Melbourne: High capacity suburban trains

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Andrews government to spend $1.3b on high-capacity trains

New high-capacity trains running on Melbourne's busiest line will carry at least 20 per cent more passengers than current models.

The government is spending $1.3 billion on the trains to service the Cranbourne-Pakenham line.

The 37 High Capacity Metro Trains will be longer than existing models and will have a standing-room capacity of 1380 ...

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Twitter

Daniel Andrews ‏@DanielAndrewsMP 4 minutes ago

These trains will be built in Victoria, for Victoria. Local jobs, skills and better public transport. #springst
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/andrews-government-to-spend-13b-on-highcapacity-trains-20150629-gi0ek0.html ...

[#Metro]

$35 million per train set.

Interesting exercise to work out what this is in Bus Equivalents

1380 / 130 pax bus = 11 buses

11 buses x 750 000 each = 8.25 million.

[ozbob]

$35 million per train set.

Interesting exercise to work out what this is in Bus Equivalents

1380 / 130 pax bus = 11 buses

11 buses x 750 000 each = 8.25 million.

Labor costs, plus no where to run them effectively as for the rail.  Melbourne will certainly further consolidate heavy and light rail big time.  Ultimately much more cost effective for the rail ramp up.

Bus in Melbourne is mainly feeder cross suburban connections, some radial but rather minor say compared to Brisbane.

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/shortlist-for-new-high-capacity-trains-for-melbourne-revealed

Shortlist For New High Capacity Trains For Melbourne Revealed

Monday 09 November 2015

Minister for Public Transport

The shortlist of bidders to build Melbourne's new fleet of 37 new high capacity trains has been revealed.

Minister for Public Transport and Employment, Jacinta Allan, today 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.

Each of the three shortlisted bidders include Victorian manufacturers, which means the 37 new trains will create local jobs and grow this high-skilled local industry.

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 High Capacity Metro Trains (HCMT) Project is the largest investment in new rolling stock in Victorian history.

It forms part of the Labor Government's rolling stock strategy Trains, Trams Jobs 2015-2025, a ten year plan for 100 new metropolitan trains, 100 new trams, and a massive expansion of the regional train fleet.

The HCMT Project is being procured as a public private partnership and also includes a new train maintenance depot in Pakenham.

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 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.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport and Employment, Jacinta Allan

"Melbourne is growing and more people are choosing to catch the trains – that's why these new bigger, better trains are critical."

"The shortlisted bidders will build the best trains for Victoria and our strong local content requirements mean they will create local jobs and boost the Victorian economy."

"The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with delivering better public transport and creating local jobs."

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/building-victorias-first-high-capacity-train-line/

Building Victoria's First High Capacity Train Line

Premier   16 February 2017

Work has begun to prepare the Cranbourne-Pakenham line for the 65 new High-Capacity Metro Trains (HCMTs) being built in Victoria by the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan today outlined $660 million worth of upgrades that will be carried out along the entire length of Melbourne's busiest train line and the entry to the Metro Tunnel.

Over the coming years, power and signalling will be upgraded between the City Loop, Pakenham and Cranbourne.

Longer platforms will be built at a total of 18 stations on the Cranbourne-Pakenham line to cater for the HCMTs, which will be 20 per cent longer than the existing fleet and carry hundreds more passengers with every trip.

As part of these works, platforms at 13 existing stations will be extended, in addition to longer platforms  at the five new stations being delivered through the $1.6 billion Caulfield to Dandenong Level Crossing Removal Project.

More than 70 kilometres of overhead power lines will be rebuilt, 20 substations will be built or upgraded, and a section of track in South Dandenong will be duplicated to boost reliability and support more services.

A huge new depot will be built  in Pakenham East that will include a maintenance facility, train simulators and stabling for up to 30 trains – creating 100 new ongoing local jobs.

To undertake this huge program of works safely, there will be some unavoidable disruptions to train services, the first of which will see buses replace trains between Dandenong and Pakenham from 1 to 5 April.

The Labor Government's 65 new HCMTs represent the largest single order of new trains in Victoria's history.

With the removal of nine level crossings, the new trains and infrastructure upgrades will increase capacity on the Cranbourne-Pakenham line by 42 per cent, creating room for 11,000 extra passengers in the peak.

Just as importantly, every one of these new trains will be built in Victoria – creating 1,100 local jobs, as well as skills and opportunities for more than 150 apprentices, trainees and engineering cadets.

The first HCMT will be delivered and in testing by late next year, ready to enter service in 2019. All 65 trains will be ready for the opening of the Metro Tunnel in 2026.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

"We're building Melbourne's first high capacity train line and creating thousands of new construction jobs."

"Bigger trains, better stations, and no level crossings will get tens of thousands of  people in Melbourne's south east home safer and sooner every day."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"We're getting rid of the congested level crossings and out-dated signalling that is holding our train system back."

