The Andrews Labor Government will invest $257 million in new regional rail carriages and infrastructure to significantly boost capacity across the regional network and create nearly 200 jobs.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced today that next week’s State Budget will include funding for 21 new VLocity carriages to carry an extra 1,500 V/Line passengers every day.
Minister for Public Transport and Employment, Jacinta Allan, who joined the Premier at Waurn Ponds station today to make the announcement, said the new carriages would be built by Dandenong train manufacturer Bombardier, securing 64 jobs.
The $257 million investment includes a new maintenance and stabling yard in Waurn Ponds, creating more than 100 jobs during construction and about 30 ongoing jobs once completed.
The new depot in Waurn Ponds will also offer local education and training opportunities, with the Government to work closely with the TAFE sector to develop programs for apprentices in the rolling stock industry, training the next generation of train and tram engineers.
Construction of the 21 VLocity carriages is expected to commence in mid-2016 with the first carriages to be in service by late 2017. Construction of all 21 new carriages will be complete by the end 2018.
The new carriages form part of the Labor Government’s Rolling Stock Strategy, which will set out a long term plan for delivery of Victoria’s trains and trams.
Comments attributable to Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews
“This investment of more than $250 million will provide better regional train services, and help create nearly 200 jobs.”
“Patronage on our regional train network has increased by nearly 100 per cent in the past decade, and this investment means we can deliver high-quality regional public transport for decades to come.”
Comments attributable to Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan
“The new carriages and stabling yards will create jobs and improve services for the more than 50,000 passengers who use V/Line services every weekday.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020