Melbourne University tram stop

On 17 January 1996, a headshunt opened to the north of the Melbourne University tram stop on Swanston Street, Carlton, adjacent to the University of Melbourne to allow services from the south to terminate. It had one 100-metre (330 ft) central terminating line accessed by three crossovers.^[1][2]

Problems with the length of D class trams resulted in the headshunt being rebuilt as three separate 60-metre (200 ft) sidings in 2005.^[3] The project, begun by M>Tram, was inherited by Yarra Trams when it commenced operation of the entire tram system in April 2004, and was endorsed by the University of Melbourne and Melbourne City Council. It did however attract some controversy, with the Public Transport Users Association and Paul Mees claiming that the location was unsuitable, as if would force those wishing to cross Swanston Street to walk a further 150 metres (500 ft).^[4] Construction of the stop commenced on 11 January 2005, with the stop opening to passengers on 15 February 2005, for the first 12 days of construction tram services terminated either side of the works, with a shuttle bus diverting around the works site connecting the tram routes.^[5][6]

Melbourne University tram stop consists of one island platform that provides accessible entry to low-floor trams, it is long enough to serve two D2-class trams at the same time, and has three shunts.^[7][8] It was designed by FMSA Architects for Yarra Trams and Department of Infrastructure. The design consists of six steel 'trees', clad with polycarbonate roofing protecting the seating areas; staff amenities; and ramps permitting full disabled access to the stop.^[8][9]

The island platform is about 59 metres (194 ft) long and 6.5 metres (21 ft) wide; shunt number 1 is 34 metres (112 ft) long, and shunts 2 and 3 are 30 metres (98 ft) long.^[10]