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Right: The iconic Melbourne cartoonist Michael Leunig takes a nostalgic ride on the "82" tram.
Background on the issue
Trams and conductors around the world
(The following is an edited version of the Wikipedia entry for 'Conductor (transportation)'. The full entry can be read at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conductor_(transportation)
Many tramways which operated through the earlier part of the 20th Century were designed for operation by a crew of two or more. The conductor primarily collected fares and signalled the driver when safe to depart from stopping places. The conductor also assisted with shunting when necessary, changing the trolley pole and attended to passengers' needs.
Modern vehicle design and ticketing arrangements have largely done away with the need for conductors on light rail systems. However in recent years a number of modern tram or light rail systems have introduced (or re-introduced) conductors to minimise fare evasion and to provide customer care, supervision and security functions, even in situations where a second crew member is not strictly needed on account of the vehicle design or operation.
In Britain, Birmingham-Wolverhampton and Sheffield modern tram system have both started using conductors due to problems with ticket machine reliability.
Modern mass transit systems which operate with conductors on trams include:-
Glenelg Tram - Adelaide, Australia.
Metro Light Rail - Sydney, Australia.
GVB Amsterdam - Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Midland Metro - Birmingham / Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.
Blackpool tramway - Blackpool, United Kingdom, on pre-World War II vehicles.
Nottingham Express - Transit Nottingham, United Kingdom.
RET Rotterdam - The Netherlands.
Sheffield Supertram - Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Melbourne trams and conductors
Conductors worked on Melbourne trams for over 100 years. They sold tickets, helped elderly or disabled passengers and also parents with prams and young children. They gave directions to tourists or others unfamiliar with the city and made sure the trams were safe and clean.
The jobs of tram conductors were threatened under the Cain Labor Government as it sought to cut the increasing cost of maintaining Victoria's public transport system. The role of tram conductor was then abolished under the Kennett Liberal Government, which privatised public transport and introduced Metcard, an electronic ticketing system. No tram conductors were employed after 1998. Fares have since been purchased from a variety of ticketing machines as part of a system which relies on commuter honesty and employs some 250 ticket inspectors.
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