Premier

Promoting Victorian Rail Infrastructure

24 July 2017

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan will leave today for China and Hong Kong to strengthen Victoria’s position as a regional leader in rolling stock manufacturing.

The Minister will meet senior government officials and transport industry leaders in Hong Kong, Nanjing, and Changchun to exchange ideas and encourage continued investment in Victoria’s transport projects.

The Minister will meet MTR Hong Kong to inspect some of its major expansion projects to extend Hong Kong’s railway network by 25 per cent, which are similar to projects like the Metro Tunnel and Regional Rail Revival here in Victoria.

The Minister will also inspect progress on new rail lines for the Nanjing Metro, which carries about 720 million people every year, and oversee the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Monash University and train wheel manufacturer Maanshan Iron and Steel.

The agreement means Victorian transport professionals can travel to Nanjing to exchange rail infrastructure knowledge and skills.

The Minister will also visit the world’s largest rolling stock manufacturer CRRC to view their state-of-the-art factory in Changchun. CRRC is part of the consortium who will design and build 65 new high capacity metro trains for Victoria.

The High Capacity Metro Trains will be built in partnership with Australian company, Downer Rail, in Newport, Victoria using 60 per cent local materials. The project will result in 1,100 local jobs, including throughout the supply chain, and will strengthen Victoria’s rolling stock capability.

The new trains will carry around 20 per cent more passengers than existing trains when they start entering service in 2019, and will be equipped with the latest technology for passenger comfort, accessibility and safety.

The visit forms part of the Labor Government’s China Strategy to strengthen Victoria’s economic, cultural and personal ties with China and create more jobs and business opportunities.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

“Victoria is leading global thinking in the transport industry – this is an opportunity to exchange valuable ideas, knowledge and experience from across the public and private transport sectors.”

“This is an opportunity to see state-of-the-art factories and ensure Victoria continues to stay at the forefront of rolling stock manufacturing.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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