Trams in Perth
Tram 38 on Horseshoe Bridge, 1950
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| Operation | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Perth, Western Australia |
| Open | 28 September 1899 |
| Close | 19 July 1958 |
| Status | Closed |
| Owner(s) |
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| Operator(s) |
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| Infrastructure | |
| Track gauge | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) |
| Propulsion system(s) | Electricity |
| Electrification | Overhead catenary |
| Depot(s) | East Perth |
| Statistics | |
| Route length | Over 50 km (31 mi) (max) |
The Perth tramway network served Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, from 1899 until 1958.
According to one source, 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, in fact, there was never a horse tram provided for the carriage of passengers in Perth.
Rather, there was – it is believed – a horse tramway which ran from quarries just north of the city to the construction site of Government House situated in St Georges Terrace. For how long the horse tramway survived is not known, nor its exact route, as information has not yet been found, although research continues. It is known, however, that a horse omnibus system did exist.
The initial Perth tramway was operated by English company, Perth Electric Tramways Limited. Construction started on 30 January 1899, with services commencing on 28 September 1899. The first line ran 4.8 kilometres along Hay Street, from East Perth near the WACA Ground to Thomas Street, West Perth. There was a spur line along Colin Street to Kings Park.
Further lines opened were:
These routes, together with other city track resulted in a 37 kilometre 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.
The Beaufort Street lines ran from a terminus at Barrack Square, which connected with the ferry service from Barrack Street Jetty.
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 decided that it wanted to take ownership of the network and passing the Tramways Purchase Act 1912 cancelling the reversionary rights held by the council. The Nedlands line transferred on 29 May 1913, followed by the other lines on 1 July 1913. The Osborne Park line that was operated by Town Properties was taken over by the government in December 1914.
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