[2] The driver and conductor were provided by the MTA while onboard staff are Colonial Tramcar Restaurant employees.

[3][4] Until 1992, the restaurant had to carry a conductor to comply with tramways union regulations about two-man teams operating all trams (in case the brakes failed).

The trams were boarded from the Clarendon Street Junction stop near the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.

They then ran on selected standard tram routes through the city and some nearby inner suburbs, returning to their origin.

On 11 August 2012, 30 diners and three staff had to be evacuated from restaurant tramcar #05 (SW6.964) after it caught fire in East Melbourne[9] on Nicholson Street.

[10][11][12] At the same time, Yarra Trams said it was working with the restaurant operator to enable a "stationary dining experience" to continue.