- Minister for Public Transport
The Andrews Labor Government is getting on and delivering its promise to build new VLocity trains – with the latest batch ordered to meet growing demand for regional rail services.
Minister for Public Transport Melissa Horne today visited Bombardier in Dandenong, who will build the next six VLocity trains, supporting 100 direct jobs and hundreds more throughout the supply chain.
The new trains are part of the $340 million investment in the Victorian Budget 2019/20 – to purchase up to 18 new three-carriage trains.
The new VLocity trains will include the latest technology including accessibility improvements and mobile phone signal boosting technology.
The Labor Government has already delivered a 40 per cent increase in regional rail services, with V/Line now running more than 2,000 services every week.
Bombardier is expected to begin building the new trains next year, before they are delivered to the network in 2021.
As well as building new modern trains, the Labor Government is investing $50 million to refurbish 75 trains in the existing VLocity regional train fleet – including new seat coverings and padding, and other minor repairs.
As noted by Minister for Public Transport Melissa Horne
“We said we’d deliver new VLocity trains for regional Victoria and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
“We’re improving services for passengers and supporting hundreds of Victorian jobs as we continue to build new trains and refurbish our existing fleet.”
As noted by Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams
“Bombardier are a world leader in manufacturing – this new order will support 100 direct jobs and hundreds more throughout the supply chain.”
