High Capacity Metro Train Production Begins!!

Victorian’s to receive more trains more often, with High Capacity Metro Trains now in production!

Earlier this month, Victorian Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allen, officially launched the manufacture of HCMT’s and announced that trains will be ready for testing by the end of the year.

“By the end of the year, we will see bigger and better trains on our busiest lines, carrying more passengers and delivering a more comfortable ride,” Ms. Allan said.

The 65 strong fleet will be constructed at a Downer Manufacturing facility in Newport, by Evolution Train consortium. The consortium comprises of Downer, CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles and Plenary.

The commencement of production marks an important milestone for Metro Tunnel RSA, with HCMT’s to carry the Communications Based Train Control signalling system developed by the RSA team, and ultimately run exclusively through the Metro Tunnel to Sunbury.

Combining HCMT’s with CBTC signaling technology will bring Melbourne Metro services into the next generation, offering improved frequency and efficiency.

Key features of the HCMT fleet

-          Improved real-time information through dynamic route maps and passenger information displays.

-          A smoother, quieter and more comfortable ride, with enhanced seating and standing areas.

-          Greater accessibility with 28 allocated spaces for wheelchairs and other mobility devices on each seven-car train, as well as priority seating throughout.

-          Improved passenger safety, with Full CCTV surveillance.

-          Increased seating numbers.

-          Two mixed-use spaces in each of the middle three carriages for passengers travelling with bikes, prams and other large items.

Train design

Last week’s manufacturing launch comes off the back of a 12 month engagement on train design, with the Andrews Government unveiling the final life-size model of the HCMT in February this year. The model was on public display at Birrarung Marr for 9 days and garnered 75, 000 visitors, after having been previously used for feedback on the train design.

Thirty-two stakeholder groups provided 2525 items of feedback, in areas such as technical, safety and passenger interests.  Passenger groups alone provided 873 pieces of feedback, leading to 157 design changes to passenger-related features of the train.

The HCMT fleet is due to enter service mid-2019, on the Cranbourne-Pakenham lines, and will eventually run through the Metro Tunnel to Sunbury.