Alstom has signed a 300-million-euro (351.48m USD) contract with Victoria’s Department of Transport (DoT) to locally supply 25 six-car X’trapolis trains for Melbourne’s suburban rail network.
The contract follows an extensive two-year interactive design process with the DoT to design and engineer a rolling stock solution specifically compatible with Melbourne’s existing rail infrastructure.
This new generation X’trapolis will deliver a network capacity increase without the need for major infrastructure and power supply upgrades.
The proposed design enhances the existing elements of the X’trapolis train with the latest service-proven technologies.
Capacity will exceed 1,240 passengers and will be built to the latest international and Australian standards, with an increased focus on accessibility, reliability and efficiency.
The commitment to deliver the trains with at least 60 percent local content will provide a vital boost to the state’s rolling stock manufacturing industry.
It will secure the future of Alstom’s Ballarat manufacturing facility and pave the way for new, long-term employment opportunities, including multiple trainee and apprenticeship positions.
“Alstom is delighted to continue its long-term partnership with the Victorian Government and the local supply chain that will ensure we continue to build trains for Victoria, in Victoria.
“Following the successful delivery of Melbourne’s most reliable trains from our facility in Ballarat over the past 20 years, we look forward to working with the state and all of our local partners to deliver the next generation of X’trapolis trains, creating a new icon for railway passengers across Melbourne and the State of Victoria.”
Delivery of the new trains will support the gradual retirement of the Comeng fleet – the longest-running trains on the network – with the new trains set to run through some of Melbourne’s fastest-growing suburbs along the Craigieburn, Upfield and Frankston lines.
An interior mock-up for stakeholder consultation is planned for 2022, with manufacturing due to commence by the end of the year.
