New fast trains

DANDENONG’S Bombardier Transportation will manufacture 28 new fast train carriages as part of a $236 million State Government rail spending.
Bombardier, which manufactures the V/Line VLocity train sets, will continue manufacturing carriages for the fast rail, thanks to last week’s announcement that the State Government required three new trains sets.
Victorian Premier John Brumby said the investment would expand the fleet and increase space on trains travelling on the state’s busiest routes.
“This is not only great news for regional train travel but for the industry and the Dandenong area as well, with all of the carriages to be built here in Victoria,” Mr Brumby said.
Bombardier is a world leader in rail equipment manufacture and servicing and Dandenong is its regional headquarters in Australia.
Mr Brumby said trains had been built on the Dandenong site for more than 50 years, with the latest order of 28 new VLocity carriages a great boost for the company and the local economy.
“Bombardier is one of the great success stories of Victorian manufacturing and this new order will secure local workforces and the skill base in Dandenong,” he said.
“Last year Bombardier completed a contract for two-carriage VLocity trains for regional Victoria, so it is well placed to deliver this latest order for V/Line carriages, to be progressively delivered from next month through to mid 2012.”
Mr Brumby said the new VLocity train sets would be added to the existing order for 22 VLocity carriages to meet projected growth on regional rail services.
“Today’s announcement comes on top of the 22 carriages already under construction, which have a seating capacity of 1760, bringing our total commitment to 50 carriages and over 3800 seats – this will make a major difference to people using our popular regional rail network,” he said.
Dandenong MP John Pandazopoulos said the announcement was a great result for the local economy and community.
“This latest order for Bombardier shows that the Brumby Government continues to ensure that Victorian companies get a fair deal and are given every chance to thrive,” Mr Pandazopoulos said.
“It also further demonstrates Dandenong’s growing status as the capital of Melbourne’s south-east and a great place to work, live and invest.”