The government of Victoria in Australia has increased its previously announced initial order for high-capacity metro trains for Melbourne Metro commuter services from 37 to 65 seven carriage sets.
The order, which is estimated to cost $A2bn ($1.49bn), also provides high capacity signalling on every train and expansion of train maintenance and stabling facilities at Pakenham under the original order last year.
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The project will be delivered as a public-private partnership (PPP) and a tender process is underway, with three consortia shortlisted for the contract.
Shortlisted consortia include Bombardier, which is comprised of Bombardier Transportation Australia, Macquarie Bank, Itochu and Infrared Capital Partners; Eureka Rail consortium including Alstom, the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and John Laing; and Evolution Rail, which includes Downer EDI, Changchun Railway Vehicles, and Plenary.
The winning consortium is scheduled to be awarded a contract this year, with the first train expected to arrive in 2018.
The new trains will immediately reduce congestion on Melbourne’s busiest Cranbourne – Pakenham line.
Under the project, 455 carriages will be built in Victoria, with at least a 50% local build requirement set to create up to 800 local jobs and support thousands across the supply chain.
Victoria premier Daniel Andrews said: "We are making the biggest order of new trains in Victoria’s history to create local jobs, reduce congestion on Melbourne’s busiest line and make the most of Melbourne Metro Rail from day one.
"These 455 new carriages will be built in Victoria, for Victoria, boosting the capacity of the network and creating hundreds of long-term Victorian jobs."
In addition to the removal of nine level crossings, rebuilding of five stations, and new power and signalling infrastructure, the trains will strengthen capacity on the Dandenong rail corridor by more than 40%, allowing 11,000 extra passengers in peak times.
The longer trains will be able to carry more people with each trip and they will be operated on the new cross-city line to be built by Melbourne Metro Rail, as well as allow 39,000 extra passengers to catch the train at peak times.
