A hundred low-floor trams will be built in Victoria under funding in Tuesday’s state budget, with the plan to support almost 1900 jobs.

The $1.5 billion splurge on what is the state’s largest tram order for decades will also include a new maintenance facility to keep them in good nick.

A new $20 million trial will also see zero-emission buses keeping Victorians moving under a plan to move towards a cleaner bus fleet.

More money was also splurged for preliminary work on the suburban rail loop.

The budget includes $2.2 billion for the loop, which will link every rail line from Melbourne’s southeast to southwest, via the airport.

The Melbourne Airport Rail is in the planning stage, with building expected to start in 2022.

The Victorian and Commonwealth governments have each pledged up to $5 billion to deliver the project, which brings Melbourne in line with other Australian and international cities by offering a rail connection direct from the airport.

Work on the loop is expected to create 800 direct jobs under funding allocated in this budget and up to 20,000 jobs during construction.

Another $2 billion will go towards Geelong Fast Rail, aimed at slashing travel times and carrying more passengers on the state’s busiest regional rail line.

The funding matches the Commonwealth’s contribution to the project and adds to funding in last year’s budget.

The money will be used on planning and design work.

Faster train speeds are on the way for train commuters in Melbourne’s south east, with $276 million announced for the final stages to upgrade the Dandenong corridor.

Meanwhile, regional Victorians are primed for more reliable travel to and from Melbourne, with the next stages of the Shepparton and Warrnambool lines getting money for upgrades.

And a further $187 million will be spent on upgrading and maintaining the V/Line train network.

Source: news.google.com