The Victorian state government has ordered a further 25 X’trapolis 2.0 electric trains from Alstom, in a contract worth EUR 270 million. The new order doubles the fleet currently in production to 50 units, and at least 60 per cent of the trains’ value must be sourced locally.
The order was awarded by exercising an option provided for in the original contract, signed in 2021 for the first 25 trains.
The 25 additional units will be built at Alstom’s facilities in the state of Victoria, and the manufacturer states that the project will sustain hundreds of skilled jobs in the Melbourne metropolitan area and other regions of the state.
The value of the new order is EUR 270 million, bringing the total number of X’trapolis 2.0 trains ordered by the local authorities to 50.
Six-railcar trains with 1,225 seats
The X’trapolis 2.0 is a six-railcar electric commuter train, developed by Alstom in collaboration with the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning.
The model is derived from the Adessia commuter train platform and has a total capacity of up to 1,225 passengers.
The trains feature a continuous interior, allowing passengers to move between railcars, and wider doors to reduce boarding and alighting times.
Accessibility features include 20 spaces for wheelchair users, areas for pushchairs and bicycles, semi-automatic ramps, tactile paving and hearing assistance systems.
The interface between the train driver and passengers has also been improved, according to the French manufacturer.
At least 60 per cent of the train will be manufactured locally
The contract stipulates that at least 60 per cent of the trains’ content must be sourced from Australia, a measure designed to support the rail industry and the local supply chain.
Alstom states that the new order will help maintain Australia’s capacity to design and build trains domestically.
The 25 units will be manufactured at the same facilities in Victoria where the trains covered by the first contract are being built.
The manufacturer believes that the expansion of the programme will provide greater stability for local suppliers and safeguard jobs in the rolling stock industry.
The first trains have already entered service
The first X’trapolis 2.0 entered commercial service in May 2026.
The remaining trains from the initial order are being gradually introduced into service as testing and acceptance are completed.
The new fleet will replace old commuter trains that have been in service since the early 1980s.
Alstom has so far delivered over 48,000 railcars for commuter trains worldwide. The company’s rolling stock is used on around 60 networks and carries over 20 million passengers every day.
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