$2bn High Capacity Metro Train Project in VIC to create 1,100 jobs

At least 1,100 highly-skilled jobs will be created for the $2 billion High Capacity Metro Train (HCMT) project in Victoria by the Andrews Labor Government. This project is part of Victoria’s 10-year Rolling Stock Strategy which has already seen an investment of more than $3 billion since the beginning of 2015 for new and upgraded trains and trams.

After an extensive 12-month global tender process, Premier Daniel Andrews together with Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan and Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan announced that Evolution Rail consortium – comprising of Downer Rail, CRRC and Plenary Group – has been chosen to build 65 of Melbourne’s new trains.

Evolution Rail consortium was previously shortlisted for this project together with Bombardier - comprising of Bombardier Transportation Australia, Macquarie Bank, ITOCHU and Infrared Capital Partners - and Eureka Rail which comprised of Alstom, the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and John Laing.

Works to be delivered by Evolution Rail consortium will include:

• Designing, manufacturing and commissioning 65 HCMTs to be used on the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines in Melbourne
• Designing and building two training simulators
• Designing, constructing and commissioning a train maintenance facility as well as stabling yards at Pakenham East
• Designing, constructing and commissioning a light service facility at Calder Park
• Maintenance of the rolling stock fleet for 30 years as well as the train maintenance facility, the light service facility and the simulators

All 65 new trains will be built in Victoria, for Victoria, generating 60 per cent local content – surpassing the Labor Government’s promise of 50 percent local content. With this project, Victoria has secured its reputation as a global hub for rolling stock manufacturing.

“The state’s largest single order of new trains will be built in Victoria, for Victoria.

“This brings enormous benefits to our state, creating 1,100 local jobs and cementing Victoria’s reputation as the nation’s hub for high-skilled manufacturing and a global hub for train building,” Premier Daniel Andrews said. 

The manufacturing of the trains encourages local industry participation which will include 15 percent Victorian apprentices, trainees, cadets as well as workers from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“We’re guaranteeing more local work than ever with 60 per cent local content, as well as ensuring the inclusion of 15 per cent Victorian apprentices, trainees and cadets, and a partnership with Toyota to help transition workers out of the auto industry,” Minister Wade Noonan said.

In order to build the HCMTs, Downer will be upgrading its Newport manufacturing facility and CRRC will be establishing a new regional office in Melbourne. Australia’s first and only bogie manufacturer will also be established for this project.

Pakenham East will also be seeing a new maintenance and stabling depot which will be built with 87 per cent local content as well as provide up to 100 long-term ongoing jobs for the local community.

The new HCMTs will be significantly longer than the existing trains to help reduce overcrowding. The trains’ innovative design uses the latest technology which makes them safer, more reliable and more comfortable for commuters.

“These new high capacity trains will do the heavy lifting on the Cranbourne-Pakenham lines, ahead of the opening of the Metro Tunnel, enabling more passengers to travel during the busiest parts of the day,” Minister Jacinta Allan said.

The first train will be delivered and tested by November 2018 and all 65 trains to be rolled out as a dedicated fleet for the opening of the Metro Tunnel in 2026.

Watch this space for more updates on this project.

In the meantime, read up on the free eBook below which highlights the advantages of utilising local suppliers on your tender applications and projects.

Source: Premier of Victoria and Downer Group