The Andrews Labor Government will order new regional train carriages, securing hundreds of jobs in Dandenong. The Victorian Budget 2016/17 provides $280.4 million for new VLocity carriages that will be built by local train manufacturer Bombardier.

The new regional rolling stock order will support local jobs in Dandenong, and will create space for 2,000 extra passengers across the regional network.The huge investment builds on the 21 VLocity carriages ordered last year, meaning the Labor Government has now ordered 48 new carriages.

This is in addition to the $274 million order for 20 new E-Class trams funded in last year’s Budget, which are also manufactured by Bombardier in Dandenong.In contrast, the former Liberal Government failed to order any new regional carriages in their first two years in office, or any new trams during their entire term.

The new trams and regional carriage orders form part of the Labor Government’s rolling stock strategy Trains, Trams, Jobs 2015-2025, released ahead of last year’s budget. The new trains are part of the Labor Government’s rolling stock strategy Trains, Trams, Jobs 2015-2025, released ahead of last year’s budget.

It sets out a 10 year plan for new trains and trams for Melbourne and a massive expansion of the regional fleet, to carry more passengers and support jobs in Victoria’s significant rolling stock industry, which employs 10,000 people.