Learn English while learning about daily life in Australia, with Rob McCormack
Podcast Number 7 – Melbourne’s Tram System
Hi,
In my last podcast, I told you about Melbourne’s train system. That’s the best way to get to and from the suburbs of Melbourne. But when you are in the city centre, the electric Tram system is the best and most enjoyable way to get around. Melbourne’s trams add colour and are a part of the character of Melbourne. I love to hear the sound of a tram bell as a tram approaches a tram stop. I can still remember taking my two boys on their first tram ride when we came to live in Melbourne in 1994. They were so excited as young children to be riding on a tram through the streets of Melbourne. And so was I. I still enjoy a tram ride today, around 20 years later.
Melbourne’s tram system provides transport for the city centre and many suburbs close to the city. Actually, Melbourne’s tram system is the largest city tram network in the world. The network has 250 km of track, 487 trams, 30 different routes and 1,767 tram stops. Like the trains, trams are quite cheap to use and are great for students, shoppers, tourists, city workers and those who live in or near the city centre.
Melbourne’s trams also take very large numbers of people to and from the many sports and other special events here in Melbourne. For example, during the Australian Rules Football season and the cricket season, extra trams will run to carry many sports fans to and from the MCG and the Docklands Stadium. During events such as the Australian Tennis Open in January, the Australian Formula One race in March and the Melbourne Cup in November, extra trams will also be running in order to move the large numbers of people to and from the venues.
And it works very well too. Trams are great people movers.
One of the great things about trams is their colour. Many trams are painted in bright colours or covered with bright advertising. My favourite tram is the one painted with pictures of Rhinos. Rhinos are a very heavy African animal. Trams are big and heavy too.
This tram is giving the message that one tram weighs as much as 30 Rhinos. Car drivers need to take care that they don’t collide with a tram. Trams are not to be argued with on the road!
A popular tram in Melbourne is the City Circle tram. This is free and operates just within the city centre.
It goes in a circular route around the city centre passing major tourist attractions and shops. You can hop on and hop off these trams during the day as you explore the city. City Circle Trams run in both directions around the route and come every twelve minutes or so, between 10am and 6pm from Sunday to Wednesday and from 10am to 9pm from Thursday to Saturday. These trams are heritage W class and are painted maroon. You should try these when in Melbourne.
Riding a tram is easy. You will need to buy a Myki card (just $6 at retail stores and railway stations) and ‘touch on’ when you get on the tram, then ‘touch off’ as you get off. It’s that easy.
Have fun on Melbourne’s trams.
If you have a question or a comment to make, please leave it by clicking the comments link at the top of this story. You can leave your comment in English or in any language and I will translate it. Or, you can send me an email at rob@slowenglish.info. I would like to hear any suggestions you may have. I would especially like your suggestions for podcast topics. Goodbye until next time.
Rob
Podcast 7 Quiz - Did you understand the podcast?
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Vocabulary
advertising = signs which say you should buy something. For example, buy Coca Cola
African = when something comes from Africa. For example, a lion comes from Africa
approaches = when something is getting closer
argued = when 2 people don’t agree
attractions = places which people like to go to see. For example, the Great Wall of China
bell = something that makes a ringing sound
character = the things about Melbourne that we like
cheap = a small cost
circular = something that is round. For example, a tennis ball is round
collide = when 2 things hit one another
colour = red is a colour. Other colours are blue, green and yellow. The sky is blue.
different = when something is not the same
direction = the way to get to a place
Docklands Stadium = a place in Melbourne where they play sports
enjoyable = when you like something. It makes you happy
explore = when you go to different places to see what is there
extra = some more
heavy = when something is hard to lift up
heritage = very old
maroon = a colour
message = when someone tells you something, it is called a message
painted = when something is covered in colour
popular = when something is liked by lots of people
provides = gives
quite = part of, up to a certain amount
remember = when you can recall something from the past
retail stores = places where you can buy things. Also called a shop.
routes = a way to get somewhere. The way that a tram goes
shoppers = people who buys things in shops
students = people who go to university or high school
tourists = people who have come to Australia for a holiday, to see Australia
transport = a way of getting around. For example, trains, trams, cars, bicycles, motorcycles, etc
venues = a place where sport is played
weighs = when you say how heavy something is. For example, a tram weighs a lot