The Victorian Government has unveiled the first of 25 state-of-the-art X’Trapolis 2.0 trains, built in Ballarat as part of a $986 million investment aimed at enhancing the reliability and accessibility of public transport.
Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams announced the milestone, emphasising the transformative potential of the new fleet for some of Victoria’s busiest rail corridors.
“Our investment in these next generation trains will deliver more reliable and smoother journeys for passengers,” Minister Williams said.
The X’Trapolis 2.0 trains boast a nearly 10 per cent increase in capacity compared to the aging Comeng fleet, accommodating approximately 1,225 passengers.
The design includes dedicated wheelchair spaces and flexible areas for prams and bicycles, ensuring a more accessible and versatile commuting experience.
The new fleet will gradually replace Melbourne’s oldest trains on the metropolitan network, offering a greener, more energy-efficient travel option.
A testing program will commence shortly before the trains enter passenger service.
The project has also injected momentum into Victoria’s manufacturing sector, with a 60 per cent local content quota supporting up to 750 jobs across the supply chain, including 150 positions in Ballarat.
“It’s exciting to see the first new X’Trapolis 2.0 train take shape, proudly built right here in Ballarat by local manufacturing workers,” said Member for Eureka Michaela Settle.
The initiative is part of a broader $9 billion investment by the Labor Government in locally-built transportation infrastructure, including trains, trams, and buses.
This commitment has supported approximately 10,000 jobs across the state’s manufacturing and supply chain sectors.
“Our investment in next-generation Ballarat-built X’Trapolis 2.0 trains is supporting local manufacturing jobs and delivering a world-class travel experience for passengers,” added Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison.
By prioritising local production, the government is not only enhancing the public transport system but also strengthening regional economies.
“By building these state-of-the-art trains locally, we’re keeping manufacturing jobs in our region and supporting suppliers from across our state,” said Member for Ripon Martha Haylett.
