- Published:
- Tuesday 3 March 2015
The Andrews Labor Government today announced the purchase of 30 new X'trapolis train carriages, saving jobs in Ballarat and boosting the capacity of Melbourne's rail system.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, joined Ballarat MPs Sharon Knight and Geoff Howard at Alstom’s Ballarat factory today to announce this major investment in Ballarat jobs.
The former Liberal Government’s decision not to invest in metropolitan trains meant Alstom’s production line would cease in five months’ time, abandoning one of Ballarat's largest employers.
Not only will Labor's investment save jobs in Ballarat, it will also plug a critical short-term gap in train availability on Melbourne’s rail network that the previous Liberal Government had no plans to fix.
The Labor Government’s purchase of 30 new carriages is part of a long-term rolling stock strategy for Victoria, which will be unveiled with the May Budget. The strategy will end ad hoc procurement of trains and give certainty to companies and workers.
Only Labor has a plan for jobs and the future of public transport in Victoria. In the last few weeks, the Labor Government has kick-started projects that will reduce congestion, fix public transport, save lives and create jobs.
The Level Crossing Removal Project and the Melbourne Metro Rail Project will transform Victoria's transport network, allowing hundreds of thousands of extra passengers to use the train network every week.
The 30 train carriages announced today make up five six-car trains, the first of which is expected to come into service by the end of 2016.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
"This investment is good for workers, good for Ballarat and good for every single person who uses Melbourne's train network."
"We were elected to invest in public transport, rebuild our economy and get Victoria back to work – and we’re getting on with it.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport and Employment, Jacinta Allan
"The previous Liberal Government left Alstom in the lurch and left the livelihoods of their workers in limbo."
"Our plan gives workers certainty, boosts Ballarat’s economy and upgrades Melbourne’s public transport system.”