Boost For Jobs As Biggest Melbourne Tram Project Gets Underway

Bombardier Transportation Australia has been today awarded the contract to build 100 new and accessible trams as part of the Labor Government’s $1.85 billion Next Generation Trams Project.

The project supports up to 1,900 local jobs in manufacturing, the supply chain, and the construction of a new purpose-built depot and maintenance facility.

Following a competitive design and tender process, the proposed plans for the trams will be refined in consultation with key stakeholders including representatives from accessibility groups, passengers and tram drivers.

A local content quota of 65 per cent has been included as a requirement for the Next Generation Tram Project – the biggest for any train or tram project since rolling stock local content quotas were introduced.

The Next Generation Tram order will progressively replace some of Melbourne’s longest-serving high-floor trams to ensure the public transport network is accessible to all Victorians.

The Labor Government has invested more than $7.5 billion in new and upgraded rolling stock and supporting infrastructure since 2015 to get people where they need to go safer and sooner.