Image: Tony & Wayne.
Just a little more than half a year into the Daniel Andrews government in Victoria, and new “next generation, high-capacity” trains will be rolled out for Melbourne commuters.
In what is the largest investment in new rolling stock in Victorian history, the government has allocated $1.3 billion to build 37 vehicles in its High Capacity Metro Train (HCMT) project.
Now it’s calling for expressions of interest (EOI) for the design, construction and maintenance of these trains.
According to the government, the new trains will be longer than existing trains and will be able to carry more people with every journey.
The government said the trains will use the latest technology, making them safer, more reliable and more comfortable for passengers.
It’s part of the Labor government’s rolling stock strategy Trains, Trams, Jobs 2015-2025, which ambitiously lays out a ten-year plan for 100 new trains, 100 new trams and a huge boost to the regional train fleet.
One of the significant features of the procurement aspects of the project is that the government wants to keep people working in Victoria, mandating that at least 50 per cent of the construction must take place locally.
The contractors will be required to demonstrate how they will boost local employment, training and investment through the delivery of new trains for Melbourne.
Victorian Minister for Industry, Lily D’Ambrosio said this is the first time any Victorian government has made local jobs, skills and investment a central part of rolling stock procurement.
Ms D’Ambrosio said the unprecedented focus on local content would drive growth in the local supply chain, and support high-skill, high-value manufacturing in Victoria.
Victorian Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan the new high-capacity trains will carry more people with every journey, and is part of a plan for a bigger, better public transport system through Melbourne Metro Rail and the removal of the state’s “worst level crossings”.
The government’s plan to remove dangerous level crossings is another important part of the Andrews government’s ambitious scheme to improve transport across the state, by investing $5-6 billion in removing and redesigning trouble spots that have been the cause of accidents or traffic jams.
