The Government of Victoria will provide AUD 986 million (USD 764.25 million) for the manufacturing 25 X’Trapolis 2.0 trains and the construction of the infrastructure they need to modernise the the state’s train fleet.
This project is directly supporting around 750 jobs across manufacturing and supply chains.
Designed and manufactured predominantly in Victoria, the new trains will provide a vital boost to the state’s advanced rolling stock manufacturing industry, particularly in regional Victoria, with at least 150 of the new jobs to be based at Alstom’s Ballarat facility.
This vital investment in new trains will also support the gradual retirement of the Comeng fleet, the longest-running trains on the metropolitan network, with the new trains set to run through some of Melbourne’s fastest-growing suburbs along the Craigieburn, Upfield and Frankston lines.
Part of the investment will also upgrade the Craigieburn train maintenance facility, creating space for these modern trains and improving train maintenance to make the fleet more reliable and improve their longevity.
The detailed design work is already underway, with manufacturing of the X’Trapolis 2.0 trains expected to begin late next year.
“We’re designing and building Melbourne’s new train fleet right here in Victoria, delivering better journeys for Victorians in some of our fastest-growing suburbs. These are trains made in Victoria, for Victorians, by Victorians – supporting local jobs at a time we need them most,” Acting Premier James Merlino said.
This investment builds on the USD 1.48 billion (USD 1.15 billion) investment in last year’s Budgetto design, build and maintain 100 brand-new Next Generation trams in Victoria, improving the state’s transport network for all Victorians and supporting more than 1800 jobs at the peak of production.
Since 2015, the government has invested more than AUD 7.5 billion (USD 5.8 billion) for rolling stock renewal including new trains, trams, and buses.
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