Local production starts at METRONET’s brand new facility in Perth.
ALSTOM has this week begun operations at METRONET’s brand-new train manufacturing facility in Perth, Western Australia (WA). The site opening, attended by WA Premier, Mark McGowan and transport minister, Rita Saffioti, has been described as “a watershed moment” for rail manufacturing in WA, effectively restarting the industry in the state.
The project is to create around 200 Western Australian Jobs including apprentices and aboriginal workers to manufacture, test, commission and maintain 41 x 6-car electric (EMU) and 2 x 3-car diesel (DMU) trains, which includes 20 years maintenance of the EMU trains and maintenance support services for the DMU trains.
The fleet of 43 trains will be built with the support of a thriving ecosystem of local suppliers, contractors and equipment vendors. Alstom has committed to 50% local content for the vehicles, bringing additional flow on benefits beyond the delivery of the trains to the WA economy.
“Alstom is delighted to begin operating METRONET’s brand-new train manufacturing facility in Bellevue, revitalising the rail industry in Western Australia.” said Mark Coxon, managing director for Alstom in Australia and New Zealand.
“Over the coming weeks we will begin ramping up the production of these new trains in line with our commitment to deliver the latest rolling stock and maintenance technologies and develop the next generation of local, world-class railway manufacturing professionals” said Mark Coxon.
The project is to see the transfer of the latest railway technologies and manufacturing processes to Western Australia, establishing one of the most technologically advanced train manufacturing and maintenance sites in Australia.
Alstom will provide fast-tracked training and skills development programmes through dedicated partnerships with local TAFE and training organisations, creating a new generation of skilled railway manufacturing professionals.