"It will mean some disruption, but after years of inaction and neglect, we're getting it done."

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Station platforms to be stretched for Melbourne's new high-capacity trains

Size will matter on Melbourne's busiest train line with platforms to be extended at 13 stations as part of a $660 million upgrade.

The longer platforms will cater for the new high-capacity metro trains that will first travel on the Cranbourne-Pakenham line. Work will begin to extend the platforms later this year.

In total, 18 stations on the line will have the longer platforms, including five stations being rebuilt as part of the level crossing removal program.

The new trains, which will be 20 per cent longer than the existing fleet, are currently being built.

The upgrades to the line include the rebuilding of overhead power lines and constructing or upgrading substations. A new depot in Pakenham East will also be built with maintenance facilities and stabling for up to 30 trains.

The Cranbourne-Pakenham line will eventually form part of the Melbourne Metro Tunnel project that will run through five new underground stations. It will join the Cranbourne-Pakenham and Sunbury lines.

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the new trains would initially run on the Cranbourne-Pakenham line but would travel to Sunbury when the Melbourne Metro project was completed.

However, similar upgrades will need to be carried out on the Sunbury line to accommodate the new trains.

"We will need similar platform extensions and power and signalling upgrades on the Sunbury part of the network," Ms Allan said.

Stations to receive extended platforms include South Yarra, Caulfield, Malvern, Oakleigh, Westall, Springvale, Dandenong, Merinda Park, Cranbourne, Hallam, Berwick, Officer and Pakenham.

Stations will be rebuilt at Carnegie, Hughesdale, Murrumbeena, Clayton and Noble Park as level crossings are removed.

Other stations on the Cranbourne-Pakenham line and the City Loop are already long enough for the new trains.

The new trains are expected to begin running in 2019. The government has promised that all 65 high-capacity trains will be ready for the opening of the Melbourne Metro tunnel in 2026.

Premier Daniel Andrews said it was impossible to "retire" old trains without building new models.

[BrizCommuter]

Melbourne Age --> Station platforms to be stretched for Melbourne's new high-capacity trains

Size will matter on Melbourne's busiest train line with platforms to be extended at 13 stations as part of a $660 million upgrade.

The longer platforms will cater for the new high-capacity metro trains that will first travel on the Cranbourne-Pakenham line. Work will begin to extend the platforms later this year.

In total, 18 stations on the line will have the longer platforms, including five stations being rebuilt as part of the level crossing removal program.

The new trains, which will be 20 per cent longer than the existing fleet, are currently being built.

The upgrades to the line include the rebuilding of overhead power lines and constructing or upgrading substations. A new depot in Pakenham East will also be built with maintenance facilities and stabling for up to 30 trains.

The Cranbourne-Pakenham line will eventually form part of the Melbourne Metro Tunnel project that will run through five new underground stations. It will join the Cranbourne-Pakenham and Sunbury lines.

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the new trains would initially run on the Cranbourne-Pakenham line but would travel to Sunbury when the Melbourne Metro project was completed.

However, similar upgrades will need to be carried out on the Sunbury line to accommodate the new trains.

"We will need similar platform extensions and power and signalling upgrades on the Sunbury part of the network," Ms Allan said.

Stations to receive extended platforms include South Yarra, Caulfield, Malvern, Oakleigh, Westall, Springvale, Dandenong, Merinda Park, Cranbourne, Hallam, Berwick, Officer and Pakenham.

Stations will be rebuilt at Carnegie, Hughesdale, Murrumbeena, Clayton and Noble Park as level crossings are removed.

Other stations on the Cranbourne-Pakenham line and the City Loop are already long enough for the new trains.

The new trains are expected to begin running in 2019. The government has promised that all 65 high-capacity trains will be ready for the opening of the Melbourne Metro tunnel in 2026.

Premier Daniel Andrews said it was impossible to "retire" old trains without building new models.

The transport gap between Melbourne and Brisbane gets even bigger!

[#Metro]

The transport gap between Melbourne and Brisbane gets even bigger!

Instead of wallowing in excuses, Melbourne gets the job done. Sell a port off to generate the $$ then start removing level crossings and get the new trains in.

Stations too short? Extend the platforms and rebuild stations. Not enough power in the line? Replace tens of kilometres of line.

If it were Queensland it would be like: Nooo! We can't do it! You can't compare us to Melbourne. It's a different city. It's too hard. Platform reconstruction would take months/years/forever.

It would be good to see something similar to this happen on the Gold Coast Line. Raise platform heights and then go DOO on the line.

[ozbob]

Melbourne is not without its issues, but it is a real powerhouse of construction these days.

Looking forward to seeing the progress with the Sky rail from Caulfield to Dandenong in April.

