The government of the Australian state of Victoria is spending big on public transport projects, both urban and regional, but it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to meet Melbourne and the state’s burgeoning population, writes Mark Carter.

FAIVELEY Transport announced on November 7 that it received orders with a total value of more than $US 150m from the RailConnect NSW consortium of Hyundai Rotem, UGL and Mitsubishi Electric Australia to supply equipment for NSW TrainLink’s New InterCity Fleet.

AUCKLAND Transport (AT) has retreated on a plan to order 17 Independently-Powered Electric Multiple Units (IPEMUs) to replace DMUs on suburban services to Pukekohe, opting instead to exercise an option with CAF for 15 additional AM class EMUs.

THE newly-elected Labour-New Zealand First coalition government has announced a $NZ 800m ($US 546.8m) funding commitment to build a new railway line to Marsden Point port in Northland and to upgrade the line between Auckland and Whangarei also in Northland.

SIEMENS has made what it describes as a “strategic equity investment” in predictive locomotive maintenance specialist Wi-Tronix, United States. While both companies have agreed not to release details of the transaction, Wi-Tronix will remain a standalone company led by its founder.

GLOBAL mining company Rio Tinto announced on October 2 that it has successfully completed its the first fully-autonomous trip on its heavy-haul rail network in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

THE first of 22 six-car driverless Alstom Metropolis trains for Sydney’s North West Rail Link automated metro project has arrived at Sydney Metro Trains depot in Rouse Hill.

THE Australian government is seeking high-quality proposals for the development of business cases to bring faster rail links between urban and regional areas.

TESTING of trams has commenced on the 7.3km Gold Coast light rail Stage 2 extension between Gold Coast University Hospital and Helensvale station.

THE government of the Australian state of Victoria has awarded new seven-year contracts for the operation of Melbourne’s suburban rail and tram services to incumbent franchise holders Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) and Yarra Trams.