Western Melbourne commuters, we’ve got news. The trains that run along the Melton Line are on track (pardon the pun) for a major upgrade – with a fleet of new nine-car VLocity trains due to arrive a year ahead of schedule. The new extended trains will boost passenger capacity by a massive 50 per cent during peak times, making daily commutes a whole lot more enjoyable.
We first got word about these swish trains in August last year, when it was revealed they would cost an eye-watering $600 million. They're the fastest trains to hit Melbourne's tracks, with a top speed of 166 km/h, and also feature additional doors (to make passenger boarding and alighting easier).
The huge, high-spec new trains aren’t the only new addition to this popular train route, with the Melton Line upgrade project also involving platform extensions. So far, these extensions are planned for four of the line’s busiest stations (Cobblebank, Rockbank, Caroline Springs and Deer Park), with the new Melton Station due to open in 2026 also with extra-long platforms.
Wondering when your commute will start getting smoother? Construction is due to start next year, with the nine-car trains set to be operational along the future-proofed line from 2027.
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