THE government of the Australian state of Victoria published its 2016-17 budget on April 27, making provision for numerous rail projects and allocating more than $A 3.2bn ($US 2.4bn) to improve public transport.

A consortium including Lend Lease, CPB Contractors, WSP Parsons Brinkerhoff, and Aurecon has signed a $A 1.6bn ($US 1.2bn) contract with the government of the Australian state of Victoria for works associated with the upgrade of the Cranbourne-Pakenham commuter line.

AUSTRALIAN prime minister Mr Malcolm Turnbull announced on April 8 that the federal government will commit $A 220m ($US 168m) towards the Murray River Basin Rail Project, which seeks to enhance freight reliability and capacity in northern Victoria.

THE government of the Australian state of Victoria has announced the introduction on February 8 of what it describes as a temporary, stable timetable for V/Line regional passenger services which have been crippled by excessive wheel wear on VLocity DMUs and a level crossing malfunction.

THE Australian Government has chosen business and legal advisers for a scoping study into options for the future management, operations and ownership of its wholly-owned interstate and Hunter Valley infrastructure manager, Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC).

VICTORIA's minister for public transport Mrs Jacinta Allan announced on November 23 that the government of the Australian state has exercised a $A 274m ($US 197m) option with Bombardier for 20 additional E-Class (Flexity Swift) low-floor LRVs for the Melbourne tram network.

VICTORIA state minister for public transport Mrs Jacinta Allan announced on November 19 that a major component of the Melbourne Metro Rail project will be funded and constructed by a partnership between the state government and the private sector.

THE government of the Australian state of Victoria has announced the shortlisted bidders to finance and build 37 high-capacity six-car trains for the Melbourne suburban network.