Yarra Trams has received full certification to the ISO 55001 standard in Asset Management – becoming one of just 19 transport organisations in the world to be awarded the accreditation.
Unlike many other transport organisations who have achieved this certification, Yarra Trams is one of the first to cover all asset classes and locations.
The certification comes following a two-year period, in which Yarra Trams established an entirely new Asset Management System (AMS). The AMS covers how the operator manages infrastructure, rolling stock, operating and intellectual technologies. For the last 18 months, the AMS has been the common approach for all asset classes at Yarra Trams.
To effectively implement the AMS, more than 100 standards, procedures and guidelines were created, 26 asset class strategies updated or established, and thousands of hours were spent on training, communicating, and embedding change.
Life-cycle models were also introduced, and key upgrades to business systems were made to accommodate improvements to process and procedure.
The AMS comprises of five key steps – Lead, Develop, Enable, Operate, and Improve.
At its core is a strong reliance on data and insights, ensuring that every plan and activity is evidence-based.
Operating nine unique classes of trams across a network covering 250km, Yarra Trams is the largest and most diverse tram network in the world.
With over 500,000 Melbournians catching trams every day, it’s vital that systems are in place to ensure every trip can be made safely.
The news came shortly after Yarra Trams was recertified in ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems, ISO 45001 – Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems, and ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems. 
The certification was formalised on 4 October 2019, by British Standards Institution Australia (BSI), with Yarra Trams CEO, Nicolas Gindt, accepting the documentation from BSI Managing Director, Marc Barnes.
With the AMS now embedded, Yarra Trams looks forward to reaping even more rewards in years to come.
Quotes attributable to Nicolas Gindt, CEO, Yarra Trams
“The audit process was a complete success, and this is thanks to the years of preparation and hard work our people put in to embed our Asset Management System.”
“To achieve ISO 55001 across the entire organisation is something that is unique within the transport industry, and an accomplishment we are very proud of.”
Quotes attributable to Marc Barnes, Managing Director, BSI Group ANZ
“Yarra Trams should be proud of their achievement in achieving certification to ISO 55001 Asset Management. They can demonstrate they have a well-structured and robust approach to asset management and are committed to driving continual improvement.”
