$1billion tram contract to boost Victoria’s manufacturing industry

The State Government announced on October 19th that it has shortlisted Alstom and Bombardier to design and build Melbourne’s fleet of 50 new low floor trams, with the companies invited to tender before the end of the year.
“This local content provision is expected to create at least 150 jobs in Victoria. Importantly, this also raises the total local content over the life of the contract to more than 50 per cent, which is good news for Victorian industry,” Industry and Trade Minister Martin Pakula said.
“This tender demonstrated our policies to support local sub contractors and suppliers, with 10 per cent of the selection criteria directly related to local content.”
With patronage on Melbourne’s tram network having grown to more than 178 million trips a year, the new trams will be able to carry an additional 10,000 passengers at a time and provide capacity on Melbourne’s busiest routes, particularly during the morning and afternoon peak periods, Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said.
Designed to “maximise passenger comfort”, Kosky said that the trams will also increase accessibility for disabled and wheelchair passengers to the tram network.
Part of the government’s $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan (VTP), the $1 billion investment is for the development and production of the trams as well as the redevelopment of the Preston workshops.
The first of the new trams are expected to be in service in 2012.