trackless tram route along Scarborough Beach Road,{{citation needed |date=July 2025}} connecting Stirling Station and Glendalough Station to Scarborough Beach. This initiative, supported by {{AUD|2{{nbsp}}million|link=yes}} in federal funding, aims to alleviate{{when |date=July 2025}} congestion and promote sustainable transport. Trackless trams, which operate on rubber tires without tracks, offer the benefits of light rail with reduced infrastructure costs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-16 |title=Trackless trams could be Perth's new transport option |url=https://thewest.com.au/lifestyle/real-estate/trackless-trams-could-be-perths-new-transport-option--c-5310724 |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=The West Australian |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Deliver a WA-made tram network for Perth {{!}} 350 |url=https://www.betterclimate.org.au/trackless_trams |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=Better Climate |language=en}}</ref>
Additionally, Curtin University has proposed{{when |date=July 2025}} a city-wide trackless tram network, with a trial line connecting Burswood Station to St Georges Terrace and a north–south link along Beaufort Street to Morley. {{update after |2030 |text=This proposal envisions a metropolitan tram network across Perth by 2030.}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-07-29 |title=New bridges, tunnels in transport blueprint |url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/wa/wa-government-reveals-future-plans-for-rail-road-transport-in-perth-ng-ddbeb1158b4c8c65e48f42ef82885be9 |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=PerthNow |language=en}}</ref>
=== Light Rail === The Western Australian Government's Public Transport blueprint includes plans for a Perth Light Rail system, creating an inner orbital route providing high-frequency services between key locations such as the University of Western Australia, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Canning Bridge, Perth CBD, and Curtin University. However, these projects are subject to prioritization and funding decisions by successive governments.
Infrastructure WA has recommended developing a business case{{when |date=July 2025}} for light rail and/or bus rapid transit as the next stage of major public transport investment in Perth, particularly focusing on the Perth CBD and inner and middle suburbs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Recommendation 62 {{!}} Infrastructure WA |url=https://www.infrastructure.wa.gov.au/state-infrastructure-strategy/recommendation-62?utm_ |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=www.infrastructure.wa.gov.au}}</ref>
==See also== *{{section link|History of Perth, Western Australia|Later 19th century (1870 - 1901)}} *Trams in Fremantle *Trams in Australia
==References== {{Reflist |30em}}
==Sources== {{Refbegin |30em}} *{{cite book |last=Brimson|first=Samuel |title=The Tramways of Australia |publisher=Dreamweaver Books |location=Sydney |year=1983 |pages=158–167 |isbn=0-949825-01-8}} *{{cite book | last1 = Culpeffer-Cooke | first1 = Tony | last2 = Gunzburg | first2 = Adrian | last3 = Pleydell | first3 = Ian | title = Tracks by the Swan: The Electric Tram and Trolleybus Era of Perth, Western Australia | publisher = Perth Electric Tramway Society | year = 2010 | location = Mount Lawley | isbn = 978-0-9807577-0-5}} *{{cite web |author1=Perth Electric Tramway Society |last2=Brown |first2=David |year=2013 |title=Home |website=Perth Electric Tramway Society |url=https://www.pets.org.au/ |access-date=2025-07-06 }} **{{harvc |author1=Perth Electric Tramway Society |last2=Brown |first2=David |anchor-year=2013a |c=Restoration of WAGT 66 |in1=Perth Electric Tramway Society |in2=Brown |year=2013 |url=https://www.pets.org.au/pets05_66.html |access-date=2025-07-06 }} **{{harvc |author1=Perth Electric Tramway Society |last2=Brown |first2=David |anchor-year=2013b |c=PETS Tramcar Collection: Tram and Trolleybus Fleet |in1=Perth Electric Tramway Society |in2=Brown |year=2013 |url=https://www.pets.org.au/pets07.html|access-date=2025-07-06 }} **{{harvc |author1=Perth Electric Tramway Society |last2=Brown |first2=David |anchor-year=2013c |c=Perth Tramways |in1=Perth Electric Tramway Society |in2=Brown |year=2013 |url=https://www.pets.org.au/pets10p.html |access-date=2025-07-06 }} {{Refend}}
==Further reading== {{Refbegin |30em}} *{{cite book |last=Campbell |first=Bob |year=1999 |chapter=Perth Electric Tramway System Track Map drawn by A Gunzburg 8/81 |title=Getting There by Tram in Western Australia |publisher= |location=Mount Lawley |isbn = 0646-38447-3 }} *{{cite book |last1 = Jones |first1 = Colin |title=Watch for Trams |publisher=Kangaroo Press |location=Kenthurst, N.S.W |year=1993 |isbn=0-86417-544-2}} {{Refend}}
{{Subject bar |auto=y |portal1=Western Australia |portal2=Transport }} {{Perth public transport}} {{TramsAustralia|state=collapsed}}
Perth Category:History of Perth, Western Australia Category:History of rail transport in Western Australia Category:Public transport in Perth, Western Australia Perth Category:3 ft 6 in gauge railways in Australia Category:1899 establishments in Australia Category:1958 disestablishments in Australia