Alstom wins 2026 Australian Good Design Award for Melbourne’s Next Generation Tram

• Melbourne's Next Generation G Class Tram has received a 2026 Australian Good Design Award in the Product Design - Automotive & Transport category.
• Developed by Alstom, in partnership with the Victorian Government, through a co-design process, the tram delivers significant major improvements in accessibility, safety and passenger experience. 
• Built in Victoria with 65% local content, the tram combines sustainable technology with local manufacturing capability, while supporting up to 1,900 local jobs.

The first of 100 trams ordered have been delivered by Alstom.

12 October 2026 - Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has received a 2026 Australian Good Design Award in the Product Design - Automotive & Transport category for Melbourne's Next Generation (G Class) Tram[1]. Developed in partnership with the Victorian Government, the G Class tram was recognised for its outstanding contribution to accessibility, sustainability and passenger experience, setting a new benchmark for public transport design in Australia. 

The tram was shaped through an extensive human-centred co-design process involving more than 1,000 stakeholders, including passengers, disability advocates, tram drivers and technical specialists. More than 60 design refinements were incorporated during development, with almost half focused on improving accessibility and usability.

The Australian Good Design Awards are Australia's highest honour for design and innovation, celebrating projects that deliver meaningful benefits for people, communities and industry.

"Receiving this Australian Good Design Award reflects the strength of our partnership with the Victorian Government and our shared commitment to delivering a more accessible, inclusive and sustainable public transport network for Victorians. The recognition shows what industry and government can achieve by working together in strong long-term partnerships," said Guillaume Tritter, Managing Director of Alstom Australia and New Zealand. 

"Alstom worked closely with the Department of Transport and Planning and engaged extensively with passengers, accessibility advocates and operators to deliver a tram that improves accessibility, comfort and inclusivity while helping shape the future of Melbourne's iconic tram network," said a Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson. 

The Australian Good Design Awards Jury highlighted the G Class tram's combination of accessibility, sustainability and operational performance. 

"It recognised a well-resolved project demonstrating strong integration of design, innovation, engineering excellence and cultural impact. The design establishes a distinctive visual identity for Melbourne while contributing meaningfully to the local economy. Full low-floor greatly enhances accessibility, enabling greater freedom, independence and inclusivity for passengers with mobility needs, prams and luggage. 

The Jury also commended the successful balance of civic presence, functional performance and social benefit, noting the clever use of regenerative braking to reduce energy consumption and infrastructure costs within this essential public transport system."

Designed for Melbourne's operating environment, supporting Victoria's industry

The 25-metre low-floor tram combines Alstom's proven FLEXITY 2 platform with locally tailored innovation. It features dedicated mobility aid spaces, enhanced priority seating, improved passenger information systems, hearing loops, intuitive wayfinding and optimised passenger flow.

The award recognises the project's environmental and economic benefits. Energy-efficient traction and onboard energy storage reduce power consumption and emissions, while the programme strengthens Victoria's manufacturing capability through a 65% local content requirement and supports up to 1,900 local jobs.

Alstom recognised with awards for most products delivered

The Australian Good Design Awards are Australia's highest honour for design and innovation, recognising projects that deliver meaningful benefits for people, communities and industry.

Alstom has received several awards recognising excellence in design and innovation:

2005

Design Award 

Automotive and Transport category

VLocity 160 DMU

2014

Good Design Selection

Automotive and Transport category

G:LINK Gold Coast Flexity 2 Tram

Good Design Award GOLD WINNER

2014

Good Design Selection

Automotive and Transport category

Melbourne 'E Class' tram

Good Design Award GOLD WINNER

2015

Good Design Selection

Product Design - Automotive and Transport

Adelaide A-City 25kV EMU

Good Design Award GOLD WINNER

2016

Good Design Selection

Product Design - Automotive and Transport

Queensland New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) Multiple Unit

2017

Good Design Selection

Product Design - Automotive and Transport

Melbourne LRV e-Class Design Enhancement (E2)

2020

Good Design Award GOLD WINNER

Product Design - Automotive and Transport

VLocity VL80

Best Interior - Automotive design Award

ALSTOM™ and Flexity 2™ are protected trademarks of the Alstom Group.
 

[1] The Next-Generation Tram is Melbourne's G Class tram. It is derived from Alstom's Flexity platform.