Mr Mulder visited Alstom’s Ballarat manufacturing facility on Wednesday to unveil the first X’Trapolis train as part of the government’s tender order for eight new trains. 

Responding to questions about Tuesday’s announcement of a sharp increase in the number of services heading from Ballarat, Mr Mulder said he was confident there was enough capacity. 

“We do a lot of this work through Public Transport Victoria, Ballarat has been calling for extra services, we are very comfortable we have the ability within the network to provide the extra services,” he said. 

“In the years to come we might do some enhancements on the track in its own right.” 

He stopped short of saying duplication of the rail line would be needed into the future, saying Public Transport Victoria informed the government on any issues related to capacity of the line. 

Ballarat West MP Sharon Knight said she understood while there were some concerns over the infrastructure on the line, commitments were still being rolled out by the opposition.

Ms Knight would not comment when asked if there would be any more rail promises for Ballarat. 

The Alstom facility has been a consistent political attraction during the campaign, with both parties committed to new orders of trains. 

The Liberal Party has guaranteed a new order will be made to Alstom directly, while Labor

has highlighted the company as a standout candidate for its order as well. 

Alstom managing director for transport Bernard Joyce said he believed the threat of possible closure had not impacted on employees – greatly believing they kept high morale through the process and continued to deliver their current projects ahead of schedule.

matthew.dixon@fairfaxmedia.com.au