In 2025, Melbourne will be the next city to undergo the dramatic transformation of the large-scale public transport system due to the introduction of the X’Trapolis 2.0 Train ( X’Trapolis 2.0 Train is the next generation of smart, sustainable, and locally manufactured trains). Be it a daily traveler on the Frankston, Craigieburn up to the Upfield line, these new electric trains are said to deliver a smoother, safer and tapped to be a much accessible commuting to travel without being a burden to the jobs of the locals, and simultaneously the emissions.

So what do these new trains imply to the simple everyday commuters and how this great innovation is changing the face of rail in Melbourne

What Is the X’Trapolis 2.0 Train Project?

Being financed with a 986 million dollar investment by the Victorian Government, the X Trapolis 2.0 train fleet will consist of 25 state of the art trains as well as some other upgrades done on the Craigieburn train maintenance facility. These new trains are those that are to take the place of the aging Comeng fleet of the city-Melbourne which has served the city more than 40 years ago.

X Trapolis 2.0 launch is not only a design evolution. It is a jump to a new level in:

• Accessibility
• Comfort
• Sustainability
• Efficiency

New X’Trapolis 2.0 trains will first run on the Frankston line, Upfield and Craigieburn. These are the initial lines to have the upgrade although they might introduce the trains to the other suburban lines in future since the older fleets in Melbourne are slowly being phased out. The new generation of trains is distinctly developed in place of the old Coming which are also in age and have offered service to the city more than forty years ago- this is also a major development to the continued modernization of the Melbourne train network.

Built in Regional Victoria – Supporting Local Jobs

A standout feature of the project is its strong focus on local content:

• ✅ At least 60% of train components are made in Victoria.
  
• 🛠️ Manufactured at Alstom’s Ballarat facility, which has been modernized for this project.
  
• 👷‍♀️ Up to 750 jobs supported across Victoria’s manufacturing sector, including 150+ jobs in Ballarat.
  
• 🎓 Opportunities for apprentices and trainees, boosting local skills development.
  

This makes the X’Trapolis 2.0 project a Melbourne success story, reinforcing Victoria’s position as a leader in rail manufacturing.

Benefits for Melbourne Commuters

Engineered to suit the current busy commuters, the new X’Trapolis 2.0 trains are compacted with intelligent features that have made commuting in Melbourne less time consuming, safer and enjoyable:

Simpler and quicker Boarding

• Bigger doors to increase the pace of entry and minimize a delay.
• People can also board and use wheelchairs or prams through semi-automated boarding ramps.

Universally Designable

• 20 special wheelchair seats
• Hearing loops
• Inter Continuous hallways between coaches
• Enhanced customer monitor
• Bike and pram parking places
  

Even More Comfort in Everyday Travel

• Aboard capacity number 1,225 passengers
• Ergonomic seating
• High technology air suspension to reduce bounces when passing over rough terrain.
• Charging ports USB
• Climate-controlled cabins

Safety + Smarter Travel

• CCTV and emergency intercoms
• Automatic service announcements and maps of passenger information service in real time.
• Energy efficient units that consume up to 40 percent less energy compared to old trains

The trains are designed to serve the daily requirements of people in Melbourne when you are going to town, commuting to uni, or coming home after a day at work.

Where Will X’Trapolis 2.0 Trains Operate?

The initial rollout will cover three lines, which are the busiest in Melbourne suburb:

• Craigieburn Line
• Upfield Line
• Frankston Line

Testing is expected to commence in the mid- and later stages of 2025 and to have a complete rollout among the general population in 2026. When you travel along these lines do not be surprised to see a test run, you may be sooner than you imagine.

Upgrades at Craigieburn Train Maintenance Facility

To service this new train fleet, the Craigieburn Train Maintenance Facility is currently being upgraded significantly:

• New roof platforms and extra-long maintenance holes
• New space to accommodate new six car trains
• Better systems to make quicker and safe services turnaround

This will make sure the new X’Trapolis trains are well maintained and are seen more often in the hands of commuters through-out the Melbourne metropolitans.

Designed With Feedback from Victorians

By the time the first train arrives at the tracks thousands of Victorians have already contributed to the design. A full-size mock-up was unveiled in 2023, at the Alstom facility in Tullamarine when 1,600+ people would be able to test and give feedback. That had the effect of:

• 58 improvement in designs
• Comments of people with mobility, hearing and seeing impairments
• Increased friendliness and ease accessibility

It is a local train built by the locals, to be used by locals.

Why This Matters for Melbourne’s Future

The X’Trapolis 2.0 is about more than just trains — it’s about building a better-connected, sustainable Melbourne.

Local Benefits:

• 💼 Local employment in Ballarat and across Victoria
  
• 🌿 Greener commuting with reduced carbon emissions
  
• 🕓 More reliable transport with fewer breakdowns and delays
  
• 📈 Boost to public transport usage, easing traffic and improving city flow
  

Whether you’re commuting to work in the CBD, visiting family in the suburbs, or heading to the beach on the Frankston line — this upgrade will improve your travel experience in 2025 and beyond.

When Can You Ride the New Trains?

• Testing: Mid to late 2025
  
• Passenger service: Rolling out gradually from late 2025 into 2026
  
• Lines impacted: Frankston, Upfield, and Craigieburn
  

For the latest testing updates and line impacts, visit the PTV website.

Sneak Peek at the X’Trapolis 2.0 Design

There will be a futuristic appearance, free walkways, contemporary lighting, digital displays, and areas that can be accommodated by all – including parents with prams, cyclists and passengers with mobility aids.

Melbourne’s Transport Future Is Here

The entry of the X’Trapolis 2.0 trains in Melbourne is a great success among the commuters, the state economy and the environment. It is a part of a general effort to make our transport system better and to generate real job opportunities and cleaner modes of transport.

Hence, the next time you board the train in 2025, you may be stepping on the future.

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