Gladys Berejiklian med rel: Expressions of interest called for new $2.8 billion intercity train fleet

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today announced the next major step to procure a new state-of-the-art intercity train fleet, with expressions of interest now open to train manufacturers from Australia and overseas.

The NSW Government is investing $2.8 billion in the state’s next generation train fleet for customers travelling longer distances from the South Coast, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Newcastle.

Ms Berejiklian said the new fleet will include about 65 trains, totalling 520 carriages, and would be configured specifically for intercity customers.

“The NSW Government is now seeking expressions of interest from established train manufacturers to supply and maintain this new intercity fleet,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“We first met with prospective manufacturers in May at an industry briefing and it was clear there was a lot of enthusiasm among manufacturers from Australia and overseas to be involved in this significant project.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government rescued Labor’s botched Waratah project from the brink of collapse, and all 78 Waratah trains are now in service.

“I am pleased we’re now getting on with the job of bringing a new fleet on board for intercity customers, with the first trains on the tracks within the next four to five years.”

The next generation trains will come into service progressively, with the first trains delivered by 2019 and the rest of the fleet being delivered through to 2024.

“We want the new fleet to offer unprecedented levels of comfort, convenience and reliability for our intercity customers, while ensuring value for money for NSW taxpayers,” she said.

“Buying proven technology from an established manufacturer ensures customers will be enjoying a more comfortable ride sooner than if brand new trains were commissioned from scratch, as the Waratah trains were.

“An important part of this new fleet will be making sure we listen to what longer distance customers want and factor that into the final train configuration.

”We will be looking to our customers to play a role in identifying what on-board features they value. With intercity customers often travelling long distances, customer comfort will be a major focus in selecting the successful bid.”

When these new trains have entered service, the V-Set intercity trains will be retired and the Oscar trains that travel to the South Coast, Central Coast and Newcastle will be redeployed to Sydney Trains’ suburban network – making every train in service air-conditioned.

Prospective suppliers are being asked to:

· Configure and supply a new fleet of 520 cars,

· Fit out and maintain a maintenance facility, and

· Maintain the new fleet including light and heavy maintenance, presentation and cleaning.

Expressions of interest will close on 15 September 2014 and requests for tender are expected later in the year.

Ms Berejiklian said NSW TrainLink was established in July 2013 to provide a tailored service to regional and intercity train customers.

“Our customers deserve a world-class service every day. There’s still a way to go, but I am pleased we have already made significant improvements for customers,” she said.

“We are working hard every day to provide our customers with more commuter car parking, easier access to stations, cleaner and more reliable services and a high standard of customer service.

“NSW TrainLink intercity customers are also benefiting from the new Opal electronic ticketing system, a refresh of V-Set and Hunter Line trains and improved journey times delivered as part of the October 2013 timetable.”