Alstom has delivered the last batch of eight X’Trapolis trainsets to Australia’s Public Transport Victoria (PTV) for the Melbourne suburban train network ahead of the schedule.
The new six-car trains will allow the operator to provide additional services for the busy and growing network, as well as increase the reliability of the entire system.
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The new trains will add to the existing fleet of 74 X’Trapolis trains supplied by Alstom between 2002 and 2013, bringing the operating fleet to 82 trains.
Construction and testing of the new trains was undertaken at Alstom’s regional manufacturing facility at Ballarat in Australia.
Alstom Australia and New Zealand managing director Mark Coxon said: "Delivery of these latest trains highlights Alstom’s trusted local capabilities and excellence in project execution and delivery.
"The quality and reliability of these trains is testament to the dedication and skills of our team in Ballarat and those of our local suppliers."
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By GlobalDataIn March, the Victorian government has ordered five additional six-car X’trapolis trains from Alstom, saving jobs in the Ballarat manufacturing facility.
In addition to saving jobs, the new investment will strengthen the capacity of Melbourne’s rail system by eliminating the short-term gap in train availability.
The first X’trapolis train from this order is expected to be operational by the end of 2016.
Alstom also said it has replaced imported components with materia produced by local companies.
In May, Nomad Digital won a contract from Australia’s Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) to supply remote condition monitoring (RCM) systems for the X’Trapolis trains.
The RCM technology will initially be installed on four Alstom X’trapolis train units. Following a successful proof-of-concept, the technology would be implemented fleet wide on a total of more than 400 units.
Image: Xtrapolis train – Southern Cross Station, Melbourne, Australia, February 2014. Photo: courtesy of Alstom.
