If re-elected, the Victorian Coalition Government has promised to invest $3.9 billion for the purchase of 170 new trains and trams, announced Premier Denis Napthine on Sunday.
The investment is set to create 3,500 jobs in the manufacturing, supply and construction industries and build better public transport.
“From 1 July next year, a re-elected Coalition will deliver a new train every month for the next decade. The biggest order of rolling stock for more than 30 years will mean 3,500 jobs in the rail manufacturing, supply and construction industries. This bold and visionary initiative will establish Victoria as Australia’s Rail Manufacturing Centre of Excellence in the important manufacturing sector,” Dr Napthine said.
“If the Coalition is re-elected, this historic order will mean we will have the trains and trams Victoria needs for the Coalition’s major rail projects to support a growing population. The order is a key part of the Coalition’s ongoing transformation of public transport in Victoria to move more people, more often with greater safety, reliability and comfort.”
The Coalition’s rail orders will include: 12 new X’Trapolis trains from Alstom in Ballarat; 75 new high capacity suburban trains; 75 new E class trams; and 24 new individual VLocity railcars (eight new three car trains in total).
“The 12 additional X’Trapolis trains will be delivered by Alstom’s factory in Ballarat, securing local skilled jobs and taking the Coalition’s order of X’Trapolis trains to 27 six-car sets. It will help ensure we maintain a highly skilled workforce in Victoria to deliver the next generation of trains for suburban passengers,” Dr Napthine said.
“While other states have lost their rail manufacturers, the Coalition is backing local rolling stock manufacturers and local skilled workers to continue to deliver world-class trains and trams. Other states will be able to buy their rolling stock from Victoria. The Coalition will insist that each new high capacity metropolitan train and tram under these orders have a local manufacturing content of 50 per cent with the new VLocity rail cars to have a minimum of 70 per cent. Only the Coalition, with our strong financial management and ability to get the best deal for Victorians, can deliver this massive boost to public transport.”
