The next generation of new, more bike friendly, metropolitan trains will be on view soon.
A full scale model of several cars of the bigger trains will be open for boarding at Birrarung Marr on the Main Yarra Trail from Friday 9 February to Saturday 17 February.
Bike riders should pop in for a squizz, not just to see how bikes can use the spacious trains, but to see how they will cater for the full range of travellers.
The model was a user-testing platform to ensure that the design configuration was prodded and poked from every angle before it was signed off to go into production.
The Victorian Government has ordered 65 High Capacity Metro Trains, which will be able to take up to 20 per cent more passengers.
The first train will begin service from mid-2019 on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines. Longer term, the trains will run through the Metro Tunnel to Sunbury.
The new design overcomes many shortcomings of previous trainsets.
The internal space is much more flexible, and the trains are easier to get on and off, having three doors per car.
The areas for bikes wheelchairs and prams are clearly indicated, and it should be easier to find a space even when other travellers have hijacked the bike areas.
Bicycle Network, and many other representative groups, provided input during the design process.
Although the model is not an exact representation of the new seven car train – the actual layout along the entire seven car set will change – it is a good indicator.
Manufacturing is due to begin soon at Newport.
Click here for more information about the new trains' capacity for bicycles.
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