Queensland is an embarrassment.  I doubt if CRR will be ever built.  The only hope is ATP and some 9 car sets on certain lines.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Metro's standing room-only future revealed

The days of getting a seat on a Melbourne train will soon be replaced by the kind of shoulder-to-shoulder commute people experience daily in mega-cities such as Tokyo.

Designs for a planned fleet of 65 new high-capacity trains that will enter service from mid-2019 reveal a radical change is in store for Melbourne train travellers.


Preparing for High Capacity Metro Trains

Rail systems on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines are being upgraded in preparation for the new high capacity metro trains.

The trains will be built to carry between 1200 and 2000 passengers each, depending on their configuration, and they will be designed to maximise standing room, with seats provided for just 30 to 40 per cent of passengers in a fully loaded train.

The bumper loads will be accommodated by enabling "standing passengers to safely travel at a density of up to six passengers per square metre", technical documents seen by Fairfax Mediasay.

According to studies, this level of crowding is comparable to that experienced in the Tokyo metro.

By way of comparison, the city's current fleet of trains are designed to comfortably fit 900 people and seat about two-thirds of them.

A 2011 study of Australian commuters' tolerance for crowding, by the Co-operative Research Centre for Rail Innovation, found Australian train travellers would easily tolerate a density of up to four people per square metre before a sense of overcrowding kicked in.

According to the technical documents, the high-capacity trains will be built with seating for 40 per cent of passengers but will "enable a future reduction of seating in the range down to 30 per cent of the original gross train capacity".

Every standing passenger would have a grab rail or hanging strap to hold onto. 

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said that without larger trains and more services, passengers would be left stranded on platforms in peak hour.

"We're building a 21st-century metro system for Melbourne, where trains run more often and carry more passengers," Ms Allan said.

The trains, which will be built by CRRC Changchun in China and by Downer at the historical Newport rail workshop in Melbourne's west, will also include several high-tech features previously unseen in this city.

These include the ability to operate reliably in temperatures of up to 50 degrees.

Metro's ageing Comeng fleet used to fail when the mercury hit just 36 degrees until its airconditioning was overhauled about five years ago.

The new trains will include passenger Wi-Fi, eight CCTV cameras per carriage (four inside and four outside) and an ability to estimate within 10 per cent how many people are on board and relay this information in real time to central control. They will also be secured against  electronic hacking.

But the planned inclusion of a number of "semi-automated" functions has already alarmed the state's Rail, Tram and Bus Union, as has a confidential Metro Trains "industrial relations strategy" for the project.

The trains' semi-automated functions will include the ability to shunt at low speeds, to start up remotely and control train doors.

The union's Locomotive Division secretary, Marc Marotta, said it wanted assurance that the train driver's role would not be downgraded.

Otherwise we'd be left with the traditional role of frustrating the implementation of these trains until we get this sorted, but we don't want to resort to that," Mr Marotta said.

The union proved its willingness to take strike action and shut down Melbourne's rail system during EBA negotiations in 2015, and Metro is already preparing for the risk of industrial action by its train drivers, two years before the first of the new trains is due to enter service.

Ms Allan sought to douse any notion that train drivers' skills would be downgraded.

"Our highly skilled drivers will play a critical role operating these new, smarter, safer trains – carrying thousands more passengers every day," she said.

Metro notes in its industrial relations strategy, which the union has obtained, that the high-capacity trains project will require changes to established work practices.

"These include restrictive provisions around rostering, route running, training, depots, train preparations, demarcation issues around the performance of work and provision of contract labour," the strategy states.

The strategy document warns that industrial unrest could leave Metro "unable to deliver project to scope and within budget and timeframe".

The 65 trains are to built as part of a $2.3 billion public-private partnership with the Victorian government.

The trains will initially run on the busy Cranbourne-Pakenham corridor and in the City Loop, then through the Metro rail tunnel once it opens in 2026 and on the Sunbury line.

They will be built with seven carriages and could extend to 10 carriages with "gross passenger capacity of at least 1970" people in future years.

[ozbob]

Interesting to note the Vic HC trains 65 x 7 car PPP for $2.3Billion

cf. Qld 75 x 6 car PPP for $4.4Billion ...  huh?

[ozbob]

Changes are in store for Melbourne's commuters, with the city's new fleet of trains revamped to cope with the growing population. #9News pic.twitter.com/Z1SnGIjijJ

— Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) May 28, 2017

[#Metro]

Interesting to note the Vic HC trains 65 x 7 car PPP for $2.3Billion

cf. Qld 75 x 6 car PPP for $4.4Billion ...  huh?

Something to raise with the Auditor General perhaps?

Are you sure that the $4.4 BN figure for Queensland does not include the maintenance over a number of years? They are not buying just the trains but also the servicing with that money IIRC. Not sure if the Victorians have bought a package like QLD has.

