The Andrews Labor Government is getting VLocity trains back into service quicker, making public transport more reliable for regional Victorians.
Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll visited the South Dynon Train Maintenance Facility ahead of the commencement of the $322 million Stage 2 upgrade funded in the Victorian Budget 2023/24.
Upgrades to the South Dynon Train Maintenance Facility will ensure the reliable operation of the VLocity train fleet - increasing maintenance capacity and ensuring as much of the fleet as possible is available to deliver services.
Works will deliver additional heavy maintenance roads and train wash capacity to maintain more V/Line trains at the same time, while supporting up to 180 construction jobs at the peak of works, as well as additional ongoing maintenance jobs at the facility when complete.
The project builds on the South Dynon Stage 1 upgrade project currently in its final stages, upgrading maintenance roads and site infrastructure and amenities at the site.
The regional fare cap is continuing to be extremely popular with Victorians, with around five million trips taken on the V/Line network and more than $15 million saved by passengers since the start of the cap.
Since the introduction of the fare cap V/Line has added more than 100 additional special services every month and will shortly be consulting with customers as part of its review of bookings and reservations policies for long-distance lines.
This year's budget invested $601 million to build 23 new VLocity trains - supporting around 500 local jobs as well as a $219 million investment for almost 200 additional weekend V/Line train services.
The Labor Government has invested more than $9 billion into rolling stock and supporting infrastructure since 2014, supporting up to 10,000 local jobs directly and throughout the supply chain.
As stated by Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll
"We're investing record amounts in public transport, building trains locally in Victoria and making our transport network more reliable and more affordable for regional Victorians."
"Our massive investment of more than $9 billion in rolling stock and supporting infrastructure since 2014 is bolstering our manufacturing industry and supporting up to 10,000 Victorian jobs."
As stated by Member for Northern Metropolitan Region Sheena Watt
"This massive investment in South Dynon will create hundreds of local jobs and ensure our transport network is set up to connect our growing city to regional Victoria in the future and boosting our state's economy."
