newy.com.au – The NSW government has opened expressions of interest for a Hunter-built suburban train fleet under its $12 billion manufacturing program.
A former coal mine at Teralba and the Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot are among the locations being assessed for the production facility. The government expects to make a final site decision before the end of the year.
The government says the program will provide a 30-year pipeline of train manufacturing, supporting up to 780 construction workers and about 550 ongoing jobs at the factory and across its supply chains.
The expression of interest process invites manufacturers to put forward their interest in designing and building the trains. Both Australian and international firms can participate, but will be required to meet the government’s 50 per cent local content requirement for rolling stock contracts.
The first fleet will replace the Tangaras. Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said the new suburban trains were expected to enter service in the early to mid-2030s, bringing improvements in accessibility, comfort and reliability.
The longer-term plan includes replacing the Millennium and OSCAR fleets into the 2040s, followed by the Waratah fleet in the 2050s. That schedule is intended to give manufacturers and suppliers a sustained workload rather than a single fleet order.
The proposed trains would feature improved interiors and accessibility, real-time journey and connection information, and systems that allow operators to monitor fleet performance and diagnose faults remotely.
Mr Longland said local production would also help support the trains throughout their working lives.
“Having these trains designed, built and maintained in New South Wales will deliver long-term benefits for passengers and the network. It means we can draw on local expertise, respond more quickly to issues and ensure maintenance and parts support are readily available throughout the life of the fleet.”
The original Tangara fleet was manufactured in the Hunter, and work to extend the life of those trains is already under way at the Cardiff rail facility and in Sydney. The government says the life-extension program employs 100 newly hired qualified workers and 20 apprentices.
Transport for NSW has held industry events in Newcastle and Sydney this year to help businesses prepare for the manufacturing program. The expression-of-interest process opened on Friday and closes on November 10.
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