By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
BOMBARDIER Transportation’s Dandenong factory has been the venue for spirited competition lately.
While its workers are engaged in a Biggest Loser weight-loss competition, so too the state election’s main rivals have made it the domain for big public-transport announcements.
Last Monday Premier Denis Napthine announced a $3.9 billion public transport fleet package in front of applauding workers.
As part of the package, the government’s order for 43 VLocity railcars built at the Dandenong factory up until 2017 would be boosted to 67.
The order run – which Dr Napthine claimed would have 70 per cent local content – would continue through to 2019.
He said the government’s order for 50 Bombardier-built E-class trams would be boosted to 75.
Dr Napthine said the “pipeline of trams from now until 2024” would provide “job security” for the factory’s 450 employees.
He said the “largest rolling stock order in 30 years” would create 3500 jobs in the manufacturing, supply and construction industries.
The new trains and trams would also carry an extra 150,000 passengers each weekday, he said.
Recently ALP leader Daniel Andrews visited the factory as he pledged to buy 30 new trains for the metropolitan network and 20 new VLocity V/Line carriages.
He invited local manufacturers such as Bombardier to bid for the tender.
In a press conference at Bombardier, Dr Napthine was less forthcoming about a $2 billlion-plus upgrade of the Dandenong rail corridor to be built by a public private partnership.
He refused to engage with questions on whether contracts had been signed with the private consortium or whether details would be released prior to the election.
The project includes 25 new trains, high-capacity signalling and the removal of at least four level crossings.
Bombardier is in the running to build the 25 trains for one of the overseas consortiums that are bidding, however speculation is high that the trains could be largely built overseas.
Dr Napthine declined to say where the trains would be built.