[ozbob]

^ yo!  The differential may be the 32 year maintenance program for NGR.

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/bigger-better-train-bogies-built-in-bendigo/

Bigger, Better Train Bogies Built In Bendigo

Minister for Public Transport 3 August 2017

Bendigo manufacturer Hofmann Engineering has won a contract to build bogie frames for the largest order of new trains in Victoria's history, creating 30 new jobs.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan and Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan today visited the Bendigo workshop where 900 bogie frames will be built for the high capacity metro trains project.

The bogie frames are for Victoria's 65, bigger, better metropolitan trains and will be made from 87 per cent Victorian materials.

Once constructed, the bogie frames will be transported to Newport for additional components including wheels, suspension, motors and gearboxes.

The assembled bogies will be attached to carriages before being transported to the Pakenham East Depot for testing and commissioning.

Local staff will be able to build their skills, working with the largest rolling stock manufacturer in the world, CRRC, part of the Evolution Rail consortium who will design and build the new trains for Victoria.

The partnership will enable Hofmann Engineering and other businesses to diversify and compete for further highly-skilled work on other transport and infrastructure projects, keeping and creating jobs here in Victoria.

The new bigger, better trains will enter service from mid-2019 on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines and eventually run through the Metro Tunnel to Sunbury.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"Bogie frames haven't been built in Bendigo since the 1980s. We're building world class trains and trams and we're building them right here in Victoria."

"Our bigger, better, next generation trains will move more people and create more than 1,100 jobs for Victorians."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan

"By working with one of the world's leading rolling stock manufacturers, Hofmann Engineering will have an opportunity to drive a new wave of local manufacturing."

"We see a long term future in Victoria's rolling stock industry, and that's why we're building our trains and trams right here."

Quote attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards

"By investing in jobs right here in Bendigo, we ensure the community continues to grow and thrive for future generations."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsMelb/status/892993376563249152

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/RailExpressNews/status/915452248972345344

[ozbob]

Next time Queensland gets new trains can we get the Victorians to do it on our behalf please?

[Gazza]

Are they the same platform as the Adelaide units?

[ozbob]

Are they the same platform as the Adelaide units?

High Capacity Metro Trains Project > http://economicdevelopment.vic.gov.au/transport/major-projects/high-capacity-metro-train-project

Adelaide trains A 4000 were built by Bombardier at Dandenong.  Different mob building the HCMTs. The Adelaide sparks are based on VLocity believe or it not (shell).

The HCMTs ...

" ... The Victorian Government has entered into a contract with Evolution Rail via a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. Evolution Rail comprises Downer, CRRC and Plenary. ... "

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ptua/status/916044016721915905

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransportforVIC/status/996895787823984641

[techblitz]

https://www.9news.com.au/videos/national/high-capacity-trains-well-behind-schedule/cjvc4eh5l00270go11o9gawfz

the first of these trains will be on the network in 2018

Daniel Andrews 

https://www.msn.com/en-au/money/homeandproperty/speculation-grows-over-delays-of-melbournes-dollar23b-train-rollout/ar-AAAY9gN?ocid=spartanntp

There's growing speculation the introduction of Melbourne's new high capacity trains will be delayed, with multiple sources telling 9News the $2.3 billion project is "not going well".

The first of the trains is due to start taking passengers by mid-year, but has so far been confined to the depot.

Before entering passenger service, the train is required to complete 10,000 kilometres of testing on the Pakenham line.

The testing regime is logistically challenging; the first 2,500 kilometres can only be conducted at night once regular train services have stopped running, while the next 5,000 kilometres can only occur outside of peak hours.

Those tests had been due to start earlier this year, but the train is still undergoing static testing, where teams check the functioning of mechanical and electrical systems brakes and traction while the train is stationary.

Opposition Transport Spokesman David Davis said tests had identified a number of issues.

"It seems that there are problems with these carriages, it seems that there are genuine issues about the quality of the build, and issues around the weight", he said.

Despite that, a spokesperson for the Department of Transport said the testing program was progressing well.


The Andrews government awarded a contract to build 65 of the new seven carriage trains to the Chinese-backed Evolution Rail consortium in 2016.

The trains are designed to carry 20% more passengers than the existing fleet on the busy Dandenong and Sunbury corridors, and will eventually run through the Metro tunnel.

Evolution Rail deferred questions about the project to the Department of Transport.

A Department spokesman says it remains focused on delivering the trains by the middle of the year.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsMelb/status/1125312000492355584

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsMelb/status/1394579161541488641

[Cazza]

Just like the Blue CityGlider bendies up here that have been sitting in Eagle Farm depot, wrapped and ready to go as early as 2 June, 2020. Yet, 50-odd weeks later, they are yet to see a single passenger board the service.

[ozbob]

70 High Capacity Metro Trains, delivered.