This is what Melbourne's tram network really looks like if you're in a wheelchair.

As the red lines show, most of the routes are completely inaccessible.

On other lines, you might have to wait an hour for a low-floor tram to arrive at a level-access stop.

Key points: The Public Transport Ombudsman is receiving a record number of complaints about accessibility

The Public Transport Ombudsman is receiving a record number of complaints about accessibility Not one tram route in Melbourne is fully accessible, and 14 routes have no low-floor trams at all

Not one tram route in Melbourne is fully accessible, and 14 routes have no low-floor trams at all The Government says it is upgrading the network, but it's one of the world's biggest and will take time

The Victorian Government is required by law to make all public transport accessible, including every tram line, by 2032. But it's way behind schedule.

"As a wheelchair user, Melbourne's tram network is unusable on most routes and most stops," former Labor public transport minister Tom Roper says.

"At the rate they're going, meeting that target is impossible — they're only doing three or four stops a year."

Former public transport minister Tom Roper says the rate of progress is too slow. ( ABC News: Bridget Rollason )

By 2018, 80 per cent of tram stops were supposed to be made into level-access stops.

The actual figure today is less than 25 per cent.

Mr Roper, a wheelchair user, said he had recently been trapped on a tram for 31 stops after the driver drove straight past one of the few raised platforms on the 109 line.

"I can't tell you how frustrating it is being stuck on a low floor tram," he says.

"There is a lot of expenditure required in transport, but if it was in their priority list [to make them accessible] it would be happening much faster."

Protests over the lack of accessibility have been happening since at least the 1980s. ( Supplied: Disability Resources Centre )

Government should ask us, advocate says

The Public Transport Ombudsman received a complaint every two days about accessibility in the past financial year — a record number.

"The mismatch is atrocious — it's luck of the draw whether you get a low-floor tram at a raised platform stop," wheelchair user Brian Caccianiga says.

"When you're at an elevated tram stop you're just like a normal Joe Blow — you don't have to wait for the driver, you can just hop on and hop off."

Brian Caccianiga has been campaigning for better transport access in Melbourne for decades. ( ABC News: Bridget Rollason )

Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne says upgrading one of the world's biggest tram networks takes time, but stops are being upgraded and there are plans for two new level-access stops on William Street.

"In this year's budget we have a commitment to get 10 new trams underway. That will allow us to retire some of our older, inaccessible vehicles."

Mr Caccianiga says the Government is using low-floor trams on routes with high patronage, rather than prioritising them on routes with hospitals and rehab centres.

"A lack of early consultation is my biggest gripe," he said.

Trams 'worst of the three modes'

The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) says it's hard to believe that not one single tram route in Melbourne is fully accessible.

Fourteen tram routes have no low-floor trams running on them at all, which means they can't be used by people in wheelchairs.

Seven routes are partly serviced by low-floor trams, while only on four routes does Yarra trams aim to run every service with a low-floor vehicle.

"The tram network is shocking, it's the worst of the three modes for accessibility," PTUA spokesman Daniel Bowen says.

"The first low-floor tram was introduced 20 years ago, but we've seen a very gradual rollout of low-floor trams and often they will run on routes with inaccessible tram stops.

"I suspect they are just putting platform stops where it's easy, so they're not coordinating it with where they put low-floor trams."

Accessibility improvements would also help people with small children and luggage, Mr Bowen said.

Decades of protest by disability advocates has resulted in the upgrades to the network to date — but more are needed. ( Supplied: Disability Resources Centre )

The Victorian Council of Social Services says people with disabilities are experiencing second-class treatment on the tram network and the upgrades needed accelerating.

"If you're a person with disabilities in Victoria it really is a luck of the draw as to whether you're going to be able to catch a tram to get to work or to school," acting CEO Deb Fewster said.

Mr Roper says it's unacceptable that there aren't level access stops outside health facilities such as the Royal Melbourne Hospital, St George's rehabilitation centre and Caulfield Hospital.

"At the present rate of progress, my grandchildren might be able to use the tram network properly, but not me."