Alstom delivered the latest batch of eight X’Trapolis trains for Melbourne, Australia’s suburban network to Public Transport Victoria (PTV) ahead of schedule. The trains, which have been tested at Alstom’s regional manufacturing center in Ballarat, will provide a boost to the busy and growing suburban rail networks.

The new trains will expand the operating fleet of X’Trapolis trains to 82 trains, all of which have been delivered on time and on budget. The fleet has proven to be the most reliable and best performing trains on the Melbourne network. This delivery milestone follows an additional order for a further five X’Trapolis trains announced by the Victorian state government in March 2015, expected to start operating on the network by late 2016.

To be closer to its Australian customer and reinforce its local production, Alstom has increased the level of local content through the replacement of imported components with locally produced material. Application of advanced global technology, combined with local innovation, has ensured a more productive regional manufacturing center and benchmarked the skills of the local workforce to international best practices.