Unable to operate since the COVID-19 restrictions first came into place, the trams rolled out from the Tramway museum depot with the public onboard for the first time on Sunday.

The volunteer-led organisation plans to keep the trams running on Sundays only at the moment.

For the moment, the journeys will be highly restricted due to contact tracing and social distancing measures. No stops will be allowed along Wendouree Parade and tickets only available from the museum depot rather than from the conductor.

Trams at present can only carry 10 passengers, when the normal capacity is for 48.

Finding enough volunteers is also proving a challenge. The restrictions mean more trams have to be used to comply with hygiene guidelines, which means more volunteers need to work to keep the tramline operating.

Services are likely to be limited for some time, according to the Tramway museum's Peter Waugh - although he said he hoped the volunteers would be able to put on a three-day a week service during the summer holidays.

"We have had no income since March while our maintenance and insurance costs have carried on - those bills keep turning up."

"We're hoping we can see something more resembling a traditional tram ride soon - we'll just wait and see," he said.

Volunteer Chris Phillips - who works as a roster clerk - said he was also looking forward to the trams operating with greater regularity.

"It's been a bit frustrating because there's been no income coming in but we've been able to do some renovations while we've been closed," he said.

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