The Victorian State Government in Australia has exercised an option for 18 additional Bombardier VLocity regional trains.
The original contract – the Rollingstock Manufacture and Supply Agreement – was signed back in 2018. These 18 trains will consist of three cars, meaning the contract is for 54 new VLocity carriages for operator V/Line to run on the regional rail network in Victoria. In July 2020 Bombardier announced this order as an undisclosed customer.
All 54 carriages will be built at the factory in Dandenong and they will use roughly 69 percent local content – a positive boost for the state’s rolling stock supply chain.
12 of the VLocity trains will be broad gauge trains, while the remaining six will be standard gauge.
The broad-gauge trains have been designed for both short and medium distance services. The long-haul standard-gauge trains will begin to replace the ageing classic fleet on the North East line next year, providing passengers with a more modern, comfortable journey between Melbourne and Albury.
The standard-gauge trains will feature comfortable seats so that passengers have a positive experience on the long-haul journey. They will also have USB chargers. Each vehicle will have six luggage racks and overhead luggage storage, while the six wheelchair spaces have companion seats close by. The trains will also have a modern catering facility.
“Alongside the upgrade of the North East Line, these trains will deliver a more modern, comfortable journey for passengers travelling between Melbourne and Albury – we can’t wait for them to hit the tracks.”
The Bombardier VLocity platform won two Australian GOOD DESIGN® awards earlier this month: one of Best Interior, and one overall Gold award. Both of these were in the Automotive and Transport Category.
“These 18 new award-winning VLocity trains build on the already strong bond between regional Victoria and Bombardier. We are proud to deliver these locally built, world class trains for V/Line.
“We thank the Victorian Government for their commitment to regional Victoria, Dandenong, to our people and products. Providing job security for our workforce and our local supply chain in Dandenong is critically important for our business and we look forward to being here for many years to come.”
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