New VLocity trains are now in service on Victoria’s regional network.
The nine new trains join the existing fleet and are an upgrade on the original design which has been carrying passengers throughout the state since the first cars entered service in 2005.
With the additions to the fleet, more services will be added in a future timetable change, said Victorian Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll.
“It’s great news for regional Victoria that these new trains are on the network, to ensure we can deliver reliable services for passengers.”
Before the new timetable comes into effect, the increased rollingstock will enable greater flexibility for V/Line to perform maintenance on other trains, without disruptions to services. This further reduces the risk of trains being replaced by coaches or limited capacity.
The trains have been redesigned to include new accessibility features as well as dedicated spaces for bicycles.
Other improvements include tray tables on more seats than previous models.
All trains have seating for 222 passengers, and contain quiet carriages, onboard toilets, and mobile signal boosters.
Locally manufactured by Bombardier Transportation in Dandenong, Melbourne, the trains were an extension of a previous order.
“Bombardier is proud to have manufactured these nine new trains in Victoria using 69 per cent local content during the COVID lockdowns. This Australian train manufacturing is testament to our strong partnership with the state government, V/Line and our union partners,” said Bombardier President Australia and New Zealand Wendy McMillan.
The trains recently won two prestigious Australian design awards, the Gold Good Design Award and the Best Interior Design Award.
The awards recognised not only the customer-facing improvements but also upgrades to crashworthiness, the use of recycled materials, and advanced manufacturing and material technology that increase safety and efficiency while reducing cost and weight.
“We are the only industry player in this country that can build trains and trams from the ground up. Of course, the amazing work from our Dandenong and wider teams cannot be understated,” said McMillan.
Carrol said the new trains were part of the continually improving customer experience.
“These new trains combine the things passengers love about the existing VLocity fleet with state-of-the-art technology to make journeys even more enjoyable,” said Carroll.
The nine new trains are part of an order for 18 new three-carriage VLocity trains.
Construction is already underway on the first two standard gauge VLocity trains for the Albury line. Another four broad gauge trains will also be delivered as part of the current order.