The number 19 tramline is Melbourne’s backbone, taking passengers all the way from Coburg north to Flinders Street Station. Our new series, Tram Tales, shares the stories and struggles of people who, live, work, and travel along this central artery.  

For our first episode, we're focusing on an issue that’s top of mind for most Australians — the cost-of-living crisis. 

Energy, housing, and food costs have skyrocketed, the price of bread is up 24% since 2021, and many are barely getting by. A recent New York Times article even said happy-go-lucky Australia is feeling neither happy nor lucky.  

So we’re investigating how people along route 19 are coping.

Featuring reporting by James Worsfold, Yibo Meng, Yingyu Liu, and Elliot Rodriguez.