The Victorian government’s first train from its latest order of new, locally made regional trains has started taking passengers– supporting growing demand and increasing reliability on the V/Line network.
VLocity train number 119 is the first of 23 new trains ordered as part a $601 million investment in the Victorian Budget 2023/24 – which will help deliver on their $219 million investment of almost 200 additional weekend V/Line train services progressively in the coming years, meeting the increased popularity of regional rail travel in Victoria.
This order of VLocitys is replacing our longest serving Classic Fleet trains – boosting Victoria’s VLocity fleet to 141 trains once the rollout is complete.
Victoria’s new VLocity trains
- The first VLocity train has officially started taking passengers
- The VLocity trains are the fastest on the network, reaching up to 160km/h
- They’ll run on the Geelong, Bacchus Marsh and Melton corridors, among other lines
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
The extra trains will deliver more reliable journeys on the Geelong and Bacchus Marsh corridors, and will also help lift capacity on the Melton line by 50 per cent, with nine-car services to be introduced following the completion of the Melton Line Upgrade.
The new trains feature improved accessibility, with six spaces in each three-car set for wheelchair or mobility scooter users and space for up to six bicycles. A new train will roll off Alstom’s Dandenong production line approximately once a month, with the project supporting around 500 local jobs.
The reliability of the new trains will be boosted upon the completion of the South Dynon Train Maintenance Facility Upgrade, which is increasing maintenance capacity and ensuring that as much of the VLocity fleet is available to deliver services.
Victoria’s new trains boost capacity
The state government has invested more than $9 billion in rolling stock and supporting infrastructure since 2014, supporting around 10,000 local jobs directly and through the supply chain.
“Whether it’s upgrading every regional rail line, building more VLocity trains or delivering more services – we’re building a better regional rail network for Victorians,” Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams said.
“More Victorians than ever are choosing regional rail travel thanks to our fare cap, and we’re responding to this increased popularity with new trains and extra services.”
Find out more about the VLocity trains here.
Honestly this is a terrible outcome for the environment. What other Australia populous state would be running diesel trains on a 30km rail service to Melton and 75kms to Geelong? The PTV is failing very badly on the deployment of electrification for these busy routes.
So inflexible….
Why are only relying one type of Model for our trains?
Alstrom manufacturers many designs some are more suitable for longer distances routes and fit for purpose.
I wonder if $$$$ allocated for it is a issue via accountants and other bureaucracy who don’t really what a train and think all trains are the same?
How can they make informed decisions when they don’t ride thus there and back in one day more 8 hrs on the system then explain why they made those decisions.