Melbourne’s new trams to boost manufacturing industry
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16 October 2009
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The short-list for a manufacturer to design and build Melbourne’s new fleet of 50 new low-floor trams has been narrowed to two internationally regarded companies, Alstom and Bombardier.
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The contract to build the new trams will be awarded as part of the Victorian Government’s $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan, which will also fund the redevelopment of the historic Preston tram workshops.
In the 12 months to March 2009, Melbourne tram patronage grew by 15 per cent to 178 million trips. Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said this is why the new trams must be delivered as soon as possible.
“These new trams will be able to carry an additional 10,000 passengers at a time and provide capacity on our busiest routes, particularly during the morning and afternoon peak periods,” Ms Kosky said.
The trams will be designed to maximise passenger comfort and the low-floor design will increase accessibility in accordance with Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) standards.
Industry and Trade Minister Martin Pakula said the tram contract had been declared a Strategic Project under the Victorian Industry Participation Policy and for this project at least 25 per cent of the manufacturing contract would need to be local content.
“This local content provision is expected to create at least 150 direct 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,” Mr Pakula said.
With the new trams expected to be in operation by 2012, the project will also provide new jobs and training opportunities for Victorians.
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