WA’s McGowan Government has named three potential suppliers to deliver new trains to Perth’s passenger rail network, with at least 50% of the manufacturing to take place locally.
Three consortia were named to the Metronet railcar shortlist on August 28:
- Alstom Transport Australia Pty Ltd
- Momentum West (CAF and UGL)
- EDI Rail – Bombardier Transportation Pty Ltd
The winning bidder – announced in 2019 – will deliver 246 railcars, to operate in 41 six-car sets.
17 of these sets (102 railcars) will be needed from 2021 to service the expansions to Perth’s rail network as they come online, under the Metronet program.
The remaining 24 sets (144 railcars) will be part of a follow-on order, to replace Perth’s ageing A-series railcars between 2023 and 2028.
Manufacturing will take place in Western Australia, with the McGowan Government setting a 50% local manufacturing target for the supply deal.
“The key target of 50% will help revitalise WA’s manufacturing industry and put WA jobs first,” WA premier Mark McGowan said.
A site in Bellevue, near the old Midland Workshops in Perth’s east, has been named the preferred location of a manufacturing facility for the trains.
The manufacturing site would be co-located with a new railcar depot, which would service not only the new rollingstock but Transperth’s broader train fleet.
Transport minister Rita Saffioti said the construction of a manufacturing and maintenance site in Bellevue would have a great impact on the local area.
“The Midland-Bellevue area will be involved in the production of new trains and their ongoing maintenance work, creating sustainable local jobs for local people and supporting ongoing expansion of our vital passenger rail network,” Saffioti said.