The shortlist of bidders to build Melbourne’s new fleet of 37 new high capacity trains has been revealed and it includes local Dandenong-based train manufacturer Bombardier.

State Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams congratulated the local business for reaching the shortlist. “Bombardier is a world-class manufacturer based right here in Dandenong. It is great to see a Dandenong business identified as a leading contender for such a significant project that will create local jobs and grow this high-skilled local industry.”

Minister for Public Transport and Employment, Jacinta Allan, announced that three consortia headlined by local manufacturers have been selected for the next phase of the tender process.

They are:

• Bombardier – comprising Bombardier Transportation Australia, Macquarie Bank, ITOCHU and Infrared Capital Partners
• Eureka Rail – comprising Alstom, the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and John Laing
• Evolution Rail – comprising Downer EDI, Changchun Railway Vehicles and Plenary

The shortlisting follows a rigorous Expression of Interest process, which delivered an extremely high standard of responses from train builders around the world.

The Andrews Labor Government’s strict local content requirements mean rolling stock manufacturing must take place in Victoria. The project is expected to create up to 800 jobs during train manufacture and construction of the depot, and 200 ongoing jobs in train maintenance.

The new trains will be longer than existing trains – able to carry more people with every journey – and will use the latest technology, making them safer, more reliable and more comfortable for passengers.

The shortlisted parties will be requested to submit a formal proposal in the second quarter of 2016. The tender process is expected to be complete before the end of 2016, with the first train to be delivered for testing in late 2018.