Development continues on Melbourne’s newest trains

Works are ramping up in Victoria to deliver 25 brand-new X’Trapolis 2.0 trains and supporting infrastructure, as part of a $986 million project.

The new X’Trapolis trains will gradually replace Melbourne’s Comeng fleet on the Craigieburn, Upfield, and Frankston lines and be more accessible, reliable and energy efficient.

The project will also improve infrastructure including the Craigieburn train maintenance facility to create more space for these modern trains and improve train maintenance to make the fleet more reliable and increase longevity.

They will be built in Victoria, using 60 per cent locally sourced materials and will create up to 750 jobs for people.

The new trains will be manufactured in Dandenong and assembled in Alstom’s Ballarat factory later this year.

Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll said the new generation trains would form part of ongoing upgrades to Victoria’s network.

Alstom Managing Director for Australia and New ZealandMark Coxon said the X’Trapolis 2.0 trains would deliver network capacity upgrades, without the need for major, costly infrastructure and power supply upgrades.

“The new trains, in line with Alstom’s strategy to deliver greener and more sustainable mobility, will be more accessible, reliable and energy efficient. This important project will also pave the way for new, long-term employment opportunities in the rail industry, including multiple trainee and apprenticeships in regional Victoria,” Coxon said.

Accessibility advocates and technical advisers such as train drivers and passenger groups will be invited to provide their feedback on the fully assembled mockup of the brand-new X’Trapolis 2.0 trains in the coming months.

More than $8 billion has been invested in new rolling stock and supporting infrastructure since 2015, supporting up to 10,000 Victorian jobs across the industry and supply chain.

The new trains will start running on the Craigieburn, Upfield and Frankston lines from 2024.

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