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The state of Victoria, Australia, recently named Connex to oversee all metropolitan train services in Melbourne. Connex in turn awarded a $403.4 million contract to ALSTOM Transport to maintain its expanded infrastructure and fleet, which will triple once Connex takes over the additional train services on April 18.

ALSTOM has managed Connex Melbourne’s infrastructure and fleet since 1999; the new contract extends maintenance until April 2009 with an option to extend the term to May 2010. ALSTOM will oversee fleet maintenance and an ALSTOM-Connex consortium will manage infrastructure maintenance.

ALSTOM will be responsible for maintaining 515 miles of track and overhead wiring, 89 substations and tie stations, 208 stations and parking lots, 186 three-car Comeng trains, 69 three-car Hitachi trains and 40 three-car X’TRAPOLIS trains, which ALSTOM recently built for the railway.