Victoria calls for train, tram ideas






The Victorian government has called on rail industry manufacturers to put forward ideas for its next generation trains and trams.

The government, which has a policy of at least 50 per cent local content in its public transport rolling stock, is planning new generation rolling stock under its strategy, Trains, Trams, Jobs 2015-2025.

The new rolling stock is planned to follow major refurbishments and new purchases already budgeted for.

Victoria allocated $2 billion in the last state budget to buy 100 new trams, 100 metropolitan trains and to expand the regional train fleet.

The government has said the new generation rolling stock will be more energy efficient and will have on board energy storage, and will be smoother riding and more accessible to passengers.

However ts call for ideas is to be welcomed as it draws oin the skills and experience of the state’s three manufacturers.

Evolution Rail, a consortium of Downer, CRRC and Plenary, builds high capacity metro trains in Newport, Alstim builds the X’Trapolis metro trains in Ballarat, and Bombardier Transportation builds VLocity regional train carriages and E-Class rams in Dandenong.

Victoria’s strategy is similar to that of other states, with South Australia bringing bus manufacturing to the state, and Western Australia planning to start railcar manufacturing.

The stand out state is New South Wales which contracts all major rolling stock orders offshore, complemented with minor local assembly and content.

Picture: Evolution Rail metro train

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